The periodontal inflamed surface area is associated with the clinical response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective study.

We evaluated whether the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), a measure of the inflammatory burden posed by periodontitis, is associated with the clinical response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We conducted a retrospective study that collected rheumatologic and periodontal data from 54 patients with RA who had received corticosteroid, conventional synthetic DMARDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before (baseline) and after 6 months of bDMARD therapy. After the patients were divided into two groups based on high or low PISA according to the median measurements at baseline, the rheumatologic condition was compared between the groups.

Impact of adding tacrolimus to initial treatment of interstitial pneumonitis in polymyositis/dermatomyositis: a single-arm clinical trial.

Objective: Interstitial pneumonia is common and has high short-term mortality in patients with PM and DM despite glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. Retrospective studies suggested that the early use of immunosuppressive drugs with GCs might improve its short-term mortality.

Methods: A multicentre, single-arm, 52-week-long clinical trial was performed to test whether the initial combination treatment with tacrolimus (0.

Does Abatacept Increase Postoperative Adverse Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared with Conventional Synthetic Disease-modifying Drugs?

Objective: To investigate whether abatacept (ABA) causes more adverse events (AE) than conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) after orthopedic surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A retrospective multicenter nested case-control study was performed in 18 institutions. Patients receiving ABA (ABA group) were matched individually with patients receiving csDMARD and/or steroids (control group).

Effects of tofacitinib on the clinical features of periodontitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: two case reports.

Background: The pathobiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is similar to that of periodontitis in that proinflammatory cytokines play an important pathologic role. There is evidence to suggest that inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor for the treatment of RA ameliorated periodontal inflammation. However, no study has evaluated the effect of tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of RA, on periodontitis.

Target setting for lower limb joint surgery using the Timed Up and Go test in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: This prospective observational cohort study aimed to set targets for lower limb joint surgery based on the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), an objective functional outcome measure, in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We validated TUG as an outcome measure of lower limb joint surgery and compared it with changes in patient-reported outcomes, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and European Quality of life scale with five dimensions (EQ-5D). Changes in these outcomes were compared by performed surgery and by achievement of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for EQ-5D using univariate analysis of variance.

Independent association of HLA-DPB1*02:01 with rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese populations.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized with joint destructions; environmental and genetic factors were thought to be involved in the etiology of RA. The production of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) is specifically associated with RA. DRB1 is associated with the susceptibility of RA, especially ACPA-positive RA [ACPA(+)RA].

An Analysis of the Biological Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug-free Condition of Adalimumab-treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Objectives The present study was performed with the aim of analyzing the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD)-free (Bio-free) condition of adalimumab (ADA)-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a real-world setting. Methods ADA was used in the treatment of 130 (male, n=21; female, n=109 females) RA patients. Among them, 26 patients (20.

Long-term patient reported outcomes of elbow, wrist and hand surgery for rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: A retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the long-term outcomes of elbow, wrist and hand surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred and thirteen RA patients underwent primary elective elbow, wrist or hand surgery at our hospital between January 2002 and December 2003. To evaluate the outcomes at 10 years after surgery, the patient-reported outcomes were assessed using an original questionnaire that inquired about the site of treatment; the modified Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) was also used.

Systematic review and meta-analysis for 2017 clinical practice guidelines of the Japan research committee of the ministry of health, labour, and welfare for intractable vasculitis for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Objectives: To provide evidence for the revision of clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) by the Japan Research Committee for Intractable Vasculitis.

Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society were searched for articles published between January 1994 and January 2015 to conduct systematic review (SR), and the quality of evidence was assessed with GRADE approach.

Results: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two non-RCTs were adopted for remission induction therapy, three RCTs and two non-RCTs for plasma exchange, and five RCTs and one non-RCT for remission maintenance therapy.

[The treatment of patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis at Niigata Rheumatic Center].

Aim: To investigate the clinical course of patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We compared the characteristics, and clinical course of 55 patients who developed RA at over 80 years of age (elderly-onset [EO] group) with 119 patients who developed RA at 40-59 years of age (non-elderly onset [non-EO] group). We also investigated the characteristics and clinical course of 19 patients who developed RA at over 80 and who received biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

The Efficacy of Minodronate in the Treatment of Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of minodronate in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Methods The study population included patients in whom the administration of minodronate (50 mg, once every 4 weeks) had been newly started for the treatment of GIO in Niigata Rheumatic Center from 2012 to 2015. Patients who were bisphosphonate-naïve and those who switched from other bisphosphonates were classified into the naïve and switch groups, respectively.

Overall benefits provided by orthopedic surgical intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To clarify systemic effects of orthopedic surgical intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was performed in RA patients who were scheduled to have primary elective orthopedic surgeries. Assessments were performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after surgery using J-HAQ, General Health, EQ-5D, BDI-II, DAS28-CRP(4) and CRP for all registered patients, DASH and grip power for patients with upper-extremity surgeries, TUG for patients with lower-extremity surgeries, and JSSF for patients with ankle and forefoot surgeries.

The KCNQ1 gene polymorphism as a shared genetic risk for rheumatoid arthritis and chronic periodontitis in Japanese adults: A pilot case-control study.

Background: A number of studies have suggested a bidirectional relationship of periodontitis with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the genetic factors that underlie these relationships have not been elucidated.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter case-control study that included 185 patients with RA and chronic periodontitis (CP), 149 patients with T2DM and CP, 251 patients with CP, and 130 systemically and periodontally healthy controls from a cohort of Japanese adults to assess the shared genetic risk factors for RA and CP as well as for T2DM and CP.

Risk Factors for Relapse of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis in Japan: A Nationwide, Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim was to elucidate the prognosis and risk factors associated with relapse during longterm remission maintenance therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed AAV (n = 156) were registered in the Remission Induction Therapy in Japanese patients with ANCA-associated Vasculitides (RemIT-JAV) study, and among them, 83 patients who achieved remission were enrolled and followed up for 24 additional months in our nationwide, prospective cohort study (Co-RemIT-JAV; registration number UMIN 000006373). Patterns of maintenance therapy, effectiveness, and safety were evaluated from months 25 to 48 after the RemIT-JAV.

Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty Using Flexible Hinge Toe Implant with Grommets for Boutonnière Deformity of Rheumatoid Thumb.

Background: MP joint arthroplasty is one of the treatment options for the rheumatoid thumb with boutonniere deformity. The use of flexible hinge toe implant for MP joint reconstruction was introduced; however, the outcome of flexible toe implantation for the reconstruction of the MP joint has not as yet been reported in detail. Therefore, in this study, we retrospectively investigated the clinical outcome and radiological findings.

Circulating levels of carbamylated protein and neutrophil extracellular traps are associated with periodontitis severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot case-control study.

Objectives: An interrelationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis has been suggested due to their common pathogenic mechanisms. Protein carbamylation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation have been shown to be related to autoimmune conditions, including RA, but their association with periodontitis has not been elucidated. Therefore, we assessed whether or not circulating levels of carbamylated protein (CarP) and NETs are associated with periodontitis severity and influenced by periodontal treatment.

Comparison of clinical and laboratory features of patients with and without allergic conditions in IgG4-related disease: A single-center experience in Japan.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the clinical and laboratory features of Japanese patients with IgG4-related disease, with and without allergic conditions.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the clinical and laboratory features and clinical courses of 51 patients with definitively diagnosed IgG4-RD, collected from Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital between January 2004 and August 2017, with reference to the presence of allergic conditions.

Results: Among these patients, 43% had allergic conditions.

An Analysis of the Neuropathic Pain Components in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Objective To analyze the neuropathic pain (NeP) components in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) was completed by 300 RA patients (79 men, 221 women). Results Nine patients (3.

Validation and reliability of the Timed Up and Go test for measuring objective functional impairment in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to validate the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) for measuring objective functional impairment in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on a prospective observational cohort of RA patients undergoing joint surgery.

Methods: We collected data on demographics, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and associations between TUG and HAQ-DI and other patient-reported outcomes, including European Quality of life scale (EQ-5D) were determined. Cut-off values of TUG for HAQ remission (HAQ-DI ≤0.

Efficacy and safety of infliximab: A comparison with other biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Objectives: The intensification of infliximab (IFX) treatment, involving escalation of the dose and shortening of interval, was approved in Japan in July 2009. We consider IFX intensification therapy to be preferable for patients with treatment-resistant active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We retrospectively compared the efficacy of IFX with that of other bDMARDs in methotrexate (MTX)-resistant patients.

Effects of HLA-DRB1 alleles on susceptibility and clinical manifestations in Japanese patients with adult onset Still's disease.

Background: HLA-DRB1 alleles are major determinants of genetic predisposition to rheumatic diseases. We assessed whether DRB1 alleles are associated with susceptibility to particular clinical features of adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) in a Japanese population by determining the DRB1 allele distributions.

Methods: DRB1 genotyping of 96 patients with AOSD and 1,026 healthy controls was performed.

Characteristics of functional impairment in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis based on range of motion of joints: Baseline data from a multicenter prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of joint surgery in the treat-to-target era.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of functional impairment in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on the range of motion (ROM) of joints in a prospective observational study of RA patients undergoing joint surgery.

Methods: We collected data on demographics, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the ROM of large joints including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Associations between the ROM of each joint and disability in the eight HAQ-DI categories were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression analyses.

Activation of MMP-9 activity by acrolein in saliva from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and its mechanism.

We have recently reported that the altered recognition patterns of immunoglobulins due to acrolein conjugation are at least partially responsible for autoimmune diseases in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). In the current study, it was found that the specific activity (activity/ng protein) of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in saliva was elevated about 2.4-fold in pSS patients.

The latest treatment strategy for the rheumatoid hand deformity.

With a remarkable improvement in the pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), severely handicapped patients are very rare to see. Healing, repair and drug-free, and toward radical cure are coming to be possible. In the clinical practice, more than 50% of the patients are in remission.