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Background/aim: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) are specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis. However, they could be positive in other diseases and even in healthy populations. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of positive RF and anti-CCP antibodies in persons admitted to hospital for any reason and on a national scale. Materials and methods: The National Electronic Health Database, which contains the clinical records of over 80 million people, was used to design this multicenter, retrospective cohort study. The subjects included in the study were divided into age groups according to 10-year periods. RA cases were identified using ICD-10 codes that included M05, M06, M08, and their subgroups. RF and anti-CCP positivity were evaluated in terms of their contribution to the risk of being diagnosed with RA, with the change according to age and sex. Results: During the 1.1.2018-31.12.2021 period, 13,918,072 RF tests were performed in 11,849,440 people, whereas 1,183,607 anti-CCP tests were performed in 1,020,967 people. Moreover, 797,089 people had both tests performed at least once. The RF positivity rate in patients who only requested RF tests was 14.72% and it was 35.04% for anti-CCP positivity in those who only requested anti-CCP tests. The rate of concomitant RF and anti-CCP positivity was 22.56%. An RA diagnosis was made in 27.8% of RF-positive people, 39.73% of anti-CCP-positive people, and 56.6% of co-RF and anti-CCP-positive people. RF positivity and concomitant RF and anti-CCP positivity increased with age and were more common in females. Conclusion: RF and anti-CCP positivity may be seen in a healthy population with female predominance. As age increases, the risk of RF positivity rises, but anti-CCP positivity does not change. Concomitant RF and anti-CCP positivity shows the highest risk of RA development with respect to either antibody positivity alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Craniocervical junction (CCJ) can be involved in inflammatory arthritis. We aimed to define types of CCJ involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and compare them with patients without inflammatory arthritides. Materials and methods: In this retrospective analysis, cervical CT or MRIs of patients with RA, SpA, or PsA, taken for any reason between 2010 and 2020, according to ICD-10 codes, were scanned. Demographic data of the patients were recorded. CCJ involvements (atlantoaxial, vertical, or subaxial subluxation, odontoid process involvement) were reevaluated by an experienced radiologist. The control group consisted of consecutive patients without inflammatory arthritis. Results: Exactly 459 patients (204 RA, 200 SpA, and 55 PsA) and 78 patients in the control group were included in the study. CCJ involvement was detected in 101 (49.5%) RA, 53 (26.5%) SpA, 10 (18.2%) PsA, and 4 patients (5.1%) in the control group (p < 0.001). The odontoid process was one of the main targets, especially in RA patients (69 (33.8%)), which was significantly higher than in the SpA, PsA, and control groups. Although vertical subluxation (VS) was numerically higher in the RA and SpA groups compared to the control group, VS-related brainstem compression was relatively uncommon: 6 (2.9%) in RA, 1 (0.5%) in AS, and none in the PsA and control groups. Conclusion: CCJ involvement can often be detected in patients with inflammatory arthritis, especially in RA and SpA patients. The odontoid process is the main target of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: The objectives were to define the distribution of rheumatic diseases in patients with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥ 100 mm/h and to find variables that can differentiate main study groups from others. Materials and methods: Charts of patients admitted with ESR ≥ 100 mm/h between 2015 and 2020 were reviewed. Patients were divided into four diagnostic groups based on etiology: infection (without a rheumatic diagnosis), oncologic (without a rheumatic diagnosis), rheumatic, and no definitive diagnosis. Patients with the rheumatic diagnosis were divided into three main study groups: those who had been recently diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, those who had a flare-up of the rheumatic disease, and those who had an infection in the course of the rheumatic disease. Appropriate statistical tests and decision-tree analysis by R and ROC curve were applied. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2442 patients (311 (12.7%) with rheumatic disorders) were identified. Eighty-six (27.7%) patients had newly diagnosed rheumatic disease (41; 47.7% with vasculitis); 111 (35.7%) had rheumatic disease flare-up (92; 82.9% with inflammatory arthritis); and 114 (36.6%) had coexisting infection (61; 53.5% inflammatory arthritis). Irrespective of the study group, the most commonly encountered diseases were rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Serum albumin levels (2.78 mg/dL) and platelet count (290/mm6) were valuable to discriminate disease flare-up and coexisting infection; moreover, high ferritin levels were accounted for adult-onset Still disease among patients with newly diagnosed rheumatic diseases. Conclusion: Extremely high ESR is still a valuable clinical parameter, and rheumatic causes are significant besides malignancy and infections. Albumin, thrombocyte count, and ferritin are other tests that clinicians should consider when caring for a patient with ESR ≥ 100 mm/h who has rheumatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: To explore the frequency and clinical associations of radiologic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Materials and methods: In this single-center retrospective study, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of 105 patients with SSc-ILD were examined for the presence of PPFE. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pulmonary function test (PFT) data of patients with and without PPFE were compared. Results: PPFE was detected in 19 (18.1%) patients (‘definite PPFE’ in 13 and ‘consistent with PPFE’ in 6 patients). Patients with PPFE had higher age and longer disease duration than PPFE (-) patients (p < 0.05 for both). Radiologic usual interstitial pneumoniae (UIP) pattern was more frequent (26.3% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.01) and median force vital capacity (FVC) was lower in patients with PPFE (64% vs. 82%, p = 0.005). Spontaneous pneumothorax developed in one patient with PPFE. More deaths occured in PPFE (+) group during follow-up (31% vs. 11%, p = 0.04). Conclusion: PPFE on HRCT is not uncommon in SSc-ILD and is associated with radiologic UIP pattern and worse lung functions. Further studies are needed to elucidate the prognostic value of PPFE in SSc-ILD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Gout may cause various radiographic abnormalities such as cartilage loss, spurs, sclerosis, and periostal new bone formation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of Achilles and plantar spurs and related factors in gout patients. Matherial and methods: We performed a retrospective review of gout patients, treated at Hacettepe University hospitals between 2014 and 2019. We identified patients from the hospital records using the ICD-10 code (M10). Demographic and clinical features, comorbidities, and foot radiographies were collected. The radiographies were evaluated by a rheumatologist (U.K.) who was experienced in musculoskeletal radiography. Factors predicting the spurs were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: 181 patients who had lateral foot radiograph were included in this study. Eighty-one (44.7%) patients had score ≥ 2 Achilles spur, 81 (44.7%) patients had score ≥ 2 plantar spur, and 22 (12.1%) patients had no spur. Age, disease duration, duration between the gout diagnosis and appearing spur, the presence of metabolic comorbidities and hypertension were higher in both Achilles and plantar spurs than no spur group. Forty (22.1%) patients had score ≥ 2 both Achilles and plantar spur. In this group, the mean age was older and the proportion of metabolic comorbidities was higher than the groups of Achilles and plantar spur with a score 0 or 1. Predictor of the development of large or moderate-severe calcaneal spur was the existence of metabolic comorbidity [OR (95% CI): 3.49 (1.11–11.0) and p = 0.033]. Conclusion: The presence of metabolic comorbidities increases the frequency of calcaneal spurs in gout patients. This condition can be explained by the impaired microvascular structure and increased hypoxia resulting in calcification on the tendon and ligament insertion sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: To evaluate treatment adherence and predictors of drug discontinuation among patients with inflammatory arthritis receiving bDMARDs within the first 100 days after the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: A total of 1871 patients recorded in TReasure registry for whom advanced therapy was prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA) within the 3 months (6–9 months for rituximab) before the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated, and 1394 (74.5%) responded to the phone survey. Patients’ data regarding demographic, clinical characteristics and disease activity before the pandemic were recorded. The patients were inquired about the diagnosis of COVID-19, the rate of continuation on bDMARDs, the reasons for treatment discontinuation, if any, and the current general disease activity (visual analog scale, [VAS]). Results: A total of 1394 patients (493 RA [47.3% on anti-TNF] patients and 901 SpA [90.0% on anti-TNF] patients) were included in the study. Overall, 2.8% of the patients had symptoms suggesting COVID-19, and 2 (0.15%) patients had PCR-confirmed COVID-19. Overall, 18.1% of all patients (13.8% of the RA and 20.5% of the SpA; p = 0.003) discontinued their bDMARDs. In the SpA group, the patients who discontinued bDMARDs were younger (40 [21–73] vs. 44 years [20–79]; p = 0.005) and had higher general disease activity; however, no difference was relevant for RA patients. Conclusion: Although the COVID-19 was quite uncommon in the first 100 days of the pandemic, nearly one-fifth of the patients discontinued bDMARDs within this period. The long-term effects of the pandemic should be monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: To assess the real-life efficacy, retention rate, and safety data of tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Materials and methods: We analyzed all patients registered in the HURBİO database who received at least 1 dose of tofacitinib. Patients who received at least one dose were included in retention analysis; patients with at least 1 control visit were included in efficacy and safety analysis. Factors predicting good response at the last follow-up visit were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Drug retention rates were calculated using the Kaplan--Meier method and predictors of drug retention were determined by Cox proportional hazard model. Adverse events, reasons for switching, and discontinuation were also determined. Results: Two hundred and forty-seven (210, 85.0% female) patients were included in the study. The median duration of tofacitinib treatment was 10.2 (20.2) [med, (IQR)] months. Two hundred and four (82.6%) patients were included in safety and efficacy analysis; 45.6% of patients were in low-disease activity (LDA) state (DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2). Predictors of LDA were being biologic-naïve [aOR 2.53 (1.31--4.88); 95% CI] and RF negativity [aOR 2.14 (1.12--4.07); 95% CI]. At 1 year, the overall tofacitinib retention rate was 63.9% with no relevant predicting factor. Response and retention rates of tofacitinib were similar in patients with and without concomitant csDMARDs. Treatment failure was the most common cause of discontinuation. The most common infectious and laboratory adverse events were herpes zoster infection (3.9 per 100 patient-years) and elevation in ALT (x3UNL: 9.7 per 100 patient-years), respectively. Conclusion: Tofacitinib is effective as monotherapy or in combination with csDMARDs. It is a well-tolerated treatment option in Turkish RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an autoimmune syndrome caused by transplacental transmission of maternal autoantibodies, often with devastating consequences. The objective of this systematic literature review was to analyze the demographic data, geoepidemiology, clinical, and serological characteristics associated with NLE. Materials and methods: We performed a systematic literature search of the Pubmed database covering the period from 1976 to August 2015, using the MeSH terms "neonatal lupus" or "congenital heart block". To be included in the study, articles of any type (original articles, case series, and case reports) had to report on infants with NLE on an individualized (i.e. patient-by-patient) basis. Results: A total of 198 studies were included in the review, reporting on a total of 755 NLE patients. The most frequently reported clinical manifestations of NLE were congenital heart block (CHB, 65.2%), cutaneous lupus (33.1%), and cytopenias (15.5%). We found differences in NLE characteristics based on study geographical origin, with CHB being much more frequent in patients of European or American descent (49.4% and 35%, respectively), while reports originating from Asia reported a higher prevalence of skin involvement (45.2%). Most CHB cases (72.9%) were diagnosed between the 18th and 26th week of gestation. Conclusions: Phenotypic differences of NLE depending on race and country may reflect true pathophysiologic differences or methodologic discrepancies. While maternal autoimmune disease is not a prerequisite for the development of NLE, the existence of a truly "immunonegative" CHB is questionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]