Mortality in Antinuclear Antibody-Positive Patients with and Without Rheumatologic Immune-Related Disorders: A Large-Scale Population-Based Study.

: To explore the potential association between positive ANA serology and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of patients, including those with and without rheumatological conditions and other immune-related diseases. : A retrospective cohort study analyzed all-cause mortality among 205,862 patients from Clalit Health Services (CHS), Israel's largest health maintenance organization (HMO). We compared patients aged 18 and older with positive ANA serology (n = 102,931) to an equal number of ANA-negative controls (n = 102,931).

Risk of atherosclerosis-related diseases in polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients: A large-scale population-based study.

Background And Aims: Several systemic autoimmune diseases predispose to the enhancement of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD). These findings underline the role of inflammation in atherogenesis. Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are polygenic autoimmune disorders involving mainly skeletal muscles.

Should antinuclear antibodies (ANA) be used to screen for connective tissue disease in neurological patients?

Background: Patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) can have a wide range of neurological manifestations. Neurological complaints may be the presenting symptom of CTD. Therefore, screening for CTD using anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) is a common practice.

The potential of autologous patient-derived circulating extracellular vesicles to improve drug delivery in rheumatoid arthritis.

Recognizing the need for innovative therapeutic approaches in the management of autoimmune diseases, our current investigation explores the potential of autologous extracellular vesicles (EVs), derived from the blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients, to serve as therapeutic vectors to improve drug delivery. We found that circulating EVs derived from arthritic mice (collagen-induced arthritis model) express the joint/synovia homing receptor, αVβ3 integrin. Importantly, both autologous labeled EVs, derived from the blood of arthritic mice (collagen antibody-induced arthritis model) and healthy mice-derived EVs, exhibit targeted migration toward inflamed synovia without infiltrating healthy joints, as demonstrated by an in vivo imaging system.

The Association Between Sarcoidosis and Malignancy: A Comprehensive Population-Based Cohort Study.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder with a variable clinical course and complications. The relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancies remains unclear, including specific malignancy associations with sarcoidosis and whether the association is short-term, long-term, or a result of misdiagnoses or coincidence. This study investigated the association between sarcoidosis and malignancy by analyzing the varying intervals between the diagnoses of these two conditions to clarify their inter-relationship.

The role of deep learning in diagnostic imaging of spondyloarthropathies: a systematic review.

Aim: Diagnostic imaging is an integral part of identifying spondyloarthropathies (SpA), yet the interpretation of these images can be challenging. This review evaluated the use of deep learning models to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of SpA imaging.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched major databases up to February 2024, focusing on studies that applied deep learning to SpA imaging.

Increased risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis, a retrospective cohort study from Israel.

Background: Despite the well-established association between chronic inflammatory conditions and pulmonary embolism(PE), previous investigations of the relationship between Dermatomyositis(DM) and Polymyositis(PM) with PE were scarce and have been subject to significant limitations, including small sample sizes and failure to account for potential confounders.

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between DM/PM and PE, as well as assessing the impact of serologic status, myonecrosis, and inflammation markers on this relationship.

Methods: In this large, nationwide population-based study, we used the Clalit Health Services medical database and extracted all DM/PM patients who were first diagnosed between 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2018 and compared them with age and gender matched controls in a ratio of 1:5.

Risk factors for psoriatic arthritis development in psoriasis patients: myths, pitfalls, and pearls.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) predominantly emerges in individuals previously diagnosed with psoriasis (PsO), offering a unique opportunity to study the transition from PsO to PsA. This progression provides a window to identify characteristics of PsO patients who may develop PsA, facilitating early intervention and potentially informing prevention and treatment strategies. This review evaluates a wide array of research focusing on various risk factors for PsA development.

Anti-Ro and anti-La seropositivity is associated with increased rates of ischemic heart disease in adults: Results from a large population-based study.

Background And Aims: Emerging evidence suggests an arrhythmogenic effect of Anti-Ro/SSA (anti-Ro) and anti-La/SSB (anti-La) antibodies in adults, potentially involving a subclinical intracardiac inflammatory process. Despite the established association between inflammation and ischemic heart disease (IHD), it is noteworthy that as of now no study has delved into the potential link between these antibodies and IHD. This population-based study aimed to examine the association between anti-Ro/La seropositivity and IHD in the general adult population.

Pronounced benefits of JAK inhibition with baricitinib in COVID-19 pneumonia in obese but not lean subjects.

Objective: Obesity and age are strongly linked to severe COVID-19 pneumonia where immunomodulatory agents including Janus kinase inhibitors have shown benefits but the efficacy of such therapy in viral pneumonia is not well understood. We evaluated the impact of obesity and age on survival following baricitinib therapy for severe COVID-19.

Methods: A post hoc analysis of the COV-BARRIER multicentre double-blind randomised study of baricitinib versus placebo (PBO) with an assessment of 28-day mortality was performed.

Increased Risk for Pulmonary Embolism among Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis-Results from a Large Database Analysis.

Axial spondyloarthropathy(AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton, often characterized by sacroiliitis. While pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially lethal condition, has been linked to several autoimmune diseases, limited data exist regarding PE risk among patients with AS. This retrospective cohort study utilized the Clalit Healthcare Services (CHS) database, including 5825 patients with AS and 28,356 matched controls.

Exploring the Link Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are chronic conditions with overlapping pathogenic mechanisms. The genetic predisposition and inflammatory pathways common to both diseases suggest a syndemic relationship. While some evidence points to a connection between the two conditions, other reports do not support this link.

Risk of developing psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis cohorts with arthralgia: exploring the subclinical psoriatic arthritis stage.

Objective: Subjects with subclinical psoriatic arthritis (PsA), defined as the presence of arthralgia in psoriasis (PsO), are at higher risk of PsA but scant real-world data exist. Our aims were to (1) estimate the probability of PsA development in subclinical PsA, (2) characterise subclinical PsA symptoms and (3) determine the clinical patterns at PsA diagnosis.

Methods: Patients with PsO, mainly subclinical PsA, were evaluated longitudinally in two European cohorts.

Arthroplasty rates and risk in familial Mediterranean fever patients: a large population-based study.

Background: FMF is a genetic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation in various organs, including the joints. Traditionally, the arthritis of FMF has been considered relatively harmless. However, anecdotal evidence has suggested that it may contribute to long-term joint damage, which may necessitate surgical joint replacement.

Unraveling the connection: Uveitis prevalence and risk factors in psoriasis patients - a population-based study.

The association between uveitis and spondyloarthropathy (SpA)-related conditions is well-established. However, evidence describing the link between uveitis and psoriasis, and psoriasis without concomitant SpA-related conditions is scarce and conflicting. This large-scale population-based study sought to describe the prevalence and features of uveitis among psoriasis patients in Israel as well as investigating the risk for uveitis in different subgroups of psoriasis patients compared to the general population.

The association between psoriasis, psoriasis severity, and inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based analysis.

Background: The skin-gut axis, characterized by bidirectional communication between the skin and gut, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Objectives: We aimed to explore the association between psoriasis and IBD and identify predictors associated with IBD development among patients with psoriasis.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Two cases of dermatomyositis associated with neuroendocrine tumors.

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with cutaneous manifestations, which is associated with several types of malignancies, yet it has been rarely linked to neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Here we report two cases of dermatomyositis associated with NETs of differing primary sites. Case 1: A 46-year-old female presented with a facial rash and proximal muscle weakness of both extremities.

Biologic Treatment Modification Efficacy in Concurrent Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study at a Single Tertiary Center.

Background: The link between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well-established, with concurrent prevalence estimates ranging from 5-10%. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding, and a comprehensive treatment guideline for these co-diagnosed patients has yet to be established. Our objective was to explore patterns of treatment alterations following the diagnosis of AS in patients previously diagnosed with IBD, and vice versa.

Big data- and machine learning-based analysis of a global pharmacovigilance database enables the discovery of sex-specific differences in the safety profile of dual IL4/IL13 blockade.

Due to its apparent efficacy and safety, dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Interleukin 13 (IL-13), has been approved for treating T-helper 2 (Th2) disorders. However, adverse effects like local injection site reactions, conjunctivitis, headaches, and nasopharyngitis have been reported. Sex differences are known to influence both adaptive and innate immune responses and, thus, may have a bearing on the occurrence of these adverse effects.

Predominant ligament-centric soft-tissue involvement differentiates axial psoriatic arthritis from ankylosing spondylitis.

Since the original description of spondyloarthritis 50 years ago, results have demonstrated similarities and differences between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA). HLA-B27 gene carriage in axial inflammation is linked to peri-fibrocartilaginous sacroiliac joint osteitis, as well as to spinal peri-entheseal osteitis, which is often extensive and which provides a crucial anatomical and immunological differentiation between the AS and PsA phenotypes. Specifically, HLA-B27-related diffuse bone marrow oedema (histologically an osteitis) and bone marrow fatty corners detected via magnetic resonance imaging, as well as radiographic changes such as sacroiliitis, vertebral squaring, corner erosions and Romanus lesions, all indicate initial bone phenotypes in HLA-B27 axial disease.