Evaluating renal disease in pediatric-onset anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: disease course, outcomes, and predictors of outcome.

Objectives: We aimed to study the disease course, outcomes, and predictors of outcome in pediatric-onset anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) affecting the kidneys.

Methods: Patients eligible for this study had a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), or ANCA positive pauci-immune glomerulonephritis, were ≤ 18 years at diagnosis, had renal disease defined by biopsy or dialysis dependence, and had clinical data at diagnosis and either 12- or 24-months. Ambispective data from the ARChiVE/PedVas Registry was used.

Cost-effectiveness of screening and treating alcohol use and depression among people living with HIV in Zimbabwe: a mathematical modeling study.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) drive HIV transmission in many sub-Saharan African settings. The impact of screening and treating AUD and MDD on HIV outcomes is unknown. We aimed to identify the cost-effectiveness of AUD and MDD interventions in Zimbabwe, and their potential contribution to reaching Zimbabwe's Ending the HIV Epidemic 2030 goal.

Burden of tuberculosis in underserved populations in South Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Identifying case-finding strategies to reduce tuberculosis (TB) incidence in high-burden countries requires better knowledge of the disease burden in key contributing populations and settings. To inform South Africa's National Tuberculosis Strategic Plan 2023-2028, we conducted a systematic review of active TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) prevalence and incidence in underserved populations, defined as those living in informal settlements, townships, or impoverished communities. We identified articles published from January 2010 to December 2023, assessed study quality, and conducted a meta-analysis to estimate pooled TB and LTBI prevalence stratified by HIV status.

Missed Opportunities for Preexposure Prophylaxis Initiation in Hospitalized Persons With Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Diseases.

Hospitalizations are increasing among persons who use opioids, secondary to overdose and infections. Our study identified acute hospitalization as a reachable moment for engaging people who use drugs in increased screening and education about human immunodeficiency virus risk and prevention (preexposure prophylaxis).

Interleukin (IL)-1/IL-6-Inhibitor-Associated Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DReSS) in Systemic Inflammatory Illnesses.

Background: After introducing IL-1/IL-6 inhibitors, some patients with Still and Still-like disease developed unusual, often fatal, pulmonary disease. This complication was associated with scoring as DReSS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) implicating these inhibitors, although DReSS can be difficult to recognize in the setting of systemic inflammatory disease.

Objective: To facilitate recognition of IL-1/IL-6 inhibitor-DReSS in systemic inflammatory illnesses (Still/Still-like) by looking at timing and reaction-associated features.

Prior tuberculosis, radiographic lung abnormalities and prevalent diabetes in rural South Africa.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that chronic inflammation caused by tuberculosis (TB) may increase the incidence of diabetes. However, the relationship between post-TB pulmonary abnormalities and diabetes has not been well characterized.

Methods: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, of people 15 years and older who underwent chest X-ray and diabetes screening with hemoglobin A1c testing.

HIV and Substance Use Disorders.

Over 1.2 million Americans aged 13 years and older have been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). While HIV incidence has been declining since 2017, the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission persists among persons who use drugs via injection drug use and unprotected sexual intercourse associated with substance use.

Considerations when prescribing opioid agonist therapies for people living with HIV.

Introduction: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) include opioid agonist therapies (OAT) (buprenorphine and methadone), and opioid antagonists (extended-release naltrexone). All forms of MOUD improve opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV outcomes. However, the integration of services for HIV and OUD remains inadequate.

Predictors of Disease Activity in Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at 12 and 24 Months After Diagnosis.

Objective: Identification of characteristics associated with active disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) could inform early disease treatment strategies. This study evaluated characteristics associated with active disease at 12 and 24 months after JIA diagnosis in the era in which biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) became available for JIA.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study from 2004 through 2018 assessed characteristics associated with active nonsystemic categories of JIA at 12 and 24 months after diagnosis.

Causes, risks and care circumstances associated with death in older adults diagnosed with HIV in a tertiary centre in Malaysia.

Background: A substantial number of older adults succumb soon after HIV diagnosis despite ART. We explored the causes, risk factors and circumstances before death among older adults acquring HIV.

Methods: We recruited individuals newly diagnosed at our centre from 2016-2020 and analysed data of those who died.

Ukrainian healthcare providers under siege during the first year of war: challenges and adaptations.

The overlapping COVID-19 crisis and the war starting in 2022 threaten front-line healthcare workers' mental health, well-being and job retention in Ukraine. This paper provides a synopsis of a panel discussion held by the Global Mental Health Humanitarian Coalition in May 2022 and expert consultations with clinicians between December 2022 and February 2023 on these challenges. The crises created new problems and exacerbated many pre-existing difficulties.

Mental health in paediatric and adult myositis-related diseases: current state of research, interventions, and future steps from the MIHRA Psychological Impact Scientific Working Group.

Psychological and emotional well-being are critical aspects of overall health for individuals with chronic rheumatologic conditions. Mental health-related literature, however, predominantly focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, with limited emphasis on idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). High proportions of those with juvenile myositis report psychological distress at levels warranting mental health referral.

Higher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia.

Background: Incarcerated people with HIV and opioid-dependence often experience poor post-release outcomes in the absence of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). In a prospective trial, we assessed the impact of methadone dose achieved within prison on linkage to MMT after release.

Methods: From 2010 to 2014, men with HIV (N = 212) and opioid dependence before incarceration were enrolled in MMT within 6 months of release from Malaysia's largest prison and followed for 12-months post-release.

Efficacy and Impact of Peer-Led Education for Persons with Tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda: A Pre-Post Implementation Study.

Introduction: Universal TB education and counseling (TEC) is routinely recommended for promoting knowledge and medication adherence, but the quality of delivery often varies because of inadequate clinic space, time, and health worker training. Peer-led counseling is a promising but understudied solution to these challenges. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a peer-led TEC strategy among newly diagnosed adults initiating TB treatment in Kampala, Uganda.

Treatment of non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

In the past two decades, the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has evolved markedly, owing to the availability of a growing number of novel, potent and relatively safe therapeutic agents and the shift of management strategies towards early achievement of disease remission. However, JIA encompasses a heterogeneous group of diseases that require distinct treatment approaches. Furthermore, some old drugs, such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine and intraarticular glucocorticoids, still maintain an important therapeutic role.

3D convolutional neural networks uncover modality-specific brain-imaging predictors for Alzheimer's disease sub-scores.

Different aspects of cognitive functions are affected in patients with Alzheimer's disease. To date, little is known about the associations between features from brain-imaging and individual Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related cognitive functional changes. In addition, how these associations differ among different imaging modalities is unclear.

The emerging role of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 as a potential disease biomarker in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the potential of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) as a novel biomarker for disease activity in Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM).

Methods: We recruited children with juvenile myositis including juvenile dermatomyositis (n = 77), polymyositis (n = 6), and healthy controls (n = 22). GDF-15 levels in plasma were measured using ELISA.