Mortality in patients with Sjögren Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study Identifying Key Predictors.

Objective: To quantify the mortality risk in a large, well-characterized cohort of Sjögren's disease (SjD) patients and to identify independent predictors of mortality in this population.

Methods: We included 314 patients diagnosed with SjD according to the 2002 American-European Consensus Group criteria from a prospective, multicenter SjögrenSER-PROS cohort. Detailed data on systemic manifestations, serological markers, disease activity, and mortality was collected after 9 years of follow up.

Disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy according to time since diagnosis and positivity to antisynthetase autoantibodies: data from the Myo-Spain registry.

Objective: To evaluate the main outcomes of disease activity and their association with other measures of activity, damage, and quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) according to time since diagnosis and positivity to antisynthetase autoantibodies (ASAs).

Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter study within the Spanish Myo-Spain registry. Cases were classified as incident (≤ 12 months since diagnosis) and prevalent.

Novel endothelial progenitor cells populations as biomarkers of damage and remission in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are essential for maintenance of vascular homeostasis and stability, key processes in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role and phenotypic characterization of EPCs populations in SLE have not been completely elucidated.

Objective: To identify EPCs specific subpopulations in patients with SLE using a novel flow cytometry tool.

Thorough assessment of the effectiveness of belimumab in a large Spanish multicenter cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objectives: To provide an overview on the current use of belimumab (BLM) in SLE patients in clinical practice and to examine its efficacy in terms of standardized outcomes, drug survival, as well as patient and safety profiles.

Methods: A longitudinal retrospective multicenter cohort including SLE patients treated with BLM at 18 Spanish centers. Data was collected upon initiation of BLM, at 6 and 12 months after initiation, and at the last recorded visit.

Semaphorin3B promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving phenotype in macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis patients in a MerTK-dependent manner.

Previous works from our group show that Semaphorin3B (Sema3B) is reduced in RA and plays a protective role in a mouse arthritis model. In turn, MerTK plays a protective function in murine arthritis models, is expressed by synovial tissue macrophages and is linked to remission in patients with RA. In this study, we examined the role of Sema3B in the phenotypic characteristics of RA macrophages and the implication of MerTK.

Type I Interferons induce endothelial destabilization in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Tie2-dependent manner.

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a hallmark of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Tie2 is a receptor essential for vascular stability. Inflammatory processes promote inhibition of Tie2 homeostatic activation, driving vascular dysfunction. In this work we determined whether type I Interferons (IFN) induce Tie2 signalling-mediated endothelial dysfunction in patients with SLE.

Does remission in systemic lupus erythematosus according to the 2021 DORIS definition match the treating rheumatologist's judgement?

Objectives: To assess agreement between the 2021 Definition Of Remission In SLE (DORIS) and physician-judged lupus activity.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of data from a Spanish prospective multicentre study of SLE patients. We applied the 2021 DORIS criteria and assessed whether remission status based on this definition agreed with remission as per physician clinical judgement and reasons for disagreement between them.

HOXA5 is a key regulator of class 3 semaphorins expression in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: Class 3 semaphorins are reduced in the synovial tissue of RA patients and these proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify the transcription factors involved in the expression of class 3 semaphorins in the synovium of RA patients.

Methods: Protein and mRNA expression in synovial tissue from RA and individuals at risk (IAR) patients, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was determined by ELISA, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR.

Does expert opinion match the definition of lupus low disease activity state? Prospective analysis of 500 patients from a Spanish multicentre cohort.

Objectives: To apply the lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) definition within a large cohort of patients and to assess the agreement between the LLDAS and the physician's subjective evaluation of lupus activity.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicentre study of SLE patients. We applied the LLDAS and assessed whether there was agreement with the clinical status according to the physician's opinion.

Multidisciplinary models for pregnancy care in patients with rheumatic diseases: Clinical experiences and experts opinion.

Objectives: To describe different models of multidisciplinary pregnancy care for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and the steps to follow concerning their implementation.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted including: (1) a comprehensive literature search in PUBMED focused on multidisciplinary care models; (2) structured interviews with seven rheumatologists from multidisciplinary pregnancy clinics for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Data were collected related to the hospitals, medical departments, populations cared for, and multidisciplinary care models (type, material, and human resources, professional requirements, objectives, referral criteria, agendas, protocols, responsibilities, decision-making, research and educational activities, multidisciplinary clinical sessions, initiation/start, planning, advantages/disadvantages, and barriers/facilitators for implementation); (3) a nominal meeting group in which the results of searches and interviews were analyzed and the recommendations for the implementation of the multidisciplinary care models defined.

Analysis of the implementation of an innovative IT solution to improve waiting times, communication with primary care and efficiency in Rheumatology.

Objective: To describe in detail an innovative program based on telemedicine for semi-automated prioritization of referrals from Primary Care (PC) to Rheumatology, for reproducibility purposes, and to present the results of the implementation study.

Methods: The context and situation were carefully analyzed, paying attention to all processes in place, referral numbers, waiting times, and number of complementary tests prior to discharge from Rheumatology. The composition of the team, aims, users, scope, and implementation phases were defined.

Recommendations for prevention of infection in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To develop recommendations for the prevention of infection in adult patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD).

Methods: Clinical research questions relevant to the objective of the document were identified by a panel of experts selected based on their experience in the field. Systematic reviews of the available evidence were conducted, and evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.

Myo-Spain: Spanish Registry of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. Methodology.

Objectives: To describe the methods of the Spanish Registry of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) (Myo-Spain), as well as its strengths and limitations. The main objective of the project is to analyse the evolution and clinical management of a cohort of patients with IIM.

Methods: Observational, longitudinal, ambispective and multicentre study of a cohort of patients with IIM seen in rheumatology units in Spain.

Recommendations for prevention of infection in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To develop recommendations for the prevention of infection in adult patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD).

Methods: Clinical research questions relevant to the objective of the document were identified by a panel of experts selected based on their experience in the field. Systematic reviews of the available evidence were conducted, and evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.

What are the topics you care about making trials in lupus more effective? Results of an Open Space meeting of international lupus experts.

Despite promising candidates for new therapeutic options in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), many clinical trials have failed in the past few years. The disappointing results have been at least partly be attributed to trial designs. With the aim of stimulating new developments in SLE trial design, an international open space meeting was held on occasion of the European Lupus Meeting 2018 in Duesseldorf, Germany about 'What are the topics you care about for making trials in lupus more effective?'.

Myo-Spain: Spanish Registry of Patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy. Methodology.

Objectives: To describe the methods of the Spanish Registry of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) (Myo-Spain), as well as its strengths and limitations. The main objective of the project is to analyse the evolution and clinical management of a cohort of patients with IIM.

Methods: Observational, longitudinal, ambispective and multicentre study of a cohort of patients with IIM seen in rheumatology units in Spain.

The risk of infections in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of infection risk in patients with SLE and evaluate the effect of general and SLE-related factors on infection risk.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Embase from inception to July 2018, screening for observational studies that evaluated infection risk in patients with SLE compared with the general population/healthy controls. Outcomes of interest included overall severe infection, herpes zoster infection/reactivation, opportunistic infections, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Direct costs in patients with chronic inflammatory arthropathies on biological therapy: a real-world data study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the direct costs for the Spanish Health System of patients with chronic inflammatory arthropathies treated with biological therapies in daily clinical practice and to establish possible factors associated with lower costs.

Methods: A descriptive, observational and retrospective study was conducted. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis who started a biological therapy between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2016 were included.

Biological therapy safety in chronic inflammatory arthropathy patients.

Objective: The marketing of biological therapies transformed the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. But there is still concern about patient safety and management in daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to estimate risk factors of the adverse effects in a cohort of Spanish patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.