Therapeutic strategies and outcomes in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: an international multicentre retrospective study.

Objectives: The management of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) poses considerable challenges due to limited clinical trials. Therapeutic decisions are customized based on suspected pathogenic mechanisms and symptoms severity. This study aimed to investigate therapeutic strategies and disease outcome for patients with NPSLE experiencing their first neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestation.

External validation of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Frailty Index as a predictor of adverse health outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The SLICC frailty index (SLICC-FI) was recently developed as a measure of susceptibility to adverse outcomes in SLE. We aimed to externally validate the SLICC-FI in a prevalent cohort of individuals with more long-standing SLE.

Methods: This secondary analysis included data from a single-centre prospective cohort of adult patients with established SLE (disease duration >15 months at enrolment).

Use of Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Biologics, and Corticosteroids in Older Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Over 20 Years.

Objective: To examine changes in prescribing patterns, especially the use of corticosteroids (CS), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 2 decades.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of health administrative data using a previously validated dataset and case definition for RA. Cases were matched 1:4 by age and sex to controls within a population of approximately 1 million inhabitants with access to universal health care.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and their associations with cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Using a novel isotemporal substitution paradigm, this study aimed to estimate the cross-sectional associations of objectively measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity (PA) with cardiovascular risk factors among patients with SLE.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adult SLE patients without documented cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular risk factors were measured, including BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose and lipid profile.

Midterm Outcomes of a Synthetic Cartilage Implant for the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint in Advanced Hallux Rigidus.

Background:: A prospective, randomized, noninferiority clinical trial of synthetic cartilage implant hemiarthroplasty for hallux rigidus demonstrated functional outcomes and safety equivalent to first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis at 24 months. We prospectively assessed safety and efficacy outcomes for synthetic cartilage implant hemiarthroplasty at a minimum of 5 years.

Methods:: Of 135 eligible patients from the original trial, 112 (83.

Cost-utility of Sunitinib Versus Pazopanib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in Canada using Real-world Evidence.

Background And Objective: The development of new targeted therapies in kidney cancer has shaped disease management in the metastatic phase. Our study aims to conduct a cost-utility analysis of sunitinib versus pazopanib in first-line setting in Canada for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients using real-world data.

Methods: A Markov model with Monte-Carlo microsimulations was developed to estimate the clinical and economic outcomes of patients treated in first-line with sunitinib versus pazopanib.

Lipocalin-2 is a pathogenic determinant and biomarker of neuropsychiatric lupus.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in lupus (NPSLE) affect ∼20-40% of patients. In the central nervous system, lipocalin-2 (LCN2) can promote injury through mechanisms directly linked to NPSLE, including brain barrier disruption, neurotoxicity, and glial activation. Since LCN2 is elevated in lupus and has been implicated in neuroinflammation, we investigated whether LCN2 is required for the pathogenesis of NPSLE.

Treatment of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis using hemiarthroplasty with a synthetic cartilage implant or arthrodesis: A comparison of operative and recovery time.

Background: First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ1) hemiarthroplasty using a novel synthetic cartilage implant was as effective and safe as MTPJ1 arthrodesis in a randomized clinical trial. We retrospectively evaluated operative time and recovery period for implant hemiarthroplasty (n=152) and MTPJ1 arthrodesis (n=50).

Methods: Perioperative data were assessed for operative and anaesthesia times.

Nitrated nucleosome levels and neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus; a multi-center retrospective case-control study.

Background: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) there is no serological test that will reliably distinguish neuropsychiatric (NP) events due to active SLE from those due to other causes. Previously we showed that serum levels of nitrated nucleosomes (NN) were elevated in a small number of patients with NPSLE. Here we measured serum NN in samples from a larger population of patients with SLE and NP events to see whether elevated serum NN could be a marker for NPSLE.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity are known cardiovascular risk factors, we compared habitual activity between SLE patients, RA patients, and healthy control participants.

Patients And Methods: For this cross-sectional study, RA and SLE patients were recruited from rheumatology clinics at an academic medical center from April 2013 to December 2014.

Correlation of Hallux Rigidus Grade With Motion, VAS Pain, Intraoperative Cartilage Loss, and Treatment Success for First MTP Joint Arthrodesis and Synthetic Cartilage Implant.

Background: Grading systems are used to assess severity of any condition and as an aid in guiding treatment. This study examined the relationship of baseline motion, pain, and observed intraoperative cartilage loss with hallux rigidus grade.

Methods: A prospective, randomized study examining outcomes of arthrodesis compared to synthetic cartilage implant was performed.

Association Between Patient Factors and Outcome of Synthetic Cartilage Implant Hemiarthroplasty vs First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Advanced Hallux Rigidus.

Background: We evaluated data from a clinical trial of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ1) implant hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis to determine the association between patient factors and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients ≥18 years with hallux rigidus grade 2, 3, or 4 were treated with synthetic cartilage implant MTPJ1 hemiarthroplasty or arthrodesis. Pain visual analog scale (VAS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) sports and activities of daily living (ADL) scores, and Short Form-36 Physical Function (SF-36 PF) subscore were obtained preoperatively, and at 2, 6, 12, 24, 52, and 104 weeks postoperatively.

Validity of the Italian algorithm for the attribution of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective multicentre international diagnostic cohort study.

Objective: To validate the Italian algorithm of attribution of neuropsychiatric (NP) events to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an external international cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods: A retrospective cohort diagnostic accuracy design was followed. SLE patients attending three tertiary care lupus clinics, with one or more NP events, were included.

Using coronary calcification to exclude an ischemic etiology for cardiomyopathy: A validation study and systematic review.

Background: Preliminary data suggests the absence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) excludes ischemic etiologies of cardiomyopathy. We prospectively validate and perform a systematic review to determine the utility of an Agatston score=0 to exclude the diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Methods And Results: Patients with newly diagnosed LV dysfunction were prospectively enrolled.

Daratumumab monotherapy in patients with treatment-refractory multiple myeloma (SIRIUS): an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial.

Background: New treatment options are needed for patients with multiple myeloma that is refractory to proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs. We assessed daratumumab, a novel CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody, in patients with refractory multiple myeloma.

Methods: In this open-label, multicentre, phase 2 trial done in Canada, Spain, and the USA, patients (age ≥18 years) with multiple myeloma who were previously treated with at least three lines of therapy (including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs), or were refractory to both proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs, were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous daratumumab 8 mg/kg or 16 mg/kg in part 1 stage 1 of the study, to decide the dose for further assessment in part 2.

Systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease prevalence in Canada: updated analyses across 7 provinces.

Objective: To estimate systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) prevalence across 7 Canadian provinces using population-based administrative data evaluating both regional variations and the effects of age and sex.

Methods: Using provincial physician billing and hospitalization data, cases of SARD (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, primary Sjögren syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis) were ascertained. Three case definitions (rheumatology billing, 2-code physician billing, and hospital diagnosis) were combined to derive a SARD prevalence estimate for each province, categorized by age, sex, and rural/urban status.

Sustained efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% when used long-term (up to 26 weeks) to treat children with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting up to 20% of children. Here, we report the long-term extension study of previously published pivotal phase III studies with pimecrolimus cream 1%. Two identical, 26-week studies (6-week, double-blind, followed by 20-week, open-label phases) were conducted in children aged 2 to 17 years with atopic dermatitis.

Malignant hypertension due to renal artery stenosis after open partial nephrectomy in a solitary kidney.

Laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy is now routinely performed on small renal masses. Complications of clamping the renal artery during nephron-sparing surgery can include atheroembolic events and dissection of the renal artery. We report a case involving renal artery stenosis after open partial nephrectomy on a solitary kidney.

Sustained remission of lupus nephritis.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who attain a sustained remission (SR) and identify predictors of SR. A retrospective study of patients with biopsy-proven LN were followed for up to 10 years. SR was defined as normal renal function, urine protein <0.