Articles: disease.
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To retrospectively evaluate initial tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure patients for clinical predictors of response to a 2nd TNFi in our 4282 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient database. A cross-sectional retrospective manual chart review of the electronic health record (EHR) was performed on 322 "real world" RA patients who were prescribed 2 TNFis. Response to TNFi was determined by the treating provider who had real time Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores to inform treatment decisions. ⋯ The higher female response rate was independent of age, BMI, and seropositivity. In RA patients who failed an initial TNFi, female patients and patients with RF+ were more likely to have a clinical response to a 2nd TNFi. In the absence of these predictors, stronger consideration for choosing a biologic with an alternative mechanism of action might be given when the 1st TNFi fails.
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The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing in China, but there are disparities between urban and rural populations, and across different regions. To examine the prevalence and risk factors of MS in the rural area of Qianjiang (Southwest China). From March 2016 to June 2018, 6 townships in the Qianjiang District of Chongqing Municipality were selected for a cross-sectional study of the residents in rural areas. ⋯ The multivariable analysis showed that female sex (OR = 33.36, 95%CI: 17.0-65.53), dyslipidemia (OR = 4.71, 95%CI: 1.73-12.82), kidney diseases (OR = 2.32, 95%CI: 1.37-3.94), waistline (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.33-1.46), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.06-0.23), triglycerides (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.31-1.76), alanine aminotransferase (OR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-1.00), γ-glutamyltransferase (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 1.00-1.01), and glycated hemoglobin (OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.08-1.59) were independently associated with MS. The prevalence of MS was 16.8% in Qianjiang. Female sex, kidney diseases, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase were independent risk factors for MS.
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HIV prevalence is higher among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), owing to their unsafe sexual behavior. Further, MSM indulge in behaviors such as consumption of alcohol/oral drugs and/or injecting during/before sex that poses the risk of unsafe behaviors, thereby increasing their vulnerability to HIV. The study aims to analyze the factors associated with HIV infection among the multi-risk MSM using any substances with those MSM who do not use substances. ⋯ Higher HIV prevalence among MSM exhibiting homosexual behavior for ≤1 year is of specific concern, as this accounts to recent infections and indicates the increased vulnerability of the infection among the new entrants. Substance-use resulting in high-risk sexual behavior was significantly associated with higher HIV prevalence among MR-MSM. Integrated targeted interventions focusing on safe sex and safe-IDU practices among MR-MSM are required to end the disease transmission.
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We report a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) accompanied by choroidal folds in a patient positive for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). ⋯ Based on the FA, IA, and OCT findings, the present case was considered to have CRAO accompanied by choroidal circulatory disturbance due to ANCA-associated vasculitis, a rare disease that may be complicated by choroidal circulatory disturbances.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease with considerable genetic predisposition. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is crucial for the innate immunity and implicated in SLE pathogenesis. Accordingly, we conducted a case-control study to find the association of NLRP3 variations with SLE susceptibility and disease activity. ⋯ A higher trend of interleukin-1β and interleukin-γ release were identified in rs3806268 AA and rs10754558 CC genotype carriers, respectively. NLRP3 polymorphisms are associated with SLE disease activity and hypocomplementemia. Interleukin-1β and interleukin-γ levels in SLE patients are correlated with NLRP3 variants as well.