Publications by authors named "Russka Shumnalieva"

Coronary artery disease (CAD) presents a significant risk for patients with systemic vasculitides, a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels. In this review, we focus on the pathophysiological mechanisms, complications, and management strategies for CAD in systemic vasculitides. We highlight how the inflammatory processes inherent in vasculitis contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia.

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  • The study investigates how comorbidities impact the quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared to other autoimmune diseases and healthy individuals, utilizing self-reported data from the COVAD-2 survey.
  • Results show IIM patients have significantly higher rates of comorbidities, basic multitasking, complex multitasking, and mental health disorders.
  • The presence of these conditions correlates with lower overall physical and mental health scores, suggesting the need for targeted management strategies for IIM patients based on identified clinical clusters.
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  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints and can lead to a decline in mobility and overall quality of life, but the exact cause remains unclear.
  • Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to susceptibility to RA, with certain genetic markers indicating a higher risk for developing the disease.
  • Recent studies highlight the significance of the microbiome in influencing immune responses, where changes in microbial composition (dysbiosis) may trigger chronic inflammation and play a crucial role in the development and progression of RA.
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  • Severe COVID-19 cases are often driven by an excessive immune response, known as a cytokine storm, leading to uncontrolled inflammation.
  • Understanding immune dysregulation is crucial for developing targeted therapies to manage COVID-19 effectively.
  • This review examines various immunomodulatory treatments, including corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, and monoclonal antibodies, aimed at balancing immune response to improve patient outcomes.
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Background: Since the publication of the 2011 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for patient research partner (PRP) involvement in rheumatology research, the role of PRPs has evolved considerably. Therefore, an update of the 2011 recommendations was deemed necessary.

Methods: In accordance with the EULAR Standardised Operational Procedures, a task force comprising 13 researchers, 2 health professionals and 10 PRPs was convened.

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  • A study investigated rare cases of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) reported after COVID-19 vaccinations by surveying individuals with new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination using a validated e-survey dataset.* -
  • Of 16,750 participants, 74 reported new-onset SAIDs, mostly idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica; higher incidences were found among Caucasians and Moderna vaccine recipients.* -
  • The research concluded that while the occurrence of new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination is low, certain risk factors like pre-existing autoimmune diseases, mental health issues, and ethnicity were linked to these cases.*
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Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy where the lymphocytes, mostly T-cells, are redirected to specifically recognize and eliminate a target antigen by coupling them with CARs. The binding of CAR and target cell surface antigens leads to vigorous T cell activation and robust anti-tumor immune responses. Areas of implication of CAR T-cell therapies include mainly hematological malignancies (i.

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Gluten ataxia and other central nervous system disorders could be linked to gluten enteropathy and related autoantibodies. In this narrative review, we focus on the various neuro-logical manifestations in patients with gluten sensitivity/celiac disease, immunological and autoimmune mechanisms of ataxia in connection to gluten sensitivity and the autoantibodies that could be used as a biomarker for diagnosing and following. We focused on the anti-gliadin antibodies, antibodies to different isoforms of tissue transglutaminase (TG) (anti-TG2, 3, and 6 antibodies), anti-glycine receptor antibodies, anti-glutamine acid decarboxylase antibodies, anti-deamidated gliadin peptides antibodies, Most studies found a higher prevalence of these antibodies in patients with gluten sensitivity and neurological dysfunction, presented as different neurological disorders.

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Systemic necrotising vasculitides (SNVs) pose significant challenges due to their diverse clinical manifestations and variable outcomes. Therefore, identifying reliable biomarkers holds promise for improving precision medicine in SNVs. This review explores emerging biomarkers aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy, prognostic assessment, and disease monitoring.

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Objectives: To explore prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BIs) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) using data from the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.

Methods: A validated patient self-reporting e-survey was circulated by the COVAD study group to collect data on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in 2022. BIs were defined as COVID-19 occurring ≥14 days after 2 vaccine doses.

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The knee is the joint most frequently involved in osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder in the adult population that is associated with significant chronic joint pain, reduced mobility and quality of life. Recent studies have established an association between obesity and the development of knee osteoarthritis that goes beyond the increased mechanical load on the knees as weight-bearing joints. This link is based on the maintenance of a chronic low-grade inflammation, altered secretion of adipokines by the adipose tissue and development of sarcopenia.

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The knee is the joint most frequently involved in osteoarthritis and represents a significant contributor to patient morbidity and impaired functional status. Major risk factors include genetics, age, sex, mechanical load and obesity/metabolic syndrome. Recent studies highlighted the role of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis not simply through increased mechanical loading but the systemic effects of obesity-induced inflammation.

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  • - The study aimed to investigate the levels of two microRNAs, miR-21 and miR-29a, in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and their relationship to clinical indicators.
  • - In a sample of 34 SSc patients, miR-21 was found to be upregulated in 50% of cases, while miR-29a was downregulated in 44.12% of patients; diagnostic analyses suggested some promise but lacked strong statistical significance.
  • - The findings indicate a possible link between these microRNAs and the disease, highlighting the need for further research with larger groups to assess their reliability as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
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Objectives: We investigated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women with autoimmune diseases (AID) in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.

Methods: Delayed-onset (>7 days) vaccine-related adverse events (AE), disease flares and AID-related treatment modifications were analysed upon diagnosis of AID vs healthy controls (HC) and the pregnancy/breastfeeding status at the time of at least one dose of vaccine.

Results: Among the 9201 participants to the self-administered online survey, 6787 (73.

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Limited evidence on long-term COVID-19 vaccine safety in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) continues to contribute to vaccine hesitancy. We studied delayed-onset vaccine adverse events (AEs) in patients with IIMs, other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the second COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study. A validated self-reporting e-survey was circulated by the COVAD study group (157 collaborators, 106 countries) from Feb-June 2022.

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  • The study investigates flares in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) after COVID-19 vaccination, aiming to understand risk factors involved.
  • In a survey with over 15,000 respondents, about 9.6% to 19.6% of patients experienced flares post-vaccination, with those having active IIMs showing a greater risk, while treatments like rituximab and AZA reduced risk.
  • Key risk factors for flares included being female, having comorbid conditions like asthma, and experiencing higher pain levels, highlighting a difference between self-reported and clinically identified flares.
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  • The 'MHC-I-opathy' concept refers to a group of inflammatory diseases linked to the major histocompatibility complex class I, with recognized conditions including spondyloarthritis and psoriasis, all associated with specific genetic variants.
  • There is a significant challenge in understanding and treating these disorders due to differences in patient symptoms and insufficient research on the MHC-I pathway.
  • The text advocates for a collaborative approach involving diverse medical and research disciplines to standardize disease definitions, explore genetic factors, and improve therapeutic strategies, ultimately aiming to enhance patient care.
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Objective: Flares of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) following COVID-19 vaccination are a particular concern in vaccine-hesitant individuals. Therefore, we investigated the incidence, predictors and patterns of flares following vaccination in individuals living with AIRDs, using global COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) surveys.

Methods: The COVAD surveys were used to extract data on flare demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 history, and vaccination details for patients with AIRDs.

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Objective: COVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs); however, hesitancy continues to persist among these patients. Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the two international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) e-surveys.

Methods: The first and second COVAD patient self-reported e-surveys were circulated from March to December 2021, and February to June 2022 (ongoing).

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Objective: As part of European League against Rheumatism (EULAR)/European Musculoskeletal Conditions Surveillance and Information Network, 20 user-focused standards of care (SoCs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) addressing 16 domains of care were developed. This study aimed to explore gaps in implementation of these SoCs across Europe.

Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys on the importance, level of and barriers (patients only) to implementation of each SoC (0-10, 10 highest) were designed to be conducted among patients and rheumatologists in 50 European countries.

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Objectives: To describe and explore differences in formal regulations around sick leave and work disability (WD) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as perceptions by rheumatologists and patients on the system's performance, across European countries.

Methods: We conducted three cross-sectional surveys in 50 European countries: one on work (re-)integration and social security (SS) system arrangements in case of sick leave and long-term WD due to RA (one rheumatologist per country), and two among approximately 15 rheumatologists and 15 patients per country on perceptions regarding SS arrangements on work participation. Differences in regulations and perceptions were compared across categories defined by gross domestic product (GDP), type of social welfare regime, European Union (EU) membership and country RA WD rates.

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Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of peripheral blood microribonucleic acid (miRNA, miR)-146a and miR-155 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Expression levels of miR-155 and miR-146a in whole peripheral blood samples from 40 SLE patients and 32 healthy controls (HCs) were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction qRT-PCR (SYBR Green technology) and 2-∆∆Ct method was used for analysis. SPSS v20 was used for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Spearman correlation analysis.

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Rationale: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production, complement activation, and deposition of immune complexes in tissues and organs. SLE can involve any region of the visual system. Although ocular manifestations are not part of the classification criteria for SLE, they can be observed in up to one-third of the patients with SLE.

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