Clinical expression of radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and its association with HLA-B27 in European and Ibero-American populations.

Objective: To compare the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of Ibero-American patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) to those of European patients, with a particular focus on the influence of HLA-B27.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and multicentre study of patients who fulfilled the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria for SpA from the REGISPONSER and RESPONDIA registries. Univariate and multivariate analyses between European and Ibero-American populations stratified by HLA-B27 status were conducted.

Association Between Diagnostic Delay and Economic and Clinical Burden in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Multicentre Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with considerable pain and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for affected patients. Despite the documented increase in healthcare resource utilization (HRU) related to axSpA, few studies have explored the impact of diagnostic delays on these outcomes. This study sought to determine the association between diagnostic delay of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and costs in the 3 years after diagnosis.

Microvascular abnormalities in skin capillaries of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This is the first study aimed to detect morphological abnormalities in vivo in the skin capillaries of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (ALS). Videocapillaroscopy assessed subungueal capillaries in 28 ALS patients (cases) and 35 controls (p = 0.42).

Assessing fatigue in women over 50 years with rheumatoid arthritis: a comprehensive case-control study using the FACIT-F scale.

Introduction: Data on prevalence of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in the era of biological treatments remains scarce, with a lack of case-control studies. This study evaluates the prevalence of fatigue in Spanish women over 50 years with RA using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale, explores its association with RA-related variables, and seeks to identify the primary factors influencing fatigue. Ultimately, our objective is to underscore the clinical significance of fatigue as a comorbidity and to advocate for its systematic evaluation in routine clinical practice.

Exploring radiographic patterns of the cervical spine, including zygapophyseal joints, in axial spondyloarthritis.

Introduction: The assessment of the cervical spine (CS) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and its radiographic characteristics, including the zygapophyseal joints (ZJ), may be helpful for an accurate diagnosis, establishing a prognosis and enhancing treatment decisions.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of CS involvement in patients with axSpA and perform a comparison between groups according to cervical radiographic damage.

Methods: Patients who fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria were included from January 2011 to January 2021.

Exploring the unifying concept of spondyloarthritis: a latent class analysis of the REGISPONSER registry.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to identify the potential distinct phenotypes within a broad SpA population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the REGISPONSER registry, which has data from 31 specialist centres in Spain, including patients with SpA who have fulfilled the ESSG criteria. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify the latent classes underlying SpA according to a set of predefined clinical and radiographic features, independently of expert opinion.

Corrigendum: The paradigm of IL-23-independent production of IL-17F and IL-17A and their role in chronic inflammatory diseases.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.

Dual targeted therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis: a real-world multicenter experience from Spain.

Dual targeted therapy (DTT) has emerged as a promising approach in patients with refractory spondyloarthritis (SpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations of both diseases, but its effectiveness/safety ratio still remains unclear. This is a retrospective, real-world multicenter study in refractory SpA and PsA patients with simultaneous use of two biological or synthetic targeted agents. Effectiveness was assessed using Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) and Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) Score.

Identification of the first signs or symptoms in different spondyloarthritis subtypes and their association with HLA-B27: data from REGISPONSER and RESPONDIA registries.

Objective: To describe and analyse the initial symptoms attributable to patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and their association with HLA-B27 status.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional and multicentre study with patients who fulfilled the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria for SpA from the Registry of Spondyloarthritis of Spanish Rheumatology (REGISPONSER) and Ibero-American Registry of Spondyloarthropathies (RESPONDIA) united registries. Differences in the first sign(s) or symptom(s) were compared across diagnoses and between HLA-B27 status.

The paradigm of IL-23-independent production of IL-17F and IL-17A and their role in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Interleukin-17 family (IL-17s) comprises six structurally related members (IL-17A to IL-17F); sequence homology is highest between IL-17A and IL-17F, displaying certain overlapping functions. In general, IL-17A and IL-17F play important roles in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, controlling bacterial and fungal infections, and signaling mainly through activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The role of IL-17A and IL-17F has been established in chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondylarthritis (axSpA), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and asthma.

Management of Specific Clinical Profiles in Axial Spondyloarthritis: An Expert's Document Based on a Systematic Literature Review and Extended Delphi Process.

Introduction: The management of specific clinical scenarios is not adequately addressed in national and international guidelines for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Expert opinions could serve as a valuable complement to these documents.

Methods: Seven expert rheumatologists identified controversial areas or gaps of current recommendations for the management of patients with axSpA.

Diagnostic delay is associated with uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease in AS: a study of extra-musculoskeletal manifestations in SpA.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMM) and the association between diagnostic delay and their incidence in AS and PsA.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cohort study comprising two single centre cohorts in Europe and one multicentre cohort in Latin America (RESPONDIA). Crude prevalence of EMMs (uveitis, IBD and psoriasis) was calculated across geographic area and adjusted by direct standardization.

Disease control in patients with psoriatic arthritis in real clinical practice in Spain: MiDAS study.

Objective: MiDAS study assessed the percentage of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients treated in routine clinical practice who achieved control of disease activity according to Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) and Minimal Disease Activity (MDA).

Methods: Observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted under conditions of routine clinical practice in 36 centers with outpatient rheumatology clinics in Spanish public hospitals. Patients included were adults (≥18 years) with ≥6 months PsA diagnosis according to classification for PsA (CASPAR) criteria and undergoing treatment ≥3 months.

Disease control in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in real clinical practice in Spain: Results of the MIDAS study.

Introduction And Objectives: Understanding the disease activity is fundamental to improve patient prognosis and patients' quality of life. MiDAS study described disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Spanish patients and the proportion of them with controlled disease.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study carried out under conditions of routine clinical practice.

Characterising the axial phenotype of psoriatic arthritis: a study comparing axial psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis with psoriasis from the REGISPONSER registry.

Aims: To explore the clinical and radiographical characteristics of axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to compare it with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with psoriasis.

Methods: Cross-sectional study from the national multicentre registry REGISPONSER where participants fulfilled the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group spondyloarthritis criteria at entry. Clinical, laboratory and radiographical characteristics between patients classified as axial PsA and AS with psoriasis by their rheumatologist are compared according to HLA-B27 status.

Strategies and resources to optimise the management of Psoriatic Arthritis patients: The CREA Project.

Background And Aim: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects the musculoskeletal system and skin, and manifests heterogeneously, with a variable course. In current clinical practice, variability and limitations in its follow-up have been observed. The aim of the CREA project was to agree on strategies to improve the initial assessment and follow-up of patients with PsA in Spain.

Resources and strategies for the optimal care of patients with axial spondyloarthritis: The CREA project.

Background And Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are musculoskeletal diseases with different manifestations. In clinical practice, variability, and limitations in the collection of the outcomes required for follow-up have been observed. The objective of the CREA project was to agree on improvement strategies for the initial assessment and follow-up of patients with axSpA in Spain.

Proposals for the incorporation of the nursing role in the certification of axial spondyloarthritis units. Literature review and expert consensus.

Objective: To analyse the role of nursing in the approach to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and to make proposals to include the role of rheumatology nursing consultations (RECs) in the quality certification of these specialized units.

Methods: A systematic review of the nursing role in quality certification systems in the management of axSpA was conducted. Subsequently a consensus conference was held with the participation of three rheumatology nurses to determine elements that should be considered in future revisions of certification standards.

Treatment Failure in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Insights for a Standardized Definition.

Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the axial skeleton and causes severe pain and disability. It may be also associated with extra-articular manifestations. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can reduce the severity of the disease and the risk of progression.

Sustained low disease activity measured by ASDAS slow radiographic spinal progression in axial spondyloarthritis patients treated with TNF-inhibitors: data from REGISPONSERBIO.

Background: To evaluate the influence of the disease activity on radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients treated with TNF inhibitors (TNFi).

Methods: The study included 101 axSpA patients from the Spanish Register of Biological Therapy in Spondyloarthritides (REGISPONSERBIO), which had clinical data and radiographic assessment available. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on the duration of TNFi treatment at baseline: (i) long-term treatment (≥4 years) and (ii) no long-term treatment (< 4 years).

Validation of screening criteria for spondyloarthritis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in routine clinical practice.

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is one of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diagnostic delay must be avoided.

Aims: We assessed the validity of SpA screening criteria (any of the following characteristics: chronic low back pain with onset before 45 years of age; inflammatory lower back pain or alternating buttock pain; arthritis; heel enthesitis; dacylitis; HLA-B27 positivity; sacroiliitis on imaging).