Role of Interleukin-17 in Predicting Activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Although high serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and its producing cells have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in earlier research, it is still unclear how these findings relate to disease activity.

Objectives: This study examines the link between serum levels of IL-17 and the activity of both RA and SLE.

Design: This pilot case-control study included 100 patients with RA, 100 with SLE, and 100 healthy controls.

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Quality of Life Among Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis Living in Egypt.

Background: Several studies have linked metabolic syndrome (MetS) to osteoarthritis (OA), but they have not looked into how MetS can affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of OA individuals.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the association of MetS and its components, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, with HRQOL among Egyptians with knee OA.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 116 adult Egyptian participants with knee OA.

Can Complete Blood Count Picture Tell Us More About the Activity of Rheumatological Diseases?

Background: In clinical practice, distinguishing disease activity in patients with rheumatological illnesses is challenging.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate clinical associations of hemogram-derived indices, namely: red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: In 250 patients with rheumatological disease and 100 healthy age-matched controls, we investigated disease activity scores and indicators and evaluated their association with hemogram-derived indices values.

Post-COVID-19 arthritis: is it hyperinflammation or autoimmunity?

Background:  Various musculoskeletal and autoimmune manifestations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and etiology of arthritis in post-COVID Egyptian patients. Methods: We included 100 post-COVID Egyptian patients who recovered 6 months ago and assessed several inflammatory and autoimmune markers.