Anion Exchange Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to Characterize Proteoforms of Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein during and after Pregnancy.

Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a heterogeneous glycoprotein fulfilling key roles in many biological processes, including transport of drugs and hormones and modulation of inflammatory and immune responses. The glycoform profile of AGP is known to change depending on (patho)physiological states such as inflammatory diseases or pregnancy. Besides complexity originating from five N-glycosylation sites, the heterogeneity of the AGP further expands to genetic variants.

The time of equipoise on the use of biological DMARDs in for inflammatory arthritis during pregnancy is finally over: a reappraisal of evidence to optimise pregnancy management.

Active inflammatory arthritis in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Treatment of active inflammation and maintenance of low disease activity with medication reduces these risks. Therapeutic decisions on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in pregnancy are complicated by safety concerns, which have led to inappropriate withdrawal of treatment and consequential harm to mother and fetus.

Determinants of radiographic progression in early psoriatic arthritis: insights from a real-world cohort.

Objective: Persistent articular inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with radiographic damage. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, radiographic structural damage remains prevalent in PsA. To elucidate this topic, we studied which baseline clinical characteristics determine radiographic progression.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Use Increases Birthweight in Pregnant Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis Independently of the Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1/Placental Growth Factor Ratio.

Background: To study whether the use of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) inhibitors (TNFi) by pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis affects sFlt-1 (soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), PlGF (placental growth factor), or their impact on birthweight.

Methods And Results: sFlt-1 and PlGF were measured in all trimesters of pregnancy in the Preconception Counseling in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis study and were compared according to the use of TNFi. The association of sFlt-1 and PlGF with birthweight in relation to TNFi was determined.

An Integrated Glycosylation Signature of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Is a highly prevalent autoimmune disease that affects the joints but also various other organs. The disease is characterized by autoantibodies that are often already observed pre-disease. Since the 1980s, it has been known that antibody glycosylation is different in RA as compared to control individuals.

Effects of filgotinib on semen parameters and sex hormones in male patients with inflammatory diseases: results from the phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies.

Objectives: The phase 2 MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies aimed to determine if the oral Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor filgotinib affects semen parameters and sex hormones in men with inflammatory diseases.

Methods: MANTA (NCT03201445) and MANTA-RAy (NCT03926195) included men (21-65 years) with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis), respectively. Eligible participants had semen parameters in the normal range per the WHO definition.

IgG Fab Glycans Hinder FcRn-Mediated Placental Transport.

Abs can be glycosylated in both their Fc and Fab regions with marked effects on Ab function and binding. High levels of IgG Fab glycosylation are associated with malignant and autoimmune conditions, exemplified by rheumatoid arthritis and highly Fab-glycosylated (∼90%) anti-citrullinated protein Abs (ACPAs). Important properties of IgG, such as long half-life and placental transport, are facilitated by the human neonatal Fc receptor (hFcRn).

Does prednisone use in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis induce insulin resistance in the offspring?

Objectives: The use of long-term corticosteroids during pregnancy has been growing over the past decades. Corticosteroids can be given when an auto-inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is too active. Several studies have shown that long-term corticosteroids use in pregnancy is associated with maternal and fetal adverse outcomes, like preeclampsia, shorter gestational age, lower birth weight, and rapid catch-up growth.

Reported congenital malformations after exposure to non-tumour necrosis factor inhibitor biologics: A retrospective comparative study in EudraVigilance.

Aims: To evaluate the number and nature of reported congenital malformations (CMs) after intrauterine exposure to non-tumour necrosis factor inhibitor biologics (non-TNFi biologics) compared to certolizumab pegol (CZP).

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted in the EudraVigilance (EV) database. A safe biologic (CZP) was considered as the reference group.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor use during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight of rheumatoid arthritis patients' offspring.

Objectives: To study pregnancy outcomes in a closely monitored, well-defined cohort of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, pregnancy outcomes of women that used a TNFi during pregnancy.

Methods: Patients were derived from a prospective study on pregnancy and RA (Preconception Counseling in Active RA study) and treated according to a treatment protocol aimed at minimal disease activity.

Biological and Methotrexate Survival after Pregnancy in Patients With a Rheumatic Disease.

Patients with a rheumatic disease who discontinue their disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) due to pregnancy often wonder if treatment will be as effective after pregnancy. This study investigates the effect of a temporary discontinuation of DMARDs due to pregnancy on the effectiveness of the same DMARD postpartum in patients with a rheumatic disease. Pregnant, rheumatic patients were derived from the Preconceptional Counseling in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis (PreCARA) cohort.

Paternal inflammatory arthritis is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility).

Objectives: Paternal preconception health is recognized as an important contributor to pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, pregnancy outcomes of partners of men with inflammatory arthritis (IA) have never been studied. Our objective was to describe the pregnancy outcomes of partners of men diagnosed with IA.

It is not just about sex: viewpoints of men with inflammatory arthritis on the overall impact of the disease on their sexual health.

Objectives: Sexual health is defined as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. The impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on male sexual health has been mainly studied focusing on erectile function, one of the physical components of sexual health. Our objective was to describe the viewpoints among men with IA in the Netherlands on the overall impact of IA on their sexual health.

Impaired fertility in men diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis: results of a large multicentre study (iFAME-Fertility).

Objectives: The impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on male fertility remains unexplored. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of IA on several male fertility outcomes; fertility rate (number of biological children per man), family planning, childlessness and fertility problems.

Methods: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study (iFAME-Fertility).

The sFlt-1 to PlGF ratio in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis: impact of disease activity and sulfasalazine use.

Objectives: An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio has been validated as a significant predictor of preeclampsia, but has not been established in women with RA. We explored whether the sFlt-1/PlGFratio could be altered due to disease activity in RA, and could be applied in this population to predict preeclampsia. Since SSZ has been suggested to improve the angiogenic imbalance in preeclampsia, we also aimed to examine whether SSZ could affect sFlt-1 or PlGF levels.

IL-6 but Not TNFα Levels Are Associated With Time to Pregnancy in Female Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With a Wish to Conceive.

Fertility issues are common amongst women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), known key players in RA pathogenesis, have been associated with reproductive disorders. This study investigates the role of these cytokines in decreased fertility in women with active RA.

EULAR recommendations for a core data set for pregnancy registries in rheumatology.

Background And Objective: There is an urgent need for robust data on the trajectories and outcomes of pregnancies in women with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). In particular when rare outcomes or rare diseases are to be investigated, collaborative approaches are required. However, joint data analyses are often limited by the heterogeneity of the different data sources.

Decline of ovarian function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in a longitudinal cohort.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often affects women in their fertile age, and is known to compromise female fertility. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are a proxy for the total number of primordial follicles, and a reliable predictor of the age at menopause. Our objective was to study the longitudinal intra-individual decline of serum AMH levels in female RA patients.

Effects of Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Academic Achievements and Employment in Adult Life.

Objective: Long-term outcome data in adults with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) are limited. Here, we report the effects of cSLE on education, vocation, and employment in a large cohort of adults with cSLE.

Methods: Patients were seen for a single study visit comprising a structured history and physical examination.

Parenting problems postpartum can be detected early in pregnancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To describe parenting disability postpartum in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using the Parenting Disability Index and to determine early in pregnancy which patients will face parenting problems postpartum.

Methods: Data were collected from a prospective study on pregnancy and RA (Pregnancy induced Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis study). Postpartum visits were performed at 6, 12 and 26 weeks after delivery.