Review
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Bradley Pittam, Nicholas L. Harrison, Ashar E. Ahmed, Nicola J. Goodson, David M. Hughes
Summary: This study found that there is a significant global variation in delay to diagnosis for axial SpA patients, with longer delays reported in high-income countries compared to middle-income countries. Patient factors like lower education levels, younger age at symptom onset, and absence of extra-articular manifestations are associated with longer delays. In contrast, the diagnostic delay for PsA patients is significantly shorter.
Review
Microbiology
Tianwen Huang, Yaoyu Pu, Xiangpeng Wang, Yanhong Li, Hang Yang, Yubin Luo, Yi Liu
Summary: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a rheumatic disease that causes joint inflammation. Metabolomic profiling studies have provided insights into etiological factors and biomarkers for SpA.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Victoria Navarro-Compan, Alexandre Sepriano, Bassel El-Zorkany, Desiree van der Heijde
Summary: Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton, leading to symptoms such as chronic back pain and spinal stiffness. Diagnosis relies on recognizing clinical patterns and utilizing clinical, laboratory, and imaging features. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line therapy, with biologics as a second-line option, showing efficacy in improving disease symptoms.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Rheumatology
Varun Dhir, Debasish Mishra, Joydeep Samanta
Summary: Although studies on systemic and local injections of GCs in SpA are limited, there is evidence of efficacy with high-dose systemic GCs in the short term (<= 6 months). Both IA and entheseal injections appear to be safe and effective.
Review
Rheumatology
Charles A. Hay, Jon Packham, Sarah Ryan, Christian D. Mallen, Alexandros Chatzixenitidis, James A. Prior
Summary: The diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is challenging, resulting in delayed diagnosis for patients. A systematic review found that the average diagnostic delay for axSpA ranged from 2 to 6 years, with a third of studies reporting a median delay of only 2 to 2.3 years. Factors such as gender and family history did not significantly influence the delay.
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Zhixiu Li, Mohammad Kazim Khan, Sjef M. van der Linden, Bjorn Winkens, Peter M. Villiger, Heinz Baumberger, Hermine van Zandwijk, Muhammad Asim Khan, Matthew A. Brown
Summary: This study found that patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have a higher mortality rate compared to the general population, and healthy individuals carrying the HLA-B27 gene also have a similar risk. Additionally, female patients have a lower life expectancy. However, in the overall European population, the presence of the HLA-B27 gene does not affect survival or the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Shanshan Xu, Xiaoyi Zhang, Yuting Chen, Yubo Ma, Jixiang Deng, Xing Gao, Shiyang Guan, Faming Pan
Summary: Anti-CD74 IgG and IgA antibodies are significantly elevated in patients with spondyloarthritis, indicating a high diagnostic specificity for the disease.
SEMINARS IN ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shih-Ching Lee, Chung-Han Yang, Yun-Chen Tsai, Kuang-Hui Yu
Summary: Delay in diagnosis of SpA with uveitis is associated with longer disease duration and higher disease activity. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can improve functional ability and reduce adverse effects.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Liudan Tu, Churong Lin, Ya Xie, Xiaohong Wang, Qiujing Wei, Yanli Zhang, Jieruo Gu
Summary: This study found that patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) showed more active inflammatory and chronic structural damages on MRI compared to non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients, especially in terms of fat metaplasia and ankylosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Victoria Navarro-Compan, Diego Benavent, Dafne Capelusnik, Desiree van der Heijde, Robert B. M. Landewe, Denis Poddubnyy, Astrid van Tubergen, Xenofon Baraliakos, Filip E. van den Bosch, Floris A. van Gaalen, Lianne Gensler, Clementina Lopez-Medina, Helena Marzo-Ortega, Anna Molto, Rodolfo Perez-Alamino, Martin Rudwaleit, Marleen van de Sande, Raj Sengupta, Ulrich Weber, Sofia Ramiro
Summary: This study developed a consensual definition for 'early axial spondyloarthritis-axSpA' and 'early peripheral spondyloarthritis-pSpA' through a systematic literature review and Delphi survey. The results indicated that early axSpA should be based on symptom duration only, without considering the presence of radiographic damage.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Augusta Ortolan, Mariagrazia Lorenzin, Mara Felicetti, Roberta Ramonda
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the association between overweight/obesity and disease activity measures in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. The results showed that overweight and obese patients tend to have higher disease activity scores compared to patients with a normal BMI, especially for obese patients.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Torsten Diekhoff, Iris Eshed, Felix Radny, Katharina Ziegeler, Fabian Proft, Juliane Greese, Dominik Deppe, Robert Biesen, Kay Geert Hermann, Denis Poddubnyy
Summary: The study found that compared to CT and MRI, X-ray had lower sensitivity and inferior specificity for axSpA. However, CT showed the best inter-rater reliability, highlighting the importance of structural lesions for the differential diagnosis in axSpA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Melanie Aureal, Milene Seauve, Soline Laplane, Jean-Christophe Lega, Natalia Cabrera, Fabienne Coury
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of infections among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with different medications. Serious infections were rare in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-life studies, while non-serious infections were more common in RCTs.
Review
Immunology
Xiao Zhang, Zhe Sun, Aihong Zhou, Lei Tao, Yingxin Chen, Xinyu Shi, Jia Yin, Zheng Sun, Guoyong Ding
Summary: This meta-analysis identified that infections significantly elevate the risks of ankylosing spondylitis, particularly in individuals with unadjusted comorbidities and other types of infection. These findings provide valuable insights for future prevention efforts focused on avoiding infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Zhixiu Li, Sjef M. van der Linden, Muhammad Asim Khan, Heinz Baumberger, Hermine van Zandwijk, Mohammad Kazim Khan, Peter M. Villiger, Matthew A. Brown
Summary: The objective of this study is to assess heterogeneity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and its sources. The results suggest that women clinically diagnosed with axSpA but without radiographic sacroiliitis have distinct characteristics compared to men with non-radiographic axSpA.
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Eftychia Bellou, Suzanne M. M. Verstappen, Michael J. Cook, Jamie C. Sergeant, Richard B. Warren, Anne Barton, John Bowes
Summary: Observational and genetic evidence suggest that BMI and glycemic control are associated with increased risk of psoriatic disease, while psoriatic disease is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Houchen Lyu, Chao Zeng, Guanghua Lei, Jie Wei, Sarah L. Mackie
Summary: Initiation of ARBs is associated with a higher risk of GCA compared with ACEis or other antihypertensives. Mechanistic studies of angiotensin receptor biology will provide further clarity for our findings.
Letter
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Sarah Dyball
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Jonathan Haddad, Ian Coulson, G. Omondi Oyoo, Robert J. Moots
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Michael Holmes, Uazman Alam
Summary: A bidirectional causal relationship between depression and chronic widespread pain was found in this study using genetic data. The study demonstrated that an increased genetic liability to depression leads to an increased risk of chronic widespread pain, and vice versa.
SEMINARS IN ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Caroline Cotton, Philip Alton, David M. Hughes, Sizheng Steven Zhao
Summary: In this study, multivariable Mendelian randomization was used to examine the causal relationship between gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GORD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after adjusting for BMI. The results showed that although genetic liability to GORD increased the risk of IPF, this relationship was attenuated after adjusting for BMI. Therefore, intervention for GORD alone is unlikely to reduce the risk of IPF, while reducing obesity may be a better approach.
RESPIRATORY INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Philip Alton, David M. Hughes, Sizheng Steven Zhao
Summary: IL-5 inhibitors have a revolutionized the treatment of eosinophilic asthma, but their cardiovascular safety remains uncertain. This study used population-level data to examine the association between genetically proxied IL-5 inhibitors and cardiovascular diseases. The results showed no evidence that IL-5 inhibitors affect the risk of adverse cardiovascular and thromboembolic events.
RESPIRATORY INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Letter
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Helena Marzo-Ortega
CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Lianne Kearsley-Fleet, Aasiyah Rokad, Man-Fung Tsoi, Sizheng Steven Zhao, Mark Lunt, Kath D. Watson, Kimme L. Hyrich
Summary: This study investigated the outcomes of adults with rheumatoid arthritis who switched from etanercept originator to a biosimilar. The results showed that patients who switched to the biosimilar had similar drug survival and disease activity compared to those who remained on the originator.
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Stephen Burgess
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Amy Mason, Eva Gjekmarkaj, Haruyuki Yanaoka, Stephen Burgess
Summary: The study investigated the potential causal effects of vitamin D on autoimmune diseases using Mendelian randomization. The results showed a causal link between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus. These findings have important implications for disease prevention strategies, and the interpretation and design of vitamin D supplementation trials.
SEMINARS IN ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Stephanie R. Harrison, Antoni Chan, Nick Clarke, Charlotte Davis, Joe Eddison, William J. Gregory, Gareth T. Jones, Helena Marzo-Ortega, Daniel J. Murphy, Virinderjit Sandhu, Raj Sengupta, Stefan Siebert, Ben Thompson, Dale Webb, Max Yates, Karl Gaffney
Summary: Pharmacological management has improved significantly since the 2015 guideline on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) was released, incorporating new classes of biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs, as well as treatment strategies like drug tapering. This evidence-based update aims to guide healthcare professionals in the UK on the pharmacological management of axSpA using b/tsDMARDs. The guidelines are intended for rheumatologists, nurses, allied health professionals, trainees, pharmacists, axSpA patients, and other stakeholders.
RHEUMATOLOGY ADVANCES IN PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Koushan Kouranloo, Athea Ashley, Sizheng Steven Zhao, Mrinalini Dey
Summary: This systematic review summarizes the respiratory manifestations in patients with VEXAS syndrome. The study found that pulmonary involvement is common in VEXAS patients, but it is unclear whether respiratory symptoms are part of the primary disease or co-existing conditions.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sizheng Steven Zhao, Matthew C. Baker, James B. Galloway