Evaluation of Predictors Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rheumatic Patients Using Biological or Targeted Therapies: Results from a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Aim: Disease-related immune dysfunction and/or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs may affect the course of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in rheumatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of COVID-19 infection and predictors of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with rheumatological disease using biological or targeted therapies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2022 and July 12, 2022. Demographic and clinical parameters and COVID-19-related data in patients with and without COVID-19 pneumonia were recorded and compared. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of COVID-19-related pneumonia. Results: A total of 110 patients (67 with spondyloarthritis, 25 with rheumatoid arthritis, 8 with familial Mediterranean fever, 5 with Takayasu arteritis, 3 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 2 with Behçet’s disease) were included in the study. The mean age of 110 rheumatic patients was 47.27±12.77 years. Their mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.59±5.59 kg/m2, and 67.3% of them were female. Twenty-one (19.1%) patients had a history of COVID-19 pneumonia. The rates of hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus, comorbidity status, comorbidity groups, cough, dyspnea, non-healing complaints, and COVID-19 treatment in addition to BMI, the total number of comorbidities, and the number of vaccines after COVID-19 infection were statistically different in the groups with and without pneumonia (for all, p<0.05). In logistic regression analyses, we found that BMI (OR: 1,113, p=0.040), HT (OR: 2,658, p=0.041), cough (OR: 4,982, p=0.029), and dyspnea (OR: 3,979, p=0.046) were the most important predictors associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. Conclusion: Comorbidities such as HT and obesity pose an independent risk of COVID-19-related pneumonia in rheumatic patients using biological or targeted therapies. Furthermore, coughing and dyspnea in these patients may indicate COVID-19 pneumonia

Does mean platelet volume influence the attack or attack-free period in the patients with Familial Mediterranean fever?

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease which is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis, or erysipelas-like skin disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a sign of platelet activation. There are limited studies in the literature about MPV levels in FMF patients. We aimed to investigate MPV levels during the attack period (group 1) and attack-free periods (group 2) in FMF patients, and to compare them with healthy controls (group 3). The study consisted of the data of: 60 group 1 patients, 120 group 2 patients, and 75 group 3 patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, and MPV levels were retrospectively recorded from patient files. Statistical analyses showed that MPV was significantly lower in FMF patients both in group 1 and group 2 than in group 3 (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, respectively); however, there was no difference among group 1 and group 2 in patients with FMF (p = 0.279). The mean platelet count of group 1 was higher than that of group 3 (p = 0.010). In conclusion, this study results suggested that MPV level did not increase on the contrary, it decreased in patients with FMF both in group 1 and/or group 2 when compared to group 3. It was concluded that the lower MPV level was an expected result of secondary thrombocytosis in FMF patients. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease which is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis, or erysipelas-like skin disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a sign of platelet activation. There are limited studies in the literature about MPV levels in FMF patients. We aimed to investigate MPV levels during the attack period (group 1) and attack-free periods (group 2) in FMF patients, and to compare them with healthy controls (group 3). The study consisted of the data of: 60 group 1 patients, 120 group 2 patients, and 75 group 3 patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, and MPV levels were retrospectively recorded from patient files. Statistical analyses showed that MPV was significantly lower in FMF patients both in group 1 and group 2 than in group 3 (p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.004, p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.002, respectively); however, there was no difference among group 1 and group 2 in patients with FMF (p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.279). The mean platelet count of group 1 was higher than that of group 3 (p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.010). In conclusion, this study results suggested that MPV level did not increase on the contrary, it decreased in patients with FMF both in group 1 and/or group 2 when compared to group 3. It was concluded that the lower MPV level was an expected result of secondary thrombocytosis in FMF patients. &nbsp;</p

Prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever: A cohort study from central Turkey

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the periodontal status in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and in those without this disease. Method and Materials: 84 subjects clinically diagnosed with FMF and 75 systemically healthy controls, matched by age and gender, were recruited. All FMF patients were on a regular daily colchicine treatment and during attack-free periods. Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured in all subjects. To evaluate periodontal disease further, patients were stratified into five groups. Education information and smoking habits were recorded. Results: The FMF patients and healthy controls were comparable for age, gender, and smoking status (P > .05). The FMF patients had significantly higher PI and GI values and lower PD and CAL values than those of the control group (P .05). In the FMF-severe periodontitis group, higher PI and GI values were seen (P .05). Conclusion: Patients with FMF using colchicine did not manifest higher attachment loss compared to age- and sex-matched systemically healthy controls.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the periodontal status in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and in those without this disease.METHOD AND MATERIALS:84 subjects clinically diagnosed with FMF and 75 systemically healthy controls, matched by age and gender, were recruited. All FMF patients were on a regular daily colchicine treatment and during attack-free periods. Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured in all subjects. To evaluate periodontal disease further, patients were stratified into fi ve groups. Education information and smoking habits were recorded.RESULTS:The FMF patients and healthy controls were comparable for age, gender, and smoking status (P&gt;.05). The FMF patients had significantly higher PI and GI values and lower PD and CAL values than those of the control group (P&lt;.05). However, there was no significant difference among all groups in terms of periodontal disease severity (P&gt;.05). In the FMF-severe periodontitis group, higher PI and GI values were seen (P&lt;.05). However, there was no significant difference between the FMF-severe periodontitis group and the controls with severe periodontitis regarding the PD and CAL values (P&gt;.05).CONCLUSION:Patients with FMF using colchicine did not manifest higher attachment loss compared to age- and sex-matched systemically healthy controls.</p

Effect of Chronic Periodontitis on Serum and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever Before and After Periodontal Treatment

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of periodontal status on oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) who experienced familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and their response to non-surgical periodontal therapy.Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of periodontal status on oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) who experienced familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and their response to non-surgical periodontal therapy.Methods: Data were obtained from 13 patients with FMF with generalized CP (FMF-CP), 15 systemically healthy patients with generalized CP, 15 systemically and periodontal healthy controls (HCs), and 14 periodontally healthy patients with FMF (FMF-HC). Each participant&rsquo;s total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in their gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum were recorded. Probing depth, clinical attachment level, and gingival and plaque indices in each participant were also measured. The GCF and clinical parameters at baseline and 6 weeks after periodontal treatment were recorded.Results: The study showed statistically significant improvement of clinical parameters in both FMF-CP and CP groups after periodontal treatment. The baseline GCF-TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the CP group compared with the FMF-CP group (P &lt;0.05). After periodontal treatment, the GCF-TOS levels were significantly reduced in members of the FMF-CP group (P &lt;0.05). The GCF-TAS levels in members of the FMF-CP group were significantly higher than those of members of the HC group at baseline (P &lt;0.05). Serum-TAS levels in the FMF-CP group were significantly higher than those in the CP and HC groups at baseline (P &lt;0.05). The GCF-TOS level in the FMF-CP group was significantly higher than that in the FMF-HC group at baseline and 6 weeks. However, there were no significant differences in the serum-TOS and serum-OSI levels of those in the FMF-CP and CP groups at baseline and 6 weeks (P &gt;0.05).Conclusion: The results of the present study show that patients with FMF-CP displayed reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant status compared with those in the CP and HC groups.</p

Is there a link between mean platelet volume and thrombotic events in antiphospholipid syndrome?

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that promote vascular thrombosis and pregnancy loss. APS can occur in the absence of underlying or associated disease (primary APS) or in combination with other diseases (secondary APS). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is largely regarded as a useful surrogate marker of platelet activation. We aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between MPV and thrombotic events in APS. The study consisted of 22 patients and 22 healthy controls. Group 1 is defined as all the patients in the first day of thrombotic event. Group 2 is defined as the same patient population three months after the thrombotic event. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, and MPV levels were retrospectively recorded from patient files. Statistical analyses showed that MPV was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (pThe antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that promote vascular thrombosis and pregnancy loss. APS can occur in the absence of underlying or associated disease (primary APS) or in combination with other diseases (secondary APS). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is largely regarded as a useful surrogate marker of platelet activation. We aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between MPV and thrombotic events in APS. The study consisted of 22 patients and 22 healthy controls. Group 1 is defined as all the patients in the first day of thrombotic event. Group 2 is defined as the same patient population three months after the thrombotic event. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, and MPV levels were retrospectively recorded from patient files. Statistical analyses showed that MPV was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (p&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.0001) and healthy controls (p&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.05). However, there was no difference between group 2 and healthy controls (p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.888). WBC, hemoglobin and other platelet indices such as platelet distribution width and platecrit did not differ in groups. In conclusion, MPV was increased at initial thrombotic event of APS, and then it was normalized three months later by therapeutic interventions. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a correlation between MPV and thrombotic events in APS.KEYWORDS:Antiphospholipid syndrome; mean platelet volume; thrombosis</p

Evaluation of hearing in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a common and well-understood hereditary periodic fever syndrome. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes include a group of multisystem diseases characterized by recurrent fever attacks with inflammation affecting skin, joints, and some other tissues. These are FMF, tumor necrosis factor receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome, hyperimmunglobulinemia D syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and familial cold urticaria. In literature, it is determined that some of these diseases cause hearing loss. In light of the foregoing, we thought that FMF patients may have the same type of subclinical hearing loss and, therefore, the hearing ability of these patients was evaluated with otoacoustic emission and high frequency audiometry tests. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a common and well-understood hereditary periodic fever syndrome. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes include a group of multisystem diseases characterized by recurrent fever attacks with inflammation affecting skin, joints, and some other tissues. These are FMF, tumor necrosis factor receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome, hyperimmunglobulinemia D syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and familial cold urticaria. In literature, it is determined that some of these diseases cause hearing loss. In light of the foregoing, we thought that FMF patients may have the same type of subclinical hearing loss and, therefore, the hearing ability of these patients was evaluated with otoacoustic emission and high frequency audiometry tests.</p

RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX UNDER NINTEDANIB TREATMENT IN INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication that can develop during the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Nindetanib is an antifibrotic drug approved for the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Although there is an insufficient data on the development of pneumothorax, the safety of Nintedanib treatment is also uncertain. We observed recurrent resistant pneumothorax under nintedanib treatment in a patient with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Nintedanib use may increase the risk of developing refractory pneumothorax. Ssc patients who are started on nintedanib should be followed carefully for pneumothorax

Effect of Infliximab Treatment on QT Intervals in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background: Cardiovascular complications are one of the most common and the most serious extraskeletal manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor, is widely used in the treatment of AS. QT dispersion (QTd), which relates to left ventricular function and is used as an index of cardiac dysrhythmia, may be useful as a prognostic guide. Early detection of possible cardiac involvement may not be clinically evident, whereas it may be detected by electrocardiography