Rheumatology
-
To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (Rtx) treatment in patients with anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) and severe interstitial lung disease (ILD). ⋯ This study, which included 24 Rtx-treated ASS patients with severe ILD, reports improved PFTs after a median 52 months follow-up post-Rtx. The best outcome was observed in patients with a disease duration <12 months and/or acute onset/exacerbation of ILD. The study indicates that Rtx could be a treatment option for selected ASS patients, but infections should be given attention.
-
Multicenter Study
Responsiveness of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and the Lupus Quality of Life questionnaire in SLE.
This study aimed to estimate the responsiveness to change of a generic [the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)] and a specific health-related quality of life questionnaire [the Lupus Quality if Life questionnaire (LupusQoL)] according to SLE patients' self-reported changes in health status. ⋯ Both the SF-36 and LupusQoL were responsive to changes in QoL in SLE patients over a 3 month interval. LupusQoL seems to be more appropriate to measure improvements in QoL.