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- 2023 ACR/EULAR antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteriaPublication . Barbhaiya, Medha; Zuily, Stephane; Naden, Ray; Hendry, Alison; Manneville, Florian; Amigo, Mary-Carmen; Amoura, Zahir; Andrade, Danieli; Andreoli, Laura; Artim-Esen, Bahar; Atsumi, Tatsuya; Avcin, Tadej; Belmont, Michael H; Bertolaccini, Maria Laura; Branch, D Ware; Carvalheiras, Graziela; Casini, Alessandro; Cervera, Ricard; Cohen, Hannah; Costedoat-Chalumeau, Nathalie; Crowther, Mark; de Jesús, Guilherme; Delluc, Aurelien; Desai, Sheetal; Sancho, Maria De; Devreese, Katrien M; Diz-Kucukkaya, Reyhan; Duarte-García, Ali; Frances, Camille; Garcia, David; Gris, Jean-Christophe; Jordan, Natasha; Leaf, Rebecca K; Kello, Nina; Knight, Jason S; Laskin, Carl; Lee, Alfred I; Legault, Kimberly; Levine, Steve R; Levy, Roger A; Limper, Maarten; Lockshin, Michael D; Mayer-Pickel, Karoline; Musial, Jack; Meroni, Pier Luigi; Orsolini, Giovanni; Ortel, Thomas L; Pengo, Vittorio; Petri, Michelle; Pons-Estel, Guillermo; Gomez-Puerta, Jose A; Raimboug, Quentin; Roubey, Robert; Sanna, Giovanni; Seshan, Surya V; Sciascia, Savino; Tektonidou, Maria G; Tincani, Angela; Wahl, Denis; Willis, Rohan; Yelnik, Cécile; Zuily, Catherine; Guillemin, Francis; Costenbader, Karen; Erkan, DorukObjective: To develop new antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) classification criteria with high specificity for use in observational studies and trials, jointly supported by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and EULAR. Methods: This international multidisciplinary initiative included four phases: (1) Phase I, criteria generation by surveys and literature review; (2) Phase II, criteria reduction by modified Delphi and nominal group technique exercises; (3) Phase III, criteria definition, further reduction with the guidance of real-world patient scenarios, and weighting via consensus-based multicriteria decision analysis, and threshold identification; and (4) Phase IV, validation using independent adjudicators' consensus as the gold standard. Results: The 2023 ACR/EULAR APS classification criteria include an entry criterion of at least one positive antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) test within 3 years of identification of an aPL-associated clinical criterion, followed by additive weighted criteria (score range 1-7 points each) clustered into six clinical domains (macrovascular venous thromboembolism, macrovascular arterial thrombosis, microvascular, obstetric, cardiac valve, and hematologic) and two laboratory domains (lupus anticoagulant functional coagulation assays, and solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for IgG/IgM anticardiolipin and/or IgG/IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies). Patients accumulating at least three points each from the clinical and laboratory domains are classified as having APS. In the validation cohort, the new APS criteria vs the 2006 revised Sapporo classification criteria had a specificity of 99% vs 86%, and a sensitivity of 84% vs 99%. Conclusion: These new ACR/EULAR APS classification criteria were developed using rigorous methodology with multidisciplinary international input. Hierarchically clustered, weighted, and risk-stratified criteria reflect the current thinking about APS, providing high specificity and a strong foundation for future APS research.
- Secukinumab on Refractory Lupus NephritisPublication . Costa, Rita; Antunes, Paula; Salvador, Pedro; Oliveira, Pedro; Marinho, AntónioLupus nephritis (LN) is the most frequent severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). About 30% of patients are refractory to treatment. The authors report a case of treatment of LN with interleukin-17-targeted therapy, demonstrating its possible benefit, after reports of T helper 17 cell involvement in SLE pathogenesis. We present the case of a childbearing age woman with SLE, who developed refractory LN despite all the indicated therapeutic options. During follow up, infection with human papillomavirus was detected, a possible trigger, and the following management was based on this discovery. We currently know that cytokines play a major role in tissue damage and interleukin-17 (IL-17) seems to be a fundamental key in SLE and LN, having shown its expression in renal glomeruli and urinary sediment. Thus, it was decided to start treatment with an anti-IL-17A antibody, secukinumab. After starting secukinumab, clinical and biological features improved and complete renal response was achieved.
- Behçet's Disease and Pregnancy: A Retrospective Case-control StudyPublication . Barros, Tânia; Braga, António; Marinho, António; Braga, JorgeBackground: Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare chronic multisystemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. It is usually diagnosed between the 2nd and 4th decades of life, so its association with pregnancy is not unusual. This study aims to characterize the evolution of pregnancy in a group of pregnant women with BD and the impact of this pathology in embryo-fetal morbidity. Methods: A retrospective case-control study included 49 pregnancies in women suffering from BD, followed in our institution. Pregnancy outcomes were compared with a control group of healthy pregnant women. Two controls per case were randomly selected. Statistical analysis used SPSS 25.0, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Forty-nine pregnancies were included in 27 patients with BD. BD exacerbation occurred in 32.6% of the pregnancies. There were no significant statistical differences between the two groups regarding the rate of preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia (p>0.05). In the BD group, we found a higher rate of miscarriage (24.5%) and fetal growth restriction (FGR, 13.3%, p<0.05). In the study group, 13 (32.5%) of the pregnant patients did not need treatment. The cesarean rate was significantly higher in the BD group (43.2% vs 20.4% in the control group, p<0.05), and there were no significant differences in median gestational age at the time of delivery (p>0.05). The birth weight of newborns did not differ significantly between the groups. There was no association of BD with maternal morbidity and neonatal complications. Conclusion: In this study, the majority of pregnant with BD did not present clinical exacerbation of their pathology. However, BD may have an adverse influence on pregnancy outcomes. FGR and miscarriage rates were significantly higher in the study group.
- Development and preliminary validation of the Behçet’s syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI)Publication . Piga, Matteo; Floris, Alberto; Espinosa, Gerard; Serpa Pinto, Luísa; Kougkas, Nikolaos; Lo Monaco, Andrea; Lopalco, Giuseppe; Orlando, Ida; Pirani, Vittorio; Santos, Ernestina; Bertsias, George; Cantarini, Luca; Cauli, Alberto; Cervera, Ricard; Correia, João; Govoni, Marcello; Iannone, Florenzo; Neri, Piergiorgio; Martins da Silva, Ana; Vasconcelos, Carlos; Muntoni, Monica; Mathieu, AlessandroObjective: To develop and validate the evidence-based and consensus-based Behçet's Syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI). Methods: Starting from 120 literature-retrieved preliminary items, the BODI underwent multiple Delphi rounds with an international multidisciplinary panel consisting of rheumatologists, internists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and patient delegates until consensus was reached on the final content. The BODI was validated in a cross-sectional multicentre cohort of 228 patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) through the study of (a) correlation between BODI and Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) and (b) correlation between BODI and disease activity measures (ie, Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Patient Global Assessment (PtGA)), c) content and face validity and (d) feasibility. Results: The final BODI consists of 4 overarching principles and 46 unweighted-items grouped into 9 organ domains. It showed good to excellent reliability, with a mean Cohen's k of 0.84 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.90) and a mean intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.95). Overall, 128 (56.1%) patients had a BODI score ≥1, with a median score of 1.0 (range 0-14). The BODI significantly correlated with the VDI (r=0.693, p<0.001), demonstrating to effectively measure damage (construct validity), but had greater sensitivity in identifying major organ damage and did not correlate with disease activity measures (ie, BDCAF: p=0.807, PGA: p=0.820, PtGA: p=0.794) discriminating damage from the major confounding factor. The instrument was deemed credible (face validity), complete (content validity) and feasible by an independent group of clinicians. Conclusions: Pending further validation, the BODI may be used to assess organ damage in patients with BS in the context of observational and controlled trials.
- Effectiveness of Tocilizumab in the Treatment of Fasciitis with Eosinophilia: Two Case ReportsPublication . Pinheiro, Maria Guiomar; Costa, Ana Rita; Campar, Ana; Mendonça, TeresaFasciitis with eosinophilia (FE) is a rare connective tissue disease. Due to its rarity, large-scale studies are lacking, which makes its treatment challenging. Systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) are the cornerstone of treatment; however, additional immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) are frequently necessary (usually methotrexate). We report 2 patients, for whom an SCS and methotrexate were not a viable long-term option. In the first case, we were unable to taper the SCS dose without symptom relapse, the patient showed only a partial response to methotrexate and presented side effects. The second case never fully responded to the SCS and methotrexate and demonstrated serious SCS adverse effects. Both patients were started on tocilizumab with extremely favourable results, making this drug a potential therapeutic weapon for these patients. Learning points: The treatment of FE is challenging and mainly based on retrospective reviews, open-label trials and case reports, all of which included a small number of patients.Currently, systemic corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment; however, other ISDs are frequently necessary.Cases showing a favourable clinical response to tocilizumab have recently been described in patients with corticosteroid-refractory disease, suggesting that this drug may potentially become a therapeutic weapon for these patients.
- Not All ENT Granulomas Are Wegener’s – Keep Tuberculosis in MindPublication . Pedro, Bárbara; Meleiro, Marta; Marinho, AntónioMycobacterium tuberculosis affects the middle ear in rare cases and is a challenging diagnosis. In this case, we present a 57-year-old patient diagnosed with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-negative granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) following a biopsy result of nasal granulomas, who was immediately started on immunosuppressive treatment. Years later, she developed progressive hypoacusis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extensive mass in the tympanic cavity extending to the mastoid. A biopsy of the mass was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Immunosuppressants were weaned and the patient was started on anti-tuberculous therapy with resolution of the complaints and findings. Tuberculous infections are difficult to diagnose and frequently mimic other illnesses, but in our case, we believe that an indolent tuberculous process was present from the beginning and evolved under immunosuppressive therapy. Learning points: The differential diagnosis of rhinosinus granulomatous findings includes inflammatory and infectious diseases (for example, tuberculous infections), in addition to neoplasms, cocaine abuse and trauma. A comprehensive differential diagnosis list is essential to mitigate diagnostic errors, especially in patients where auto-immune studies are negative or there is any doubt in the diagnosis. Latent tuberculosis screening should be a concern for physicians treating patients with immunosuppressive therapy, especially in endemic countries.
- Viscous Leptomeningeal Pseudotumoural Masses and Multiple Cranial Neuropathy – Severe Presentation of NeurosarcoidosisPublication . Dias, Rita; Ferreira, Inês; Faria, RaquelWe present a case of a 56-year-old man with a history of episcleritis (left) and cluster headache (left) who had a penetrating trauma of the left eye leading to amaurosis 1 month previously. Since then, he developed multiple cranial neuropathy of the right side (V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII cranial pairs). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an infiltrative lesion of the base of the skull which extended to the retropharyngeal and jugular space, which progressed to multiple leptomeningeal masses extending to the clivus, despite aggressive immunosuppression. Rebiopsy of 1 meningeal mass supported the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis. The patient finally responded to high-dose prolonged infliximab therapy, with complete remission. Learning points: Neurosarcoidosis can present as multiple cranial neuropathy, with extensive nerve involvement depending on the brain and meningeal lesions.Large leptomeningeal pseudotumoural granulomatous masses should be promptly biopsied and lead to aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.Immunosuppressant weaning should be carried out cautiously to avoid rebound worsening.
- Discordance between patient and physician global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome: a multicenter study cohortPublication . Floris, Alberto; Espinosa, Gerard; Serpa Pinto, Luísa; Kougkas, Nikolaos; Lo Monaco, Andrea; Lopalco, Giuseppe; Orlando, Ida; Bertsias, George; Cantarini, Luca; Cervera, Ricard; Araújo Correia, João; Govoni, Marcello; Iannone, Florenzo; Mathieu, Alessandro; Neri, Piergiorgio; Martins da Silva, Ana; Vasconcelos, Carlos; Muntoni, Monica; Cauli, Alberto; Piga, MatteoBackground: To compare the patients' and physician's global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome (BS) and investigate the frequency, magnitude, and determinants of potential discordance. Methods: A total of 226 adult BS patients with a median (IQR) age of 46.9 (35.6-55.2) years were enrolled across Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables, as well as the patient reported outcomes, were collected at the recruitment visit. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores of the Short Form Questionnaire 36 (SF-36) and the Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) were calculated. Disease activity was assessed by the patients' (PtGA) and physician's global assessment (PGA) in a 10-cm visual analog scale, as well as the Behçet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Discordance (∆) was calculated by subtracting the PGA from the PtGA and defined as positive (PtGA>PGA) and negative (PtGA 80%) of disagreements were due to patients rating higher their disease activity. Higher values of BDCAF were associated to increased rate of positive discordance. When BDCAF = 0, the median (IQR) values of PtGA and PGA were 0.2 (0-2) and 0 (0-1), respectively. PCS (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, p = 0.006) and MCS (adjOR 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.99, p = 0.003) were independently associated with positive discordance using both cutoffs. Active ocular involvement emerged as a potential determinant of negative discordance (adjOR 5.88, 95% CI 1.48-23.30, p = 0.012). Conclusions: PtGA and PGA should be considered as complementary measures in BS, as patients and physicians may be influenced by different factors when assessing active disease manifestations. Particularly, PtGA may be a useful tool in the assessment of BS disease activity, as it carries a low risk to misclassify an inactive disease, and may allow to capture aspects of the patient's health that negatively affect his well-being and the treatment.
- Genome-wide whole blood transcriptome profiling in a large European cohort of systemic sclerosis patientsPublication . Beretta, Lorenzo; Barturen, Guillermo; Vigone, Barbara; Bellocchi, Chiara; Hunzelmann, Nicolas; De Langhe, Ellen; Cervera, Ricard; Gerosa, Maria; Kovács, László; Ortega Castro, Rafaela; Almeida, Isabel; Cornec, Divi; Chizzolini, Carlo; Pers, Jacques-Olivier; Makowska, Zuzanna; Lesche, Ralf; Kerick, Martin; Alarcón-Riquelme, Marta Eugenia; Martin, JavierObjectives: The analysis of annotated transcripts from genome-wide expression studies may help to understand the pathogenesis of complex diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). We performed a whole blood (WB) transcriptome analysis on RNA collected in the context of the European PRECISESADS project, aiming at characterising the pathways that differentiate SSc from controls and that are reproducible in geographically diverse populations. Methods: Samples from 162 patients and 252 controls were collected in RNA stabilisers. Cases and controls were divided into a discovery (n=79+163; Southern Europe) and validation cohort (n=83+89; Central-Western Europe). RNA sequencing was performed by an Illumina assay. Functional annotations of Reactome pathways were performed with the Functional Analysis of Individual Microarray Expression (FAIME) algorithm. In parallel, immunophenotyping of 28 circulating cell populations was performed. We tested the presence of differentially expressed genes/pathways and the correlation between absolute cell counts and RNA transcripts/FAIME scores in regression models. Results significant in both populations were considered as replicated. Results: Overall, 15 224 genes and 1277 functional pathways were available; of these, 99 and 225 were significant in both sets. Among replicated pathways, we found a deregulation in type-I interferon, Toll-like receptor cascade, tumour suppressor p53 protein function, platelet degranulation and activation. RNA transcripts or FAIME scores were jointly correlated with cell subtypes with strong geographical differences; neutrophils were the major determinant of gene expression in SSc-WB samples. Conclusions: We discovered a set of differentially expressed genes/pathways validated in two independent sets of patients with SSc, highlighting a number of deregulated processes that have relevance for the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and SSc.
- Inclusion Body Myositis Treated with AlemtuzumabPublication . Sá, J.; Costelha, J.; Marinho, Antónionclusion body myositis (IBM) is a chronic inflammatory myopathy with a progressive course. It is more common in the later years of life and usually presents with limb weakness. We present the case of a patient who developed proximal weakness in the lower limbs and, four years later, facial asymmetry. Blood analysis revealed high lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase values. The diagnosis was obtained through muscle biopsy which met the histological criteria for IBM. The patient started treatment with alemtuzumab, leading to stabilisation of the symptoms in two years. Learning points: IBM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of muscle weakness.Patients may present uncommon symptoms, such as prominent facial involvement.Alemtuzumab may potentially be beneficial in limiting the progression of IBM.
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