Publications by authors named "Erica De Martino"

Complement system (CS) dysregulation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases playing a central role in many immune innate and adaptive processes. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ta breach of self-tolerance leading to a synovitis and extra-articular manifestations. The CS is activated in RA and seems not only to mediate direct tissue damage but also play a role in the initiation of RA pathogenetic mechanisms through interactions with citrullinated proteins.

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Background: The interplay between female fertility and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) can involve HLA haplotypes and micronutrients. We analyzed the distribution of HLA-DQ2/-DQ8 in women with infertility or recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and possible associations with AIDs and micronutrient status.

Methods: Consecutive women ( = 187) with infertility and RSA, and controls ( = 350) were included.

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Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are a heterogeneous group of inflammatory chronic diseases characterized by sharing common pathogenic, clinical and radiologic features. The aim of this review is to support clinicians in understanding and managing this complex disease, from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets, through a systematic review of the current literature in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and checklist. HLA-B27 has been found to be associated with axial involvement either in SA and in PsA patients: it might be involved through presentation of an "arthritogenic peptide" to autoreactive CD8+ T cells or might accumulate in misfolded form and induce production pro-inflammatory cytokines by binding to several innate immune receptors.

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Background: Secukinumab (SEC) is effective for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in randomized trials, but real-life data are lacking.

Research Design And Methods: Real-life, prospective observational study on 169 consecutive outpatients at baseline (T0) and at 6 (T6) and 12 months (T12) after starting SEC (39 AS, 23%; 130 PsA, 77%).

Results: Significant improvement was seen at T6 and T12 for all clinical variables, including TJC, SJC, ESR, CRP, DAPSA, ASDAS-CRP, and BASDAI, as well as in patient-reported outcomes like VAS-pain.

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Introduction: Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) play a pivotal role in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Despite this, their discontinuation due to inefficacy or adverse events is often observed. The aims of this study are to describe retention rates and treatment trends of anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, and anti-IL12/23R agents in patients with PsA and to identify factors associated with bDMARDs discontinuation in a real-world clinical setting.

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: Innate immune response and bone remodeling are key factors contributing to the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Moreover, the evidence of autoantibodies in patients' sera suggests an autoimmune side in PsA. Besides the immune pathways, studies strongly support the role of genetic risk alleles in affecting the clinical heterogeneity of PsA as well as the response to therapy.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a heterogeneous clinical response to the different treatments. Some patients are difficult to treat and do not reach the treatment targets as clinical remission or low disease activity. Known negative prognostic factors, such as the presence of auto-antiantibodies and joint erosion, the presence of a genetic profile, comorbidities and extra-articular manifestations, pregnancy or a pregnancy wish may concur to the treatment failure.

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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that may be present in near 30% of patients affected by psoriasis (PsO), clinically characterized by inflammation of periarticular (e.g., enthesis) and articular structures.

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