Determinants associated with the prescription of a first biologic therapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis and concomitant fibromyalgia in daily practice.

Objectives: There is no consensus on the therapeutic strategy of rheumatologists for patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and concomitant fibromyalgia (FM). The main aim of this study was to identify, in a population of rheumatologists practicing in Normandy, France, the determinants associated with their decision to prescribe a first biologic DMARD (bDMARD) in patients with Spa/FM. Specific objectives were to evaluate professional prescribing practices to identify a set of criteria likely to contribute to the therapeutic decision of rheumatologists, and to validate the relevance of these criteria.

Rotation or change of biotherapy after TNF blocker treatment failure for axial spondyloarthritis: the ROC-SpA study, a randomised controlled study protocol.

Introduction: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by inflammatory low back pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended as a first treatment in axSpA. In case of inadequate response to NSAIDs, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) should be introduced according to the recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology.

Involvement of cognitive abilities in the occurrence of fractures in fallers aged 55 years or older: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Both bone fragility and poor cognitive functions are known to contribute to fracture occurrence, but it remains unclear whether their contribution is independent of each other and which cognitive dysfunctions are most involved. This study aimed to clarify the involvement of various cognitive abilities in fall-related fractures among community-dwelling fallers aged 55 and over, and to determine whether poor cognitive abilities is a risk factor independent of bone fragility.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we collected sociodemographic and medical data, including bone mineral density (BMD), and performed cognitive and mobility assessments in 189 individuals with a history of fall in the previous year.

Potential efficacy of T and B lymphocyte-targeted therapies on articular involvement of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis overlap syndrome. Results from a 2-centre series of 19 cases.

Objectives: To analyse in routine practice the efficacy of targeted therapies on joint involvement of patients with rheumatoid arthritis/systemic sclerosis (RA/SSc) overlap syndrome.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of medical records of two academic centres over a 10-year period. Joint response to targeted therapies was measured according to EULAR criteria based on Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28.

2-year outcomes of MitraClip as a bridge to heart transplantation: The international MitraBridge registry.

Background: In the first report from the MitraBridge registry, MitraClip as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) proved to be at 1-year an effective treatment strategy for 119 patients with advanced heart failure (HF) who were potential candidates for HTx. We aimed to determine if benefits of MitraClip procedure as a bridge-to-transplant persist up to 2-years.

Methods: By the end of the enrollment period, a total of 153 advanced HF patients (median age 59 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 26.

Denosumab use in bone fibrous dysplasia refractory to bisphosphonate: A retrospective multicentric study.

Introduction: Increased RANKL expression is observed in the bone tissue of fibrous dysplasia of bone/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS). In one animal model of FD/MAS, the inhibition of RANKL reduced tumor volume. A beneficial effect of denosumab on pain in patients refractory to bisphosphonates has been reported, but without systematic quantification of pain improvement.

Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the window of opportunity for retreatment with rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis patients from a multicentre real-life study.

Objectives: To determine a potential window of opportunity for retreatment with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from a multicentre longitudinal real-life study based on tight monitoring with ultrasonography (US).

Methods: Thirty RA patients treated with rituximab were included. US parameters were collected at each time (8 visits) of the 18-month follow-up, notably the global score of power Doppler (PD) activity.

The diagnostic challenge of patients with anti-U1-RNP antibodies.

Anti-U1-RNP antibodies are necessary for the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), but they are also prevalent in other connective tissue diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), from which distinction remains challenging. We aimed to describe the presentation and outcome of patients with anti-U1-RNP antibodies and to identify factors to distinguish MCTD from SLE. We retrospectively applied the criteria sets for MCTD, SLE, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to all patients displaying anti-U1-RNP antibodies in the hospital of Caen from 2000 to 2020.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta: characterization of fractures during pregnancy and post-partum.

Background: Pregnancy and breastfeeding are associated with bone density loss. Fracture occurrence during pregnancy and post-partum, and its determinants, remain poorly known in Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). The aim of this study was to characterize fractures that occurred during pregnancy and post-partum in OI patients.

Clinical phenotype and cytokine profile of adult IgA vasculitis with joint involvement.

Objective: Joint involvement can be observed during the course of adult IgA vasculitis (IgAV). However, clinical picture, prognosis, or pathophysiological data associated with this condition have been overlooked. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of IgAV patients with joint involvement and look to a specific cytokine profile.

Randomized Controlled Study of a Training Program for Knee and Shoulder Arthrocentesis on Procedural Simulators with Assessment on Cadavers.

Objective: The study objective was to assess the efficacy of simulators in improving the competence of students in performing a knee and shoulder arthrocentesis on cadavers and to determine the minimum number of simulator training procedures needed to achieve competence in arthrocentesis.

Methods: Two groups of 15 medical students were each trained to perform a single joint arthrocentesis ("knee group" and "shoulder group") on a simulator to serve as a control for the other. The two groups received the same theoretical training (anatomy, arthrocentesis techniques, ultrasound, and hybrid simulation).

Description of Joint Alterations Observed in a Family Carrying p.Asn453Ser Variant: Clinical Phenotypes, In Silico Prediction of Functional Impact on Protein and Stability, and Review of the Literature.

The role of genetics in the development of osteoarthritis is well established but the molecular bases are not fully understood. Here, we describe a family carrying a germline mutation in () associated with three distinct phenotypes. The index case was enrolled for a familial form of idiopathic early-onset osteoarthritis.

Long-term echocardiographic findings after TAVR: 5-year follow-up in 400 consecutive patients.

A little is known about long-term hemodynamic performance of the transcatheter heart valves (THVs). The aim of the present study was to assess hemodynamic outcome, structural valve deterioration (SVD) and bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF) in patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) five or more years ago. All consecutive patients treated at Bologna and Florence University Hospitals with TAVR between January 2008 and December 2013 were analyzed in a retrospective registry with regards to demographic, procedural and outcome data as well as follow-up data on mortality and echocardiographic characteristics.

Routine minimalist transcatheter aortic valve implantation with local anesthesia only.

Aims: Conscious sedation instead of general anesthesia has been increasingly adopted in many centers for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Improvement of materials and operators' experience and reduction of periprocedural complications allowed procedural simplification and adoption of a minimalist approach. With this study, we sought to assess the feasibility and safety of transfemoral TAVR routinely performed under local anesthesia without on-site anesthesiology support.

Psychotropic Polypharmacy in Adults 55 Years or Older: A Risk for Impaired Global Cognition, Executive Function, and Mobility.

Objectives: With their broad spectrum of action, psychotropic drugs are among the most common medications prescribed to the elderly. Consequently, the number of older adults taking multiple psychotropic drugs has more than doubled over the last decade. To improve knowledge about the deleterious effects of psychotropic polypharmacy, we investigated whether there is a threshold number of psychotropic molecules that could lead to impairment of global cognition, executive function, or mobility.

Safety of surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab: data from the French (REGistry -RoAcTEmra) Regate registry.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency and risk factors of postoperative complications in RA patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ).

Methods: The French registry REGATE recruited 1496 RA patients receiving TCZ in routine care. Data from patients treated with TCZ who underwent surgery were reviewed.

Adverse Effects of Anticholinergic Drugs on Cognition and Mobility: Cutoff for Impairment in a Cross-Sectional Study in Young-Old and Old-Old Adults.

Background: Drugs with anticholinergic properties are commonly prescribed in older adults despite growing evidence of their adverse outcomes. Several issues regarding these detrimental effects remain unresolved, such as the putative existence of a threshold above which anticholinergic drug consumption impairs cognitive or mobility performance.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the number of anticholinergic drugs and the anticholinergic burden that leads to mobility or cognitive impairment and compare the effects in community-dwelling older adults in two age groups ("young-old" 55-74 vs.

In-hospital and thirty-day outcomes of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve: the S3U registry.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate 30-day safety and efficacy outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) performed with the SAPIEN 3 Ultra system.

Methods And Results: The S3U registry is a physician-led, post-approval, multicentre, observational registry of transfemoral TAVI with the SAPIEN 3 Ultra. New features include an improved sealing skirt, a 14 Fr expandable sheath and a new delivery catheter.

Surgical Risk Scores Applied to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Friends or Foes? Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes From a Single-Center Registry.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for the treatment of symptomatic aortic stenosis. The EuroScore (ES) II, logistic EuroScore (log ES), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score are the most applied scores for surgical risk stratification. However, their predictive value for patients undergoing TAVI is still unclear.