Comparable Efficacy of Abatacept Used as First-line or Second-line Biological Agent for Severe Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-related Uveitis.

Objective: Abatacept (ABA) has recently been proposed as second-line treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF) agents, but little is known about its efficacy as a first-line approach. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of ABA as a first-line biological agent (ABA-1) with that of ABA as a second-line treatment after 1 or more anti-TNF agents (ABA-2), in patients with severe JIA-related uveitis.

Methods: In this multicenter study, we collected data on patients with severe JIA-related uveitis treated with ABA as a first-line or second-line biological agent.

2016 updated EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of gout.

Background: New drugs and new evidence concerning the use of established treatments have become available since the publication of the first European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of gout, in 2006. This situation has prompted a systematic review and update of the 2006 recommendations.

Methods: The EULAR task force consisted of 15 rheumatologists, 1 radiologist, 2 general practitioners, 1 research fellow, 2 patients and 3 experts in epidemiology/methodology from 12 European countries.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome: a series of 136 patients from the Eurofever Registry.

Objective: To evaluate genetic, demographic and clinical features in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) from the Eurofever Registry, with a focus on genotype-phenotype correlations and predictive disease severity markers.

Methods: A web-based registry retrospectively collected data on patients with CAPS. Experts in the disease independently validated all cases.

Spinal inflammation lesions as detected by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with early ankylosing spondylitis are more often observed in posterior structures of the spine.

Objective: To study the localization and extent of spinal inflammation in patients with AS in detail.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used standardized clinical tools and MRI, including T1 and T2 fat saturation sequences in both sagittal and axial planes. A simple method of analysis of MRI changes was performed using the principle of 'yes/no' to calculate the changes in vertebral body and posterior structures of spine, including costovertebral and costotransversal joints.

The Russian version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ).

We report herein the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the Russian language of the parent's version of two health related quality of life instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific health instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well-being of children independently from the underlying disease.

"Cross-sectional" study of low back pain among workers at an industrial enterprise in Russia.

Study Design: A representative sample of 18- to 65-year-old workers from a machine-building factory was studied using a standardized questionnaire.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of low back pain syndrome among workers at an industrial enterprise and to estimate the association between low back pain syndrome and certain factors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 800 workers (400 men and 400 women), who were invited to participate in the study.

Prevalence of spondyloarthropathies and HLA-B27 in the native population of Chukotka, Russia.

Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence and nature of spondyloarthropathies (SPA) and the prevalence of HLA-B27 in the native selected circumpolar population of Chukotka, Russia.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study that included medical examinations and interviews of 355 of 498 (71.3%) native residents of 2 Eastern Chukotka settlements, Enmelen and Nunligran.

Serum viscosity is a sensitive test for monitoring primary Sjögren syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is characterized by chronic inflammation, resulting in secondary changes in serum protein content. In an attempt to evaluate disease activity we have measured serum viscosity (SV) in 41 patients with pSS and compared SV with laboratory findings such as: total proteins, gamma-globulin concentrations, titre of rheumatoid factor (RF) and level of circulating immune complexes. SV was found to correlate with these laboratory parameters.