International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Multicenter Study
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus based on a CSTAR-PAH study: Baseline characteristics and risk factors.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and devastating complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We sought to describe the baseline characteristics of right heart catheterization (RHC)-confirmed SLE-associated PAH and identify risk factors for PAH in SLE patients. ⋯ Overall, we recommend performing early screening using TTE in SLE patients with serositis, anti-RNP antibodies, or a DLCO/%Pred <70%, even for patients in a relatively stable condition according to SLE disease activity index.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Combination of ultrasound power Doppler-verified synovitis and seropositivity accurately identifies patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis.
We conducted this retrospective study to identify objective and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that are based on ultrasound (US) and serologic findings. ⋯ The combination of a PD assessment or the cPD score with the measurement of autoantibodies of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies can accurately identify patients with early-stage RA.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
Two-year persistence of golimumab as second-line biologic agent in rheumatoid arthritis as compared to other subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: real-life data from the LORHEN registry.
To evaluate the 2-year retention rate of golimumab compared with etanercept and adalimumab as second-line biologic agent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who failed a previous tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi). ⋯ Our real-life data confirmed switching to a second TNFi as a good option for treating first-line TNFi failures in RA, especially in combination with sDMARDs. Second-line golimumab showed an overall better 2-year drug survival compared with adalimumab and etanercept.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Increased disease activity, severity and autoantibody positivity in rheumatoid arthritis patients with co-existent bronchiectasis.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and co-existent bronchiectasis (BRRA) have a five-fold increased mortality compared to rheumatoid arthritis alone. Yet previous studies have found no difference in clinical and serological markers of RA disease severity between BRRA patients and RA alone. However, RA disease activity measures such as Disease Activity Score of 28 joints - C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) have not been studied, so we assessed these parameters in patients with BRRA and RA alone. ⋯ Increased levels of RA disease activity, severity and RA autoantibodies are demonstrated in patients with RA and co-existent bronchiectasis compared to patients with RA alone, despite lower tobacco exposure. This study demonstrates that BRRA is a more severe systemic disease than RA alone.
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Review Multicenter Study
Cardiac tamponade and severe pericardial effusion in systemic sclerosis: report of nine patients and review of the literature.
To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) developing severe pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade. ⋯ Although cardiac tamponade or severe pericardial effusion is an infrequent complication in SSc patients, it can be the first manifestation of disease associated with the diffuse cutaneous subset. No specific treatment for this complication is known.