Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease associated with the highest cardiovascular risk among autoimmune conditions. Beyond pulmonary complications, primary heart involvement (pHI) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality yet frequently remains asymptomatic and under-recognised. Microvascular dysfunction, myocardial inflammation and progressive interstitial and replacement fibrosis are central mechanisms. Clinical manifestations range from myocarditis to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, while subclinical myocardial involvement is common and prognosis remains poor once overt disease develops. Advanced cardiovascular imaging, particularly cardiovascular magnetic resonance has transformed detection through sensitive assessment of myocardial structure, function and myocardial tissue characterisation, while positron emission tomography may offer complementary insights. However, optimal screening strategies, imaging application and disease-specific therapies remain unmet needs. This review summarises current understanding of SSc-pHI pathophysiology, clinical presentations and management, with a focus on the evolving role of multimodality imaging in early detection, risk stratification.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) comprises physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle that impair quality of life. Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disorder marked by chronic inflammation and recurrent attacks. This study aimed to assess the frequency and severity of PMS in adolescents with FMF, its association with disease activity, inflammatory markers, and treatment adherence, and to compare findings with healthy peers.

IgM anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2 Glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) positivity have been downgraded in the current classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We assessed the clinical relevance of IgM antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in APS.

The aim of this study was to establish a fast, practical and automated assay to measure the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in whole peripheral blood and evaluate the utility of these markers in distinguishing active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Antimalarial agents, particularly hydroxychloroquine, are fundamental in SLE management. While their renal benefits in lupus nephritis (LN) are recognized, their corresponding role in reducing extra-renal damage is less defined. This study examined the association between antimalarial use and extra-renal damage accrual in biopsy-confirmed LN.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an established therapy for diffuse progressive systemic sclerosis (DpSSc), improving progression-free and overall survival compared with cyclophosphamide; however, relapse occurs in ∼12-17% of patients. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy offers a novel approach to deplete autoreactive B cells. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy as a rescue treatment in patients with SSc relapse following AHSCT.

The 2023 International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) guidelines introduced a standardized risk-stratification model for cancer screening in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). However, real-world data on their application remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of IMACS-based risk stratification in predicting malignancy and assess adherence to cancer screening recommendations in a multicentric Italian IIM cohort.

In patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a potentially fatal complication. As treatment intensity typically changes over time, PJP risk also changes, making fixed prophylaxis strategies suboptimal. We aimed to develop a time-dependent prediction model to guide individualized decisions on PJP prophylaxis.

Shared pathophysiologic features of fibrotic diseases, irrespective of anatomical site, have been suggested from epidemiologic, genetic, and mechanistic studies. Improvement in diagnostic capabilities and emergence of antifibrotic medications warrants identification of trajectories of fibrotic diseases and earlier identification of patients at risk of organ failure.

This study investigated the relationship between menstruation and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) attacks in adolescents and whether menstrual symptoms indicate true FMF flares or primary dysmenorrhea (PD) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Previously, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi)-exposed infants were recommended to withhold rotavirus vaccination until 6 months due to infection risk. Guidelines have recently supported earlier vaccination, although safety data remain limited. We aimed to compare diarrhea risk (during early [1.5-6 months] and later [6-24 months] infancy) in TNFi-exposed infants who received rotavirus vaccination before 6 months vs those unvaccinated by 6 months.

To systematically evaluate the contribution of clinical heterogeneity to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in gout patients using data-driven phenotyping, and to assess whether incorporating genetic risk improves prediction of renal outcomes.

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have increased cardiovascular risk beyond traditional factors. Endothelial activation is an early and potentially reversible stage of atherogenesis, and circulating adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) have been proposed as markers of vascular involvement in inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to compare serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis versus controls, and to examine their associations with disease activity, systemic inflammatory burden, cardiovascular risk profile, and treatment status.

To assess the effectiveness and safety of anakinra in crystal-related disease (CRD) flares, and to identify factors associated with treatment failure and risk of infection.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a proteopathy with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. This study aimed to uncover structural protein alterations in dermal fibroblasts from diffuse cutaneous (dc)SSc patients using a novel method: limited proteolysis-mass spectrometry (LiP-MS).