Association of five-factor score with the mortality in Japanese patients with polyarteritis nodosa

<p><b>Aim:</b> To determine mortality and its predictive factors in Japanese patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN).</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This retrospective single-center study determined the mortality of 18 patients with PAN who were admitted to Juntendo University Hospital from 1994 to 2016. The variables at baseline, including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment, were analyzed for their association with mortality.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The median age of onset was 57.0 years. The 1-year survival rate was 100% (16/16) and the 5-year survival rate was 80.0% (8/10). The relationship between mortality, as defined by the survival rate and each variable was evaluated by Cox univariate analysis. A higher 2009 five-factor score (FFS) was associated with increased mortality, with a hazard ratio of 2.34 (<i>p</i> = .04). Analysis of the secondary outcome of relapse-free survival time revealed an association with rapid progressive renal failure, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), the 1996 FFS, and the 2009 FFS, with hazard ratios of 7.28 (<i>p</i> = .048), 1.26 (<i>p</i> = .02), 2.32 (<i>p</i> = .03), and 1.82 (<i>p</i> = .04), respectively.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> We investigated mortality, relapse-free survival, and their predictive factors in Japanese patients with PAN. The BVAS and the 1996 FFS at diagnosis may be prognostic factors for relapse-free survival, and the 2009 FFS at diagnosis may be a prognostic factor for both mortality and relapse-free survival.</p

Additional file 1: Table S1. of Enhanced IFN-Îą production is associated with increased TLR7 retention in the lysosomes of palasmacytoid dendritic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus

Characteristics of HC and lupus patients for confocal microscopic analysis. Values are n or median [interquartile range]. (DOCX 30 kb

Additional file 1: of Circulating plasma microRNA profiling in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis before and after treatment: miRNA may be associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis

Serum autoantibody profiles of PM/DM patients in this study. (DOCX 51 kb

Safety and effectiveness of iguratimod in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Final report of a 52-week, multicenter postmarketing surveillance study

<p><b>Objectives:</b> We evaluated the long-term (52 weeks) safety and effectiveness of iguratimod (IGU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This multicenter, prospective, observational study included all evaluable RA patients who received IGU since its market launch in 2012. We evaluated adverse events (AEs); adverse drug reactions (ADRs); ADRs of special interest, including liver and renal dysfunctions, interstitial lung disease, gastrointestinal and blood disorders, and infection; and change in Disease Activity Score 28-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) at week 52.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Safety and effectiveness were analyzed in 2666 and 1614 patients, respectively. The incidences of AEs, serious AEs, ADRs, and serious ADRs were 46.92, 7.35, 38.26, and 4.58%, respectively. The incidence of ADRs peaked at approximately 4 weeks of treatment. Subsequently, the ADR incidence did not increase over time. Improvement of RA activity was shown up to week 52.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Long-term treatment with IGU in patients with RA resulted in a tolerable safety profile and an improvement in RA activity. IGU could be considered a useful treatment option for patients with RA.</p

Additional file 2: Table S1. of JAK inhibitor has the amelioration effect in lupus-prone mice: the involvement of IFN signature gene downregulation

The glomerulus score. Table S2. The score of cell-infiltration level. Table S3. The primers used for this study. Table S4. Expression levels of genes associated with the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in splenic CD4+ T cells from BWF1 mice. (DOCX 27 kb

Predictive grade of ultrasound synovitis for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice and the possible difference between patients with and without seropositivity

<p><i>Objective.</i> To determine the degree of contribution and the contributing factors of ultrasound in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice and the predictive differences depending on seropositivity.</p> <p><i>Methods</i>. We included 122 patients who presented with the main complaint of finger and/or wrist joint pain but for whom no definite diagnosis was reached or treatment strategy was provided. Ultrasound was performed on at least 22 joints (both wrist joints, proximal interphalangeal joint, and metacarpophalangeal joints), and patients were followed for ≥6 months. Factors contributing to RA diagnosis were determined and compared between seropositive and seronegative RA patients.</p> <p><i>Results.</i> RA was diagnosed in 52 of 122 patients, in whom the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria (odds ratio [OR] = 4.74, <i>P</i> = 0.01) and gray scale (GS) grade of 3 (OR = 3.64, <i>P</i> = 0.04) for ≥ 1 joint were the contributing factors. In seropositive RA, the ACR/EULAR criteria (OR = 15.53, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and power Doppler (PD) ≥ 2 for ≥ 1 joint (OR = 10.48, <i>P</i> = 0.0048) were the contributing factors. In seronegative RA, PD ≥ 1 for ≥ 1 joint contributed the most (OR = 20.00, <i>P</i> = 0.0044), but the ACR/EULAR criteria did not contribute to RA diagnosis (<i>P</i> = 0.57).</p> <p><i>Conclusion.</i> Ultrasound findings contributed to RA diagnosis in clinical practice. The contributing factors are different in the presence or absence of seropositivity, and ultrasound complementation was particularly useful in seronegative RA patients.</p

Additional file 2: of Effect of subcutaneous tocilizumab treatment on work/housework status in biologic-naĂŻve rheumatoid arthritis patients using inverse probability of treatment weighting: FIRST ACT-SC study

Overall baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group in the modified intention-to-treat set (unadjusted, adjusted). (DOCX 25 kb

The synovial grade corresponding to clinically involved joints and a feasible ultrasound-adjusted simple disease activity index for monitoring rheumatoid arthritis

<p><i>Objectives</i>: To determine which grade of ultrasound (US) synovitis corresponds to clinically involved joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and develops a new US-adjusted composite measure.</p> <p><i>Methods</i>: Clinical and US examinations were performed on 137 patients with RA (28 joints). Synovial effusion, hypertrophy, and blood flow were semiquantitatively graded from 0 to 3 using gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) modes. We calculated US-adjusted simple disease activity index (SDAI) and assessed feasibility, and external validity by comparing with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and modified health assessment questionnaires (MHAQ).</p> <p><i>Results</i>: GS ≥2 and PD ≥0 corresponds to clinically swollen joints, and GS ≥2 and PD ≥1 corresponds to tender joints. The US-adjusted SDAI showed the highest correlation when US-determined swollen joints were defined as PD ≥2 with ESR, and GS ≥3 and PD ≥2 with MHAQ. A feasible US-adjusted SDAI examining only clinically involved joints still showed a higher correlation with ESR and MHAQ than SDAI.</p> <p><i>Conclusion</i>: Our composite measure complemented by US only for clinically involved joints is feasible and reliable for monitoring disease activity.</p

Additional file 1: of Effect of subcutaneous tocilizumab treatment on work/housework status in biologic-naĂŻve rheumatoid arthritis patients using inverse probability of treatment weighting: FIRST ACT-SC study

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of patients in each group adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting in the modified intention-to-treat set (paid worker, house worker). (DOCX 22 kb