The impact of autoantibodies on the efficacy of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of bDMARDs in patients with RA with RF/ACPA compared with patients without these autoantibodies.

Methods: Previous systematic literature reviews performed by EULAR RA management task forces were searched for qualifying RCTs. RCTs investigating the efficacy of bDMARDs and including both autoantibody-positive (≤80% of total population) and -negative RA patients were eligible.

Hydroxychloroquine in patients with inflammatory and erosive osteoarthritis of the hands: results of the OA-TREAT study-a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, investigator-initiated trial.

Objectives: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition characterised by cartilage degradation and frequently erosive changes. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for symptomatic relief but are often poorly tolerated or contraindicated. Previous publications suggest hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a possible treatment for hand OA.

EULAR/eumusc.net standards of care for rheumatoid arthritis: cross-sectional analyses of importance, level of implementation and care gaps experienced by patients and rheumatologists across 35 European countries.

Objective: As part of European League against Rheumatism (EULAR)/European Musculoskeletal Conditions Surveillance and Information Network, 20 user-focused standards of care (SoCs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) addressing 16 domains of care were developed. This study aimed to explore gaps in implementation of these SoCs across Europe.

Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys on the importance, level of and barriers (patients only) to implementation of each SoC (0-10, 10 highest) were designed to be conducted among patients and rheumatologists in 50 European countries.

Effectiveness and safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy with certolizumab pegol observed in real-life rheumatoid arthritis patients in Germany: results from the non-interventional FαsT study.

Objectives: To report the tolerability and effectiveness of certolizumab pegol (CZP) for the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a routine clinical practice setting.

Methods: FαsT (NCT01069419) was a non-interventional, observational 104-week (wk) study performed at 163 sites in Germany. RA patients were treated according to the treating physician's discretion.

Plant-derived pectin nanocoatings to prevent inflammatory cellular response of osteoblasts following infection.

Background: Bioengineered plant-derived Rhamnogalacturonan-Is (RG-Is) from pectins are potential candidates for surface nanocoating of medical devices. It has recently been reported that RG-I nanocoatings may prevent bacterial infection and improve the biocompatibility of implants. The aim of the study was to evaluate in vitro impact of bioengineered RG-I nanocoatings on osteogenic capacity and proinflammatory cytokine response of murine osteoblasts following infection.

Sequential high-content profiling of the IgG-autoantibody repertoire reveals novel antigens in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The aim was to identify novel diagnostic autoantibody candidates for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comprehensive screening for autoreactivity.

Method: We incubated 5892 recombinant proteins coupled to fluorescent beads, with patients' sera for the detection of IgG-autoantibodies in three independent patient cohorts: A (n = 72 patients with established RA); B/B- (n = 116 patients with early RA (B) and n = 51 CCP-negative patients with early RA from B (B-)); and C (n = 184 patients with early seronegative RA), in comparison to matched healthy controls. Intersects of significantly increased autoantibodies as determined by the Mann-Whitney test were sought.

Induction maintenance with tumour necrosis factor-inhibitor combination therapy with discontinuation versus methotrexate monotherapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy in randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To determine whether an induction-maintenance strategy of combined therapy (methotrexate (MTX)+tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor (TNFi)) followed by withdrawal of TNFi could yield better long-term results than a strategy with MTX monotherapy, since it is unclear if the benefits from an induction phase with combined therapy are sustained if TNFi is withdrawn.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of trials using the initial combination of MTX+TNFi in conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A systematic literature search was performed for induction-maintenance randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where initial combination therapy was compared with MTX monotherapy in patients with clinically active early RA.

Genomic stratification by expression of HLA-DRB4 alleles identifies differential innate and adaptive immune transcriptional patterns - A strategy to detect predictors of methotrexate response in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Effective drug selection is the current challenge in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Treatment failure may follow different pathomechanisms and therefore require investigation of molecularly defined subgroups. In this exploratory study, whole blood transcriptomes of 68 treatment-naïve early RA patients were analyzed before initiating MTX.

Sustained Increase of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Healthy Young Women during Wintertime after Three Suberythemal UV Irradiations-The MUVY Pilot Study.

Objectives: Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is a health problem prevalent not only in the elderly but also in young adults. The primary objective of our observational pilot study "MUVY" (Mood, UVR, Vitamin D in Young women) was to test both the short-term and long-term effects of a series of three suberythemal UV radiation (UVR) exposures on the VitD status and well-being of young healthy women during winter in a repeat measure design.

Methods: 20 healthy young women (Fitzpatrick skin types I-III, aged 21-25 years) received three full body broad band UVR exposures with an escalating erythemally weighted dose schedule during one week in winter, and completed self-report questionnaires monitoring symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI) and affective state/well-being (Profile of Mood States, POMS) at baseline and three days after the last UVR exposure.

Effects of treatment with etanercept versus methotrexate on sleep quality, fatigue and selected immune parameters in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To compare sleep quality, disease activity and patient-reported outcomes such as fatigue and immune parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept (ETA) or methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Of 36 patients (28-joint Disease Activity Score, DAS28CRP≥3.2) in this 16-week (w), open, prospective study, 19 (11 women) received MTX 12.

Increased Periodontal Attachment Loss in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

Background: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and periodontitis share common pathogenetic characteristics, such as proinflammatory traits causative for tissue degradation and loss of function. The aim of the present case control study is to investigate the association between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and periodontitis.

Methods: The association between SSc and periodontitis was examined in 58 SSc patients and 52 control patients, matched for age and sex.

Biologic monotherapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Biologics, possibly in combination with a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) - preferably methotrexate (MTX), are used in accordance with the recommendations of the international rheumatological societies. However, in clinical practice, this recommendation is often problematic, as many rheumatologists know from personal experience. The quality of life of the patient is affected mainly by drug-induced intolerances (eg, MTX).

Circadian rhythms of cellular immunity in rheumatoid arthritis: a hypothesis-generating study.

Objectives: The circadian rhythm of clinical symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been primarily attributed to circadian variations in humoral factors and hormones. In this study, we investigated circadian rhythms of cellular immunity in RA (CiRA study).

Methods: Peripheral blood of female postmenopausal patients with active RA (DAS 28 ≥ 4.

Hydroxychloroquine in patients with inflammatory and erosive osteoarthritis of the hands (OA TREAT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous group of conditions with disturbed integrity of articular cartilage and changes in the underlying bone. The pathogenesis of OA is multifactorial and not just a disease of older people. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) typically used for the treatment of various rheumatic and dermatologic diseases.

Prevalence of comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis and evaluation of their monitoring: results of an international, cross-sectional study (COMORA).

Background: PATIENTS with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing comorbid conditions.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities and compare their management in RA patients from different countries worldwide.

Study Design: international, cross-sectional.

Induction therapy with adalimumab plus methotrexate for 24 weeks followed by methotrexate monotherapy up to week 48 versus methotrexate therapy alone for DMARD-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: HIT HARD, an investigator-initiated study.

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of induction therapy with adalimumab (ADA) plus methotrexate (MTX) in comparison with placebo (PBO) plus MTX in DMARD-naïve patients with active early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients with active early RA (disease duration of ≤12 months) were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg ADA subcutaneously every other week (eow) plus MTX 15 mg/week subcutaneously or PBO plus MTX subcutaneously at 15 mg/week over 24 weeks. Thereafter, all patients received MTX monotherapy up to week 48.

The impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipids on apoptosis of primary human chondrocytes.

The role of oral bacterial infections including periodontal disease in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has gained increasing interest. Among the major periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis has been mostly associated with RA pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of P.

Determinants of discordance in patients' and physicians' rating of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

Objective: To assess the determinants of patients' (PTGL) and physicians' (MDGL) global assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity and factors associated with discordance among them.

Methods: A total of 7,028 patients in the Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA study had PTGL and MDGL assessed at the same clinic visit on a 0-10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Three patient groups were defined: concordant rating group (PTGL and MDGL within ±2 cm), higher patient rating group (PTGL exceeding MDGL by >2 cm), and lower patient rating group (PTGL less than MDGL by >2 cm).

Delays in assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: variations across Europe.

Objective: The first 3 months after symptom onset represent an important therapeutic window for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study investigates the extent and causes of delay in assessment of patients with RA in eight European countries.

Method: Data on the following levels of delay were collected from 10 centres (Berlin, Birmingham, Heraklion, Lund, Prague, Stockholm, Umeå, Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich): (1) from onset of RA symptoms to request to see healthcare professional (HCP); (2) from request to see HCP to assessment by that HCP; (3) from initial assessment by HCP to referral to rheumatologist; and (4) from referral to rheumatologist to assessment by that rheumatologist.

The association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease.

Chronic, plaque-associated inflammation of the gingiva and the periodontium are among the most common oral diseases. Periodontitis (PD) is characterized by the inflammatory destruction of the periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, and its clinical appearance can be influenced by congenital as well as acquired factors. The existence of a rheumatic or other inflammatory systemic disease may promote PD in both its emergence and progress.

Validation of a prediction rule for disease outcome in patients with recent-onset undifferentiated arthritis: moving toward individualized treatment decision-making.

Objective: The decision to start disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with recent-onset undifferentiated arthritis (UA) is complicated by a varied natural disease course in which the disease in one-third of patients progresses to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), whereas 40-50% of patients experience spontaneous remission. Recently, a prediction rule was developed to estimate the chance of progression to RA in individual patients presenting with UA. This study investigates the accuracy of this prediction rule in independent cohorts of patients with UA.

High-resolution MRI of the wrist and finger joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla.

The goal of this study was to compare magnetic resonance (MR) image quality at different field strengths for evaluating lesions in wrist and finger joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to determine whether the higher field strength provides diagnostic gain. The hand mainly affected in 17 RA patients was examined at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.