How face masks influence the sinonasal quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To study different mask types' impact on a sinonasal quality of life.

Methods: For this observational cross-sectional study, a web-based survey was distributed via social media forums. We used the validated Hebrew version of the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 followed by a questionnaire developed specifically for the present study, focusing on the time of the COVID-19 pandemic (Mask Sinonasal Outcome Test), and questions regarding general health issues.

Sjögren's Syndrome Associated with Chikungunya Infection: A Case Report.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is caused by an arbovirus prevalent in various parts of the world. The virus can induce autoantibodies and rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis. However, until now, no case of Sjögren syndrome (SS) was described associated with CHIKV.

Combined immunodeficiency (CVID and CD4 lymphopenia) is associated with a high risk of malignancy among adults with primary immune deficiency.

Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by recurrent infections, autoimmunity, increased lymphoproliferative disorders and other malignancies. PID is classified into cellular or humoral disorders or a combination of both. We evaluated the clinical differences among adult patients with three variants of PID: common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia (ICL) and combined immunodeficiency (CID).

Real-world effectiveness of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: Tofacitinib is an approved treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but data on its use in the "real-world" are limited. We sought to analyse tofacitinib drug survival in the Israeli registry and compare it to other biologic agents.

Methods: We included RA patients treated with tofacitinib, etanercept, golimumab, tocilizumab, or abatacept between 2010-2019.

Secukinumab real world drug retention compared to TNF-alpha inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To prospectively study real-world efficacy and safety of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients from the Israeli registry of inflammatory diseases.

Methods: PsA patients fulfilling the CASPAR criteria were included in the analysis from 2010 to 2019. The primary endpoint was secukinumab drug retention compared to other TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi).

Aneurysms in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: a case-based review.

To perform a review on patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who developed an aneurysm. A review of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO dating from 1966 to October 2020 was conducted using the following search words: "Antiphospholipid syndrome" and "aneurysm." No language limitation was applied.

Sjögren's Syndrome Associated With Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Case-Based Review.

Objective: To review all published cases of the rare association between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The authors report an additional case of this unique association.

Methods: Systematic review of the literature and a case report.

Dysthyroidism in dermato/polymyositis patients: A case-control study.

Background: Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are two rare autoimmune disorders occasionally described with dysthyroidism; however, no solid evidence still proves such an association.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of dysthyroidism among DM/PM patients.

Design And Setting: A nation-wide case-control study was conducted.

Pediatric catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome patient evolving to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: We aim to describe a rare case of a young patient with a catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (cAPS) who evolved to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methodology: Case report description.

Case Report: A 15 years old girl came to the emergency department with acute peritonitis secondary to ischemic perforation of the sigmoid.

"APS pregnancy - The offspring".

Background: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that affects women in childbearing age. In recent years, great improvements were achieved in the management of pregnancies in these women. Prematurity could be an issue in these pregnancies, mainly due to the direct pathogenic effect of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) on the placental surface.

Systemic sclerosis is an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, especially in patients carrying certain antiphospholipid antibodies: A large cross-sectional study.

Background: A higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) was reported. However, contrasting findings were published concerning the role of SSc-related autoantibodies in IHD risk which remains controversial. The current study explored the link between SSc and IHD, impact of putative links on SSc mortality and the role of SSc-related and antiphospholipid autoantibodies in disease associated IHD.

Social determinants, ethical issues and future challenge of tuberculosis in a pluralistic society: the example of Israel.

Tuberculosis is a very serious respiratory infectious disease, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which generates a relevant societal and clinical burden. It has always represented a permanent concern and a public health challenge over the course of human history, because of its severe epidemiological, and economic-financial implications. The present review aims at over-viewing the impact of tuberculosis on the Israeli healthcare system, its temporal trend and evolution, stratified according to ethnicities and minorities, the need of establishing new facilities and implementing screening techniques, public health strategies and diagnostic tests, following massive immigration waves from countries characterized by a high incidence rate of tuberculosis during the fifties-sixties until the nineties, and the policies implemented by the Israeli government in the control, management and treatment of tuberculosis, as well as the role played by Israeli prominent scientists in discovering new druggable targets and finding bioactive compounds and bio-molecules in the fight against tuberculosis.

Low Vitamin D Levels Predict Mortality in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D deficiency on all-cause mortality in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and in the general population. This is a retrospective-cohort study based on the electronic database of the largest health-maintenance organization in Israel. AS patients who were first diagnosed between 2002-2007 were included.

Anti-MDA5 Positive Dermatomyositis Associated with Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease and Correlation between Serum Ferritin Level and Treatment Response.

Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis is an uncommon autoimmune disorder in the Middle East. The clinical picture of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis is characterized mainly by pulmonary and dermatological manifestations. Occasionally muscle symptoms are observed as well.

Normal human enthesis harbours conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with regulatory features and inducible IL-17A and TNF expression.

Background: The human enthesis conventional T cells are poorly characterised.

Objectives: To study the biology of the conventional T cells in human enthesis.

Methods: CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were investigated in 25 enthesis samples using immunofluorescence, cytometrically, bulk RNAseq and quantitative real-time PCR following anti-CD3/CD28 bead stimulation to determine interleukin (IL)-17A and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels.

In utero exposure to Azathioprine in autoimmune disease. Where do we stand?

Azathioprine (AZA), an oral immunosuppressant, is safe during pregnancy. Some reports suggested different impairments in the offspring of mothers with autoimmune diseases (AI) exposed in utero to AZA. These observations are available from retrospective studies or case reports.

Glaucoma is an autoimmune disease.

Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor however, mechanisms independent of IOP play a role in RGC pathology. Both antibodies and CD4 T-cells as well as microbiota take part in the pathogenesis of both glaucoma and rheumatoid arteritis (RA).

Adherence to metformin and the onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based cohort study.

: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine whether adherence to metformin treatment may be associated with lower onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).: Using the computerized databases of a 2.3-million state-mandated health services organization in Israel, we identified incident RA cases among a cohort of 113 749 adult patients who initiated metformin therapy between 1998 and 2014.

Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases.

Chronic pain is a common complaint among patients, and rheumatic diseases are a common cause for chronic pain. Current pharmacological interventions for chronic pain are not always useful or safe enough for long-term use. Cannabis and cannabinoids are currently being studied due to their potential as analgesics.

Mortality among Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis: A Large-scale Population-based Cohort Study.

Objective: Studies regarding mortality among patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) have yielded conflicting results. Thus in this large population-based study we aimed to examine whether GCA is associated with increased mortality, and if so, the effect of age at diagnosis and sex on the association.

Methods: We used the medical database of Clalit Health Services for this retrospective cohort study.

Infertility in women with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Infertility consists by definition in" failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse" while the term subfertility means a delay to achieve pregnancy. Several factors can contribute to infertility or subfertility in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. The association of systemic autoimmune conditions with endometriosis, celiac disease and thyroid autoimmunity that are well known causes of infertility and/or subfertility need to be taken in consideration when difficulties in the onset of pregnancy is reported.

The innate immune perspective of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions.

Innate immunity is one of two immune defence system arms. It is present at birth and does not require 'learning' through exposure to foreign organisms. It activates various mechanisms collectively to eliminate pathogens and hold an infection until the adaptive response are mounted.

Autoimmune diseases and pregnancy.

Pregnancy in autoimmune diseases remains an argument of debate. In last years great improvements were done and with the correct medical support women with disease such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Antiphospholipid Syndrome can afford a pregnancy and have healthy babies. The starting point is a good counselling.