Clinical implications of seropositive and seronegative autoantibody status in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A comparative multicentre observational study.

Background And Objectives: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) have been used to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, their association with RA disease phenotypes, individually and in combination, is not well studied. The aim of the study was to compare patients' and disease characteristics, activity and severity in double seronegative (DNRA), single seropositive RF, single seropositive anti-CCP and double seropositive (DPRA) patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis study of the Egyptian College of Rheumatology (ECR): nationwide presentation and worldwide stance.

To depict the spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egypt in relation to other universal studies to provide broad-based characteristics to this particular population. This work included 10,364 adult RA patients from 26 specialized Egyptian rheumatology centers representing 22 major cities all over the country. The demographic and clinical features as well as therapeutic data were assessed.

Genome-wide association study for systemic lupus erythematosus in an egyptian population.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility has a strong genetic component. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across trans-ancestral populations show both common and distinct genetic variants of susceptibility across European and Asian ancestries, while many other ethnic populations remain underexplored. We conducted the first SLE GWAS on Egyptians-an admixed North African/Middle Eastern population-using 537 patients and 883 controls.

Metabolic Syndrome in Behçets Disease Patients: Keep an Eye on the Eye.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure/ sugar, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Whether MetS and its components affect the development of Behçet's Disease (BD) remains unclear.

Aims: The aim was to determine the frequency of MetS among BD patients and to study its relationship with disease characteristics.

The Emerging Era of Interventional Imaging in Rheumatology: An Overview During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

Imaging has long been taking its place in the diagnosis, monitor, and prognosis of rheumatic diseases. It plays a vital role in the appraisal of treatment. Key progress in the clinical practice of rheumatology is the innovation of advanced imaging modalities; such as musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Clinical Features and Disease Damage Risk Factors in an Egyptian SLE Cohort: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a variable natural history and clinical characteristics.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and immunological characteristics, and assess the disease accrual of an Egyptian SLE cohort.

Methods: The study included 569 SLE patients who were collected from three different centers; demographic, laboratory data, cumulative manifestations, and comorbidities were assessed (characteristics at the time of diagnosis were recorded retrospectively, while current clinical data were recorded cross-sectionally).

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) Level and Relation to Clinical Manifestations in Egyptian Systemic Sclerosis patients: Preliminary Data.

Aim Of The Work: This study aims to assess Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) level in Scleroderma patients and its relation to disease manifestations.

Patients And Methods: This study included 55 scleroderma patients and 40 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. All patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, and laboratory investigations.

Ischemic heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis: Do inflammatory cytokines have a role?

Background: The increase in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated mortality is predominantly due to accelerated coronary artery and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis with increased risk of ischemic heart disease about 50% in RA patients compared to controls.

Objective: To study the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease in RA, role of inflammatory cytokine interplay, disease activity and rheumatoid factor positivity.

Methods: Eighty RA patients and 44 healthy controls were included.

Clinical Association of a Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 (sTREM-1) in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily with an established role in innate and adaptive immune response. We aimed to determine the plasma concentrations and clinical association of sTREM-1 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. Plasma from 79 SLE patients and 35 normal healthy subjects were assayed for sTREM-1 and IL-6 levels using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA).

Dysregulation of angiogenic homeostasis in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by tissue hypoxia and excessive fibrosis of skin and internal organs.

Objective: To evaluate the possible role of angiogenesis imbalance in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-five SSc patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included.

Serum S100A12 and temporomandibular joint magnetic resonance imaging in juvenile idiopathic arthritis Egyptian patients: a case control study.

This study aimed to measure serum levels of the proinflammatory protein S100A12, investigate clinical as well as contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging findings of temporomandibular joint inflammation among juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients and to find out the correlation between each of them, moreover with different disease parameters as temporomandibular joint inflammation may occur without clinical manifestations; it is in need for thorough evaluation and S100A12 may be a future anti-inflammatory treatment in JIA. Twenty patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and 10 healthy control subjects underwent measurement of S100A12 serum concentrations by sandwich ELISA. Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs); clinical and post contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations were performed.