Review
Immunology
Peiyao Wu, Jieyu Zhou, Yafei Wu, Lei Zhao
Summary: IL-37 is a newly identified cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties that plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown therapeutic potential of IL-37 in these diseases, highlighting a novel therapeutic strategy for the future.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Juergen Braun, Dietmar Krause, Uta Kiltz
Summary: This editorial discusses the impact evaluation of a nurse-led program for patient self-assessment and self-management in axial spondyloarthritis, presented in a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial (COMEDSPA) conducted by Anna Molto et al.
Article
Rheumatology
Marco Garrido-Cumbrera, Helena Marzo-Ortega, Laura Christen, Pedro Plazuelo-Ramos, Dale Webb, Clare Jacklin, Shantel Irwin, Laurent Grange, Souzi Makri, Elsa Frazao Mateus, Serena Mingolla, Katy Antonopoulou, Sergio Sanz-Gomez, Jose Correa-Fernandez, Loreto Carmona, Victoria Navarro-Compan
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in Europe, leading to disruptions in healthcare services, worsening lifestyle habits, and negative effects on overall health, well-being, and mental health. Additionally, there has been a lack of appropriate information reaching patients regarding COVID-19.
Article
Rheumatology
Walter Reinisch, Wayne Hellstrom, Radboud J. E. M. Dolhain, Suresh Sikka, Rene Westhovens, Rajiv Mehta, Timothy Ritter, Ursula Seidler, Oleksandr Golovchenko, Vladimir Simanenkov, Olena Garmish, Slawomir Jeka, Radka Moravcova, Vijay Rajendran, Franck-Olivier Le Brun, Sarah Arterburn, Timothy R. Watkins, Robin Besuyen, Dirk Vanderschueren
Summary: The phase 2 MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies aimed to determine the impact of the oral Janus kinase 1 inhibitor filgotinib on semen parameters and sex hormones in men with inflammatory diseases. Results showed that once daily filgotinib 200 mg for 13 weeks had no measurable impact on semen parameters or sex hormones.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Luis Fernando Perez-Garcia, Esther Roder, Robbert J. Goekoop, Johanna M. W. Hazes, Marc R. Kok, Hieronymus T. W. Smeele, Ilja Tchetverikov, Annette H. M. Van der Helm-van Mil, Jos H. van der Kaap, Petra Kok, Bouwe P. Krijthe, Radboud J. E. M. Dolhain
Summary: This study is the first to demonstrate that inflammatory arthritis can impact male fertility. Men diagnosed with IA before and during the peak reproductive years have lower fertility rates, higher rates of childlessness, and more fertility problems.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kailin Yang, Liuting Zeng, Zhiyong Long, Qi He, Wang Xiang, Anqi Ge, Huang Zhen, Wei Xiao, Jinwen Ge
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) in the treatment of 5 types of inflammatory arthritis. The results showed that TGP can improve symptoms and inflammation levels in patients with inflammatory arthritis. However, larger and more high-quality clinical trials are still needed for further validation.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Burhan Fatih Kocyigit, Zhaxybek Sagtaganov, Marlen Yessirkepov
Summary: Yoga, with its various physical poses and breathing techniques, has gained global popularity and is used as a complementary treatment for different diseases. It improves physical and mental health, including mood, anxiety, and stress management. In the treatment of rheumatic diseases, yoga is recognized as a significant component of non-pharmacological therapy.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuanyuan Zhang, Bo Feng, Jing Dong, Yanyan Zhong, Liqin Wang, Lei Zhao
Summary: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical features and delayed diagnosis of 22 patients with coexisting RA and AS, finding that middle-aged women were the most common subgroup and often presented with systemic, symmetric, peripheral, and axial arthritis. Misdiagnosis due to lack of recognition of RA and AS together is a common reason for delayed diagnosis in these patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Deepak Tripathi, Rishi Awasthi, Vikas Agarwal, Vinita Agrawal, Ram Kishore Singh Rathore, Kusum Sharma, Chandra Mani Pandey, Rakesh Kumar Gupta
Summary: This study found that the use of DTI and DCE MRI can capture cellular and molecular markers of synovial inflammation in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis.
Article
Rheumatology
Matthias Dreher, Torsten Witte, Kirsten Hoeper, Gunter Assmann, Fabian Proft, Denis Poddubnyy, Niels Murawski, Konstantinos Triantafyllias, Marlon Grodd, Erika Graf, Urs A. Fichtner, Harald Binder, Jan Zeidler, Juliana Rachel Hoeper, Johanna Callhoff, Kirsten Karberg, Anna Trautwein, Dativa Tibyampansha, Leszek Wojnowski, Reinhold E. Schmidt, Andreas Schwarting
Summary: The Rheuma-VOR study aimed to improve the time to diagnosis of patients with early arthritis by coordinating cooperation between primary care physicians, specialists, and patients in Germany. The study showed a significant improvement in the time to diagnosis and other secondary endpoints, and also demonstrated cost savings compared to standard care.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Liuting Zeng, Tiejun Yang, Kailin Yang, Ganpeng Yu, Jun Li, Wang Xiang, Hua Chen
Summary: Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract may improve symptoms and inflammation levels in people with arthritis. However, the conclusions need to be interpreted carefully due to the low quality and small quantity of RCTs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik, Wojciech Wojtowicz, Jerzy Swierkot, Karolina Anna Mielko, Badr Qasem, Joanna Wielinska, Renata Sokolik, Lukasz Pruss, Piotr Mlynarz
Summary: RA, AS, and PsA are comprehensive immunological disorders with treatment focused on symptom relief. Metabolite changes were most significant in AS, with the shortest time to remission, potentially influenced by ethanol as a common metabolite negatively correlated with healing processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kai Du, Chen-Yu Zhang, Ao Li, Jia-Ze Hu, Ren Guo, Shu-Ming Li
Summary: This study found no direct causal relationship between specific occupational exposures and RA or AS through Mendelian randomization analysis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Christina Charles-Schoeman, Ernest Choy, Iain B. McInnes, Eduardo Mysler, Peter Nash, Kunihiro Yamaoka, Ralph Lippe, Nasser Khan, Anna K. Shmagel, Hannah Palac, Jessica Suboticki, Jeffrey R. Curtis
Summary: This study provides an integrated analysis of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with upadacitinib. The results show that the rates of MACEs and VTE events with upadacitinib are similar to those reported for conventional synthetic and biologic disease-modifying drugs, and comparable to adalimumab and methotrexate.
Article
Rheumatology
Anton Jonatan Landgren, Mats Dehlin, Lennart Jacobsson, Ulrika Bergsten, Eva Klingberg
Summary: The study aimed to compare traditional cardiovascular risk factors among patients with different rheumatic diseases, and found that hypertension was the most common comorbidity, with patients with gout having the highest prevalence of traditional CVRFs. Significant differences in occurrence of CVRFs by sex were also observed among patients with PsA, RA and AS.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kurt de Vlam, Adrien Nzeusseu Toukap, Marie-Joelle Kaiser, Johan Vanhoof, Philip Remans, Marthe Van den Berghe, Silvana Di Romana, Filip Van den Bosch, Rik Lories
Summary: The APOLO study findings suggest that the use of apremilast in Belgian clinical practice improves the signs and symptoms of PsA and enhances patient quality of life.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Charlotte Houttekiet, Kurt de Vlam, Barbara Neerinckx, Rik Lories
Summary: This study assessed the role of CRP levels in interventional clinical trials for PsA. The findings revealed inconsistent use of CRP levels in these trials, which limits the generalizability of the data. Additionally, the use of composite scores such as ACR20 or DAS28-CRP is also affected by baseline CRP levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mathias Vanmunster, Ana Victoria Rojo Garcia, Alexander Pacolet, Sebastiaan Dalle, Katrien Koppo, Ilse Jonkers, Rik Lories, Frank Suhr
Summary: This study reveals the mechanisms controlling muscle atrophy and their impact on molecular clocks and metabolism.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Kevin L. Winthrop, John D. Isaacs, Philip J. Mease, Dimitrios T. Boumpas, Xenofon Baraliakos, Jacques-Eric Gottenberg, Stefan Siebert, Marta Mosca, Neil Basu, Dana Orange, R. Lories, Daniel Aletaha, Iain B. McInnes, Tom W. J. Huizinga, Reinhard E. Voll, Ellen M. Gravallese, Ferry C. Breedveld, Josef S. Smolen
Summary: This article summarizes the unmet clinical and scientific needs in the field of rheumatology. It highlights the importance of clinical trial design innovation and the need to better understand the natural history of rheumatic diseases. The article also identifies the specific unmet needs in different rheumatological disease-specific groups and emphasizes the importance of developing therapies and therapeutic strategies for treatment-refractory disease.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
S. A. Elahi, R. Castro-Vinuelas, P. Tanska, R. K. Korhonen, R. Lories, N. Famaey, I. Jonkers
Summary: In silico approach was used to study the main mechanisms of cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. Collagen degradation drives degenerative changes in intact and degenerated cartilage, while mechanical loading initially causes proteoglycans depletion in the presence of a focal cartilage defect.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
J. Quintiens, A. De Roover, F. M. F. Cornelis, A. Escribano-Nun, A. Sermon, S. Pazmino, S. Monteagudo, R. J. Lories
Summary: This study identified the hypoxia and Wnt signaling pathways as regulators of ANP32A expression. Hypoxia increased ANP32A levels, while Wnt hyper-activation decreased ANP32A levels. The modulation of the ATM gene by hypoxia and Wnt was also observed. Maintaining hypoxia and limiting Wnt activation are important for protecting against osteoarthritis.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Jonas J. W. Kuiper, Joerg C. Prinz, Efstratios Stratikos, Piotr Kusnierczyk, Akiko Arakawa, Sebastian Springer, Dillon Mintoff, Ivan Padjen, Russka Shumnalieva, Secil Vural, Ina Koetter, Marleen G. van de Sande, Ayse Boyvat, Joke H. de Boer, George Bertsias, Niek de Vries, Charlotte L. M. Krieckaert, Ines Leal, Natasa Vidovic Valentincic, Ilknur Tugal-Tutkun, Hanane el Khaldi Ahanach, Felicie Costantino, Simon Glatigny, Danijela Mrazovac Zimak, Fabian Loetscher, Floor G. Kerstens, Marija Bakula, Elsa Viera Sousa, Peter Boehm, Kees Bosman, Tony J. Kenna, Simon J. Powis, Maxime Breban, Ahmet Gul, John Bowes, Rik J. U. Lories, Johannes Nowatzky, Gerrit Jan Wolbink, Dennis G. McGonagle, Franktien Turkstra
Summary: The 'MHC-I-opathy' concept describes a group of inflammatory diseases with overlapping clinical manifestations and a strong genetic link to the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway. However, the understanding and treatment of these disorders is limited due to patient heterogeneity and lack of systematic investigation. Therefore, interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to decipher the underlying disease mechanisms.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Reem Assi, Chahrazad Cherifi, Frederique M. F. Cornelis, Qiongfei Zhou, Lies Storms, Sofia Pazmino, Rodrigo Coutinho de Almeida, Ingrid Meulenbelt, Rik J. J. Lories, Silvia Monteagudo
Summary: The methylation of H3K79me is reduced in osteoarthritis. Histone demethylase families, such as Jumonji-C and KDM2/7, can increase the levels of H3K79me and targeting KDM2/7 can protect joints against osteoarthritis.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Reem Assi, Jolien Quintiens, Silvia Monteagudo, Rik J. J. Lories
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by progressive damage to the joints, causing pain and loss of function. Intra-articular drug therapy has emerged as a potential treatment option, with drugs being injected directly into affected joints to optimize drug bioavailability and reduce systemic toxicity. This review explores the current landscape of intra-articular drug therapies for osteoarthritis, including established approaches and those in clinical development. Despite challenges in defining outcome measures and optimizing clinical trial set-ups, advancements in drug development and clinical trial design hold promise for successful therapies for this important disease.
Article
Orthopedics
Stijn Arnaert, Paul Byttebier, Sam Van Rossom, Evie Vereecke, Ilse Jonkers, Edwin Oei, Sita M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra, Rik Lories, Marienke van Middelkoop, Stefan Clockaerts
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of the anterior tibiotalar fat pad (ATFP) in the ankle joint after one year of an ankle sprain and its correlation with systemic factors and local articular pathology. The results suggest that age, body mass index (BMI), and sex are significantly associated with the T1 intensity of ATFP. Age, diffuse cartilage loss in the lateral talus, and Kellgren and Lawrence score in the tibiotalar joint are negatively associated with the area of ATFP. BMI is positively associated with the ATFP area.
Article
Rheumatology
Manouk de Hooge, Alla Ishchenko, Ann-Sophie De Craemer, Serge Steinfeld, Adrien Nzeusseu, Dirk Elewaut, Rik Lories, Kurt de Vlam, Filip van den Bosch
Summary: This study aimed to examine radiographic axial damage of the sacroiliac joints and spine in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in private and academic Belgian practices. The data comparison between the two patient groups found that patients with SpA tend to have more severe spinal damage compared to those with PsA. In patients with PsA, the cervical spine is more often affected, while in patients with SpA, the location of syndesmophytes is more evenly distributed.
Article
Rheumatology
Manouk de Hooge, Alla Ischenko, Serge Steinfeld, Adrien Nzeusseu, Dirk Elewaut, Rik Lories, Filip van den Bosch, Kurt De Vlam
Summary: This study investigates the association between different definitions of axial involvement and syndesmophytes development in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). The results show that the probability of developing syndesmophytes is much higher when axial involvement is determined radiographically rather than clinically, particularly in the context of high CRP.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mariia Dzhus, Lisa Ehlers, Marjon Wouters, Katrien Jansen, Rik Schrijvers, Lien De Somer, Steven Vanderschueren, Marco Baggio, Leen Moens, Benjamin Verhaaren, Rik Lories, Giorgia Bucciol, Isabelle Meyts
Summary: Deficiency of human adenosine deaminase type 2 (DADA2) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by vasculopathy, immune dysregulation, and hematologic abnormalities. Neurological manifestations, particularly strokes, are a significant feature of DADA2, with brain stem and deep gray matter being commonly affected. Other neurological involvements include neuropathies, focal deficits, ophthalmological findings, convulsions, and headaches. Recognizing the diverse neurological manifestations of DADA2 is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Ennio Lubrano, Silvia Scriffignano, Kurt de Vlam, Mario Ronga, Fabio Massimo Perrotta, Rik Lories
Summary: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex and chronic inflammatory disease that combines arthritis and psoriasis with other conditions and comorbidities. Non-pharmacological approaches such as diet modifications, improved sleep quality, and physical activity have been shown to improve the quality of life for PsA patients.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jeremie Zappia, Qiao Tong, Renee Van der Cruyssen, Frederique M. F. Cornelis, Cecile Lambert, Tiago Pinto Coelho, Juliane Grisart, Erika Kague, Rik J. Lories, Marc Muller, Dirk Elewaut, Chrissy L. Hammond, Christelle Sanchez, Yves Henrotin
Summary: Abnormal subchondral bone remodeling leading to sclerosis is a main feature of osteoarthritis. Osteomodulin (OMD), a proteoglycan, is associated with the sclerotic phenotype. This study found that OMD binds to RANKL and inhibits osteoclastogenesis, thus regulating bone remodeling and contributing to bone and cartilage homeostasis. Targeting OMD may be a promising personalized approach for osteoarthritis.