Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Biologically Treated Psoriatic Arthritis and Atopic Dermatitis-A Single-Center Experience.

(1) Background: Although the association between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) is reported in the literature, scarce data are known about the efficacy of biologic therapy (including TNF and IL-17 inhibitors) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and concomitant AD. (2) Objective: We aimed to explore AD in patients with PsA undergoing biologics for their active disease, focusing on prevalence and clinical and potential therapeutic implications. (3) Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 64 patients with PsA receiving various biological agents, followed-up in an academic outpatient rheumatology department up to 10 years.

The Prevalence of Atopy in Biologically Treated Spondyloarthropathies: A Retrospective Study of 200 Patients.

(1) Background: Recent data shed light on the association between atopic disorders (ADs) (atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis) and spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), underpinning the critical role of T helper (Th)1-Th17/Th2-T regulatory cells disbalance. We evaluated the prevalence of AD in axial SpAs (axSpAs) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and explored the potential association between atopic status, disease-related parameters, and biological therapy. (2) Methods: A monocentric, retrospective study was conducted that enrolled 200 patients taking biologics.

Exploring the Role of Interleukin-6 Receptor Inhibitor Tocilizumab in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Disease.

Background: The aim of our study was to explore the influence of weekly subcutaneous administration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor tocilizumab (TCZ) on periodontal status in a local longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD).

Methods: We performed a 6-month prospective study in 51 patients with chronic periodontitis and moderate-to-severe RA starting TCZ in accordance with local recommendations. Extensive rheumatologic (clinical activity, inflammatory, serological biomarkers) and periodontal (visible plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss) assessments were done.

Efficacy of baricitinib on periodontal inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Despite a widely recognized bidirectional pathobiologic relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease, the impact of innovative anti-rheumatic drugs in modulating not only inflammatory and immune articular damage, but also periodontal microenvironment remains debatable. We aimed to evaluate the periodontal status in RA with and without baricitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, and to better describe association between these entities.

Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal 24-weeks study in 21 active RA initiating baricitinib.

Volumetric Cone Beam Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Oral Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis: Data from an EUSTAR Cohort.

Background Oral health issues are commonly reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc), comprising a broad spectrum of manifestations, e.g., reduced mouth opening, periodontal disease, increased periodontal ligament (PDL) space width, and mandibular resorption.

Intercentre variance in patient reported outcomes is lower than objective rheumatoid arthritis activity measures: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess intercentre variability in the ACR core set measures, DAS28 based on three variables (DAS28v3) and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 in a multinational study.

Methods: Seven thousand and twenty-three patients were recruited (84 centres; 30 countries) using a standard protocol in the Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mixed-effect analysis of covariance models were used to model the relationship between study centre and different patient-reported and physician-reported RA activity measures.

Rheumatoid myositis, myth or reality? A clinical, imaging and histological study.

Unlabelled: Rheumatoid myositis (RM) is still poorly characterized, albeit the concept of muscle involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well-recognized as being driven by a wide range of causes including inflammation, drugs, impaired joint flexibility, sedentarism.

Objective: To describe clinical, serological, imaging and histological pattern of RM.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study on eight RM selected from a cohort of one hundred and three RA systematically assessed for skeletal muscle involvement.

Effects of Pilates, McKenzie and Heckscher training on disease activity, spinal motility and pulmonary function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial.

The optimal management of ankylosis spondylitis (AS) involves a combination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment aiming to maximize health-related quality of life. The primary objective of our study was to demonstrate the benefits of an original multimodal exercise program combining Pilates, McKenzie and Heckscher techniques on pulmonary function in patients with AS, while secondary objectives were to demonstrate the benefits of the same program on function and disease activity. This is a randomized controlled study on ninety-six consecutive patients with AS (axial disease subset), assigned on a 1:1 rationale into two groups based on their participation in the Pilates, McKenzie and Heckscher (group I) or in the classical kinetic program (group II).

A predictive model for remission and low disease activity in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis receiving TNF blockers.

The objective of this study was to identify predictors for remission or low disease activity (LDA) in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at 12 months of anti-TNF-α therapy. We have performed a prospective observational study in 90 consecutive patients with active RA receiving TNF-α inhibitors. Baseline and standard assessments were done every 3 months, including individual parameters (clinical and biological) and composite activity scores (28-joint disease activity score, DAS28).

Importance of posture assessment in ankylosing spondylitis. Preliminary study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to perform a screening of patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in order to evaluate the static spinal disorders and correlate the results with the main clinical and functional parameters that characterize this disease.

Material And Methods: Ninety-five patients diagnosed with AS according to the 1994 New York criteria were screened, and 68 of them (all males) presenting static spinal disorders and on physical therapy programs in different outpatient physical therapy units throughout 2011 entered the study.

Results: The distribution of the patients according to static spinal disorders was almost even.

Study on the effectiveness of the kinetic method in patients with rheumatic diseases and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Unlabelled: Selecting the appropriate treatment decision is essential for achieving optimal results in the management of algo-dysfunctional syndrome of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJD). The study aims to decide on the most effective (symptomatic control, preserved motility) kinetic program in patients with TMJ involvement.

Material And Methods: prospective observational study on 83 consecutive patients with rheumatic diseases and TMJ dysfunction.

[Contributions to the methodology of study in the functional assessment of temporomandibular joint dysfunctional syndrome].

Aim: Dysfunctional syndrome of the temporomandibular joint through the complexity and variability of the symptoms may result in significant structural and functional changes leading from discomfort to disability and a negative impact on quality of life.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study was conducted between October 2009-December 2010, in 52 subjects diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and complaining of symptoms in the temporomandibular joint. The functional examination of the joint and muscle has included the assessment of the active range of motion, passive range of motion, resistance range of motions of the temporomandibular joint, dermatomes and the pain in the region of masseter, temporalis, median and lateral pterigoids, digastric, sternocleidomastoid and longus colli muscles.

Knee osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia syndrome and exercise.

Unlabelled: The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of aerobic training on the dyslipedemia in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Material And Methods: Prospective observational six-month study performed on 40 patients with KOA, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, classified according to their participation in specific aerobic training program (30 minutes/day, 5 days/ week) in two subgroups. A standard evaluation protocol was followed assessing lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol levels) at baseline, three and six months.

[Identification of bone mass and bone turnover in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with corticosteroids in order to elaborate an optimal therapeutic approach].

Unlabelled: Corticosteroids (CS) are currently used in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in conjunction with either synthetic remissive or biologic drugs.

Aim: In our study we used have focused on bone mineral density assessment (BMD) in RA patients with and without low doses of CS in order to elaborate an optimal therapeutic approach.

Material And Methods: prospective observational study on 55 consecutive patients with RA (1987, ACR diagnostic criteria) classified in two groups based on CS use: group A--23 RA receiving CS and subgroup B--32 RA without CS.

[Clinical-functional evolution of patients with ankylosing spondylitis following physio-kinetotheraphy].

Unlabelled: Ankylosing spondylitis enigmatic from the etiologic point of view, appears with subjects who are still in school or involved in a productive activity. If detected in its early stages, under complex, constant and long-term treatment, patients have a good evolution.

Aims: The objectives of the study are to describe the clinical and functional profile of patients with AS, sacroiliitis stage, and the evol ution of physical and functional parameters under traditional physio-kinetotherapy.

[Prospective study of the efficiency and safety of adalimumab in treatment of active established rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlabelled: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by synovial pannus formation leading to cartilage destruction, bone erosion, and disability.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of adalimumab (ADA) in association with one or more classic remissive drugs in active established RA.

Material And Methods: Prospective observational 12 months study in 33 consecutive active RA treated with ADA.

[Clinico-biological issues of systemic lupus erythematosus patients].

Aim: To investigate clinical and biological aspects and to evaluate potential relation with activity and damage indexes in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Material And Methods: Retrospective observational study in 30 consecutive SLE patients (ACR 1997 diagnostic criteria) assessed according to a standard protocol including demographic, clinical and biological (hematology, inflammatory, immunology) data, disease activity (SLEDAI) and damage (SLICC/ACR).

Results: 90% SLE women with a mean age of 45.

[Disability assessment tools in psoriatic arthritis: VICON gait].

Aim: To evaluate health-related quality of life and disability in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to perform a complex biomechanical gait analysis in patients with PsA versus healthy controls.

Material And Methods: Preliminary prospective study on 33 consecutive PsA (2006 CASPAR criteria), with active multiple joint involvement disease. Assessments were done according to a predefined protocol and included: rheumatology-clinical evaluation and activity scores, dermatology- Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, PASI-score; functional disability- Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ, quality of life score- Short Form36, SF36; biomechanical gait analysis- tridimensional VICON MX optical motion capture system in PsA versus 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

[Observational study of a sample of patients with gonarthrosis, treated at the Hospital Clinic of Rehabilitation in Iaşi].

Unlabelled: The aim of our descriptive study was to assess a sample of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Material And Methods: A sample of 295 patients was assessed regarding demographical features, comorbidities, some laboratory investigations and therapeutically interventions.

Results: The predominance of females (81.

Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque as surrogate biomarkers of atherosclerosis among consecutive women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding the pathogenic pathways of premature accelerated atherosclerosis (AS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of both traditional and non-traditional, SLE-specific risk factors is still under debate.

Aim: To assess surrogate biomarkers of subclinical AS in SLE and to evaluate potential relations with cardiovascular risk factors.

[Epidemiologic and functional aspects of rheumatoid arthritis in patients attending the Hospital Rehabilitation Clinic in Iasi, Romania].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological data on the rheumatoid arthritis in Iaşi, Romania and in North East Romania. These data are useful for informing the policy makers, the public and above all the practitioners regarding such a disabilitating disease. The epidemiology plays an important role in understanding the etiology of the rheumatoid arthritis because there are notable differences in incidence between various populations.

A phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of MDX-1100, a fully human anti-CXCL10 monoclonal antibody, in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: CXCL10 (also known as interferon-γ-inducible 10-kd protein [IP-10]) is a chemokine that potentially plays a role in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We undertook this phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MDX-1100, a fully human, anti-CXCL10 (anti-IP-10) monoclonal antibody, in RA patients whose disease responded inadequately to methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Patients with active RA receiving stable doses of MTX (10-25 mg weekly) were randomized to receive intravenous doses of 10 mg/kg MDX-1100 (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) every other week.

[Descriptive assessments of a series of rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to rehabilitation treatment between 2008 and 2010].

Aim: To assess some demographic features in a series of 741 rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to the Clinic Hospital of Rehabilitation at Iasi in different stages of disease in order to select the most adequate rehabilitation teratment.

Material And Methods: Data were collected from patients' records, hospital statistical reports, and then processed and interpreted using EPI/INFO and MS Excel.

Results: Sex distribution revealed that the disease was more common in females (male/female ratio 0.

[Bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlabelled: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic disease with peripheral and systemic involvement, are at increased risk of bone loss and fractures. There are many reasons for the high prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in RA, including both traditional and specific risk factors such as pain and loss of joint function, medication (corticosteroids, methotrexate), and increased proinflammatory cytokines.

Aim: To evaluate bone mineral density status in RA patients, focusing on potential relation with classical risk factors for OP.

Adalimumab therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA), a monoclonal anti-TNFalpha antibody, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material And Method: 5 years retrospective observational study on 70 active RA (ARA 1987 modified criteria; 48 women; mean age 52.6 +/- 11.