Clin Exp Rheumatol
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD). Lung transplantation has become a viable option for patients with end-stage CTD-ILD. However, patients with CTD are often considered suboptimal candidates for lung transplantation because of concerns of worse outcomes. We assessed post-transplant survival of patients with CTD-ILD compared to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ⋯ Long-term post-transplant survival in Northern Spanish patients with CTD-ILD is reduced compared with IPF.
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To assess the real-life retention rate of certolizumab and factors related to retention of certolizumab. ⋯ In this study, good BASDAI50 response at first visit seems to be a strong predictor of higher retention of certolizumab in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.
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Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of systemic vasculitides that predominantly affect small vessels, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Pulmonary involvement is frequently observed in AAV patients, with various possible phenotypes in the different diseases. In the last years, among the possible types of lung involvement, a growing interest has been addressed to the interstitial lung disease (ILD). ⋯ Currently, immunosuppressive therapy is considered also as a possible treatment of ILD. However, a careful evaluation of progression and severity of lung involvement, should guide the treatment decision in the single patient. In this review, we discuss the available evidence on clinical features, diagnostic work-up, prognosis and management of AAV-ILD.
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Autonomic dysfunction (AD) has been described in various chronic inflammatory diseases. Studies of AD in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are inconclusive. We aimed to assess AD in a cohort of FMF patients. ⋯ FMF patients have AD in terms of symptoms and parasympathetic pupillomotor function. Dynamic pupillometry can provide additional information on autonomic regulation in patients with FMF.