Predictive biomarkers of response to tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis (GCA): correlations with imaging activity.

In the recent EULAR recommendations, ultrasound examination is now recommended as a first-line imaging test in all patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) and the axillary arteries should be included in the standard exam. As an alternative to ultrasound evaluation, cranial and extracranial arteries can be examined using FDG-PET or MRI. The aim of our study was to observe in a retrospective case series whether there is a correlation between biomarkers and imaging activity in a population of patients followed in real life with GCA treated with prednisone (PDN) and tocilizumab (TCZ).

Efficacy and Safety of Filgotinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Aged over and under 65 Years (ENANTIA-65).

Background: According to recent data, the age of patients could represent an important risk factor for MACE (major cardiovascular events), cancer, and VTE (venous thromboembolism) during treatment with JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. We decided to analyze the population involved in the ReLiFiRa study by identifying two groups of patients: 65 years or more and less than 65 years of age, evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of 200 mg of Filgotinib daily.

Methods: Of the 120 ReLiFiRa patients, 54 were younger than 65 years old and 66 patients were 65 years old or older.

Do Ultrasound Lung Abnormalities Correlate to Biomarkers and Male Gender in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients? A Monocentric Cross-Sectional Study.

: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a tool of growing interest in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) oligo- symptomatic ILD to avoid. : We aimed to evaluate (i) the prevalence of pleural (PLUS) and parenchymal (PAUS) abnormalities in LUS in the RA population and their possible correlation to biomarkers; (ii) the predictivity of gender, smoking habits, previous infections (past COVID-19 tuberculosis), and treatments; (iii) the differences in LUS between sexes. : We collected the data of 155 (15 early and 140 late) RA patients with mild respiratory symptoms, evaluating PLUS and PAUS, in fourteen lung areas and also summing the scores (LUS-T).

Evaluation of a New Multiparametric Microdot Array-Based Immunoassay Panel for Systemic Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis.

Background: The early reliable detection and quantification of autoantibodies play an important role in autoimmune disease diagnosis and in disease-course monitoring. New technologies, such as the multiplexed determination of autoantibodies, have recently been introduced and are being adopted more frequently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a new microdot array-based multiparametric assay (ZENIT AMiDot CTD panel, A.