Serum levels of free light chains and syndecan-1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are characterized by chronic inflammation. Reliable biomarkers are crucial for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and therapeutic responses. This study explores serum Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a biomarker for these conditions and its relationship with free light chain (FLC) levels.

Intensive training programme for ultrasound-guided minimally invasive synovial tissue biopsy on knees and wrists in different phases of inflammation.

Objectives: To develop an intensive training programme for ultrasound (US)-guided synovial tissue (ST) biopsy on knees and wrists in inflammatory arthritis and to assess the learning curve, patient tolerability, sample quality and trainees' expectations.

Methods: Active or remission rheumatoid arthritis patients were enrolled. Nine trainees joined the 4-month programme in a centre experienced in performing US-guided ST biopsies consisting of four sequential phases: (1) observation, (2) performance of guided step-by-step phases, (3) execution of the whole procedure on paired joints (knees or wrists) of the same patient in parallel with the trainer and (4) performance of the procedure autonomously.

Sarilumab use in severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Background: Interleukin-6 signal blockade showed preliminary beneficial effects in treating inflammatory response against SARS-CoV-2 leading to severe respiratory distress. Herein we describe the outcomes of off-label intravenous use of Sarilumab in severe SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia.

Methods: 53 patients with SARS-CoV-2 severe pneumonia received intravenous Sarilumab; pulmonary function improvement or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rate in medical wards, live discharge rate in ICU treated patients and safety profile were recorded.

Osteoporosis and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis of the hand.

Objective: Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two major health problems affecting postmenopausal women. Epidemiological observations seem to demonstrate a possible inverse relationship between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) of the hand is a destructive form of primary osteoarthritis.

Prolactin/cortisol ratio in rheumatoid arthritis.

Prolactin (PRL) and glucocorticoids are hormones involved in the regulation of the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory condition that presents a diurnal rhythm of disease activity. PRL/cortisol ratio, and IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were determined in patients with RA and in control subjects at 0600, 1000, 1400, 1800, 2200, and 0200 hours.