Article
Pediatrics
Timothy Beukelman, George Tomlinson, Peter A. Nigrovic, Anne Dennos, Vincent Del Gaizo, Marian Jelinek, Mary Ellen Riordan, Laura E. Schanberg, Shalini Mohan, Erin Pfeifer, Yukiko Kimura
Summary: This study developed consensus treatment plans for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and observed the outcomes of different treatment plans. The results showed that nearly all patients received treatment with biologics, and 46% of patients in the biologic treatment group did not receive oral glucocorticoid within the first month of treatment. Overall, the majority of patients had favorable clinical outcomes.
PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Mei Sing Ong, Sarah Ringold, Yukiko Kimura, Laura E. Schanberg, George A. Tomlinson, Marc D. Natter
Summary: The study investigated the effects of early introduction of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on untreated polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It was found that starting bDMARDs within 3 months of baseline assessment was associated with more rapid achievement of inactive disease. Trajectory analysis of disease course proved to be a useful method for determining treatment efficacy in this context.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Matthew A. Sherman, Hanna Kim, Katelyn Banschbach, Amanda Brown, Harry L. Gewanter, Bianca Lang, Megan Perron, Angela Byun Robinson, Jacob Spitznagle, Cory Stingl, Grant Syverson, Heather O. Tory, Charles H. Spencer, Stacey E. Tarvin
Summary: This study investigated the use of biologic DMARDs in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and found that most respondents preferred to use biologics after trying 2 non-biologic therapies, with rituximab being the top choice. However, there is currently a lack of prospective studies comparing biologics in refractory JDM.
PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Hemalatha Srinivasalu, Erin Brennan Treemarcki, Dax G. Rumsey, Pamela F. Weiss, Robert A. Colbert, CARRA Spondyloarthrit Workgrp, CARRA Registry Investigators
Summary: This study validated the Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Index (JSpADA) and its modified versions in a North American cohort of patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA). The results demonstrated the accuracy and validity of these measures in terms of face validity, discriminative validity, and responsiveness to change.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Sydney Moore McIntosh, Christian Kerut, Payton P. Hollenshead, Dorothy H. Askins, Kasra Mansourian, Zachary R. Palowsky, Varsha Allampalli, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye
Summary: Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition with unique cutaneous manifestations. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, such as golimumab, have become a hallmark treatment option. Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of golimumab in both juvenile and adult-onset psoriatic arthritis.
Review
Rheumatology
Hema Chaplin, Lewis Carpenter, Anni Raz, Elena Nikiphorou, Heidi Lempp, Sam Norton
Summary: The study identified that refractory disease in RA and polyJIA is defined mainly as resistance to multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action and persistence of symptoms and high disease activity. It is concluded that there is a need for a clear unified definition to aid study comparisons and appropriate identification of patients.
Article
Immunology
Jie Zheng, Yong Wang, Jun Hu
Summary: This study explores the shared gene signatures and potential molecular mechanisms of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) and autoimmune uveitis (AU) through data analysis and functional enrichment analysis. Neutrophil degranulation may be considered a shared pathogenic mechanism, and the roles of ARID1A gene and hsa-miR-146a are worthy of further study. Additionally, periodic inspection of kidney function is also important.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Richard Conway, Elena Nikiphorou, Christiana A. Demetriou, Candice Low, Kelly Leamy, John G. Ryan, Ronan Kavanagh, Alexander D. Fraser, John J. Carey, Paul O'Connell, Rachael M. Flood, Ronan H. Mullan, David J. Kane, Nicola Ambrose, Frances Stafford, Philip C. Robinson, Jean W. Liew, Rebecca Grainger, Geraldine M. McCarthy
Summary: This study used data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance to describe COVID-19 outcomes for people with rheumatic disease in Ireland. The results showed that there was no temporal trend in COVID-19-related hospitalization and mortality outcomes for these patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Melissa L. Mannion, Fenglong Xie, Daniel B. Horton, Sarah Ringold, Colleen K. Correll, Anne Dennos, Timothy Beukelman
Summary: Biologic medications have greatly improved disease control and outcomes for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but a substantial number of patients may require switching to a second biologic. The time to switch has decreased in recent years, and further studies are needed to evaluate outcomes and optimal timing of biologic switching.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Nicolino Ruperto, Hermine Brunner, Athimalaipet Ramanan, Gerd Horneff, Ruben Cuttica, Michael Henrickson, Jordi Anton, Alina Lucica Boteanu, Inmaculada Calvo Penades, Kirsten Minden, Heinrike Schmeling, Markus Hufnagel, Jennifer E. Weiss, Manuela Pardeo, Kabita Nanda, Johannes Roth, Nadina Rubio-Perez, Joy C. Hsu, Sunethra Wimalasundera, Chris Wells, Kamal Bharucha, Wendy Douglass, Min Bao, Navita L. Mallalieu, Alberto Martini, Daniel Lovell, Fabrizio De Benedetti
Summary: The study found that the dosing regimens of s.c. tocilizumab in systemic JIA and polyarticular JIA are similar to i.v. tocilizumab with good efficacy. Additionally, the subcutaneous administration route is more convenient and suitable for at-home use.
Article
Rheumatology
Nicolino Ruperto, Hermine Brunner, Cesar Pacheco-Tena, Ingrid Louw, Gabriel Vega-Cornejo, Alberto J. Spindler, Daniel J. Kingsbury, Heinrike Schmeling, Arturo Borzutzky, Ruben Cuttica, C. J. Inman, Victor Malievskiy, Christiaan Scott, Vladimir Keltsev, Maria Teresa Terreri, Diego Oscar Viola, Ricardo M. Xavier, Taciana A. Pedrosa Fernandes, Maria Del Rocio Maldonado Velazquez, Michael Henrickson, Michael B. Clark, Karen A. Bensley, Xiaoming Li, Kim Hung Lo, Jocelyn H. Leu, Chyi-Hung Hsu, Elizabeth C. Hsia, Zhenhua Xu, Alberto Martini, Daniel J. Lovell
Summary: Intravenous golimumab was effective, showed consistent pharmacokinetics, and was relatively safe in pediatric patients with polyarticular-course JIA. Treatment led to significant JIA ACR response rates at 28 and 52 weeks, with steady PK exposure maintained. However, the presence of antibodies in some patients and rare serious infections were noted as potential issues.
Article
Rheumatology
Dax G. Rumsey, Aimee Lougee, Roland Matsouaka, David H. Collier, Laura E. Schanberg, Jennifer Schenfeld, Natalie J. Shiff, Matthew L. Stoll, Scott Stryker, Pamela F. Weiss, Timothy Beukelman
Summary: This study described characteristics of over 900 children with ERA or juvenile PsA, highlighting high biologic use, especially in those with sacroiliitis. Equal sex representation was found in children with sacroiliitis.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Varvara Choida, Margaret Hall-Craggs, Bethany R. Jebson, Corinne Fisher, Maria Leandro, Lucy R. Wedderburn, Coziana Ciurtin
Summary: This study evaluated the role of biomarkers in predicting and assessing biologic treatment response and clinical remission in JIA, proposing new strategies for biomarker use. Various types of biomarkers were reviewed, identifying candidates with potential clinical utility and highlighting the need for new biomarker discovery and improved clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chun-Hua Liao, Bor-Luen Chiang, Yao-Hsu Yang
Summary: This study retrospectively reviewed records of juvenile ERA patients in Taiwan from 2001 to 2020, finding a higher medication withdrawal rate among patients with ERA. Patients with poly-articular involvement were more likely to require the use of cDMARDs plus biologics. Those with a longer time interval between disease onset and initiation of cDMARDs were prone to flare-ups during biologics tapering.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Jonathan Park, Michelle Batthish, Roberta A. Berard, Gaelle Chedeville, Jean-Philippe Proulx-Gauthier, Dax G. Rumsey, Lori B. Tucker, Stephanie Wong, Jaime Guzman
Summary: Canadian pediatric rheumatology practices were generally in line with the 2019 JIA guideline recommendations, except for the frequent use of oral MTX and infrequent direct escalation from NSAIDs to bDMARDs in sacroiliitis and enthesitis.
Article
Rheumatology
Pamela F. Weiss, Timothy G. Brandon, Meghan E. Ryan, Erin B. Treemarcki, Stephanie Armendariz, Tracey B. Wright, Chetna Godiwala, Matthew L. Stoll, Rui Xiao, Daniel Lovell
Summary: The study aimed to develop and validate a composite disease flare definition for juvenile spondyloarthritis. Retrospective chart reviews and data analysis were used to select five core measures for the definition. The results showed high sensitivity and specificity, and the definition was endorsed by pediatric rheumatologists.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Joyce C. Chang, Cora Sears, Nicole Bitencourt, Rosemary Peterson, Risa Alperin, Y. Ingrid Goh, Rebecca S. Overbury, Rebecca Sadun, Emily Smitherman, Patience H. White, Erica F. Lawson, Kristine Carandang
Summary: Despite the poor health care transition outcomes for young adults with pediatric rheumatic diseases, the adoption of best practices for transition is low. This study aimed to understand how structured transition processes were implemented in pediatric rheumatology practices and what factors enabled adaptations during the global pandemic. The findings highlighted the importance of nursing involvement, institutional improvement efforts, and educational processes by nonphysicians in facilitating the implementation of transition policies. However, the pandemic disrupted contact with nonphysicians, leading to a need for automation tools, which were not widely accessible. The study also revealed that educational processes were often overshadowed by acute issues, potentially impacting the intervention for youth with greater complexity.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Ruud H. J. Verstegen, Peter Shrader, Stephen J. Balevic, Timothy Beukelman, Colleen Correll, Anne Dennos, Thomas Phillips, Brian M. Feldman
Summary: This study aimed to determine the dose-response relationship of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibition in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The results did not confirm the hypothesis that increased dosing of TNF inhibitors leads to improved treatment outcomes.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sarah Ringold, Anne C. Dennos, Yukiko Kimura, Timothy Beukelman, Peter Shrader, Thomas A. Phillips, Melanie Kohlheim, Laura E. Schanberg, Rae S. M. Yeung, Daniel B. Horton
Summary: The outcomes of disease recapture in children with well-controlled JIA after medication discontinuation were characterized in this study. The study found that approximately half of the patients experienced a flare within 6 months. The use of biologic drugs and a history of flares were associated with increased odds of successful recapture, while limited range of motion in the joints was associated with decreased odds.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Hemalatha Srinivasalu, Erin Brennan Treemarcki, Dax G. Rumsey, Pamela F. Weiss, Robert A. Colbert, CARRA Spondyloarthrit Workgrp, CARRA Registry Investigators
Summary: This study validated the Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Index (JSpADA) and its modified versions in a North American cohort of patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA). The results demonstrated the accuracy and validity of these measures in terms of face validity, discriminative validity, and responsiveness to change.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Emily A. Smitherman, Rouba A. Chahine, Nicole Bitencourt, A. K. M. Fazlur Rahman, Erica F. Lawson, Joyce C. Chang
Summary: This study evaluates the care utilization and outcomes of young adults with JIA, and explores factors associated with complete transfer to adult rheumatology. The study finds that respondents with complete transfer to adult rheumatology are slightly older and report higher disease activity, morning stiffness, and pain. Biologic use is high and does not differ by transfer status. Respondents who completed the transfer are more likely to have private insurance and be pursuing postsecondary education. Majority of the cohort reports problems with pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Patricia Vega-Fernandez, Ysabella Esteban, Edward Oberle, Jean -Philippe Proulx-Gauthier, Matthew Clark, Susan Shenoi, Akaluck Thatayatikom, Heather Benham, Emily J. Brunner, Leandra Woolnough, Michael Henrickson, Laura R. Pratt, Deirdre De Ranieri, Sarah Hoffmann, Ginger Janow, Hulya Bukulmez, Mekibib Altaye, Amy Cassedy, Tracy Ting, Johannes Roth
Summary: This study assessed the reliability of the MSUS scoring systems for evaluating pediatric musculoskeletal diseases in sonographers with different levels of expertise. The results showed excellent reliability among pediatric MSUS sonographers in scoring the elbow, wrist, and finger joints using the CARRA MSUS scoring systems. This reliable joint-specific scoring system could be used as a clinical tool and scientific outcome measure.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Emily A. Smitherman, Rouba A. Chahine, Timothy Beukelman, Laura B. Lewandowski, A. K. M. Fazlur Rahman, Scott E. Wenderfer, Jeffrey R. Curtis, Aimee O. Hersh
Summary: The objective of this study was to characterize short-term kidney status and describe variation in early care utilization in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients with nephritis. The study found that male sex and older age at cSLE diagnosis were associated with abnormal short-term kidney status. Furthermore, there was substantial variation in contemporary medication use for pediatric lupus nephritis between pediatric rheumatology centers.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Pamela F. Weiss, Timothy G. Brandon, Robert G. Lambert, David M. Biko, Nancy A. Chauvin, Michael L. Francavilla, Jacob L. Jaremko, Nele Herregods, Ozgur Kasapcopur, Mehmet Yildiz, Alison M. Hendry, Walter P. Maksymowych
Summary: This study aims to determine quantitative cutoffs for active and structural lesions in sacroiliac joint MRI that will be included in the classification criteria of axial disease in juvenile spondyloarthritis. MRI scans from juvenile SpA patients were reviewed by experts and optimal cutoffs for defining lesions typical of axial disease were determined. The cutoffs were validated in an independent cohort.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Economics
Gillian R. Currie, Brittany Gerber, Diane Lorenzetti, Karen MacDonald, Susanne M. Benseler, Francois P. Bernier, Kym M. Boycott, K. Vanessa Carias, Bettina Hamelin, Robin Z. Hayeems, Claire LeBlanc, Marinka Twilt, Gijs van Rooijen, Durhane Wong-Rieger, Rae S. M. Yeung, Deborah A. Marshall
Summary: Rare diseases impose a significant burden on various aspects. Limited evidence exists on the socioeconomic burden of rare diseases, particularly for those without available treatments. This study developed a framework to guide future research on the cost elements of rare diseases.
Article
Rheumatology
Jennifer M. P. Woo, Faith Simmonds, Anne Dennos, Mary Beth F. B. Son, Laura B. Lewandowski, Tamar Rubinstein
Summary: This study aimed to assess missing data and its implications for health equity among children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The results showed that on average, participants were missing 6.2% of data, with over 50% of participants missing at least 1 variable. Government-assisted health insurance was associated with missing SLE-related indices. Different analytic methods resulted in conflicting estimated associations.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
R. E. Borgia, M. J. Gurka, S. L. Filipp, M. Elder, M. Cardel, N. J. Shiff, CARRA Registry Investigators
Summary: This study examines the connection between race/ethnicity and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients. The study found that PROMIS global health was lower among multiethnic cSLE patients compared to the general pediatric population, but there was no significant association between race/ethnicity and PROMIS scores.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Rheumatology
Joyce C. Chang, Mary Beth F. Son, Gabrielle Alonzi, Pamela F. Weiss, Ankana Daga
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)