Factors related to acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases in Japan: A single-center cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: We studied the current state and factors associated with the acceptance or hesitancy of booster doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (ARDs) in Japan.

Methods: A single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatients with ARDs who visited the Immuno-Rheumatology Center at St. Luke's International Hospital from 1 October to 30 November in 2023.

Bone marrow edema detection for diagnostic support of axial spondyloarthritis using MRI.

Purpose: This study proposes a process for detecting slices with bone marrow edema (BME), a typical finding of axSpA, using MRI scans as the input. This process does not require manual input of ROIs and provides the results of the judgment of the presence or absence of BME on a slice and the location of edema as the rationale for the judgment.

Methods: First, the signal intensity of the MRI scans of the sacroiliac joint was normalized to reduce the variation in signal values between scans.

Upadacitinib for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).

Introduction: Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition with axial and peripheral musculoskeletal involvement, fulfilling criteria of axSpA in the absence of advanced radiographic sacroiliitis. While appropriate treatment is required for chronic pain and disability resulting from disease progression, the limited availability of treatment options becomes evident. Upadacitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, was approved in Europe, the United States, and other countries for management of nr-axSpA with inadequate response to existing therapies.

Current evidence and practical knowledge for ultrasound-guided procedures in rheumatology: Joint aspiration, injection, and other applications.

Ultrasound (US)-guided procedures have increasingly gained their role in the daily practice of rheumatology, owing to the growing evidence supporting their utility. The utilization of US guidance in procedures may enhance their accuracy, efficacy, and safety. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current evidence and practical knowledge pertaining to US-guided procedures in rheumatology, encompassing joint aspirations, injections, and other applications such as tendon sheath injections.

Associations of disease duration and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody status with the effectiveness of abatacept in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Post hoc analysis of a multicentre, real-world observational study in Japan (ORIGAMI).

Objectives: The aim of the article is to investigate the associations of disease duration and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) status with the effectiveness of abatacept in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We performed post hoc analyses of the Orencia® Registry in Geographically Assembled Multicenter Investigation (ORIGAMI) study of biologic-naïve RA patients aged ≥20 years with moderate disease activity who were prescribed abatacept. Changes in the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire (J-HAQ) at 4, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment were analysed in patients divided according to ACPA serostatus (positive/negative), disease duration (<1/≥1 year), or both.