Paradoxical psoriasis induced by IL-17 inhibitors: a case series of patients with axial spondyloarthritis and a systematic literature review.

Following the market authorization of interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors, a growing number of cases of IL-17 inhibitor-induced paradoxical psoriasis (PsO) have been reported. Our objectives were to present two cases of IL-17 inhibitor-induced paradoxical PsO and to systematically review the literature for similar cases, summarizing and presenting the relevant data. A systematic literature review of previously presented cases of paradoxical PsO induced by IL-17 inhibitors was conducted.

Real-world effectiveness of golimumab in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis and an inadequate response to initial TNFi therapy in Greece: the GO-BEYOND prospective, observational study.

The impact of golimumab (GLM) on remission or low disease activity (LDA) was evaluated in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or severe axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), who failed previous treatment for their rheumatic disease with one initial tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor (TNFi). This is a multicenter, prospective, real-world observational 18-month study, conducted in Greece. The primary endpoint, assessed at 6 months, included the proportion of patients attaining LDA and/or remission (Disease Activity Score for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] ≤ 3.

Psoriatic onycho-pachydermo periostitis (POPP): a case report treated successfully with IL-17 blockade and a literature review on characteristics, pathogenesis, and treatment.

Psoriatic onycho-pachydermo periostitis (POPP) is characterized by psoriatic onychodystrophy, connective tissue thickening, and periostitis of the distal phalanges (DPs), producing a drumstick-like deformity. Our aim was to present the first case of POPP treated successfully with an IL-17 inhibitor, perform a literature review of its characteristics and treatment, and explore the possible pathogenesis. We conducted a systematic review of previously presented POPP cases.

Long-term effect of TNF inhibitors on radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with time-averaged CRP levels.

Objective: To investigate whether the impact of long-term treatment (>3 years) with TNF inhibitors (TNFi) on radiographic progression in AS is associated with the level of acute phase reactants during therapy.

Methods: One hundred and one consecutive AS patients under TNFi [65 men; age: 41.6±11 years (mean±SD), with symptom duration: 17±10 years] were included in this retrospective study.

Vascular acrosyndromes in young adult population. Definition of clinical symptoms and connections to joint hypermobility.

Objectives: Clinical recognition of vascular acrosyndromes is often challenging. The term Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is commonly overused to describe any form of cold-related disorder. This study aims to formally evaluate peripheral vascular symptoms affecting the population, aged ≤ 40 years, and identify any correlations to joint hypermobility (JH).

Increased osteoclastogenesis in patients with vertebral fractures following discontinuation of denosumab treatment.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that rebound of bone remodeling is responsible for clinical vertebral fractures reported in a few patients with osteoporosis after cessation of denosumab treatment.

Design: In this case-control study we compared clinical and biochemical characteristics of postmenopausal women with clinical vertebral fractures 8-16 months after the last injection of denosumab (Dmab/Fx+,  = 5) with those of treatment-naïve women with such fractures (Fx+,  = 5). In addition, 5 women who discontinued denosumab treatment but did not sustain vertebral fractures 18-20 months after the last injection were studied (Dmab/Fx-,  = 5).

Serum levels of Dkk-1, sclerostin and VEGF in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and their association with smoking, and clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters.

Objective: To evaluate serum Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), sclerostin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to healthy controls as well as their association with smoking, and clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters.

Methods: Serum samples for total Dkk-1, sclerostin and VEGF were obtained from 57 tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor naïve patients with AS and 34 sex-, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), modified Stroke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) and smoking status were assessed for each patient.

The effect of smoking on clinical and radiographic variables, and acute phase reactants in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

To investigate the association between smoking and clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). One hundred and six tumour necrosis factor inhibitor naïve patients with AS were included in the study. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) and modified Stroke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) were assessed cross-sectionally for each patient.

Denosumab in treatment-naïve and pre-treated with zoledronic acid postmenopausal women with low bone mass: Effect on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers.

Purpose: To compare denosumab-induced changes in lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral density (BMD), bone markers and free soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (sRANKL) between treatment naïve postmenopausal women with low bone mass (naïve group) and those who were previously treated with a single zoledronic acid infusion (post-Zol group).

Procedures: Procollagen type 1N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx) and sRANKL levels were measured in serum samples obtained at baseline and 3, 6 and 12months after denosumab initiation. LS and FN BMD were measured at baseline and 12months.

Circulating sclerostin and Dickkopf-1 levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

There is increasing evidence for bone-liver interplay. The main aim of this study was to determine serum sclerostin and Dickkopf (DKK)-1 levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their association with the disease severity. Patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, 13 with nonalcoholic simple steatosis (SS) and 14 with steatohepatitis (NASH), and 20 gender-, age-, body mass index- and waist circumference-matched controls were enrolled.

Management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: clinical data in relation to disease demographics, bone mineral density and fracture risk.

Introduction: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common type of secondary osteoporosis. Patient selection and the treatment choice remain to be controversial. None of the proposed management guidelines are widely accepted.

Circulating periostin levels in patients with AS: association with clinical and radiographic variables, inflammatory markers and molecules involved in bone formation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum periostin levels in patients with AS in comparison with healthy controls as well as their association with clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters and molecules involved in bone formation.

Methods: Serum samples for periostin, total Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), sclerostin, VEGF and inflammatory markers were obtained from 65 TNF inhibitor-naive patients with AS. The BASDAI, BASFI, modified Stoke AS Spine Score and BASRI for the spine (BASRI-s) were assessed for each patient.

Pachymeningitis in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report and a review of the literature.

Central nervous involvement, mainly with symptoms of cranial neuropathies, occurs in 2-8% of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Meningeal involvement, with persistent and severe headache as main manifestation and abnormal thickening and enhancement of the dural mater on postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging, is extremely rare. We present a case of pachymeningitis due to limited GPA, providing simultaneously a literature review.

Efficacy of Anti-TNF Agents as Adjunctive Therapy for Knee Synovitis Refractory to Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Patients with Peripheral Spondyloarthritis.

Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors as add-on therapy for knee synovitis that did not respond to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other standard treatments in patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA). We retrospectively studied 27 SpA patients, in whom an anti-TNF agent was added for active peripheral arthritis with knee synovitis refractory to DMARDs and treatment with low-dose oral corticosteroids and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids. As response of knee synovitis, were considered the absence of swelling, tenderness, and decreased range of movement in the clinical examination, after 4 months of anti-TNF therapy.

Leflunomide addition in patients with articular manifestations of psoriatic arthritis resistant to methotrexate.

In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis, in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the efficacy of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) combination has not been documented. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of leflunomide (LEF) addition in 11 PsA patients with articular manifestations that failed to respond to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy [disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) > 3.2)].

The role of cytokines and adipocytokines in zoledronate-induced acute phase reaction in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

Objective: Patients treated with intravenous zoledronate frequently experience an acute phase reaction (APR) characterized by flu-like symptoms and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to define the role of various cytokines/adipocytokines in zoledronate-induced APR and develop a prognostic model for its prediction.

Patients And Measurements: Fifty-one postmenopausal women with low bone mass were subjected to zoledronate intravenous infusion.

Central skeletal sarcoidosis: a case report with sustained remission only on methotrexate, and a literature review on the imaging approach, treatment, and assessment of disease activity.

We report a case of multifocal involvement of the central skeleton in a patient with long-term stage I pulmonary sarcoidosis who experienced sustained clinical remission of musculoskeletal symptoms while on methotrexate (MTX) alone. Concomitant normalization of laboratory tests [inflammatory markers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels] was observed, and improvements were seen in follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine and bone scintigraphy. To date, there are no specific tools for the assessment of skeletal disease activity in sarcoidosis.

Acute phase response following intravenous zoledronate in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.

An acute phase response (APR) is frequently observed in patients treated with intravenous (i.v.) zoledronate (ZOL).

Efficacy of leflunomide addition in relation to prognostic factors for patients with active early rheumatoid arthritis failing to methotrexate in daily practice.

The recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suggest a different therapeutic approach to methotrexate (MTX) resistance according to the presence or absence of poor prognostic factors. Retrospectively, in our patients with active early RA (disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) > 3.2) that failed to respond to initial MTX monotherapy, we investigated whether leflunomide (LEF) addition had a different efficacy when associated with the presence or absence of poor prognostic factors.