Early phase clinical and biological markers associated with subclinical atherosclerosis measured at 7 years of evolution in an early inflammatory arthritis cohort.

Objectives: Accelerated atherosclerosis has emerged as a critical issue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is a need to better understand the link between RA and atherosclerosis. Our aim was to identify parameters associated with the development of subclinical atheroma in a very early arthritis (VErA) cohort.

Dysregulation of RasGRP1 in rheumatoid arthritis and modulation of RasGRP3 as a biomarker of TNFα inhibitors.

Background: B and T cells play a key role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology. RasGRP1 and RasGRP3 are involved in T and B cell receptors signaling, and belong to gene combination able to predict infliximab responsiveness, leading to the question of RasGRP1 and RasGRP3 involvement in RA.

Methods: RasGRP1 and RasGRP3 expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and/or western-blot in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), in T and B cells from untreated RA patients and in RA patients treated by TNFα inhibitors.

Switching from an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody to soluble TNF-receptor yields better results than vice versa: An observational retrospective study of 72 rheumatoid arthritis switchers.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefits for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of switching from one tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) to another based on reason for change (primary failure, escape or intolerance) and molecule-switching order.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2008, 356 RA patients prescribed a TNFi (infliximab [IFX], etanercept [ETA] or adalimumab [ADA]) and undergoing standardized evaluation were included in this retrospective study. Detailed demographic, clinical and biological data were collected before first biologic use and ≤6 months later to evaluate response based on EULAR-criteria.

[Psoriatic arthritis during rituximab treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a new paradoxical side effect?].

Introduction: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 molecule of the B lymphocyte. Its efficacy has been recently reported in ANCA-associated vasculitis. We report a case of psoriatic arthritis that occurs during a treatment with rituximab in granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Role for magnetic resonance imaging in coccydynia with sacrococcygeal dislocation.

Sacrococcygeal dislocation is among the many causes of coccydynia. The etiological diagnosis of this fairly rare condition is difficult. Dynamic imaging is the only means of documenting the dislocation.