Effectiveness of generic tofacitinib in idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM)-a retrospective analysis from Indian Myositis Registry (MyoIN).

Objectives: Determine domain-based-outcomes and steroid-sparing efficacy of generic tofacitinib in IIM.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study wherein clinical phenotype, autoantibody profile, prior immunosuppressives, and outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months were retrieved for IIM patients prescribed tofacitinib. Overall clinical response was assessed as complete or partial remission as per physician judgment.

Exploratory clinical subgroup clustering in systemic sclerosis: Results from the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry.

Objective: To conduct an exploratory cluster analysis of systemic sclerosis patients from the baseline data of the Indian systemic sclerosis registry.

Methods: Patients satisfying American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for systemic sclerosis were included. The clusters formed using clinical and immunological parameters were compared.

Comparison of Risk Factors During First and Second Wave of COVID-19 in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (AIRD): Results from KRACC Subset.

Background: The differential influence and outcome of various risk factors on occurrence of COVID-19 among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) during different COVID-19 peaks is underreported.

Aim: To assess the impact and outcome of conventional risk factors, immunosuppressants, and comorbidities on the risk of COVID-19 among AIRD patients during the first two COVID-19 peaks.

Design: Prospective, non-interventional longitudinal cohort study.

Occurrence and outcome of COVID-19 in AIRD patients on concomitant treatment with Tofacitinib- results from KRA COVID COHORT (KRACC) subset.

Introduction: We assessed the risk factors and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases(AIRD) who contracted infection while on background treatment with tofacitinib.

Methods: This is a non-interventional, cross-sectional, questionnaire based telephonic study which included consecutive AIRD patients on tofacitinib co-treatment. Data related to the AIRD subset, disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs(DMARDs) including glucocorticoids and comorbidities, was collected from 7 rheumatology centers across Karnataka during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk factors associated with COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus: Results from a longitudinal prospective cohort.

Introduction: Patients with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) have a higher risk of infection due to dysregulated immune system as well as long-term use of immunosuppressants (IS). This could influence the risk of COVID-19 and its outcome.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal prospective study across 15 rheumatology centres during the first wave of the pandemic to understand the risk factors contributing to COVID-19 in SLE patients.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are associated with increased mortality in Indian patients with lupus: A single centre retrospective observational study.

Objective: To study the prevalence of different NPSLE manifestations in our cohort and to compare clinical and immunological features and outcomes including mortality of patients with NPSLE and SLE controls without NP involvement.

Methods: This was a retrospective study in a tertiary care referral centre. All patients of SLE seen in the last 10 years and fulfilling the SLICC criteria with neuropsychiatric manifestations as per the ACR definitions were included.

Low-dose rituximab is efficacious in refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objectives: Rituximab (RTX) use early in the course of refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is not well studied. This study sought to determine the short-term efficacy of RTX in a registry-based cohort of refractory IIM.

Methods: Registry-based observational data about IIM patients receiving RTX between 2018 and 2021 were included.

A prospective longitudinal study evaluating the influence of immunosuppressives and other factors on COVID-19 in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Background: We conducted this study to identify the influence of prolonged use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressants (IS) on occurrence and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs).

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional longitudinal study across 15 specialist rheumatology centers. Consecutive AIRD patients on treatment with immunosuppressants were recruited and followed up longitudinally to assess parameters contributing to development of COVID-19 and its outcome.

Mycophenolate in scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: Real-world data from rheumatology and pulmonology clinics in South Asia.

Introduction: There is a paucity of real-world data on mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

Aim: To study the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil/ mycophenolate sodium in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

Methods: In this single-centre study, clinical, laboratory and imaging details of consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease receiving mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium from rheumatology and pulmonology clinics between January 2008 and March 2017 were retrospectively retrieved.

Salivary free light chains and salivary immunoglobulins as potential non-invasive biomarkers in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: B cells contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Free light chains (FLCs) are generated during the production of immunoglobulins (Igs) and are surrogates of B cell activity. We hypothesized that salivary FLCs and salivary Igs could represent salivary gland inflammation and therefore, serve as biomarkers in pSS.

Clinical and psychosocioeconomic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients of the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry (IPSSR).

Objectives: The aim was to determine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to health care among patients with scleroderma and to analyse the economic and psychosocial impacts and the infection prevention measures taken by them during the pandemic.

Methods: A 25-item questionnaire designed to assess the components of the objectives was tele-administered between October 2020 and January 2021 to the patients enrolled in the Indian Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Registry.

Results: Of the 428 patients in the registry, 336 took part in the study.

Maternal and fetal outcomes of lupus pregnancies: A collective effort by Karnataka Rheumatologists.

Introduction: Identifying factors predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes involving systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a research priority. The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant lupus patients and the factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and (b) the effect of pregnancy on lupus disease activity of these patients.

Methods: This was an ambi-directional study collecting information from five multi-specialist referral centres across the state of Karnataka, India over 5 years (2013-2018).

Validation of new classification criteria of rheumatoid arthritis in an international multicentre study.

Objectives: Early identification of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is essential to allow prompt therapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the newly proposed ERA criteria, compared to the 1987 ACR and 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria in an international multicentre study.

Methods: A total of 606 patients with disease duration ≤2 years and age ≥16 years who were diagnosed as RA or non-RA were enrolled from China, Sweden and India.

Determinants of diagnosis and disease course in primary Sjögren's syndrome: Results from datamining of electronic health records.

Background: Determinants of diagnosis in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) in tertiary care settings is not well understood.

Methods: Patients were screened by tracing reports of anti-SSA (anti-Ro) antibody assays between January 2008 and October 2015. Electronic health records (EHR) were reviewed.

Unique clinical and autoantibody profile of a large Asian Indian cohort of scleroderma-do South Asians have a more aggressive disease?

Aim And Methods: A single-centre retrospective study was conducted using electronic medical records (EMR) of inpatients and outpatients with the diagnosis of "scleroderma" or "systemic sclerosis" visiting our clinic over the preceding 5 years.

Results: A total of 327 patients' charts met our selection criteria; 301 were females. The median (IQR (inter quartile range)) age at onset of first non-Raynaud's symptom was 34.

Comparison of the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria with Bohan and Peter criteria for the classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Bohan and Peter is the oldest criteria for the classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Recently, 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria were introduced which were validated against a control group. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria in retrospective cohort of adult and juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and compare with Bohan and Peter criteria.

CXCL13 levels in serum but not in saliva are elevated in Asian Indian patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Human and animal model studies suggest CXCL13 is a potential biomarker in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). CXCL13 has not been studied in Indian patients with pSS. pSS cases classified by American European Consensus Group (AECG) or American college of Rheumatology(ACR) 2012 criteria, attending rheumatology clinic between July 2014 and July 2015 were included.