Chinese medical journal
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Chinese medical journal · Feb 2023
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyContinuation, reduction, or withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis achieving sustained disease control: a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. ⋯ Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state.
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Chinese medical journal · Feb 2023
ReviewDiffuse lung involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: a respiratory physician's perspective.
The lungs are one of the most common extra-articular organs involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is reported to occur in up to 60% to 80% of RA patients. Respiratory complications are the second leading cause of death due to RA. ⋯ There has been progress in understanding the management and progression of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and RA-associated respiratory diseases recently, for example, opportunistic pulmonary infectious diseases and toxicity from RA therapies. From a chest physicians' perspective, we will update the diagnosis and treatment of RA-associated ILD, methotrexate-associated lung disease, and the complication of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in RA in this review.
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Chinese medical journal · Feb 2023
ReviewAmbient fine particulate matter and cardiopulmonary health risks in China.
In China, the level of ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution far exceeds the air quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the health effects of PM 2.5 exposure have become a major public health issue. More than half of PM 2.5 -related excess deaths are caused by cardiopulmonary disease, which has become a major health risk associated with PM 2.5 pollution. ⋯ In the future, further studies need to be carried out to investigate the specific relationship between the constituents and sources of PM 2.5 and cardiopulmonary disease. These studies provided scientific evidence for precise reduction measurement of pollution sources and public health risks. It is also necessary to identify effective biomarkers and elucidate the biological mechanisms and pathways involved; this may help us to take steps to reduce PM 2.5 pollution and reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.
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Chinese medical journal · Feb 2023
Multicenter StudyHepatocyte apoptosis fragment product cytokeratin-18 M30 level and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis risk diagnosis: an international registry study.
Liver biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited by its inherent invasiveness and possible sampling errors. Some studies have shown that cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentrations may be useful in diagnosing NASH, but results across studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to identify the utility of CK-18 M30 concentrations as an alternative to liver biopsy for non-invasive identification of NASH. ⋯ This large multicenter registry study shows that CK-18 M30 measurement in isolation is of limited value for non-invasively diagnosing NASH.