Performance of Lung Ultrasound as a Screening Tool for Subclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: a Multicenter Study.

Background: The screening strategy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis patients is currently debated. While high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the gold standard for diagnosing ILD, its systematic use as a screening tool is not yet recommended. The role of lung ultrasound (LUS) in assessing ILD has been previously explored.

Low-Grade Activation of the Extrinsic Coagulation Pathway in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) increases the risk for venous thromboembolism. Tissue factor (TF) initiates the extrinsic coagulation pathway (ECP).

Aims: To investigate the correlation of UC severity with latent ECP activation and TF expression in primary colonic stromal cells (PCSC).

Improvement of high-density lipoprotein atheroprotective properties in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus after belimumab treatment.

Objective: Chronic inflammatory diseases, like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), carry an increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, accompanied by impairment of atheroprotective properties of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In SLE, serum BAFF (B cell-activating factor), a cytokine implicated in disease progression, has been correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We investigated the impact of treatment with belimumab -an anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody- on HDL atheroprotective properties and composition in SLE patients.

Comorbidities Burden and Implementation of the Treat-to-Target Strategy in Predicting Real-World Patient Outcomes in Spondyloarthritides.

New biologic and small molecule targeted agents have expanded the armamentarium of Spondyloarthritides (SpA), allowing more therapeutic options for patients who do not respond to therapy. The implementation of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy with close monitoring and frequent treatment adaptations targeting disease remission has been proposed as the means to prevent radiographic progression and long-term adverse outcomes. In this project we will employ the "University of Crete Rheumatology Clinic Registry" to prospectively study in real-world practice musculoskeletal and extraarticular disease activity, patient function, comorbidities, sociodemographics, imaging, compliance to therapy and other lifestyle factors in axial and peripheral SpA patients.

Patterns of comorbidities differentially affect long-term functional evolution and disease activity in patients with 'difficult to treat' rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Characterisation of the long-term outcome of patients with 'difficult to treat' (D2T) rheumatoid arthritis and factors contributing to its evolution are unknown. Herein, we explored the heterogeneity and contributing factors of D2T long-term outcome.

Methods: Patients included from a prospective single centre cohort study.

Pragmatic targets for moderate/severe SLE and their implications for clinical care and trial design: sustained DORIS or LLDAS for at least 6 months is sufficient while their attainment for at least 24 months ensures high specificity for damage-free progression.

Objectives: Treatment targets in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been validated in unselected-in terms of severity-cohorts, which limits their generalisability. We assessed remission (Definition of Remission in SLE (DORIS)) and Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) in a historical cohort of 348 patients with active moderate-to-severe disease and median follow-up of 5 years.

Methods: Active SLE was defined as Physician Global Assessment ≥1.

A Peripheral Blood Signature of Increased Th1 and Myeloid Cells Combined with Serum Inflammatory Mediators Is Associated with Response to Abatacept in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Abatacept (CTLA4-Ig)-a monoclonal antibody which restricts T cell activation-is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, only 50% of RA patients attain clinical responses, while predictors of response are rather limited. Herein, we aimed to investigate for early biomarkers of response to abatacept, based on a detailed immunological profiling of peripheral blood (PB) cells and serum proteins.

The SYSCID map: a graphical and computational resource of molecular mechanisms across rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease.

Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs), including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are thought to emerge from an impaired complex network of inter- and intracellular biochemical interactions among several proteins and small chemical compounds under strong influence of genetic and environmental factors. CIDs are characterised by shared and disease-specific processes, which is reflected by partially overlapping genetic risk maps and pathogenic cells (e.g.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Consequence of Patient-Intrinsic or -Extrinsic Factors?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by reactivation of the polyomavirus JC (JCV) typically in immunocompromised individuals. The risk of PML among rheumatic diseases may be higher for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), without, however, a clear association with the type and intensity of background therapy. We present the development and outcome of PML in a 32-year-old female lupus patient under mild immunosuppressive treatment, yet with marked B-cell lymphopenia in the peripheral blood and bone marrow (<1% of total lymphocytes).

Distinct long-term disease activity trajectories differentiate early on treatment with etanercept in both rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis patients: a prospective cohort study.

To characterize disease activity trajectories and compare long-term drug retention between rheumatoid (RA) and spondylarthritis (SpA) patients initiating tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment (etanercept). Prospective observational study of RA, axial (AxSpA) and peripheral SpA (PerSpA) patients initiating etanercept during 2004-2020. Kaplan-Meier plots were used for drug retention comparisons and multivariable Cox regression models for predictors of discontinuation.

Altered hippocampal connectivity dynamics predicts memory performance in neuropsychiatric lupus: a resting-state fMRI study using cross-recurrence quantification analysis.

Objective: Τo determine whole-brain and regional functional connectivity (FC) characteristics of patients with neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) or without neuropsychiatric manifestations (non-NPSLE) and examine their association with cognitive performance.

Methods: Cross-recurrence quantification analysis (CRQA) of resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data was performed in 44 patients with NPSLE, 20 patients without NPSLE and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Volumetric analysis of total brain and specific cortical and subcortical regions, where significant connectivity changes were identified, was performed.

Cost of Illness, Quality of Life, and Work Productivity in Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients Receiving Biological Treatments in Greece.

Objectives: To estimate the cost of illness, quality of life and work productivity in patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (Axial SpA) under biological treatment in Greece.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 12-month duration, of patients with Axial SpA from a tertiary hospital in Greece. Adult patients fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria were enrolled at the beginning of biological treatment due to active disease [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) >4] and failure of first line treatment.

Clinical features and outcomes of patients with myositis associated-interstitial lung disease.

Introduction: Myositis associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) seems to be an under-recognized entity.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, we recorded between 9/12/2019 and 30/9/2021 consecutive patients who presented in five different ILD centers from two European countries (Greece, France) and received a multidisciplinary diagnosis of myositis associated-ILD. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality over 1 year in specific subgroups of patients.

Clinical response trajectories and drug persistence in systemic lupus erythematosus patients on belimumab treatment: A real-life, multicentre observational study.

Objective: To obtain real-world data on outcomes of belimumab treatment and respective prognostic factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Observational study of 188 active SLE patients (median disease duration 6.2 years, two previous immunosuppressive/biological agents) treated with belimumab, who were monitored for SLEDAI-2K, Physician Global Assessment (PGA), LLDAS (lupus low disease activity state), remission (DORIS/Padua definitions), SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index, SLICC/ACR damage index and treatment discontinuations.

Correction: Nikoloudaki et al. Persistence of Depression and Anxiety despite Short-Term Disease Activity Improvement in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single-Centre, Prospective Study. 2022, , 4316.

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IL-6 Signaling Attenuates TNF-α Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by autoimmune joint destruction with debilitating consequences. Despite treatment advancements with biologic therapies, a significant proportion of RA patients show an inadequate clinical response, and restoration of immune self-tolerance represents an unmet therapeutic need. We have previously described a tolerogenic phenotype of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in RA patients responding to anti-TNF-α agents.

Baseline IgG-Fc N-glycosylation profile is associated with long-term outcome in a cohort of early inflammatory arthritis patients.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease for which prediction of long-term prognosis from disease's outset is not clinically feasible. The importance of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and its Fc N-glycosylation in inflammation is well-known and studies described its relevance for several autoimmune diseases, including RA. Herein we assessed the association between IgG N-glycoforms and disease prognosis at 2 years in an early inflammatory arthritis cohort.

Persistence of Depression and Anxiety despite Short-Term Disease Activity Improvement in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single-Centre, Prospective Study.

Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, yet their association with the underlying disease activity remains uncertain and has been mostly evaluated at a cross-sectional level. To examine longitudinal trends in anxiety, depression, and lupus activity, a prospective observational study was performed on 40 adult SLE outpatients with active disease (SLE Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]-2K ≥ 3 [excluding serology]) who received standard-of-care. Anxiety and depression were determined at baseline and 6 months by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients initiating rituximab with low number of previous bDMARDs failures may effectively reduce rituximab dose and experience fewer serious adverse events than patients on full dose: a 5-year cohort study.

Background: Rituximab is used for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we examined the long-term flare risk and safety of reduced doses of rituximab.

Patients-methods: This was a prospective, observational, single-center study of patients starting rituximab on standard dose (SD).

Treatment Satisfaction, Patient Preferences, and the Impact of Suboptimal Disease Control in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Greece: Analysis of the Greek Cohort of SENSE study.

Objectives: SENSE was an international, non-interventional cross-sectional study that assessed treatment satisfaction in patients with suboptimally controlled active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were under treatment with any approved agent exposed to ≤ 2 biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at the time of enrolment. The current publication concerns the subanalysis of the results from the Greek cohort.

Methods: Treatment satisfaction was assessed with Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), with good treatment satisfaction defined as TSQM global ≥80.