PTPN22 R620W genotype-phenotype correlation analysis and gene-environment interaction study in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from the ESPOIR cohort.

Objectives: To investigate genotype-phenotype correlation and gene-environment interaction between PTPN22 R620W environmental factors such as tobacco/hormonal treatments in an inception cohort of RA patients.

Methods: An intra-cohort study including 532 Caucasian RA patients genotyped for the PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphism was performed. Anti-CCP and RF status at baseline, presence of bone erosions at 1 year, HLADR1 and/or DR4 status, demography, comorbidities, exposure to tobacco with the cumulative dose in pack-years, hormonal treatments and treatments received for RA were collected.

Rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis in daily practice.

Objective: Rituximab has been shown to be effective in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in randomized controlled trials, allowing approval by health agencies. Our aim was to assess in routine care the effects of rituximab in patients with RA who had experienced an inadequate response to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) agents or had a contraindication to these drugs.

Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted.