Publications by authors named "Irina Chikova"

Background: Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe, life-threatening disease. However, the role of rituximab in managing juvenile SLE remains undefined, although early biological intervention may improve disease outcomes.

Aim: To assess the differences in the outcomes of different types of rituximab administration (early and late).

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  • Wrist inflammation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is linked to a more severe disease progression and increased treatment challenges, particularly in patients requiring biologic therapies.
  • The study analyzed data from 753 JIA patients, revealing that wrist involvement is common in various JIA types and is associated with more systemic inflammation markers and complications, especially in females.
  • Patients with wrist arthritis had a lower likelihood of achieving remission and a higher chance of needing biologics, highlighting the importance of early and intensive treatment strategies.
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  • Pulmonary issues in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) are uncommon but pose serious risks, with various known risk factors, including macrophage activation syndrome and specific immune responses.
  • A study examined the characteristics and outcomes of SJIA patients with respiratory system involvement (RSI), finding that 25% showed signs of RSI at the onset, which was associated with more severe symptoms and complications.
  • Among those with RSI, 10% later developed fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD), and patients showed a high prevalence of severe relapsed disease and a need for careful monitoring and management of their condition.
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Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most frequent and serious systemic connective tissue disease. Nowadays there is no clear guidance on its treatment in childhood. There are a lot of negative effects of standard-of-care treatment (SOCT), including steroid toxicity.

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Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS)/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a systemic inflammatory condition that is characterized by multisystemic involvement (liver, blood, and skin), heterogeneous manifestations (fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and eosinophilia), and an unpredictable course; cases of DiHS/DRESS caused by sulfasalazine are rare in children compared to adults. We report a case of a 12-year-old girl with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and sulfasalazine-related hypersensitivity who developed fever, rash, blood abnormalities, and hepatitis complicated with hypocoagulation. The treatment with intravenous and then oral glucocorticosteroids was effective.

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Objective: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening, potentially fatal condition associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of sJIA MAS. Many cases of MAS are medically refractory to traditional doses of biologic cytokine inhibitors and may require increased dosing.

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  • Uveitis is a common complication in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, and this study looked into how its presence affects arthritis progression when treated with biologics.
  • Researchers compared two groups: those with uveitis (32 patients) and those without (143 patients), using statistical models to analyze joint flare-ups and treatment responses.
  • Findings indicated that uveitis increases the risk of arthritis flare-ups, and that using methotrexate alongside biologics may help lower this risk; however, more research is needed for conclusive results.
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Objective: To develop a composite disease activity score for systemic JIA (sJIA) and to provide preliminary evidence of its validity.

Methods: The systemic Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (sJADAS) was constructed by adding to the four items of the original JADAS a fifth item that aimed to quantify the activity of systemic features. Validation analyses were conducted on patients with definite or probable/possible sJIA enrolled at first visit or at the time of a flare, who had active systemic manifestations, which should include fever.

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Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a chronic inflammatory bone disease which usually manifests in children and adolescents. There are a few data about pathogenesis and treatment. The aim of the study to compare the efficacy of different treatment approaches in pediatric CNO cohort patient.

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Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate disease courses and outcomes of sJIA children undergoing tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment, and to establish the predictors which distinguish inactive disease and disease flares.

Methods: Our retrospective study included 48 active sJIA children who were refractory to different anti-rheumatic drugs and who were then started on TCZ. The effectiveness of TCZ was assessed by the changes of sJIA attributed signs and symptoms and the remission was judged according to the Wallace (2004) criteria.

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Objectives: To re-evaluate the ability of methotrexate (MTX) to prevent the onset of uveitis in Russian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: The clinical charts for all consecutive patients who received a stable management for at least 2 years with or without MTX were reviewed. Patients who were given systemic medications other than MTX (except NSAID) and patients with systemic arthritis, rheumatoid factor-positive arthritis, or enthesitis-related arthritis were excluded.

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Background: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) is the most striking form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical responses and outcomes of children with SoJIA to IL-6 blockade using two different tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment protocols designed for milder and more severe SoJIA patient groups, and evaluate the possibility of achieving biologic-free remission.

Methods: Thirty-seven active SoJIA children who have failed treatment with corticosteroids and other DMARDs were included in our retrospective study.

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Objectives: The purpose of our study was to detect early clinical and laboratory signs that help to discriminate macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) from active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) without MAS.

Methods: Our retrospective study was based on reviewing the medical charts of the children admitted to the rheumatology department with active SJIA and definite MAS (n = 18) and without MAS (n = 40). We evaluated the data related to SJIA and MAS at the moment of the patient׳s admission.

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The case of a 10-year-old boy with Farber lipogranulomatosis with predominant joint involvement, subacute, laryngeal and tongue granulomas, microcytic anemia, elevated ESR and CRP, is presented. The boy had no signs of CNS and internal organ involvement. The disease manifested at 6 months; at 11 months the boy had widespread granulomatous polyarthritis with contractures, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was suggested.

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