The prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and mortality trends of inflammatory myopathies patients in Oman: the Prevision study.

Objectives: This research aims to investigate the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics, mortality rates, survival rates and the rate of malignancy in patients diagnosed with inflammatory myopathies (IIM) in Oman.

Methods: This is a longitudinal study, that covered a span of 16 years at eight rheumatology centres in Oman. The study included all adults and paediatric patients diagnosed with different types of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and who fulfil either the Bohan classification criteria or the 2017 EULAR/ACR classification criteria.

Consensus-Based Overarching Principles and Recommendations on the Use of Biosimilars in the Treatment of Inflammatory Arthritis in the Gulf Region.

Background: Though biologic agents have significantly improved the treatment of inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis), high costs, stringent regulations, strict reimbursement criteria, and existing patents have limited patient access to treatments. While being highly similar in quality, safety, and efficacy to biologic reference products, biosimilars can reduce the financial burden and prevent underutilization of medication.

Objective: The objective of this initiative was to develop an evidence-based consensus of overarching principles and recommendations aimed at standardizing the use of biosimilars in treating inflammatory arthritis in the Gulf region.

Safety of denosumab in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with bone and mineral disturbances in the form of renal osteodystrophy. The American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis 2017 recommend against treatment with denosumab in adult patients who have received an organ transplant and who are continuing treatment with glucocorticoids due to lack of adequate safety data on infections in adults treated with multiple immunosuppressive agents. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the safety of denosumab in patients with CKD, especially in a group of patients who received immunosuppressive medications, and to assess the rate of infections in such group in comparison to patients with normal renal function.

COVID-19 Mortality in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: A Real Concern.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is a worldwide pandemic that has devastated the world in a way that has not been witnessed since the Spanish Flu in 1918. In this study, we aim to investigate the outcomes of patients with rheumatic diseases infected with COVID-19 in Oman.

Methods: A multi-center retrospective cohort study included patients with underlying rheumatological conditions and COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 in Pregnant Women With Rheumatic Disease: Data From the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.

Objective: To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease who were pregnant at the time of infection.

Methods: Since March 2020, the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance has collected cases of patients with rheumatic disease with COVID-19. We report details of pregnant women at the time of COVID-19 infection, including obstetric details separately ascertained from providers.

A multicenter longitudinal study of the prevalence and mortality rate of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Oman: Oman Lupus Study.

Aim: This study is a longitudinal multicenter study which aims to find the prevalence, the demographic data, survival and mortality rates of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Oman.

Method: All Omani patients, pediatrics and adults diagnosed with SLE, who fulfill either the 1997 American College of Rheumatology or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classifications criteria for SLE were included from January 2006 till February 2020.

Results: In total 1160 patients were included in this cohort.

Favorable therapeutic response of osteoporosis patients to treatment with intravenous zoledronate compared with oral alendronate.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of orally-administered alendronate compared with intravenously-administered zoledronate.

Methods: This prospective study was carried out at Barts Health HNS Trust between April 2010 and March 2012. This study compares changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in 234 patients treated with 2 bisphosphonates: alendronate taken orally, and zoledronate administered intravenously.

Th17 lymphocytes in respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Infection by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects approximately 33 million infants annually worldwide and is a major cause of hospitalizations. Helper T lymphocytes (Th) play a central role in the immune response during such infections. However, Th lymphocytes that produce interleukin 17 (IL-17), known as Th17 lymphocytes, in addition to been protective can also cause pathology that accompany this type of infection.