Analysis of the common genetic component of large-vessel vasculitides through a meta- Immunochip strategy

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) are major forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) that share clinical features. To evaluate their genetic similarities, we analysed Immunochip genotyping data from 1,434 LVV patients and 3,814 unaffected controls. Genetic pleiotropy was also estimated. The HLA region harboured the main disease-specific associations. GCA was mostly associated with class II genes (HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1) whereas TAK was mostly associated with class I genes (HLA-B/MICA). Both the statistical significance and effect size of the HLA signals were considerably reduced in the cross-disease meta-analysis in comparison with the analysis of GCA and TAK separately. Consequently, no significant genetic correlation between these two diseases was observed when HLA variants were tested. Outside the HLA region, only one polymorphism located nearby the IL12B gene surpassed the study-wide significance threshold in the meta-analysis of the discovery datasets (rs755374, P?=?7.54E-07; ORGCA?=?1.19, ORTAK?=?1.50). This marker was confirmed as novel GCA risk factor using four additional cohorts (PGCA?=?5.52E-04, ORGCA?=?1.16). Taken together, our results provide evidence of strong genetic differences between GCA and TAK in the HLA. Outside this region, common susceptibility factors were suggested, especially within the IL12B locus

Rituximab as a new therapeutic option in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a report of two cases

Findings of several reports suggest that rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody causing B-lymphocyte depletion, might represent a treatment option for people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (former Wegener's granulomatosis). This study presents the results of rituximab treatment in two patients with treatment-refractory GPA. First patient received rituximab for a granulomatous posterior orbital mass lesion, and eye symptoms were resolved after three courses of treatment. The second patient had eye and paranasal sinus involvement and benefited from two courses of rituximab treatment, with significant clinical improvement. Rituximab may represent an effective novel treatment for remission induction in GPA

Impacts of Anti-TNF Treatment on Improvement in Work Place and Household Productivity in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

WOS: 000417143400088

Factors That May be Associated with Uveitis in Patients with Spondyloarthritis

WOS: 000447268902760

Corticosteroid Utilization before and after Initiation of Biologic Dmards between Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

WOS: 000447268901160

Comparing female-based contraceptive methods in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and a healthy population

Aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is 10 times more prevalent in women, particularly those of reproductive age. The varying effects of pregnancy on SLE and the differences between available SLE treatments make pregnancy timing and contraceptive methods significant. We aimed to determine the contraceptive methods used by SLE patients in the north-west part of Turkey, and compared them with those used by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls