IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura): An Update on Treatment.

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), previously named as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most frequent systemic vasculitis in children. In adults, IgAV is less common although it is associated with more severe disease. In fact, the frequency of glomerulonephritis (referred to as IgAV nephritis) in adults is higher than in children and tends to present more severely, with around 10-30% of those affected eventually progressing to end-stage renal disease.

Regulation of monocyte apoptosis and DNA extrusion in monocyte extracellular traps by PSGL-1: Relevance in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by severe organ damage and lacking curative treatment. While various immune cell types, especially dysfunctional B and T cells and neutrophils, have been related with disease pathogenesis, limited research has focused on the role of monocytes in SLE. Increased DNA extracellular traps, apoptosis and necrosis have been related to lupus pathogenesis.

PSGL-1, ADAM8, and selectins as potential biomarkers in the diagnostic process of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis: an observational study.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Systemic sclerosis (SSc) present significant challenges for clinicians. Although various studies have observed changes in serum levels of selectins between healthy donors and patients with autoimmune diseases, including SLE and SSc, their potential as biomarkers has not been thoroughly explored. We aimed to investigate serum profiles of PSGL-1 (sPSGL-1), ADAM8 (sADAM8) and P-, E- and L-selectins (sP-, sE- and sL-selectins) in defined SLE and SSc patient cohorts to identify disease-associated molecular patterns.

Sex-specific impact of inflammation on traditional cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis in axial spondyloarthritis. A multicentre study of 913 patients.

Introduction: The nature of the relationship between inflammation, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and atherosclerosis in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains largely unknown and sex differences in this regard are yet to be assessed.

Methods: Study including 611 men and 302 women from the Spanish multicentre AtheSpAin cohort to assess CV disease in axSpA. Data on CV disease risk factors were collected both at disease diagnosis and at enrolment, and data on disease activity, functional indices and carotid ultrasonography only at enrolment.

Implementation of a virtual community of practice to promote the empowerment of middle-aged people with multimorbidity: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Empowering people living with multimorbidity (multiple chronic conditions) to gain greater confidence in managing their health can enhance their quality of life. Education focused on self-management is a key tool for fostering patient empowerment and is mostly provided on an individual basis. Virtual communities of practice (VCoP) present a unique opportunity for online education in chronic condition self-management within a social context.

Application of Nuclear Medicine Techniques in Musculoskeletal Infection: Current Trends and Future Prospects.

Nuclear medicine has become an indispensable discipline in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal infections. Radionuclide tests serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for patients suspected of having osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis, or prosthetic joint infections. The choice of the most suitable imaging modality depends on various factors, including the affected area, potential extra osseous involvement, or the impact of previous bone/joint conditions.

Usefulness of Lung Ultrasound as a Method for Early Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Purpose: To determine the value of lung ultrasound (LUS) compared to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients And Methods: An observational prospective study was performed. Were included patients with respiratory symptoms or/and, patients with crackles in auscultation during medical consultation.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Immunosuppressive Therapy in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases.

The COVID-19 vaccination program has probably been the most complex and extensive project in history until now, which has been a challenge for all the people involved in the planning and management of this program. Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) on immunosuppressive therapy have required special attention, not only because of the particular haste in carrying out the process but also because of the uncertainty regarding their response to the vaccines. We now have strong scientific evidence that supports the hypothesis that immunosuppressive therapy inhibits the humoral response to vaccines against other infectious agents, such as influenza, pneumococcus and hepatitis B.

Ultrasonography in rheumatology: time to learn from patient views.

Objective: The objective of this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study was to assess the perceived quality and grade of satisfaction expressed by patients with chronic arthropathies regarding the use of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasonography by rheumatologists as an integrated clinical care tool.

Methods: All Spanish rheumatology departments with MSK ultrasonography incorporated in their healthcare services were invited to participate in the study. A Spanish-language survey was offered to fill out anonymously to all consecutive patients with chronic arthropathies under follow-up in the rheumatology outpatient clinics who attended their centre for a period of 3 months.

Abatacept in usual and in non-specific interstitial pneumonia associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of abatacept (ABA) in Rheumatoid Arthritis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (RA-ILD) according to the radiological patterns of usual (UIP) or non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP).

Methods: From an observational longitudinal multicentre study of 263 RA-ILD patients treated with ABA, those with UIP or NSIP were selected. Lung function, chest high resolution computerised tomography (HRCT) and dyspnoea were recorded and compared in both groups from baseline to the end of follow-up (progression definitions: improvement or worsening >10% of FVC or DLCO, changes in HRCT extension and 1-point change in the mMRC scale, respectively).

Utilisation of primary healthcare services by Sjögren's syndrome patients in the Community of Madrid and associated factors: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To describe the utilisation of primary health care (PHC) services and factors associated with its use by patients diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional cohort of SS patients in Madrid, Spain (SIERMA). Sociodemographic, diagnostic, clinical and PHC service utilisation variables were studied by bivariate analyses and regression models.

Low P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 Expression in Neutrophils Associates with Disease Activity and Deregulated NET Formation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the generation of anti-DNA autoantibodies due to exposure of immune cells to excessive amounts of extracellular DNA. Lack of P-selectin in mice induces the development of a lupus-like syndrome and patients with cutaneous lupus have reduced P-selectin expression in skin vessels. Using flow cytometry we analyzed in healthy donors and patients the expression of P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in circulating neutrophils and the implication of PSGL-1/P-selectin interaction in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generation.

Challenges in the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and related giant cell arteritis.

Introduction: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) has emerged as a relatively common condition in Western countries. Although the diagnosis is relatively straightforward in people over 50 years of age who complain of sudden onset of pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles along with elevation of biomarkers of inflammation, manifestations of polymyalgia can also occur in the context of different conditions. For this reason, a complete history and examination is required, including looking for symptoms and signs suggestive of giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Prevalence and comorbidities of Sjogren's syndrome patients in the Community of Madrid: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients in the Community of Madrid.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional cohort of SS patients was derived from the information system for rare diseases in the Community of Madrid (SIERMA) and confirmed by a physician. The prevalence per 10,000 inhabitants among people aged ≥18years in June 2015 was calculated.

IgA Vasculitis: Influence of and Gene Polymorphisms.

and genes involved in the development and signaling of B-cells are identified as susceptibility loci for numerous inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, we assessed the potential influence of and on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), predominantly a B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition. Three genetic variants within (rs1883832, rs1535045, rs4813003) and (rs2254546, rs2736340, rs2618476) as well as two polymorphisms (rs10516487, rs3733197), previously associated with inflammatory diseases, were genotyped in 382 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 955 sex- and ethnically matched healthy controls.

Ultrasound evaluation of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

The interpretation of lung ultrasound (US) is the result of the analysis of artifacts, rather than exact representations of anatomical structures, which appear when changes in the physical properties of the lung occur. Its application to the study of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with autoimmune diseases has aroused great interest in the last 10 years, as evidenced by a growing number of publications studying its usefulness in the diagnostic process, as a prognostic marker, and as an aid in monitoring of patients. The main elements in lung US interpretation in ILD are the B lines and the changes in the pleural line.

Targeted nanotherapy with everolimus reduces inflammation and fibrosis in scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease developed by PSGL-1 deficient mice.

Background And Purpose: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the main cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and current therapies available are of low efficacy or high toxicity. Thus, the identification of innovative less toxic and high efficacy therapeutic approaches to ILD treatment is an urgent need. The interaction of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) with P-selectin initiates leukocyte extravasation and deletion of the corresponding gene (Selplg) induces a SSc-like syndrome with high incidence of ILD in aged mice.

Vasculitis flare after COVID-19: report of two cases in patients with preexistent controlled IgA vasculitis and review of the literature.

COVID-19 has been related to several autoimmune diseases, triggering the appearance of autoantibodies and endothelial dysfunction. Current evidence has drawn attention to vasculitis-like phenomena and leukocytoclastic vasculitis in some COVID-19 patients. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that COVID-19 could induce flares of preexisting autoimmune disorders.