Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Sep 2019
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Predicting Incident Clinically Apparent Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.
To evaluate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and risk of RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). ⋯ Active articular RA was associated with an increased risk of developing RA-ILD. These results suggest that decreasing systemic inflammation may alter the natural history of RA-ILD development.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Aug 2019
Diagnostic Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography of the Head, Neck, and Chest for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Cross-Sectional Study.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has not been well studied as a first-line test for giant cell arteritis (GCA), due, in part, to historical limitations in visualizing the cranial arteries. The Giant Cell Arteritis and PET Scan (GAPS) study was therefore carried out to assess the accuracy of a newer generation PET/CT of the head, neck, and chest for determining a diagnosis of GCA. ⋯ The high diagnostic accuracy of this PET/CT protocol would support its use as a first-line test for GCA. The NPV of 98% indicates the particular utility of this test in ruling out the condition in patients considered to be at lower risk of GCA. PET/CT had benefit over TAB in detecting vasculitis mimics and aortitis.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jul 2019
Peripheral and Central Sensitization of Pain in Individuals With Hand Osteoarthritis and Associations With Self-Reported Pain Severity.
Pain sensitization, an important osteoarthritis (OA) pain mechanism, has not been substantially investigated in patients with hand OA. It is unknown how peripheral and central sensitization are related to self-reported hand pain. ⋯ Central sensitization was common in patients with hand OA. Lower local and widespread PPTs and the presence of TS were associated with higher hand pain intensity, even after adjustment for demographics, psychosocial factors, and radiographic severity. Sensitization may therefore represent a possible treatment target.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jun 2019
Performance of Candidate Serum Biomarkers for Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) runs a highly variable course, and prediction tools are highly desired. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic performance of 4 candidate serum biomarkers for SSc-associated ILD. ⋯ These results show that SP-D is a relevant diagnostic biomarker for SSc-associated ILD, whereas KL-6 could be used to assess the severity of lung fibrosis. CCL18 appears to be a potential predictive marker for progression of ILD in SSc.
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Arthritis Rheumatol · Jun 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and Safety of Belimumab and Azathioprine for Maintenance of Remission in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Randomized Controlled Study.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of belimumab as adjunctive therapy to maintain remission in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). ⋯ Belimumab plus azathioprine and glucocorticoids for the maintenance of remission in AAV did not reduce the risk of relapse.