Publications by authors named "Katya Meridor"

Article Synopsis
  • Synovial monocytes (CD14+CD16+) play a key role in the inflammatory responses in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the study investigates the impact of different drugs on these cells.
  • In laboratory tests, TNF inhibitors (adalimumab and infliximab) significantly decreased the percentage of CD14+CD16+ cells and reduced TNF levels in PsA and RA patients compared to other treatments, such as IL-17 inhibitors and glucocorticoids.
  • Additionally, while TNF inhibitors down-regulated inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory ones, glucocorticoids had mixed effects, changing the expression of genes related to inflammation differently
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Background: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at increased risk for autoimmune thyroid diseases, but information regarding thyroid nodules and cancer in SSc is scarce. Objectives: To evaluate the thyroid gland in patients with SSc at a single Israeli center.

Methods: Thyroid workup was conducted in consecutive SSc patients: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), anti-thyroid peroxidase, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) when appropriate.

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Rationale: Pruritus is a common symptom in patients with systemic sclerosis and has a tremendous effect on the quality of life. Nevertheless, current therapeutic options are limited. The pathogenesis of pruritus in systemic sclerosis is not completely understood; however, opiate-mediated neurotransmission has been postulated to be involved.

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Objective: We sought to determine the association of anti-Ro/SS-A antibody with organ involvement and disease outcome in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: A retrospective, long-term study of a cohort of incident patients diagnosed with SSc and continuously followed at our rheumatology clinic during 1990-2018.

Results: Included were 105 patients with known anti-Ro/SS-A antibody status, 92.

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Introduction: Vaccination represents a cornerstone in mastering the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on immunogenicity and safety of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) are limited.

Methods: A multicentre observational study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the two-dose regimen BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adult patients with AIIRD (n=686) compared with the general population (n=121).

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Introduction: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is currently used with considerable success for the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among its various indications, IVIg has also been found to be beneficial in myocarditis, whether or not it is associated with an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, data regarding IVIg treatment for myocarditis/cardiomyopathy in patients with SLE are sparse.

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Introduction: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a CNS stimulant, and is a common treatment for children and adults with ADHD. It has been associated with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) but not with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). We report a case series of patients pointing out the connection between Methylphenidate and SSc.

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Background: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is under-recognized by clinicians. It is characterized by nausea, severe abdominal pain, and cyclical vomiting in the context of chronic cannabis use. Oral benzodiazepine is a proposed treatment for CHS.

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Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of fertility treatment. This study evaluated pregnancy outcomes of women hospitalized for severe OHSS. A case-control study was performed of 125 women who were hospitalized due to severe OHSS compared with a control group, consisting of 156 women matched by age and aetiology of infertility, who conceived via IVF and did not develop OHSS.

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Background: Various inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, as well as, various pregnancy complications, including preterm labor, pregnancy induced hypertension/preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction. We aim to determine whether severe OHSS, complicated by third space fluid accumulation necessitating drainage, is associated with increased risk of late obstetrics complications.

Methods: We assessed the obstetrics and neonatal outcome measures of 16 patients admitted to our gynecology ward during a 6-year period, with severe OHSS complicated by third space fluid accumulation necessitating drainage.

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