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).

To identify factors associated with adverse outcomes in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH) confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC).

To assess the clinical efficacy, safety, and immunological effects of biologic therapies in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (pAPS) and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS).

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of premature death in many autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). Landmark randomized controlled trials in diabetes and obesity have demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic benefits. Observational studies assessing GLP-1RAs in ARDs, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, have found reductions in risk of cardiovascular events similar to those reported in broader populations. GLP-1RAs likely exert their cardioprotective effects through direct and indirect mechanisms. GLP-1RAs treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, two important cardiovascular risk factors. They lower lipid levels by mitigating post-prandial hyperlipidaemia and reduce blood pressure by dampening carotid body-mediated sympathetic excitation. GLP-1RAs have anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. They attenuate T cell-mediated inflammation directly by activating GLP-1 receptors on gut intraepithelial lymphocytes, and myeloid cell-mediated inflammation indirectly by activating central neuronal GLP-1 receptors. While knowledge gaps remain, existing evidence supports a cardioprotective role for GLP-1RAs in ARDs.

Immune-mediated mechanisms and altered lipid metabolism may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in Sjögren disease (SjD). Antibodies targeting HDL have emerged as modulators of lipid dysfunction and inflammation in several rheumatic diseases, but their relevance in SjD remains unexplored. We aimed to characterize humoral responses against HDL in SjD and their associations with lipoprotein/lipid traits, inflammatory and proteomic features, and atherosclerosis.

The aging population is growing worldwide, and according to a 2015 World Health Organization report, the number of seniors over the age of 65 will be as high as 1.6 billion in 2050, representing 16.7% of the world's population. Moreover, the number of falls among people aged ≥ 65 is expected to increase by 47% by 2050, since coordination and balance, both static and dynamic, have a huge impact on the incidence of falls in seniors. This study was designed to determine whether there are differences in the effectiveness of Zumba Gold (ZG) dance training and conventional balance exercises (BE) in the context of static and dynamic balance and whether ZG may reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often involving a neuropathic component. While pathophysiology remains vague, increasing evidence suggests that small fiber pathology (SFP) may be present in a significant subset of patients, indicating a peripheral nervous system contribution. This systematic review aims to evaluate the utility of skin biopsy as a diagnostic tool for patients with FMS, with special focus on SFP. A comprehensive database search was conducted to identify studies assessing intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) via skin biopsy in individuals diagnosed with FMS. The included studies demonstrated a reduction in IENFD in a substantial proportion of FMS patients, with reported prevalence ranging widely from 30% to over 85%. Small fiber pathology occurs in a significant proportion of individuals with FMS. Skin biopsy emerges as a valuable diagnostic tool. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanism of SFP in FMS.

Impaired microvascular function has been implicated as a complication affecting multiple organs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We investigated the correlation between microvascular damage on nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) and cardiac arrhythmias or conduction blocks in patients with primary heart involvement (pHI).

This study investigated how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic influenced research trends related to inflammatory diseases and biomarkers. By analyzing large-scale bibliographic data, the study aimed to clarify thematic transitions over the past 3 decades and to identify emerging perspectives that shape current and future directions.

Rheumatology is a rapidly evolving medical specialty that focuses on autoimmune connective tissue diseases, inflammatory joint diseases, regional rheumatological conditions, some overuse injuries, and other inflammatory conditions. The study aimed to assess the knowledge of rheumatology and rheumatological diseases among the general population in Basrah City and to identify factors associated with this knowledge.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease whose treatment has evolved with the introduction of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological agents such as rituximab (RTX). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and treatment adherence of RTX used as monotherapy and in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or leflunomide (LFN) in patients with RA refractory to conventional therapy.