Discontinuation of biologic and target-specific therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that requires continuous treatment. Despite the excellent results, treatment with biologics and target-specific disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs often has to be interrupted due to insufficient therapeutic effectiveness, toxicity, or side effects.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the reasons and factors influencing treatment discontinuation with biologic and target-specific drugs among the Bulgarian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

First multi-center retrospective study assessed the compliance with and persistence of biological therapies in Bulgarian population with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that causes progressive joint damage, leading to severe disability. Early diagnosis, optimal therapy, and strict adherence to the prescribed medication are key factors that allow for the cessation of the disease progression and the preserving of the patient's quality of life. The objective of this study was to estimate the compliance to and persistence of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) among the Bulgarian population with RA.

Adherence to biological therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study.

The advent of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs has dramatically changed the comprehensions of treatment and long-term prognosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The potent therapeutic results can only be achieved if the patients adhere to prescribed medications. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of age, gender, duration of the disease, concomitant Methotrexate therapy, prior exposure to biologic agents, disease activity, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life on adherence to biologic treatment among Bulgarian population with rheumatoid arthritis.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Triggered by Leishmaniasis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome. It is a result of uncontrolled hyperactivation of the reticuloendothelial system with a release of a huge amount of proinflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream, causing a cytokine storm. It may be primary due to genetic defects and secondary, triggered by viruses, bacteria, parasites, lymphoproliferative, and autoimmune diseases.