Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jul 2020
Observational StudyPhysician Prescribing Patterns and Risk of Future Long-Term Opioid Use Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
To identify the extent to which opioid prescribing rates for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary in the US and to determine the implications of baseline opioid prescribing rates on the probability of future long-term opioid use. ⋯ Rates of opioid prescriptions vary widely. Our findings indicate that baseline opioid prescribing rates are a strong predictor of whether a patient will become a long-term opioid user in the future, after controlling for patient characteristics.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jan 2020
Dipeptidylpeptidase 4 as a Marker of Activated Fibroblasts and a Potential Target for the Treatment of Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis.
Expression of dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP-4) identifies a dermal fibroblast lineage involved in scarring during wound healing. The role of DDP-4 in tissue fibrosis is, however, unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate DPP-4 as a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ DPP-4 characterizes a population of activated fibroblasts and shows that DPP-4 regulates TGFβ-induced fibroblast activation in the fibrotic skin of SSc patients. Inhibition of DPP4 exerts potent antifibrotic effects when administered in well-tolerated doses. As DPP4 inhibitors are already in clinical use for diabetes, these results may have direct translational implications for the treatment of fibrosis in patients with SSc.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Dec 2019
Progression of Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: The Importance of Pneumoproteins Krebs von den Lungen 6 and CCL18.
To investigate the relationship between Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) and CCL18 levels and the severity and progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). ⋯ In a rigorously conducted clinical trial for SSc-related ILD, KL-6 and CCL18 levels correlated with ILD severity and declined with immunosuppression. Patients with higher baseline KL-6 and CCL18 levels were more likely to experience disease progression despite treatment. KL-6 and CCL18 levels could be used to identify patients with a progressive ILD phenotype who may benefit from a more aggressive initial treatment approach.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Dec 2019
Multicenter Study Observational StudyComparative Study of Infliximab Versus Adalimumab in Refractory Uveitis due to Behçet's Disease: National Multicenter Study of 177 Cases.
To compare the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) versus adalimumab (ADA) as a first-line biologic drug over 1 year of treatment in a large series of patients with refractory uveitis due to Behçet's disease (BD). ⋯ Although both IFX and ADA are efficacious in refractory BD-related uveitis, ADA appears to be associated with better outcomes than IFX after 1 year of follow-up.