Current Rheumatology Reviews - Volume 15, Issue 4, 2019

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), or Horton’s Arteritis, is a chronic form of vasculitis of the large and medium vessels, especially involving the extracranial branches of the carotid arteries, in particular, the temporal artery, with the involvement of the axillary, femoral and iliac arteries too. Arterial wall inflammation leads to luminal occlusion and tissue ischemia, which is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. A substan Read More

Background: The process of antigen presentation to immune cells is an undeniable contributor to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Different studies have indicated several factors that are related to autoimmunity. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) are among such factors, which have a key role in autoimmunity because of their involvement in antigen presentation process. Methods: Relevant English language liter Read More

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a well-known complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which often results in significant morbidity and mortality. It is often diagnosed late in the disease process via descriptive criteria. Multiple subtypes of RA-ILD exist as defined by chest CT and histopathology. In the absence of formal natural history studies and definitive diagnostics, a conventional dogma has emerged that there are two major su Read More

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of progressive rheumatoid disease, which leads to the degeneration of the articular cartilage, synovium, subchondral bone, tendons, and the surrounding ligaments.There are various treatments for knee OA, including pharmaceutical, nonpharmaceutical, and surgical treatments. Considering the chronic nature of the disease as well as the necessity for the long-term us Read More

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has a profound impact on quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the quality of life among Egyptian SLE patients and to assess its relationships with demographic and clinical features. Methods: One hundred sixty-four SLE patients were recruited for this study. Demographic information; clinical parameters; disease activity, as evaluated by the systemic lupus erythe Read More

Introduction: The definition of remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is still difficult to determine. An ultrasound of the hands may be important in helping confirm clinical remission. Objective: This study’s aim was to evaluate the interest in using an ultrasound of the hands to confirm clinical remission, as well as comparing the various remission scores (DAS 28 VS, DAS 28 CRP, and SDAI) and the ultrasound data, in order to de Read More

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common type of chronic inflammatory arthritis with unknown etiology marked by a symmetric, peripheral polyarthritis. Calprotectin also can be used as a biomarker of disease activity in inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the association between serum calprotectin level and severity of RA activity. Methods: A cross-sec Read More

Background: As a multisystem autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) mainly affects women during reproductive age. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the fetal and maternal outcomes of Iranian women with SLE. Methods: Clinical and laboratory records of 60 pregnancies in 55 SLE patients who attended Hafez hospital, a tertiary referral center for high risk pregnancies and SLE p Read More

Background: Many patients may have resistance to TNF-blockers. These drugs may induce neutralizing antibodies. The determination of the drug levels of TNF-blockers and Anti-Drug Antibodies (ADAs) against TNF-blockers may help to make clinical decisions. Objectives: The objective of this study was to associate and predict the drug levels of TNFblockers and ADAs in relation to disease activity in patients with Spondyloarthrit Read More