Late-age onset systemic sclerosis-clinical and serological characteristics.

The clinical course and serological profile of the late-age onset systemic sclerosis (LAO SSc) and the early-age onset SSc (EAO SSc) was compared. The study enrolled 157 patients that fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc). Among them, 69 had diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and 88 limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc).

The prevalence and significance of anti-PM/Scl antibodies in systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Anti-PM/Scl (a-PM/Scl) antibodies are found in different systemic autoimmune diseases such as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and overlap syndromes. According to literature, they are detected in approx. 2% of SSc patients, but their presence is more common in SSc with myositis overlap.

The value of anti-CarP and anti-PAD4 as markers of rheumatoid arthritis in ACPA/RF negative rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are key factors in the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism rheumatoid arthritis (RA) classification criteria markers. However, about 30% of patients diagnosed with RA are seronegative, rationalizing the need for new serologic markers for RA. Antibodies against carbamylated proteins (anti-CarP) and against peptidyl-arginine deiminase type 4 (anti-PAD4) have been postulated to be useful RA markers.

Clinical consequences of the presence of anti-RNA Pol III antibodies in systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Anti-RNA polymerase III (a-RNA Pol III) antibodies are marker antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Aim: To assess the prevalence of a-RNA Pol III in patients with SSc and to identify the differences in the disease picture in SSc patients with and without a-RNA Pol III antibodies.

Material And Methods: The study was performed in 126 SSc patients.

The presence of particular criteria and noncriteria antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with uterine malignancies.

Introduction: Currently, there have been limited data on the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in patients with uterine malignancies (UMs).

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether criteria and noncriteria aPLs are present in patients with UMs and associated with the thrombotic risk, as compared with patients with noncancerous gynecological diseases (NCGDs).

Patients And Methods: The study involved 151 women scheduled for gynecological surgery.

Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase Type 4 Gene Promoter Hypo-Methylation in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Protein citrullination is carried out by peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PAD4) enzyme. As a consequence of this process, post-translationally modified proteins are formed that become antigens for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). The study aimed at identifying whether the gene is subject to epigenetic regulation through methylation of its promoter region, whether the degree of methylation differs in healthy individuals vs.

Hypermethylation of the miR-155 gene in the whole blood and decreased plasma level of miR-155 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: miR-155 plays a critical role in the inflammatory process and in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). miR155 gene expression is regulated by its gene promoter region CpG island methylation. Previous studies have shown inconsistent changes in circulating levels of mir-155 in RA patients.

Anti-CCP antibodies and rheumatoid factor in systemic sclerosis: Prevalence and relationships with joint manifestations.

Background: It is known that anti-citrullinated protein (a-CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) can be present in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, particularly with joint involvement.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of a-CCP antibodies and immunoglobulin M class (IgM) RF, and the relationships between their presence and joint manifestations in patients with SSc.

Material And Methods: The study included 100 European Caucasian SSc patients hospitalized consecutively in the Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases (Lublin, Poland).

Overlap syndromes in systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: It is known, that course of the disease differs between overlap syndromes (OS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) group.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of OS in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and to analyze the presence of different manifestations in the SSc and OS group.

Material And Methods: The study included 126 European Caucasian SSc patients (99 females and 27 males) hospitalized consecutively in the Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases.

[Epigenetic disturbances in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that results in uncontrolled immune system activation and overproduction of autoantibodies. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and not fully understood, nevertheless, genetic and environmental factors play an important role. So far, about 30 genes have been identified to be involved in the SLE pathomechanism.

[Serum free light chains for monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus activity].

Objective: Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease leading to chronic inflammation of numerous tissues and organs. The search for clinically useful markers of its activity is ongoing. At present, it is suggested that serum free light chains (FLC) may be useful in assessing SLE activity.

β2-microglobulin as a marker of systemic lupus erythematosus activity.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by alternating periods of activity and remission. A portion of the patients suffers from the chronically active form of the disease. The search for clinically useful markers of its activity is ongoing.

Influence of antiphospholipid antibody positivity on glomerular filtration rate markers in a group of systemic sclerosis patients - a 24-month observation.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was the assessment of changes in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during long-term observation in a group of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with and without chronic antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody positivity.

Material And Methods: The observation comprised 50 patients - 23 with diffuse cutaneous SSc - dcSSc and 27 limited cutaneous SSc - lcSSc. After 24 months we assessed 27 patients (9 died, 14 lost follow up); 24 patients (88%) were treated chronically with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs).

Presence of organ‑specific antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION According to the literature, organ‑specific antibodies may be present in the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies (antithyroid peroxidase antibodies [anti‑TPO] and antithyroglobulin antibodies) and of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), as well as to evaluate their clinical significance in patients with SSc. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study involved 86 consecutive in‑hospital patients with SSc (32 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc] and 54 with limited cutaneous SSc [lcSSc]).

Autoantibodies against gliadin in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), beside non-specific antibodies, present with organ-specific autoantibodies, including those typical of celiac disease (CD). In the pathogenesis of CD, a role is played by anti-tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysium, and anti-gliadin (AGA) antibodies. CD can be comorbid with RA and pSS.

Comparison of clinical and serological parameters in female and male patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: The course of systemic sclerosis (SSc) can differ in female and male patients. According to the literature the incidence rates of diffuse cutaneous SSc, scleroderma renal crisis and digital ulceration are higher in male patients. The aim of the study was to compare selected clinical and serological parameters in male and female patients with SSc.

Prevalence of selected organ-specific autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of selected organ-specific autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and discuss their clinical significance.

Material And Methods: The study included 121 RA and 30 pSS patients. Sera were tested for the presence of autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), thyroglobulin (anti-TG), TSH receptor (TRAbs), mitochondrial antigen M2 (AMA-M2-3E) and gliadin-analogous fusion peptides (anti-GAF(3X)) using the ELISA method.

Serological profile of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: The systemic sclerosis-associated autoantibodies include anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase I (anti-topo I), anti-RNA polymerase III, anti-fibrillarin, anti-Th/To, and anti-PDGFR. A specific serological profile is connected with clinical manifestations and prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the serological profile in limited cutaneous and diffuse cutaneous SSc (lcSSc and dcSSc).

Antiphospholipid antibodies during 6-month treatment with infliximab: a preliminary report.

Background: The introduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists (adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept) was a major advance and was highly important and beneficial in most rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The adverse effects of this treatment are infrequent, but include opportunistic intracellular infection (especially the reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis); exacerbation of demyelinating disorders; and the production of various types of antibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or double-stranded DNA autoantibodies (dsDNA) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) such as anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-B2GP-I antibodies (B2GP-I). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of aCL and B2GP-I in IgM and IgG classes, using ELISA tests, during 6 months of follow-up in patients with refractory RA successfully treated with infliximab.

Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis activity and antithyroid antibodies.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to be associated with a higher prevalence of antithyroid antibodies and autoimmune thyroid disease, but there have been few studies regarding the correlations between the presence of these antibodies and RA activity.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between antithyroid antibody titers and selected parameters of RA activity.

Patients And Methods: A total of 75 consecutive hospitalized patients with RA were enrolled into the study.

Prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients and relationship with disease activity.

Introduction: It is still unclear how important the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) is in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of selected aPL in RA patients and their correlation with the presence of markers for RA antibodies and with disease activity.

Patients And Methods: The study group consisted of 97 patients with RA who had never been treated with biological agents.

Influence of long-term leflunomide treatment on serum amyloid concentration in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that requires intervention with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to stop disease progression. Leflunomide (LEF) is a DMARD with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. As its primary mode of action, LEF reversibly inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine in cells.

Antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide don't decrease after 6 months of infliximab treatment in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) and the rheumatoid factor (RF) are well-established serological markers for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ACPA are very useful in the diagnosis of RA, especially at the early stages of the disease when ACPA have a greater diagnostic value than RF. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of infliximab treatment on RF IgM and ACPA serum levels and RA activity during 6 months of treatment.