Radiographic progression based on baseline characteristics from TNF inhibitor biosimilar studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Phase III clinical trials of the tumour necrosis factor inhibitors SB4, SB2, and SB5 (biosimilars to etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, respectively) have demonstrated efficacy in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data from these trials were used to identify baseline characteristics associated with radiographic progression and to build a matrix risk model for its prediction.

Methods: Patients with radiographic progression and baseline demographic and disease characteristic data were pooled across the 3 phase III studies of each biosimilar and its reference product.

SB5 shows cross-immunogenicity to adalimumab but not infliximab: results in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the cross-reactivity of antidrug antibodies to reference adalimumab (ADL) and SB5 (adalimumab biosimilar) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Sera from patients with IBD and RA with or without antibodies to adalimumab (ATA+ or ATA-, respectively) were tested for cross-reactivity with SB5 and ADL. Functional inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α binding was measured.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of alkaptonuria: A case report and literature review.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results from the deficient activity of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase and leads to increased levels of homogentisic acid (HGA) and its oxidized product benzoquinone acetic acid (BQA). Both HGA and BQA form polymerized deposits that lead to a bluish-black discoloration of the cartilage as well as degeneration, inflammation, and calcification of the tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, and large joints and increased bone resorption. A brittle and fragmented cartilage forms and leads to aberrant loading of the subchondral bone.

Stereoacuity outcomes following surgical correction of the nonaccommodative component in partially accommodative esotropia.

Background: Previous studies of partially accommodative esotropia (PAET) have assessed factors requiring surgery and alignment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to additionally evaluate stereoacuity in patients who required surgery for their nonaccommodative component.

Methods: The medical records of consecutive patients with PAET who underwent bilateral medial rectus recession from April 1990 to July 2010 to treat the nonaccommodative component were reviewed retrospectively.

Effects of Repository Corticotropin Injection on Medication Use in Patients With Rheumatologic Conditions: A Claims Data Study.

Currently, specific studies identifying how repository corticotropin injection (RCI) is used in rheumatologic conditions are lacking. This is a first step to familiarize the trends of demographics using RCI as well as other medication use. RCI may produce anti-inflammatory as well as immune-modulatory effects.

Treatment approaches and adherence to urate-lowering therapy for patients with gout.

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis characterized by painful disabling acute attacks. It is caused by hyperuricemia and deposition of urate crystals in and around the joints. Long-standing untreated hyperuricemia can lead to chronic arthritis with joint damage, tophi formation and urate nephropathy.

Prevalence of resting-ECG abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience.

Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and even mortality among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Whether cardiac arrhythmias contribute to this burden among SLE patients, however, is not currently known. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac conduction abnormalities among SLE patients from a single center.