Identification and characteristics of patients with potential difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis: exploratory analyses of the Greek PsA registry.

Objective: To present the characteristics of patients with potential difficult-to-treat (D2T) PsA.

Methods: We used data from the Greek multicentre registry of PsA patients. D2T PsA was defined as follows: patients with at least 6 months' disease duration, who have failed to at least one conventional synthetic DMARD and at least two biologic DMARDs/targeted synthetic DMARDs with a different mechanism of action and have either at least moderate disease activity (MODA) defined as DAPSA (Disease Activity index in PSoriatic Arthritis) >14, and/or are not at minimal disease activity (MDA).

Disease Profile and Achievement of Therapeutic Goals in a Modern, Nationwide Cohort of 923 Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogenous chronic inflammatory disease affecting skin, joints, entheses, and spine with various extra-musculoskeletal manifestations and comorbidities. The reported patient, disease and treatment characteristics in the modern therapeutic era are limited.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, multi-centre, nationwide study, we recorded the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics as well as the comorbidities of patients with PsA seen for 1 year (1/1/2022-31/12/2022).

Combined - whole blood and skin fibroblasts- transcriptomic analysis in Psoriatic Arthritis reveals molecular signatures of activity, resistance and early response to treatment.

Background: An interplay between immune cells and resident skin and joint stromal cells is implicated in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), yet the mechanisms remain elusive with a paucity of molecular biomarkers for activity and response. Combined transcriptomic and immunophenotypic analysis of whole blood and skin fibroblasts could provide further insights.

Methods: Whole blood RNA-seq was performed longitudinally in 30 subjects with PsA at the beginning, one and six months after treatment, with response defined at six months.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Connective Tissue Disorders: The emerging role of screening and early diagnosis. A position paper for Greek Rheumatologists.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is regarded as a devastating disease, complicating Connective Tissue Diseases. Although much progress has been achieved in the last 20 years, several unfulfilled needs in diagnosis and management of PAH in these patients may still be identified. After a systematic review of the literature and integrating results from the latest research articles, key clinical issues for the screening and diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Connective Tissue Disorder Patients and specifically Scleroderma patients are described in this article, allowing physicians to contribute to early diagnosis of patients with Scleroderma-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus in northwest Greece 1982-2001.

Objective: To investigate the frequency, distribution, and mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a defined area of northwest Greece.

Methods: Cases were recorded from 3 sources: inpatients and outpatients referred to the rheumatology clinic of the Ioannina University Hospital; inpatients and outpatients referred to the rheumatology clinic of Ioannina General Hospital; and patients referred to private rheumatologists practicing in the study area. All patients identified between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 2001, resident in the study area were included.