Antiphospholipid Antibodies Occurrence in Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection without Overt Thrombosis.

We sought to determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and their correlation with COVID-19 severity (in terms of clinical and laboratory parameters) in patients without thrombotic events during the early phase of infection. This was a cross-sectional study with the inclusion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from a single department during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020-May 2021). Previous known immune disease or thrombophilia along with long-term anticoagulation and patients with overt arterial or venous thrombosis during SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded.

COVID-19 Impact and Vaccination Willingness among Romanian Patients with Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Diseases.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with immune diseases are a vulnerable population. We aimed to evaluate their access to medical care, as well as their awareness and willingness to obtain the vaccine after a year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted on a questionnaire basis, handled both online as well as in person.

COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Increase the Risk of Disease Flare-Ups among Patients with Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases.

Background: Reports describing post-vaccine autoimmune phenomena, in previously healthy individuals, increased the concerns regarding the risk of disease flare-ups in patients with immune diseases. We aimed to assess the potential risk of disease flare-up, after receiving the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine, during a follow-up period of 6 months.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study, enrolling the patients with autoimmune- and immune-mediated diseases who voluntarily completed our questionnaire, both online and during hospital evaluations.

Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic diseases: short overview for internal medicine.

Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is now one of the main imaging tools in systemic sclerosis and imposed over time as an easy, non-invasive method for the nailfold microvascular bed assessment. In qualitative NFC normal pattern is characterized by homogeneous, parallel fashion arrangement of the last capillaries row as well as by capillaries with hairpin or non-specific variations like tortuous and/ or crossing shape. Nailfold capillaroscopy is strongly recommended for evaluation of all patients with Raynaud phenomenon.

Different effects of anti-TNF-alpha biologic drugs on the small bowel macroscopic inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Background & Aims: Considering the ability of anti-TNF alpha drugs to lower the burden intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the similarity between IBD and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) regarding inflammatory intestinal involvement, we aimed to investigate the impact of anti-TNF alpha biologic therapy on subclinical intestinal inflammation in AS patients.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2013, 38 AS patients and 23 controls were enrolled in the study and investigated with small bowel videocapsule endoscopy examination and ileocolonoscopy. Each tertile of the small bowel (proximal, mid and distal) was assessed by calculating the Lewis score based on the image stream.

NSAID-induced deleterious effects on the proximal and mid small bowel in seronegative spondyloarthropathy patients.

Aim: To investigate the small bowel of seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients in order to ascertain the presence of mucosal lesions.

Methods: Between January 2008 and June 2010, 54 consecutive patients were enrolled and submitted to a video capsule endoscopy (VCE) examination. History and demographic data were taken, as well as the history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption.