Detection of systemic autoimmune diseases in an ongoing assessment program for hand arthralgias. A comparative analysis with inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthropathies.

Introduction: Arthralgias are prevalent in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD), emphasizing the need for early recognition. This study aimed to estimate SARD frequency and compare clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings among SARD, non-inflammatory arthralgia (NIA), and RA in patients with hand arthralgias.

Methods: A prospective evaluation program included individuals aged ≥18 with hand arthralgias.

Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Features Between Men and Women With Axial Spondyloarthritis in a Specialized Center in Argentina.

Objectives: The aims were to estimate the frequency of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in women and to analyze the clinical, laboratory, and imaging differences with respect to men at the time of diagnosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of axSpA admitted to the "Reumacheck" SpA program were included between 2017 and 2022. At baseline, all patients underwent clinical assessment, laboratory tests including C-reactive protein and human leukocyte antigen B27, and imaging (plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joints, and ultrasound of heel entheses).

Difficult to treat rheumatoid arthritis in a comprehensive evaluation program: frequency according to different objective evaluations.

Difficult-to-treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA-D2T) is a condition in which patients do not achieve the treatment target despite multiple advanced therapies, more others features. Aims: to estimate the frequency of RA-D2T in a cohort comprehensively evaluated (clinical, serology, imaging), and to analyze the associated characteristics. In a second part, the frequency of RA-D2T after 1 year of follow-up, analyzing the predictive variables at baseline and therapeutic behavior.

Rheumatoid arthritis monotherapy in the Jak inhibitors Era. Current prevalence and associated factors in a multicenter study.

Background: Combined therapy constitutes the standard of care in RA. Jak inhibitors (Jaki) have shown efficacy in monotherapy, a modality used in cases where it is not possible to use Disease-Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (csDMARDs).

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence (total and by drug), reason for using and the increase over the time of bDMARDs or tsDMARDs as monotherapy after the availability of the Jaki.

How are rheumatologists from Argentina managing patients with arthralgias suspicious for progressing to rheumatoid arthritis?

Patients with arthralgias who could be at risk of progressing to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represent a clinical challenge. Recommendations for their management and treatment are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to determine how Argentinean rheumatologists deal with these patients.

Ultrasound tenosynovitis: A differential feature of patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To identify differential features between patients with seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: Prospective cohort study, including patients who were admitted for polyarthralgia. At baseline was performed: laboratory studies, X-rays of hands and feet, ultrasound of both hands with power Doppler technique, clinical data and clinimetry.

Psoriatic Arthritis: Differential Features at the Time of Clinical Presentation in a Large Cohort of Patients with Polyarthralgia.

Objective: Most patients with psoriatic arthritis begin with cutaneous psoriasis, which is why all early detection strategies are based on screening in the dermatological consultation and referral to a rheu matologist. However, there are cases of patients who consult initially for musculoskeletal symptoms, mostly joint pain, regardless of family and/or personal history of psoriasis. This study aimed to esti mate the frequency of psoriatic arthritis in a cohort of patients who consulted for polyarthralgia and to determine the differential features, at the time of clinical presentation, in relation to both patients with final diagnosis other than psoriatic arthritis and patients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in South America. Burden of disease and differential features with respect to ankylosing spondylitis at time of diagnosis. A comprehensive analysis with a focus on images.

Background: Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) data from South America are scarce, especially regarding image features. Objective To estimate the frequency of nr-axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a cohort of Argentinian patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) and to analyze the difference between both, with focus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, at diagnosis.

Methods: Patients with LBP and a diagnosis of axSpA who participated in a reuma-check program were included.

Engagement process for patients with spondyloarthritis: PANLAR early SpA clinics project - centers of excellence.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is one of the most complex rheumatological diseases to diagnose and treat because, in the early stages of the disease, the inflammatory low back pain is often difficult to identify, and patients are diagnosed when they already have advanced structural processes. There is an urgent need to establish healthcare models that allow optimization of the management of these patients. The objective of this work is to propose a care model that is adaptable to the factual realities of Latin America.

The Role of HLA-B27 in Argentinian Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients.

Background: The prevalence of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is variable around the world. Our objectives were to estimate the frequency of HLA-B27 in an Argentinian cohort of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), to evaluate the differences between HLA-B27-positive and HLA-B27-negative patients, and to analyze its performance as a diagnostic biomarker.

Methods: Observational study including patients older than 18 years, with axSpA diagnosis assessed in a fast track program (Reuma-Check SpA).

Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacodynamic Effects of the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Fenebrutinib (GDC-0853) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results of a Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: Fenebrutinib (GDC-0853) is a noncovalent, oral, and highly selective inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). The efficacy, safety, and pharmacodynamics of fenebrutinib in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were assessed in this phase II, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Methods: Patients who had moderately to severely active SLE while receiving background standard therapy were randomized to receive placebo, fenebrutinib 150 mg once daily, or fenebrutinib 200 mg twice daily.

"Reuma-Check": Performance of a Comprehensive Fast-Track Program for the Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis in South America.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a comprehensive diagnosis program called "Reuma-check" for the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in patients with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients with LBP aged 18 years or older were preselected, and those with at least 1 SpA feature completed the circuit.

Recognition of spondyloarthritis lesions on magnetic resonance imaging: Results of an educational intervention.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a fundamental diagnostic tool in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), allowing us an earlier diagnosis of the disease compared to radiography.

Objective: To compare the performance of a recognition test on SpA MRI lesions and theoretical knowledge, before and after carrying out an educational intervention (hands-on workshop). We also evaluated whether the successes in the tests were associated with the individual characteristics of the participants.

Performance of the RABBIT infection risk score in an Argentinian rheumatoid arthritis cohort.

Patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases have a higher risk of infections compared with age-and sex-matched controls. In Latin America, there are no validated tools to assess the risk of serious infection. The objectives were to estimate the incidence of serious infections in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed for 12 months and to validate the RABBIT risk score for serious infections.

EULAR definition of "arthralgia suspicious for progression to rheumatoid arthritis" in a large cohort of patients included in a program for rapid diagnosis: role of auto-antibodies and ultrasound.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) definition of arthralgias suspicious for progression to RA in patients with hand arthralgias and to estimate the added value of both auto-antibodies and ultrasound (US) with power Doppler (PD).

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted for hand arthralgias to "Reuma-check" ® program were included. This program includes the following at baseline: clinical assessment, laboratory tests, US with PD of both hands, and radiography of both hands and feet.

Certolizumab pegol in a heterogeneous population of patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To determine the efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in a real-world setting.

Materials & Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis who initiated therapy with certolizumab were followed for 12 weeks. Response was assessed with Disease Activity Score of 28 joints, European Ligue Against Rheumatism criteria and Simplified Disease Activity Index.

Usefulness of antibodies and minor salivary gland biopsy in the study of sicca syndrome in daily clinical practice.

Objectives: To assess the association between histologic findings in the minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) and anti La (La/SS-B)y antiRo antibodies (Ro/SS-A), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF),and compare the value of the latter as diagnostic tests with MSGB, considered as the gold standard.

Material And Method: Patients with suspected Primary Sjögren Syndrome (PSS) referred for MSGB were included. Antibody measurements were performed.

Frequency of complications and usefulness of the minor salivary gland biopsy.

Unlabelled: Findings of specific antibodies and histopathology data are essential for the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome (SS). Although the minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is technically simple, it needs to be performed in a medical institution to avoid complications.

Objective: To determine the frequency of complications and the usefulness of this technique.

General characteristics of an early arthritis cohort in Argentina.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe the general characteristics of a cohort of patients with early arthritis in Argentina.

Methods: CONAART (Consorcio Argentino de Artritis Temprana--Argentine Consortium for Early Arthritis) is an initiative of seven rheumatology centres across Argentina. Patients were included if they had at least one or more swollen joints and <2 years of disease duration.