High throughput multiplex immunoassays stratify patients according to symptom burden across the anti-Ro positive systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease spectrum.

Anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies are prevalent across systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) and may signify a distinctive phenotype. This study aimed to identify protein biomarkers associated with symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and use protein-based stratification to identify clinically meaningful clusters and inflammatory pathways implicated. Anti-Ro positive SARD patients were enrolled in a 6-month pilot study.

Frontiers in translational systemic sclerosis research: A focus on the unmet 'cutaneous' clinical needs (Viewpoint).

This viewpoint considers four cutaneous unmet clinical needs of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), namely the rapidly progressive skin thickening (scleroderma) which occurs early on in diffuse cutaneous disease; digital (finger and toe) ulcers; calcinosis; and cutaneous telangiectases. All four problems cause pain, disability and/or disfigurement, all impact on quality of life, and for each, we require effective treatments. For each unmet need, we give a brief description of the clinical problem (including clinical burden), pathophysiology and current treatment, followed by a personal viewpoint of the key questions which research must address.

The impact of ankylosing spondylitis/axial spondyloarthritis on work productivity.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that has a significant impact on the quality of life and work productivity. New classification criteria have enabled earlier diagnosis of this condition. However, work productivity is an important issue that is still often overlooked during clinical assessments and consultations.