Quality of life and therapeutic management of axial spondyloarthritis patients in Italy: a 12-month prospective observational study.

Objectives: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), disease activity, treatment adherence, and work ability in the real-world setting in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: QUASAR was a prospective 12-month, observational study involving 23 rheumatology centres across Italy, including adult patients with axSpA according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. Patients were followed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months for disease activity and health-related QoL (HRQoL), treatment adherence and work ability.

Radiofrequency echographic multi spectrometry for the prediction of incident fragility fractures: A 5-year follow-up study.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of the T-score values provided by Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) in the identification of patients at risk for incident osteoporotic fractures.

Methods: A population of Caucasian women (30-90 years), enrolled from 2013 to 2016, underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and REMS scans at axial sites. The incidence of fragility fractures was assessed during a follow-up period up to 5 years.

Observational study on the QUality of life of Italian Axial SpondyloARthritis patients (QUASAR): baseline data.

Objectives: To describe the baseline characteristics of the patients enrolled in the QUality of life in patients with Axial SpondyloARthritis (QUASAR) study in terms of quality of life (QoL), disease activity, therapy adherence, and work ability in a real-world setting.

Methods: QUASAR is an Italian multicentre, prospective 12-month observational study, including consecutive adult patients classified as axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for axSpA.

Results: Of 512 patients enrolled in 23 rheumatology centres, 80.

Effectiveness of Certolizumab-Pegol in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, and Psoriatic Arthritis Based on the BIOPURE Registry: Can Early Response Predict Late Outcomes?

Background: Identification of predictors of clinical response to certolizumab-pegol (certolizumab) may aid the decision-making process for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of certolizumab and identify any predictors of favorable outcome in patients with RA, PsA, or SpA.

Methods: We studied 355 RA, SpA, and PsA patients starting treatment with certolizumab.

Correction to: Drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Real-life data from the biologic Apulian registry (BIOPURE).

In Fig. 1 - paned D, incorrect image was published. This is now presented correctly in this article.

Drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Real-life data from the biologic Apulian registry (BIOPURE).

This study aims to evaluate the drug survival and effectiveness of ustekinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients naïve to biologics or inadequate responders to tumor necrosis factor (TNF-IR) inhibitors in real life. PsA patients starting ustekinumab were enrolled from 2014 to 2016. Joint involvement, peripheral or axial, Psoriatic Area Severity Index, Disease Activity Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Lee Enthesitis Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, body mass index, comorbidities, co-therapies, mechanism of action, and causes of discontinuation of prior TNFi were collected at baseline, and 6 and 12 months.

Diagnostic power and healthcare resource consumption of a dedicated workflow algorithm designed to manage thoracic impedance alerts in heart failure patients by remote monitoring.

Purpose: Modern cardiac implantable devices provide diagnostic information on several physiological variables which are associated with worsening heart failure, creating an opportunity for early intervention to prevent heart failure symptoms and hospitalizations. We evaluated diagnostic accuracy and workload of a remote monitoring (RM) workflow algorithm which leverages intrathoracic impedance and other device diagnostics.

Methods: In our RM workflow a team of expert nurses was responsible for continuity of care, direct relationship with patients and implementation of a specific protocol to evaluate RM alerts and to limit unnecessary resource consumption.

Golimumab in real-life settings: 2 Years drug survival and predictors of clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To assess the drug survival of golimumab, and predictors thereof, in patients affected with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a prospective observational cohort.

Methods: This is a non-interventional, longitudinal study on RA, SpA, and PsA patients starting treatment with golimumab. Endpoints were the 2 years persistence rate of golimumab and predictors of therapy discontinuation.

An Advanced Quantitative Echosound Methodology for Femoral Neck Densitometry.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the clinical feasibility and the accuracy in femoral neck densitometry of the Osteoporosis Score (O.S.), an ultrasound (US) parameter for osteoporosis diagnosis that has been recently introduced for lumbar spine applications.

Canakinumab efficacy and long-term tocilizumab administration in tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS).

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Treatment is aimed at preventing acute disease attacks, improving quality of life, and preventing long-term complications such as systemic reactive amyloidosis. Biologic agents have significantly improved TRAPS management.

Effect of daily remote monitoring on pacemaker longevity: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Energy demand of remote monitoring in cardiac implantable electronic devices has never been investigated. Biotronik Home Monitoring (HM) is characterized by daily transmissions that may affect longevity.

Objective: The aim of the study was to retrospectively compare longevity of a specific dual-chamber pacemaker model in patients with HM on and patients with HM off.

A novel ultrasound methodology for estimating spine mineral density.

We investigated the possible clinical feasibility and accuracy of an innovative ultrasound (US) method for diagnosis of osteoporosis of the spine. A total of 342 female patients (aged 51-60 y) underwent spinal dual X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal echographic scanning of the lumbar spine. Recruited patients were subdivided into a reference database used for US spectral model construction and a study population for repeatability and accuracy evaluation.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator remote monitoring is well accepted and easy to use during long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Remote monitoring (RM) is becoming the new standard for follow-up of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. The aim of the present study was to evaluate patients' acceptance and satisfaction of RM by using a specific designed questionnaire.

Methods: The questionnaire is composed of 12 items aimed at analyzing 5 aspects of patient's acceptance and satisfaction of RM, with a scale ranging from 0 (the worst) to 4 (the best).

Intramuscular neridronate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using corticosteroids: evaluation of treatment adherence in a randomized, open-label comparison with other bisphosphonates.

Background And Aims: Oral bisphosphonates have been used successfully in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their use for the treatment of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis may be limited by poor compliance. Neridronate, an intramuscular and intravenous aminobisphosphonate approved for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta and Paget's disease, is also effective in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to compare the adherence of intramuscular neridronate versus oral alendronate or risedronate in patients with RA with corticosteroid-induced osteopenia.

Ibandronate and cementless total hip arthroplasty: densitometric measurement of periprosthetic bone mass and new therapeutic approach to the prevention of aseptic loosening.

Studies of the mechanisms of periprosthetic bone loss have led to the development of pharmacologic strategies intended to enhance bone mass recovery after surgery and consequently prevent aseptic loosening and prolong the implant survival. Bisphosphonates, potent anti-resorptive drugs widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis and other disorders of bone metabolism, were shown to be particularly effective in reducing periprosthetic bone resorption in the first year after hip and knee arthroplasty, both cemented and cementless. Based on these results, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ibandronate on periprosthetic bone loss in a 2-year study of postmenopausal women that underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Clinical utility of clodronate in the prevention and management of osteoporosis in patients intolerant of oral bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates have a long history in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone-related disease. This review focuses on the use of a specific nonaminobisphosphonate, clodronate, which appears to be much better tolerated than other bisphosphonates and free of high-risk contraindications. Specifically, this paper reviews its use in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, taking into account its tolerability profile and recent safety issues arising regarding the use of bisphosphonates.

Ibandronate and periprosthetic bone mass: new therapeutic approach in periprosthetic loosening prevention.

A prosthetic implant modifies the physiological transmission of loads to the bone, initiating a remodeling process.Studies of the mechanisms responsible for periprosthetic bone loss contributed to the definition of new pharmacological strategies that may prevent aseptic implant loosening. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs useful to this purpose, and have been shown to be effective in reducing periprosthetic resorption during the first year after the implant.

Long-term patient acceptance of and satisfaction with implanted device remote monitoring.

Aims: To evaluate patients' acceptance and satisfaction of the Home Monitoring (HM) remote control system after 1 year of follow-up by a self-made questionnaire (HM Acceptance and Satisfaction Questionnaire, HoMASQ) specifically designed for this purpose.

Methods And Results: The HoMASQ contains 12 items designed to investigate five different aspects strictly connected to patient's acceptance and satisfaction of remote monitoring: (i) relationship with their healthcare provider, (ii) easy of use of HM technology, (iii) related psychological aspects, (iv) implications on general health, and (v) overall satisfaction. Each item was rated on a five-point scale: from 0 to 4 with favourable responses score > or =2.

Synovial fluid fibroblasts and lymphocytes support the osteoclastogenesis in human psoriatic arthritis.

Aggressive bone resorption is well recognized in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). By using in vitro osteoclastogenesis models, consisting of unstimulated mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMCs) and synovial fluid (SFMCs) of PsA patients, we demonstrated the spontaneous OC formation in both culture systems. In PBMCs the osteoclastogenesis was T cell-dependent while it was T cell- and fibroblast-dependent in SFMCs.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an update on clinical and therapeutic approaches.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis represents a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases. It arises before 16 years of age and lasts more than 6 months. We can distinguish many arthritis sub-types.

Osteocalcin synthesis by human osteoblasts from normal and osteoarthritic bone after vitamin D3 stimulation.

Alterations in osteoblast metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of typical subchondral bone changes in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteocalcin is a specific bone protein, synthesised by the osteoblasts, which can be considered a marker of metabolic activity of these cells. In this study we correlated osteocalcin production from human osteoblasts isolated from healthy and osteoarthritic subjects to the degree of cartilage damage, before and after stimulation with 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3, the active metabolite of vitamin D3.