Olokizumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6, in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inadequately controlled by tumour necrosis factor inhibitor therapy: efficacy and safety results of a randomised controlled phase III study.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of olokizumab (OKZ), a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine, versus placebo (PBO) in patients with prior inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IRs).

Methods: In this 24-week multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the patients were randomised in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive subcutaneously administered OKZ 64 mg once every 2 weeks (q2w), OKZ 64 mg once every 4 weeks (q4w) or PBO plus methotrexate. At week 16, the patients on PBO were randomised to receive either OKZ regime.

Depression-, Pain-, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objectives: A significant number of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have depression, and many are untreated. We aim to assess the frequency of moderate to severe depression (MSD) in a multiethnic group of SLE patients with different sociodemographic backgrounds, identify modifiable factors associated with depression, and determine the impact of depression, disease activity, damage, cognitive function, and pain severity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Ninety-nine patients with SLE were evaluated in a cross-sectional study.

Efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose, 52-week phase IIb study.

Objectives: To evaluate efficacy and safety of the anti-interleukin-23p19 monoclonal antibody tildrakizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb study, patients with active PsA were randomised 1:1:1:1:1 to tildrakizumab 200 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W); tildrakizumab 200, 100 or 20 mg Q12W; or placebo Q4W. Patients receiving tildrakizumab 20 mg or placebo switched to tildrakizumab 200 mg Q12W at W24; treatment continued to W52.

Anti-NR2 antibodies, blood-brain barrier, and cognitive dysfunction.

Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In animal models, antibodies to NR2 subunit of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (anti-NR2) cause memory impairment, but only with blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption or intrathecal administration. Several studies have failed to find association of aNR2 with CD, but none have assessed BBB integrity.

Non-criteria anti-phospholipid antibodies and cognitive impairment in SLE.

The pathogenesis of cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown. Anti-phospholipid antibodies (APL) have been implicated. The APL which have been evaluated have variably included anti-cardiolipin (ACL) antibodies, lupus anticoagulant (LAC), and antibodies to beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI).

Cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled study.

Objective: To determine the extent to which cognitive dysfunction (CD) observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exceeds that seen in a matched control group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to estimate the prevalence of CD in SLE in a community-based sample.

Methods: A random subsample of 31 patients with SLE was compared to patients with RA matched by age, sex, and race and derived from the same patient population. Cognitive function was assessed by the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM).

Hydroxychloroquine and risk of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Context: Hydroxychloroquine, a commonly used antirheumatic medication, has hypoglycemic effects and may reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To determine the association between hydroxychloroquine use and the incidence of self-reported diabetes in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Design, Setting, And Patients: A prospective, multicenter observational study of 4905 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (1808 had taken hydroxychloroquine and 3097 had never taken hydroxychloroquine) and no diagnosis or treatment for diabetes in outpatient university-based and community-based rheumatology practices with 21.

Concomitant leflunomide therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite stable doses of methotrexate. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may confer greater benefits when combined with the antimetabolite methotrexate.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide versus placebo when added to ongoing, stable-dose methotrexate therapy in patients with persistently active rheumatoid arthritis.

Design: 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.