Omicron variant dominance and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are key determinants for a milder course of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine whether the introduction of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the dominance of the omicron variant had a significant impact on the outcome of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SAIRDs).

Methods: Using data entered to the Greek Rheumatology Society COVID-19 registry, we investigated the incidence of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, during the successive periods of the pandemic according to the prevalent strain (wild-type, Alpha, Delta, Omicron) in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Variables independently associated with hospitalization and death were explored using multivariate regression analyses, while Kaplan-Meier curves were used to depict survival data.

Impact of biologic therapies on risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis or Psoriatic Arthritis: A systematic literature review.

Background: Recent evidence highlights increased mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially within the two major forms of Spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). Healthcare professionals and patients in these populations should be alerted regarding the high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and thus, customize the treatment strategy accordingly.

Objective: This systematic literature review aimed to determine the effects of biological therapies on serious CV events in AS and PsA.

Effectiveness and Safety of Certolizumab Pegol in Axial Spondyloarthritis in a Real-World Setting in Greece: A Sub-Analysis of the Prospective Non-Interventional CIMAX Cohort Study.

Objectives: We report the effectiveness and safety of certolizumab pegol (CZP) treatment in a real-world Greek axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) population, including patients with radiographic (r-axSpA) and non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) disease.

Methods: We performed a sub-analysis of the Greek cohort from CIMAX (NCT02354105), a multicentre, non-interventional cohort study that prospectively investigated CZP treatment in patients with axSpA. The primary outcome was change from baseline (CfB) in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) to Week 52.

SLICC-Frailty Index is independently associated with impaired physical function, activities of daily living and quality of life measures.

Objective: The SLICC Frailty Index (SLICC-FI) was developed to assess health deficits including disease activity, organ damage, comorbidities and functional status. We examined any relationship between SLICC-FI and objective physical function measures, activities of daily living performance and quality of life in SLE.

Methods: SLICC-FI was estimated using data from patient files and patient-reported questionnaires.

Better outcomes of COVID-19 in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated patients with systemic rheumatic diseases.

Objective: Τo report outcomes of breakthrough COVID-19 in comparison with COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRDs).

Methods: Patients with SRD with COVID-19 (vaccinated and unvaccinated) were included by their rheumatologists in a registry operated by the Greek Rheumatology Society in a voluntarily basis. Type, date and doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were recorded, and demographics, type of SRD, concurrent treatment, comorbidities and COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalisation, need for oxygen supplementation and death) were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

COVID-19 vaccine safety and nocebo-prone associated hesitancy in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To describe the rate and type of adverse effects (AEs) and the frequency of disease flares after COVID-19 vaccination and to assess the reasons for vaccination hesitancy (non-vaccination) in SRD patients.

Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted of SRD patients consecutively enrolled (15/06/2021-1/7/2021). Participants were asked about the type of AEs and disease flare after vaccination.

Increased influenza vaccination rates in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases during the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

To assess non-compliance and potential changes in seasonal flu vaccination coverage before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). Consecutive patients with ARDs followed-up in 2 tertiary hospitals were telephone-interviewed (December 12-30, 2020) regarding seasonal flu vaccination during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 time periods. Self-reported disease flares that occurred after flu vaccination, as well as reasons for non-vaccination were recorded.

Nocebo-Prone Behaviour in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with emotional distress and significant disruptions in health-care services. These are key players in the development of nocebo phenomena. We aimed to investigate nocebo-prone behaviour in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) amid the COVID-19 pandemic-associated lockdown.

Introduction and switching of biologic agents are associated with antidepressant and anxiolytic medication use: data on 42 815 real-world patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Objectives: Depression and anxiety are linked bi-directionally with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) activity, which in turn, depends on subjective patient reported outcomes that can be distorted by comorbid mood disorders. We tested the hypothesis that introduction and/or switching of biologic agents for IRDs are associated with treatment for depression and/or anxiety, by analysing real-world data.

Methods: Using a country-wide electronic prescription database (10 012 604 registered, 99% population coverage), we captured almost all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n=12 002), psoriatic arthritis (n=5465) and ankylosing spondylitis (n=6423) who received biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) during a 2-year period (8/2016-7/2018).

Predictors of morbidity and mortality in early systemic sclerosis: Long-term follow-up data from a single-centre inception cohort.

Objectives: To determine predictors of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a long-term follow-up of an inception cohort of early SSc patients.

Methods: We evaluated clinical manifestations, laboratory and lung function tests at disease onset as predictors of morbidity and mortality in 3rd, 6th and 9th year in SSc patients recruited within 12 months of disease onset.

Results: A total of 115 SSc patients (97 women, mean age 48.

High 3-year golimumab survival in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: real world data from 328 patients.

Objectives: Our primary objective was to study the long-term survival on drug (SOD) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with golimumab (GLM) in real life settings.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study of all patients treated with GLM in 4 Academic Centres in Greece during a 4-year period (09/2010-06/2014). SOD was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, while Cox regression analysis estimating hazard ratios (HRs) for different baseline variables associated with drug discontinuation was performed for each disease.

Brief Report: Drug-Free Long-Term Remission in Severe Behçet's Disease Following Withdrawal of Successful Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Treatment.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that remission of Behçet's disease (BD) in patients with severe vital organ involvement is maintained after withdrawal of successful anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective, longitudinal outcomes study focused on consecutive patients with disease refractory to treatment with conventional immunosuppressant agents who responded to add-on long-term anti-TNF treatment that was subsequently discontinued. The end point was the proportion of patients remaining in complete remission for at least 3 years after withdrawal of anti-TNF treatment.

Atherosclerosis is not accelerated in rheumatoid arthritis of low activity or remission, regardless of antirheumatic treatment modalities.

Objectives: RA associates with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality due to accelerated atherosclerosis, attributed to both classical risk factors and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that effective disease control over 3 years modifies acceleration of atherosclerosis in RA.

Methods: Consecutive, non-diabetic RA patients previously examined by ultrasonography for subclinical atherosclerosis were re-evaluated after 3.

Anti-TNFα treatment for recalcitrant ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is a rare degenerative connective tissue disorder associated with diabetes mellitus, which usually presents with red papules or plaques with raised edges and occasional ulceration. Ulcerating NLD is notoriously difficult to treat. We present a young patient with ulcerative NLD who was successfully treated with the anti-TNFα agent infliximab.

Interrelated reduction of chemerin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis after interleukin-6 receptor blockade.

Inflammatory/metabolic factors and imbalance of haemostasis contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that plays an important role in immune responses, is implicated in its pathogenesis. In this study, the effects of the IL-6 receptor inhibitor, tocilizumab, on serum adipokines and coagulation/fibrinolysis factors in RA patients were examined.

Predictors of new atherosclerotic carotid plaque development in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality attributed to both classical risk factors and chronic inflammation. We assessed longitudinally the factors associated with new carotid plaques in nondiabetic RA patients and apparently healthy individuals.

Methods: In our present prospective observational study, carotid plaques were identified by ultrasonography at baseline and follow-up end, separated by an average of 3.

Sleep disturbances and interleukin 6 receptor inhibition in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Interleukin 6 (IL-6)-mediated interactions have been associated with sleep disturbances in healthy subjects. In this pilot study we examined whether administration of the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects sleep disturbances.

Methods: Fifteen patients (13 women) with sleep disturbances at baseline received 6 monthly infusions of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg for moderately or severely active RA.

Early effects of IL-6 receptor inhibition on bone homeostasis: a pilot study in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: A critical role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bone homeostasis has been suggested in experimental studies. We examined whether inhibition of IL-6 receptor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results in early alterations of circulating markers of bone remodelling.

Methods: Circulating levels of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), Wnt signalling pathway inhibitors Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin, markers of bone resorption (C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of collagen type-I (CTX), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform-5b) and bone formation (bone-specific alkaline-phosphatase, osteocalcin) were examined in 22 women with active RA before and after two monthly infusions of tocilizumab (8mg/kg each); 'healthy', non-osteopenic, 1:1 age-matched women served as controls.

Adalimumab or cyclosporine as monotherapy and in combination in severe psoriatic arthritis: results from a prospective 12-month nonrandomized unblinded clinical trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab or cyclosporine (CYC) as monotherapy or combination therapy for patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), despite methotrexate (MTX) therapy.

Methods: A prospective 12-month, nonrandomized, unblinded clinical trial of 57, 58, and 55 patients who received CYC (2.5-3.

Anti-TNF agents for Behçet's disease: analysis of published data on 369 patients.

Objective: Off-label use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents for Behçet's disease (BD) is increasing. We evaluated published data on their efficacy and safety for patients with unmet medical needs due to severe disease manifestations, including ocular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system involvement.

Methods: Peer-reviewed articles on anti-TNF agents for BD appearing in Medline/PubMed through March 2010 were identified using the appropriate indexing terms.