Clin Exp Rheumatol
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To assess the efficacy of other biologic therapies, different from infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA), in patients with Behçet's disease uveitis (BU). ⋯ The vast majority of patients with BU refractory to standard immunosuppressive drugs are successfully controlled with ADA and/or IFX. Other biologic agents appear to be also useful.
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Multicenter Study
Effects of rituximab in connective tissue disorders related interstitial lung disease.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a key prognostic factor in connective tissue disorders (CTDs). The aim of our study was to assess the changes in pulmonary functional tests (PFTs) in various CTDs, including anti-synthetase syndrome (SYN), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD), following the use of rituximab therapy. ⋯ A trend of improvement of PFTs was observed in SYN patients although not reaching significance, while SSc and MCTD patients were stabilised.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
The role of asymmetric dimethylarginine alone and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a screening biomarker for systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary arterial hypertension: a case control study.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a novel biomarker of endothelial cell dysfunction. In this proof of concept study, we sought to evaluate the role of ADMA as a screening biomarker for incident systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH). ⋯ In this small study, use of ADMA in combination with NT-proBNP produced excellent sensitivity and specificity for the non-invasive identification of SSc-PAH. The role of ADMA as a screening biomarker for SSc-PAH merits further evaluation.