Clin Exp Rheumatol
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Large-vessel vasculitides comprise giant cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis. In both conditions, early changes consist of transmural inflammation of the arterial wall, while later complications include lumen changes, such as stenoses or aneurysms. Colour Doppler sonography has the ability to depict the arterial wall as well as the lumen, and is therefore ideally suited both to diagnose early vasculitis and to monitor patients over time. In this review article, we addressed the following issues: 1) the role of colour Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of large-vessel vasculitis and its common pitfalls; 2) whether colour Doppler sonography can increase the yield of temporal artery biopsy in giant cell arteritis; 3) the role of colour Doppler sonography in monitoring patients with LVV over time; and 4) how colour Doppler sonography performs compared to other imaging techniques.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the Emilia Romagna region: a prospective population-based study.
To perform a population-based study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatments. ⋯ Our results are in line with already published papers from British and Swedish Registries: a greater likelihood to have a good response is demonstrated for not longstanding RA starting cDMARDs or RA with HDA when a bDMARD is started. Also a good safety profile is demonstrated.
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Comparative Study
Neutrophil extracellular traps formation in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: association with eosinophilic inflammation.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is associated with an inflammation and the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Thus, we investigated the impact of ANCAs and eosinophilic inflammation on neutrophil activation and extracellular traps (NETs) formation. ⋯ EGPA patients' serum has the ability to induce NETosis with no regard to the ANCA status in contrast to other vasculitides, where p-ANCA were considered as the main factor. Interestingly, NETs formation in EGPA patients connected with the number of eosinophils might be of major relevance. Further studies are required to assess which eosinophil-derived factors might be responsible for the neutrophils activation in EGPA patients.
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We investigated whether specified organ involvements, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity, Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) and five factor scores (FFS) at diagnosis could predict relapse of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). ⋯ Chest and renal involvements, BVAS ≥13.5 and FFS ≥1 at diagnosis were independent predictors of relapse of MPA.
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To date, no specific serum marker for giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica has been established in routine practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether immunoglobulin G4 serum concentrations could be a potential biomarker for the differentiation of both diseases. ⋯ In giant cell arteritis serum levels of IgG4 usually are within the normal range. In polymyalgia rheumatica however, increased IgG4 serum levels are frequently found. Normal IgG4 serum levels in polymyalgia rheumatica may have predictive value in identifying patients with additional, clinically non-apparent giant cell arteritis.