Real world utilization of the myositis autoantibody panel.

Objective: Myositis autoantibody panel results can offer diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with concern for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). However, there has been widespread utilization of myositis autoantibody testing clinically, often in situations where concern for an IIM is unclear. We sought to determine ordering practices and factors predicting positive results on ordered myositis antibody panels.

Rheumatoid arthritis complicates noninvasive whole blood gene expression testing for coronary artery disease.

Background: Our objective was to evaluate an age- and sex-specific gene expression score (ASGES) previously validated to detect obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We evaluated 20 pairs of nondiabetic coronary patients with and without RA, selected by matching on age, sex, race, body mass index, tobacco use, and number of diseased coronary vessels. Peripheral blood gene expression levels of 23 CAD-associated genes were measured, and a previously validated CAD risk score including age, sex, and gene expression levels (Corus CAD) was computed.

Molecular alterations in skeletal muscle in rheumatoid arthritis are related to disease activity, physical inactivity, and disability.

Background: To identify molecular alterations in skeletal muscle in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may contribute to ongoing disability in RA.

Methods: Persons with seropositive or erosive RA (n = 51) and control subjects matched for age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity (n = 51) underwent assessment of disease activity, disability, pain, physical activity and thigh muscle biopsies. Muscle tissue was used for measurement of pro-inflammatory markers, transcriptomics, and comprehensive profiling of metabolic intermediates.

A Novel Protein Glycan-Derived Inflammation Biomarker Independently Predicts Cardiovascular Disease and Modifies the Association of HDL Subclasses with Mortality.

Background: Evidence suggests that systemic inflammation may adversely impact HDL function. In this study we sought to evaluate the independent and incremental predictive performance of GlycA-a novel serum inflammatory biomarker that is an aggregate measure of enzymatically glycosylated acute phase proteins-and HDL subclasses on adverse events in a retrospective observational study of a secondary prevention population and to understand a priori defined potential interactions between GlycA and HDL subclasses.

Methods: GlycA and HDL subclasses were measured using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 7617 individuals in the CATHGEN (CATHeterization GENetics) cardiac catheterization biorepository.

Heart failure as a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures.

Although heart failure (HF) and osteoporosis are common diseases, particularly in elderly populations, patients with HF have an increased risk for osteoporosis. The relationship of HF with osteoporosis is modified by gender and the severity of HF. In addition, shared risk factors, medication use, and common pathogenic mechanisms affect both HF and osteoporosis.