Clin Exp Rheumatol
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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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To characterise associations of fatigue with other variables within a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) in routine care of patients with different rheumatic diagnoses. ⋯ Fatigue is common in rheumatic diseases and strongly associated with higher pain and number of symptoms. The MDHAQ provides a useful tool to assess fatigue in clinical settings.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Clinical, autoimmune, and psychiatric parameters correlate with sleep disturbance in patients with systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sleep disturbance is an important contributor to poor quality of life in rheumatic disorders. This study aims to test whether clinical, autoimmune and psychological factors are associated with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls. ⋯ Longitudinal studies are needed to identify disease-specific patterns associated with sleep disturbances and the influence on sleep function induced by immunosuppressive therapy among rheumatic patients.
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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.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effects of the oral Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib on patient-reported outcomes in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: results of two Phase 2 randomised controlled trials.
Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we investigated the effects of tofacitinib on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in patients with active RA. ⋯ In patients with active RA, tofacitinib, either in combination with methotrexate or as monotherapy, demonstrated rapid and sustained improvement in pain, physical functioning and health-related quality of life.