Diagnostic performance of specific biomarkers for interstitial lung disease: a single center study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) in the evaluation and management of interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: Serum KL-6, SP-A, SP-D levels were measured in 122 unique consecutive patients referred for connective tissue disease (CTD) associated ILD (CTD-ILD) autoantibodies and 120 "healthy" controls. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed and categorized as ILD and non-ILD or CTD-ILD and other ILD.

Treatment of dyslipidemia in idiopathic inflammatory myositis: results of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group survey.

Recent data suggest that atherosclerotic disease is increased in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) and that dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events. Lipid-lowering agents may be associated with myopathic side effects. The current work evaluates the use of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with IIM treated by IIM specialists belonging to the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies (IMACS) Group.

Disease progression and treatment responses in a prospective DMARD-naive seropositive early rheumatoid arthritis cohort: does gender matter?

Objective: To assess gender differences in disease characteristics and treatment responses over time in a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive seropositive early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort.

Methods: Patients with polyarticular disease who were DMARD-naive and had seropositive early RA (< 14 months) were recruited by the Western Consortium of Practicing Rheumatologists. Each patient was examined at study entry, after 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter.

Validating and assessing the sensitivity of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index-derived Short Form-6D in patients with early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: New methodologies allow the scores for the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) to be translated into preferences/utility scores. We evaluated the construct validity of the HAQ-DI-derived Short Form-6D (SF-6D) score and assessed its responsiveness to change over 6- and 12-month followup periods in patients with early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients (n=277) participating in an RA observational study completed self-reported measures of symptoms and the HAQ-DI at baseline and at 6 and 12 months.