Development of the paediatric society of the African league against rheumatism (PAFLAR) JIA registry and clinical profile of JIA in Africa from the PAFLAR JIA registry.

Background: The spectrum of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in Africa is still largely unknown. We thus set out to illustrate how we set up the PAFLAR JIA registry and describe the clinical profile of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis across various regions in Africa.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective observational cohort study where collaborators were trained on use of the existing PAFLAR REDCAP database to enter data for the JIA patients currently under their care capturing their epidemiological data, clinical features, laboratory investigations, diagnosis and therapy at initial diagnosis.

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.

Consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the OMERACT Core Outcome Set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials.

Objective: To gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials evaluating shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: Following the OMERACT Handbook methods, our Working Group (WG), comprised of 90 members, including 17 patient research partners (PRPs) and 73 clinicians and researchers, had six virtual meetings in addition to email exchanges to develop draft definitions and descriptions. The WG then conducted an international survey of its members to gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions.

OMERACT Core outcome measurement set for shared decision making in rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions: a scoping review to identify candidate instruments.

Objectives: Shared decision making (SDM) is a central tenet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal care. The lack of standardization regarding SDM instruments and outcomes in clinical trials threatens the comparative effectiveness of interventions. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) SDM Working Group is developing a Core Outcome Set for trials of SDM interventions in rheumatology and musculoskeletal health.

Development of machine learning models for detection of vision threatening Behçet's disease (BD) using Egyptian College of Rheumatology (ECR)-BD cohort.

Background: Eye lesions, occur in nearly half of patients with Behçet's Disease (BD), can lead to irreversible damage and vision loss; however, limited studies are available on identifying risk factors for the development of vision-threatening BD (VTBD). Using an Egyptian college of rheumatology (ECR)-BD, a national cohort of BD patients, we examined the performance of machine-learning (ML) models in predicting VTBD compared to logistic regression (LR) analysis. We identified the risk factors for the development of VTBD.

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.

Assessment of Angiopoietin-2 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that destroys joint cartilage and causes disability. Synovial inflammation, with angiogenesis, is an early event in the progression of the disease. Angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) is a cytokine with both inflammatory and angiogenic effects.

Consensus Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treat-To-Target Management of Osteoporosis in Chronic Kidney Disease Stages G4-G5D and Post-transplantation: An Initiative of Egyptian Academy of Bone Health.

Objective: The aim of this study was to reach a consensus on an updated version of the recommendations for the diagnosis and Treat-to-Target management of osteoporosis that is effective and safe for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) G4-G5D/kidney transplant.

Methods: Delphi process was implemented (3 rounds) to establish a consensus on 10 clinical domains: (1) study targets, (2) risk factors, (3) diagnosis, (4) case stratification, (5) treatment targets, (6) investigations, (7) medical management, (8) monitoring, (9) management of special groups, (10) fracture liaison service. After each round, statements were retired, modified, or added in view of the experts' suggestions, and the percent agreement was calculated.

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 Association of 1064 C/T Rs3020221 Gene Polymorphism with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) has a role in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. We aimed to assess the serum Angpt-2 levels in knee OA patients and to investigate the association of gene polymorphism(rs3020221 C/T) with knee OA susceptibility and severity.

Consensus evidence-based recommendations for treat-to-target management of immunoglobulin A vasculitis.

Unlabelled: IgA vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis as well as management of IgAV represent a major challenge for health care professionals. This study was carried out to attain an evidence-based expert consensus on a treat-to-target management approach for IgAV using Delphi technique.

Interleukin 16 polymorphism and susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis disease in Egyptian population.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and multiple-stage disorder characterized by chronic inflammation with extensive synovitis. The genetic and environmental factors are associated with the risk for RA development. In RA, the induced IL-16 may play a role in initiating, sustaining and increasing the inflammatory response and development of synovitis, nevertheless IL-16's actual role in RA pathogenesis must be studied further.

Systemic lupus erythematosus children in Egypt: Homeland spectrum amid the global situation.

Objectives: This study aims to present the manifestations of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) across Egypt, to focus on age at onset and gender-driven influence on disease characteristics, and to compare findings to other countries.

Methods: The study included 404 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting to one of the specialized rheumatology centers corresponding to 13 major governorates. Juvenile cases age was ≤ 16°years at the time of recruitment.

Development and validation of a Behçet's Disease Damage Index for adults with BD: An Explicit, Composite and Rated (ECR) tool.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem variable vessel vasculitis. Disease damage is irreversible and permanent. Validated tools evaluating damage are limited.

Adult systemic lupus erythematosus in Egypt: The nation-wide spectrum of 3661 patients and world-wide standpoint.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatment pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Egyptian patients over the country and compare the findings to large cohorts worldwide. Objectives were extended to focus on the age at onset and gender driven influence on the disease characteristics.

Patients And Method: This population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study included 3661 adult SLE patients from Egyptian rheumatology departments across the nation.

Endorsement of the OMERACT core domain set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials: Results from a multi-stepped consensus-building approach.

Objective: To gain consensus on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials of shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: The process followed the OMERACT Filter 2.1 methodology, and used consensus-building methods, with patients involved since the inception.

Endorsement of the domains of knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) flare: A report from the OMERACT 2020 inaugural virtual consensus vote from the flares in OA working group.

Objective: Towards developing an instrument to measure knee and hip osteoarthritis (KHOA) flare, the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Flares in OA Working Group first sought to identify and define relevant domains of flare in KHOA.

Methods: Guided by OMERACT Filter 2.1, candidate domains were identified from data generated in interviews, in English or French, with persons with KHOA and health professionals (HPs) who treat OA.

The Arabic LupusPRO: A Cross-Cultural Validation of a Disease-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Tool for Quality of Life in Lupus Patients.

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Arabic version of LupusPRO v.1.8 and to test its reliability and validity.

Development and initial validation of a composite disease activity score for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To develop a composite disease activity score for systemic JIA (sJIA) and to provide preliminary evidence of its validity.

Methods: The systemic Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (sJADAS) was constructed by adding to the four items of the original JADAS a fifth item that aimed to quantify the activity of systemic features. Validation analyses were conducted on patients with definite or probable/possible sJIA enrolled at first visit or at the time of a flare, who had active systemic manifestations, which should include fever.

Rheumatologists' practice during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a survey in Egypt.

The aim of this work is to trace how rheumatologists all over Egypt are approaching the COVID-19 pandemic and what changes it has brought about in the patients' care with special attention to its effect on vulnerable rheumatic disease (RD) patients. This survey further aims to help inform the rheumatology community about the changes in practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey included 26 questions distributed to University staff members across Egypt members of the Egyptian College of Rheumatology (ECR).

Biochemical Analysis of C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 10 (CXCL10) as a Biomarker in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation and synovial hyperplasia that eventually leads to the destruction of the joints. CXCL10 has been originally identified as a pro-inflammatory chemokine that mediate leukocyte trafficking and modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. It plays a critical role in the inflammatory response and is involved in several biological processes.

Correction to: Behçet's disease in Egypt: a multicenter nationwide study on 1526 adult patients and review of the literature.

The author wishes to correct the record and clarify that in the original version of this article in the Discussion section under "Prevalence over the country governorates" inadvertently presented incorrect data cited in the reference [30].

CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells as a marker of disease activity and organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Introduction: T regulatory cells (Treg) play an important role in the maintenance of immune cell homeostasis, as it has been reported that CD4+CD25+ T cells suppress the auto-reactive responses in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The clinical significance of the recently identified population of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells and whether they are associated with particular organ involvement is still not clear. So, the aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ cells in SLE patients in comparison to healthy controls and to determine whether their frequency is associated with disease activity and particular clinical manifestations in these SLE patients.