Risk and Factors associated with disease manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus - lupus nephritis (RIFLE-LN): a ten-year risk prediction strategy derived from a cohort of 1652 patients.

Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) remains one of the most severe manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Onset and overall LN risk among SLE patients remains considerably difficult to predict. Utilizing a territory-wide longitudinal cohort of over 10 years serial follow-up data, we developed and validated a risk stratification strategy to predict LN risk among Chinese SLE patients - Risk and Factors associated with disease manifestations in systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Lupus Nephritis (RIFLE-LN).

Five-year cardiovascular event risk in early rheumatoid arthritis patients who received treat-to-target management: a case-control study.

Objectives: This study explored whether the excess cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in RA could be ameliorated by suppression of inflammation using a treat-to-target (T2T) approach. We compared the CV event (CVE) incidence among ERA patients managed by a T2T strategy with a CV risk factor-matched non-RA population and a historical RA cohort (HRA).

Methods: This was an observational study using the city-wide hospital data and the ERA registry.

Culture-centric narratives of influenza vaccination among high-risk groups in Hong Kong.

Despite the effectiveness of influenza vaccination, the vaccine coverage rate among high-risk groups in Hong Kong is less than optimal. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and culture-centric narrative approach, we examined the role of cultural specificities in implicit assumptions held by at-risk individuals when the individuals decided whether to receive the vaccine. Data were collected from 29 in-depth interviews with people from high-risk groups in Hong Kong.

Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of Takayasu's arteritis in southern Chinese: a multicenter retrospective study.

To study the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of southern Chinese patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA). This is a retrospective chart review study of 78 patients managed in 14 public hospitals in Hong Kong between the years 2000 and 2010. Patients were identified from the hospital registry using the ICD-10 diagnostic code of the disease.

Comparing diffusion weighted imaging with clinical and blood parameters, and with short tau inversion recovery sequence in detecting spinal and sacroiliac joint inflammation in axial spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) by comparing with clinical features, blood parameters and traditional short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence in detecting spinal and sacroiliac (SI) joint inflammation in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients.

Methods: One hundred and ten axSpA patients were recruited. Clinical, radiological and blood parameters were recorded.

IL-33 and soluble ST2 levels as novel predictors for remission and progression of carotid plaque in early rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective study.

Objectives: To study the association between the baseline IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) levels with disease remission and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) patients.

Methods: A total of 98 ERA patients were enrolled. Disease activity and the presence of carotid plaque were evaluated at baseline and 12 months later.

The effects of golimumab on subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis—a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Objective: Our aim was to ascertain the efficacy of golimumab compared with placebo in the prevention of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in AS.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was performed in which AS patients were treated with golimumab (n = 20) and placebo (n = 21) for 12 months. Patients from the placebo group who failed to achieve a 20% response to Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria (ASAS20) at 6 months received open-label golimumab.

Factors associated with withdrawal of the anti-TNFα biologics in the treatment of rheumatic diseases: data from the Hong Kong Biologics Registry.

Objectives: To study the factors associated with withdrawal of the and tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) biologics in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Method: Data from the Hong Kong Biologics Registry were retrieved. The cumulative rates of withdrawal of different biological agents were studied by Kaplan-Meier plot and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) was calculated.

Infliximab is associated with improvement in arterial stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis -- a randomized trial.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) with infliximab (IFX) compared with MTX alone in the prevention of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A randomized, open-label study in which early RA patients with active disease were treated with MTX alone (n = 20) and MTX plus IFX (n = 20) for 6 months. Patients were assessed every 3 months.

Serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products levels and aortic augmentation index in early rheumatoid arthritis--a prospective study.

Objective: We assessed whether a serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) levels were associated with a progression of carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness indexes in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: RA patients with symptoms onset <2 years were recruited. Vascular assessments and serum sRAGE levels were measured at baseline and 1 year later.

Behçet's aortitis and aortic regurgitation: a report of two cases.

Behçet's disease is a rare systemic vasculitis that may lead to neurologic complications and rare manifestations of aortitis and aortic regurgitation. We report 2 cases of Behçet's aortitis and aortic regurgitation. The first patient presented with acute stroke.