Simple screening tools predict death and cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatic disease.

Objectives: Patients with rheumatic disease (RD) have an increased mortality risk compared with the general population, mainly due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to identify patients at high risk of CVD and mortality by comparing three screening tools suitable for clinical practice.

Method: In this prospective, single-centre study, consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic autoimmune disease (SAI), or spondyloarthritides (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis underwent a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment.

Changes in the activation level of NF-kappa B in lymphocytes of MS patients during glucocorticoid pulse therapy.

Nuclear factor-kappaB activity was analyzed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during the course of a methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Molecular effects were evaluated using lymphocytes derived from 20 MS patients before and after therapy and 24 healthy individuals. All patients responded to treatment clinically.

No effects of adalimumab therapy on the activation of NF-kappaB in lymphocytes from patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to determine the activation level of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) in lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and during an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) therapy (adalimumab). In addition, we analyzed the inflammatory markers, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and investigated the expression of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) autoantibodies in patients' sera. Twenty RA patients and 20 control subjects were investigated.

An evaluation of anti-TNF-alpha-therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: imbalanced activation of NF kappa B subunits in lymphocytes and modulation of serum cortisol concentration.

The aim of this study was to analyse patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) during the course of infliximab therapy. The molecular effects were evaluated using lymphocytes and sera that were isolated before therapy began, then again after 2 and 12 weeks from 17 AS patients and compared to those of 24 healthy control individuals. All 17 AS patients responded to treatment with infliximab as assessed using BASDAI.

Transcription factors in autoimmune diseases.

The analysis of the molecular basis of autoimmune diseases is currently under intense investigation. The identification of novel mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these diseases generates the possibility for the development of new therapeutic agents. In this review we summarize the results leading to novel insights concerning the molecular processes involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematodes, multiple sclerosis and diabetes type 1.

Molecular aspects of glucocorticoid hormone action in rheumatoid arthritis.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, endogenous GC are involved in numerous physiological processes. Most of their effects are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) via activation or repression of gene expression.

Fifty years of experience with cortisone therapy in the study and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

In 1948 the U.S. rheumatologist Phillip S.