Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by the synovitis and bone erosion. The combination therapy of glucocorticoids (GCs) and methotrexate (MTX) is recommended in early RA management, although the precise underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. This study is aimed to clarify the mechanism of MTX in combined with GC in treating RA.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a comorbidity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We aimed to define the prevalence of CKD in patients with PsA, describe their long-term renal outcomes and identify risk factors for CKD development.

Immunoglobulin 4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is known for its potential to affect nearly every organ, particularly a preference for large and middle-sized arteries when vascular involvement occurs. However, instances of splenic artery aneurysms are exceedingly rare with only two cases reported in the literature. We have summarised the clinical manifestations and laboratory characteristics of the three patients we reported along with the two patients previously reported. It is noteworthy that all five patients had involvement of the salivary glands and only one patient had other arterial involvement. The three patients we reported had no new organ onset or worsening of existing organ involvement and normal or not significantly elevated serum IgG4 levels when the artery aneurysm was identified. These aneurysms may be the result of vascular damage from prior involvement that was not recognised previously. The cases we reported here highlight a potential association between IgG4-RD and concurrent splenic artery aneurysms.

To evaluate the impact of using Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI)-LDA (low disease activity) versus different definitions of remission as a treatment target in established rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease currently classified into two subgroups based on skin extension. The aim of this study was to determine in a large cohort whether the determination of autoantibody (AAb) profile among a full antinuclear AAbs panel including nine specificities had a higher impact than skin phenotype on stratifying the risk of organ involvement and mortality in SSc.

Conventional radiographs of hands and feet are used to depict structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is also commonly done in clinical practice in symptomatic patients at risk for RA (clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA)), but its rationale is unclear. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of radiographic erosive disease in patients with CSA and its progression over time.

Secondary prevention of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is generally considered potentially impactful because the entire RA population is believed to experience a symptomatic 'pre-RA' phase. We wondered whether this dogma is correct. Therefore we investigated an inception cohort of patients with newly diagnosed RA and studied among them patients who did and did not present with preceding arthralgia at risk for RA.

The objectives of this study are to identify a therapeutic serum level for adalimumab associated with remission and low disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The PD-1 axis promotes protection against autoimmunity. Immune checkpoint (IC) molecules performance in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) remains unknown. This study aims to assess the IC pathway's role in the AAV's pathophysiology.

To discover antibody biomarkers that can predict a lack of response to first-line therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

The aim of this study was to combine deep T cell phenotyping with assessment of citrulline-reactive CD4+T cells in the pre-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phase.

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), gastrointestinal involvement is one of the earliest events. We compared the gut microbiota (GM), its short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and host-derived free fatty acids (FFAs) in patients with very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) and definite SSc.

To re-evaluate cut-offs for disease activity states according to the Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and study the impact of sex, age, calendar time, disease and symptom duration on ASDAS and ASDAS cut-offs in a large contemporary cohort.

The 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria score (≥20 points) has been associated with poor outcomes. We aimed to evaluate its utility as a predictor for mortality and hospitalisation and to derive and validate an ominosity score based on the SLE classification criteria set.

Janus kinase inhibitors are an effective option for achieving sustained remission or low disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Filgotinib is a Janus kinase 1-preferential inhibitor available in two doses for moderate-to-severe RA. We report the long-term efficacy and safety of filgotinib.

To compare spinal symptoms and spinal/hip mobility at baseline and 2 years in early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and non-axSpA chronic back pain (BP) patients.

In many patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), pain persists despite anti-inflammatory medication. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) indirectly assesses altered somatosensory function, though its clinical practicality is limited. The Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) could be an alternative in the initial assessment of central sensitisation (CS). This study aimed to investigate the value of the CSI in evaluating CS in patients with axSpA by (1) assessing somatosensory function related to CS with QST and (2) exploring associations between CSI, QST, patient and disease characteristics and pain-related psychosocial factors.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme, that has been implicated as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate how different biologic therapies affect levels of PON1 and oxylipins.

To investigate the association between musculoskeletal sonographic features and clinical features, as well as treatment outcomes, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).