Amylin serum levels are upregulated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Amylin is a pancreatic hormone that participates in glucose homeostasis. We aimed to investigate how serum amylin levels are expressed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to matched controls, and their possible relationship to disease-related characteristics, such as activity or damage.

Methods: 144 SLE patients and 96 non-diabetic sex- (female 96% vs.

HDL cholesterol efflux capacity and lipid profile in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: It is well established that patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a disrupted lipid profile and an increased cardiovascular risk. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol to accept cholesterol from macrophages, has been linked to cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to establish whether CEC and lipid profile were impaired in SSc patients with respect to controls and whether these changes were associated with disease-related data.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is related to disease activity and damage in patients with systemic erythematosus lupus.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that regulates cholesterol metabolism through low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation and that has been linked to cardiovascular (CV) disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PCSK9 levels are disrupted compared with controls in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We additionally sought to establish whether PCSK9 is related to both the abnormalities in the lipid profile and to the disease activity or damage of patients with SLE.

Impact of Disease Activity on Physical Activity in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity (PA) in a group of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) versus healthy controls and to determine whether the mobility of these patients is affected by disease activity.

Methods: A group of 52 patients with PsA and 53 controls were included in this case-control study. PA was assessed by accelerometry in both groups and additionally with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in patients with PsA.

Differences in Capacity of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Efflux Between Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to accept cholesterol from macrophages. Lipid profiles and CEC appear to be altered in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to disease activity and inflammation. CEC has been linked to cardiovascular events in the general population and to subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE and RA patients.

Higher Prevalence and Degree of Insulin Resistance in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Than in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Since insulin resistance (IR) is highly prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we aimed to determine whether differences in IR exist between the two conditions.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 413 subjects without diabetes (186 with SLE and 227 with RA). Glucose, insulin, and C-peptide serum levels, as well as IR by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) were studied.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that regulates cholesterol metabolism through low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation, and which has been linked to cardiovascular risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PCSK9 serum levels are disrupted in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) compared to controls, and if PCSK9 is related to disease-related data and the subclinical atherosclerosis that occurs in these patients.

Methods: Cross-sectional study that encompassed 146 individuals; 73 patients with SS and 73 age- and sex-matched controls.

Impaired HDL cholesterol efflux capacity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients is related to subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Lipid profiles appear to be altered in SLE patients due to disease activity and inflammation. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the ability of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to accept cholesterol from macrophages. CEC has been linked to cardiovascular events in the general population and is impaired in SLE patients.

HDL cholesterol efflux capacity is related to disease activity in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Objective: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to accept cholesterol from macrophages. CEC is linked to cardiovascular events in the general population, and it has been shown to be disrupted in inflammatory states. The aim of this study was to establish whether CEC is impaired in PsA patients and if this could be explained by disease-related features like disease activity.

Comparable effects of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased premature prevalence of atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors between SLE and RA. We also analysed the effect of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in both conditions and if some disease-characteristic features are associated with these traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Recommendations of the Spanish Rheumatology Society for Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part I: Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment.

Objective: The difficulty in diagnosis and the spectrum of clinical manifestations that can determine the choice of treatment for primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has fostered the development of recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), based on the best possible evidence. These recommendations can serve as a reference for rheumatologists and other specialists involved in the management of APS.

Methods: A panel of four rheumatologists, a gynaecologist and a haematologist with expertise in APS was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call or based on professional merits.

Recommendations of the Spanish Rheumatology Society for Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part II: Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Special Situations.

Objective: The difficulty in diagnosis and the spectrum of clinical manifestations that can determine the choice of treatment for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has fostered the development of recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER), based on the best possible evidence. These recommendations can serve as a reference for rheumatologists and other specialists involved in the management of APS.

Methods: A panel of 4rheumatologists, a gynaecologist and a haematologist with expertise in APS was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call or based on professional merits.

Disease Damage Influences Cardiovascular Risk Reclassification Based on Carotid Ultrasound in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Composite scores of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors underestimate the CV risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Carotid artery ultrasound (US) was found useful in identifying high CV-risk patients with inflammatory arthritis. We assessed the effect of carotid US assessments on the CV risk stratification of patients with SLE.

Insulin resistance in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: contributing factors and relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) plays a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. This study aimed to determine the potential association of IR with disease activity, drug exposure and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with SLE.

Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 87 non-diabetic SLE patients and 82 sex-matched controls.