Exploring potential multiple molecular biomarkers that predict treatment response in patients with lupus nephritis.

Limited knowledge exists regarding biomarkers that predict treatment response in Lupus nephritis (LN). We aimed to identify potential molecular biomarkers to predict treatment response in patients with LN. We enrolled 66 patients with active LN who underwent renal biopsy upon enrollment.

Analysis of Longitudinal Lupus Data Using Multivariate t-Linear Models.

Analysis of healthcare utilization, such as hospitalization duration and medical costs, is crucial for policymakers and doctors in experimental and epidemiological investigations. Herein, we examine the healthcare utilization data of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The characteristics of the SLE data were measured over a 10-year period with outliers.

Wnt5a exacerbates pathological bone features and trabecular bone loss in curdlan-injected SKG mice via osteoclast activation.

Many studies on osteoblasts have suggested that Wnt5a plays a crucial role in excessive osteoblast activity, which is responsible for ectopic new bone formation, but research on osteoclasts in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains relatively limited. This study aimed to explore whether Wnt5a influences osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in curdlan-injected SKG mice, a model that mimics AS. Compared to the Vehicle group, the Wnt5a treatment group exhibited statistically higher clinical arthritis scores and increased hindpaw thickness values.

Association of Lupus Low Disease Activity State And Remission With Reduced Organ Damage And Flare in Systemic lupus erythematosus Patients With High Disease Activity.

Objective: High disease activity status (HDAS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. We examined the frequency of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) and remission (REM) attainment in HDAS patients and whether their attainment was associated with improved patient outcomes.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and outcomes data, collected prospectively from a multinational cohort between 2013 and 2020, were analysed.

Trajectories of disease severity and their clinical outcome in real-world patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterised by variability of disease activity patterns over time. This study aimed to investigate the trajectories of SLE disease severity patterns, identify clinical and demographic variables, and assess the association between trajectories of SLE disease severity and all-cause mortality.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of newly diagnosed patients with SLE was established using the Korean nationwide healthcare claims information database between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2016.

Information and communication technology-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A scoping review.

Objective: This review aimed to map the existing the information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases and identify key effectiveness factors and guidelines for professionals.

Methods: A scoping review systematically reviewed PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE and Web of Science. We designed search strategies to identify ICT-based patient education for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases focused on rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, published between January 2011 and October 2023.

Complement factor H-related protein 5 alleviates joint inflammation and osteoclast differentiation by disrupting RANK-JNK signaling in collagen antibody-induced arthritis mouse model.

Background: Complement Factor H-Related protein 5 (CFHR5) belongs to the factor H/CFHR family and regulates the complement system by modulating factor H's inhibitory activity against C3b. Despite its known role, the impact of CFHR5 on autoimmune arthritis and its relationship to pathophysiological changes in arthritis and bone loss remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of CFHR5 on aggressive osteoclast activity and arthritis using a murine model of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA).

Application of disease activity index in rheumatoid arthritis management in Korea.

Effective management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) necessitates the accurate measurement of disease activity using a treat-to-target strategy established as a cornerstone approach. Disease activity assessment tools such as the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index, Clinical Disease Activity Index, and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 have been internationally validated and recognised. In Korea, the government initiated a quality assessment program mandating routine measurement of DAS28 to ensure high-quality RA management.

Associations of upper respiratory mucosa microbiota with Rheumatoid arthritis, autoantibodies, and disease activity.

The lung is recognized as a site for initiating the formation of self-antigen and autoimmune responses in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the association of upper respiratory microbiota with RA, autoantibody production, and disease activity. Forty-six patients with RA and 17 controls were examined.

Risk factors of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: a single-centre prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the risk factors for mortality in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in comparison to patients with RA but without ILD (RA-nonILD).

Methods: Data were extracted from a single-centre prospective cohort of RA patients with a chest computed tomography scan at an academic referral hospital in Korea. Patients with RA-ILD enroled between May 2017 and August 2022 were selected, and those without ILD were selected as comparators.

Swimming exercise alleviates pathological bone features in curdlan-injected SKG mice by inducing irisin expression.

This study assessed the therapeutic potential of swimming exercise in the curdlan-injected SKG mouse model and investigated the modulatory effects of irisin on inflammation. Curdlan-injected SKG were randomly assigned to either a home-cage group or a swimming group for 6 weeks. Changes in clinical arthritis scores and ankle thickness were measured weekly.

Association of sustained lupus low disease activity state with improved outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: a multinational prospective cohort study.

Background: Validation of protective associations of the lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) against flare, irreversible damage, health-related quality of life, and mortality has enabled the adoption of treat-to-target strategies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Previous validation studies were of short duration, limiting the ability to detect longer term signals in flare rate and irreversible damage. In addition, previous studies have focused on percent time at target, rather than actual periods of time that are more useful in clinical practice and trials.

HIF-1α and MIF enhance neutrophil-driven type 3 immunity and chondrogenesis in a murine spondyloarthritis model.

The hallmarks of spondyloarthritis (SpA) are type 3 immunity-driven inflammation and new bone formation (NBF). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was found to be a key driver of the pathogenesis of SpA by amplifying type 3 immunity, yet MIF-interacting molecules and networks remain elusive. Herein, we identified hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1A) as an interacting partner molecule of MIF that drives SpA pathologies, including inflammation and NBF.

Risk of disease flare in spondyloarthritis patients after tapering tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: A meta-analysis and literature review.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) have shown dramatic benefit in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Tapering of TNFi medication may be considered in patients with sustained low disease activity because continued use of TNFis at standard doses may increase the risk of side effects including infections and impose an economic burden. However, the optimal TNFi tapering strategy for SpA patients with inactive disease has not been established.

Effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng on fatigue in patients with rheumatic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in managing fatigue in Korean patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to KRG (2 g/day, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) groups for 12 weeks of blind phase and then open-label KRG from weeks 12 to 24 (placebo-KRG, continuous-KRG). The primary outcome was the improvement rate in fatigue, defined by an increase in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scores at 12 weeks.

Medication utilisation trends during pregnancy and factors influencing adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate medication utilisation trends during pregnancy and identify factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Female patients with RA aged 20-50 years were identified from the Korean national health insurance database between 2010 and 2020. Pregnancy episodes were divided into two groups according to pregnancy outcome: the delivery group and the APO group (abortion and stillbirth).

Association of HLA-DRB1 locus with treatment response to abatacept or TNF inhibitors in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

The strongest genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been known as HLA-DRB1 based on amino acid positions 11, 71, and 74. This study analyzed the association between specific HLA-DRB1 locus and treatment response to abatacept or TNF inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with seropositive RA. A total of 374 Korean RA patients were treated with abatacept (n = 110) or TNFi (n = 264).

The role of ixekizumab in the treatment of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is a subtype of SpA with undeveloped definite radiographic sacroiliitis. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors have demonstrated effectiveness in nr-axSpA patients who do not respond to first-line therapy. More recently, accumulated data from genetic, experimental, and clinical studies revealed that IL-17 is a key player in the pathogenesis of SpA, leading to development of new biologics directly inhibiting IL-17.

Polygenic risk score-based phenome-wide association study of head and neck cancer across two large biobanks.

Background: Numerous observational studies have highlighted associations of genetic predisposition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with diverse risk factors, but these findings are constrained by design limitations of observational studies. In this study, we utilized a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) approach, incorporating a polygenic risk score (PRS) derived from a wide array of genomic variants, to systematically investigate phenotypes associated with genetic predisposition to HNSCC. Furthermore, we validated our findings across heterogeneous cohorts, enhancing the robustness and generalizability of our results.