Egyptian Rheumatologist最新文献

{"title":"Understanding fibromyalgia: A comprehensive review of the literature","authors":"Nora Y. Elsaid","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex and debilitating chronic pain condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain often accompanied by fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbance, psychiatric issues, and various somatic symptoms. It is more prevalent in women between 30 and 60 years.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the work</h3><div>To provide a comprehensive overview on FM, covering its pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, the role of artificial intelligence (AI), and available treatment options.</div></div><div><h3>Review</h3><div>The <em>pathophysiology</em> of FM remains poorly understood and may involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that lead to abnormal pain processing in the central nervous system. <em>Diagnosis</em> is primarily clinical after exclusion of other conditions. The overlap between FM, chronic pain syndromes and post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome or “long COVID-19” is still debatable. Till now there have been no definitive laboratory tests or imaging studies to diagnose FM. <em>Management</em>, often a multidisciplinary approach, includes pharmacological treatments, physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications such as exercise and stress management techniques. The adoption of AI in its diagnosis and management is a new area of interest in FM. Ongoing research is focused on elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FM and developing innovative therapeutic strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review highlights the importance of a multidimensional approach to FM management, including pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacological therapies, and psychological support. Furthermore, it urges the need for further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms contributing to FM, to improve the diagnosis and management of this challenging condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 90-97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elbow joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Clinical and ultrasound findings of the neglected joint","authors":"Samar Tharwat ,&nbsp;Ahmed Hassan ,&nbsp;Sherin Z Mohamed","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>of the work.</div><div>To assess the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the evaluation of elbow joint abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.</div></div><div><h3>Patients and methods</h3><div>This study was conducted on 47 RA patients subjected to clinical assessment and MSUS of both elbows.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of the patients was 44 ± 9.55 years, they were 42 females, and 5 males and rheumatoid factor was positive in 76.6 %. This work was conducted on 94 elbow joints (59.6 % asymptomatic, 8.5 % unilateral, and 31.9 % bilateral joint pain). Ultrasound (US) abnormalities were present in 61 (64.9 %) of scanned joints. Effusion/synovial hypertrophy was the most common abnormality (31.9 %), followed by structural abnormalities at the common extensor tendon (26.6 %). There was a significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic elbow joints regarding US abnormalities of the elbows. MSUS showed high sensitivity and specificity in detection of elbow pathology compared to physical examination as the following: biceps tendon pathology (98.81 % specificity, 40 % sensitivity), effusion/synovial hypertrophy (62.32 % specificity, 68 % sensitivity), lateral epicondylitis (71.43 % specificity, 76.47 % sensitivity), medial epicondylitis (71.95 % specificity, 66.67 % sensitivity), and triceps enthesopathy (73.33 % specificity, 50 % sensitivity). Moderate agreement was observed for biceps tendon pathology (κ = 0.5, p &lt; 0.001). Fair agreement was noted for effusion/synovial hypertrophy (κ = 0.25, p = 0.009). Similarly, fair agreement was observed for lateral epicondylitis (κ = 0.34, p &lt; 0.001) and medial epicondylitis (κ = 0.23, p = 0.008). Although triceps enthesopathy showed only slight to no agreement between clinical examination and US (κ = 0.06, p = 0.31).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Elbow problems are frequent among individuals with RA, even in those who do not exhibit overt elbow symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 85-89"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression patterns of ciRS-7 and miR-7 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients","authors":"Doaa M. El-Wakil ,&nbsp;Aya M. Nasr ,&nbsp;Alaa R. Awad ,&nbsp;Iman H. Bassyouni ,&nbsp;Nadia M.H. Madany","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miR-7 and ciRS-7, are implicated in many autoimmune diseases, but their roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stay largely unexplored. <em>Aim of the work:</em> To assess miR-7 and ciRS-7 as diagnostic biomarkers for RA by comparing their expression patterns in patients <em>vs.</em> controls and correlating their profiles with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) levels and clinical findings. <em>Patients and methods:</em> Forty-five patients and 45 controls were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to assess plasma anti-CCP levels, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to determine miR-7 and ciRS-7 expression levels. <em>Results:</em> All cases were female with a mean age of 39.6 ± 10.2 years. Cases exhibited significantly lower levels of miR-7 expression than control (median, 0.51 <em>vs.</em> 1.03; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), while a significant elevation in ciRS-7 was observed in cases (median, 4.29 <em>vs.</em> 0.93; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Neither miR-7 nor ciRS-7 showed a significant correlation with anti-CCP levels. Meanwhile, miR-7 and ciRS-7 levels significantly correlated with the duration of RA (<em>r_s</em> = 0.32, <em>p</em> = 0.03; <em>r_s</em> = 0.4, <em>p</em> = 0.01, respectively), while the anti-CCP levels demonstrated a significant negative correlation with disease duration (<em>r_s</em>= −0.33, <em>p</em> = 0.03). miR-7 and ciRS-7 significantly distinguish cases from controls at cut-off values of &lt; 0.81 and &gt; 1.7, respectively (AUC = 0.98 and 0.99; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), and their combination achieved 100 % diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 1 (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). <em>Conclusions:</em> miR-7 and ciRS-7 have an inverse relationship, suggesting that ciRS-7 could modulate miR-7 regulatory functions. Both miR-7 and ciRS-7 could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for RA, and their combination could improve RA prediction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 80-84"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"GNG11mRNA and long non-coding RNA PEBP1-1:1: Emerging role in axial spondyloarthritis patients","authors":"Basma R. Sakr ,&nbsp;Laila A. Rashed ,&nbsp;Shams M. Reda ,&nbsp;Walaa Ibrahim","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aim of the work:</em> To evaluate expression of Guanine nucleotide binding protein gamma 11(GNG11) mRNA and long non-coding (lnc) RNA PEBP1-1:1 in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients and to appraise their probable relation with disease manifestations and activity. <em>Patients and methods:</em> This study included 50 axSpA patients and 50 controls. Disease activity was evaluated using BASDAI. Radiographic X ray grading of lumbar spine and sacroiliacs was appraised using BASRI and The New York sacroiliitis radiological grading criteria. Quantitative analysis of expression of GNG11mRNA and lnc RNA PEBP1-1:1 by real- time PCR was accomplished. <em>Results:</em> The mean age of axSpA patients was 37.3 ± 10 years. AxSpA patients exhibited significantly increased expression of GNG11 mRNA and lnc RNA PEBP1-1:1 compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001 each). There was no difference in GNG11 mRNA and lnc RNA PEBP1:1 between patients with high and low BASDAI (p = 0.49, p = 0.71). The expression of GNG11 mRNA and lnc RNA PEBP1:1 did not show difference between radiological grades of lumbosacral spine (p = 0.76, p = 0.34), or sacroiliacs (p = 0.92, p = 0.74). There was a significant reverse relationship between lnc RNA PEBP1:1 expression levels and lateral bending test (right side: r = -0.32, p = 0.03) (left side: r = -0.38, p = 0.01). There was no association between the expression level of GNG11 mRNA or lnc RNA PEBP1:1 and either disease duration, BASDAI, or radiographic grading. <em>Conclusion:</em> Upregulated expression of GNG11 mRNA and lncRNA PEBP1-1:1 in axSpA patients suggests their role as key regulators of the molecular pathogenesis of axSpA, yet they were not related to diseases activity or radiographic grading.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 70-73"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143153040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Delayed onset lupus nephritis in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus: Relation to disease activity and therapeutic response","authors":"Eman M. Elhabashy,&nbsp;Wafaa H. Hussein,&nbsp;Geilan A. Mahmoud","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Background:</strong> Lupus nephritis (LN) is severe organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It could be the first presentation, commonly in the first year after diagnosis, but may arise later during the disease course. The time of LN onset can affect its clinical presentation and disease outcomes. <strong>Aim of the work</strong>: To study the differences between early and delayed onset LN during the course of SLE and the prognosis of the disease. <strong>Patients and methods</strong>: This study included 100 SLE patients with LN. They were categorized into early onset group who developed LN within one year of diagnosis and delayed onset LN if developed after one year. Renal response to treatment was compared between early and delayed-onsets LN cases after six months, one year and two years of following up. <strong>Results</strong>: This study involved 100 SLE patient, 93 females and 7 males, the mean age was 36.6 ± 8.6 years with disease duration 9.7 ± 5.03 years. Early onset LN group included 45 patients while delayed-onset group included 55. At baseline, ESR and SELENA-SLEDAI were higher (p = 0.017 and 0.016 respectively) in early onset and renal biopsy showed higher cellular and fibrous crescents in the same group (p = 0.045 and 0.012 respectively). On the other hand, delayed onset LN group after 6 months, 1 and 2 years of following up showed more frequent flares with incomplete remission (p &lt; 0.001, p = 0.002 and p &lt; 0.001 respectively) and higher SELENA-SLEDAI (p &lt; 0.001). <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Early onset LN has a better treatment response and presents a valuable indicator of complete remission than delayed-onset LN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 65-69"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Axial involvement in a cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis","authors":"Nermeen Samy,&nbsp;Adel M. El Sayed,&nbsp;Sherin H. Hamza,&nbsp;Fatma Ibrahim,&nbsp;Dalia M. Gamal","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Aim of the work:</strong> To assess the characteristics of axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and to determine risk factors and relation to disease characteristics. <strong>Patients and methods</strong>: A hundred patients with PsA were studied, classified into two groups according to axial affection. Disease activity in PsA (DAPSA), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), axial spondyloarthritis disease activity (ASDAS), psoriatic arthritis Ratingen score (PARS), psoriatic arthritis spondylitis radiology index (BASRI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI), Bath ankylosing functional index (BASFI), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were implemented. <strong>Results</strong>: They were 65 females and 35 males (F:M 1.9:1) with a mean age of 41.6 ± 11.85 years.49 % had axial affection versus 51 % with peripheral affection. Comparing both groups revealed significant association of axial involvement with smoking (p = 0.032), PsA duration (p &lt; 0.001), family history of skin psoriasis or arthritis (p = 0.002), dactylitis (p = 0.036), enthesitis (p &lt; 0.001), BASDAI (p = 0.027), DAPSA (p = 0.003), BASMI (p &lt; 0.0001), BASFI (p = 0.016), HAQ (p &lt; 0.0001), and VAS (p &lt; 0.001) scores. Positive predictors of axial PsA included smoking (p = 0.035), disease onset of skin psoriasis at ≤ 18 years (p &lt; 0.0001), PsA duration &gt; 6 years (p &lt; 0.0001), family history of psoriasis/PsA (p = 0.004), enthesitis (p = 0.001), dactylitis (p = 0.04), CRP &gt; 23 (p = 0.007), DAPSA score &gt; 42 (p = 0.001), BASDAI score &gt; 4.2 (p = 0.003), BASMI score &gt; 0.9 (p &lt; 0.0001). <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Axial PsA is more frequent in smokers, patients with prolonged disease duration, a positive family history, a higher incidence of enthesitis and dactylitis, raised activity, radiographic and functional scores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 74-79"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Uveitis in spondyloarthritis patients: Relation to clinical characteristics","authors":"Hanan M. Farouk ,&nbsp;Amina B. Abdelaziz ,&nbsp;Mohammad A. Rashad ,&nbsp;Nashwa A. Morshedy ,&nbsp;Madonna H. Gad ,&nbsp;Dalia A. ElSherbiny","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim of the work</h3><div>To assess the prevalence of uveitis in SpA patients and determine its association with clinical manifestations, laboratorial, radiological, and therapeutic data.</div></div><div><h3>Patients and methods</h3><div>This work included 81 adult SpA patients. Detailed medical history was taken. Full clinical and ophthalmological examinations were performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of patients was 37.4 ± 9.3 years, 51 males and 30 females with positive family history of SpA in 18.5 %. 22 (27.2 %) had uveitis which was anterior in 18 (81.8 %), posterior in 5 (22.7 %), acute in 15 (68.2 %), unilateral in 15 (68.2 %). Regarding ophthalmology examination, 3 (3.7 %) had cataract, 1 (1.2 %) had glaucoma, 1 (1.2 %) had visual loss and 2 (2.5 %) had ocular surgery. In univariate analysis, there was significant association between uveitis and age, family history, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) &gt; 28 mm/1^sthr, C-reactive protein (CRP) &gt; 11 mg/dl, hemoglobin ≤ 11.2 g/dl, white blood cell count (WBCs) &gt; 7.5 ×10³/mm³, platelets &gt; 345 ×10³/mm³, human leucocytic antigen (HLA-B27) and sacroiliitis. In multivariate analysis, there was significant association between uveitis and age (p = 0.061), ESR &gt; 28 mm/1^sthr (p = 0.023), CRP &gt; 11 mg/dl (p = 0.018), hemoglobin ≤ 11.2 g/dl (p = 0.015), platelets &gt; 345 ×10³/mm³ (p = 0.059) and sacroiliitis (p = 0.024).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Uveitis in patients with SpA is common especially with increase in age. With a positive family history of SpA and/or long disease duration, occurrence of uveitis should not be neglected. Uveitis is related also to inflammatory markers, HLA-B27 and sacroiliitis. Routine screening for uveitis in SpA patients is crucial for better early disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 61-64"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plasma high-mobility group nucleosome-binding domain 1 (HMGN1) protein levels in four common rheumatic diseases: A potential biomarker of rheumatoid arthritis","authors":"Evgeny A. Ermakov ,&nbsp;Anna S. Tolmacheva ,&nbsp;Vadim V. Kon’kov ,&nbsp;Mark M. Melamud ,&nbsp;Alexey E. Sizikov ,&nbsp;Nataliya A. Klyaus ,&nbsp;Georgy A. Nevinsky ,&nbsp;Valentina N. Buneva","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Aim of the work:</strong> Non-histone chromosomal protein, high-mobility group nucleosome-binding domain 1 (HMGN1), is assumed to be a potential alarmin involved in the activation of inflammatory responses in rheumatic diseases, but the blood concentration of this protein is unknown. In this study, the plasma concentration of HMGN1 was investigated in four common rheumatic diseases compared to healthy individuals and between diseases. <strong>Patients and methods:</strong> A total of 39 age-matched rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, 64 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, 30 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, 26 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 59 healthy subjects were included in the study. HMGN1 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. <strong>Results:</strong> HMGN1 concentration was above the minimum detectable level in 7 % of healthy individuals, 12 % of SLE, 17 % of PsA, 36 % of AS, and 82 % of RA patients. The remaining participants had HMGN1 concentrations close to zero. The odds ratio for HMGN1 detection in RA was 62.9 (95 % CI: 17.1–231.4, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001) and in AS was 7.7 (95 % CI: 2.5–24.0, <em>p</em> = 0.00008). The median HMGN1 concentration in RA (1.36 [Q1, Q3: 0.21, 2.85]) was significantly higher than in healthy individuals (0 [0,0] ng/mL, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001) and patients with other rheumatic diseases (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001). HMGN1 levels were also increased in AS patients (0 [0, 0.21] ng/mL, <em>p</em> = 0.00006) compared to controls, but to a lesser extent than in RA. HMGN1 concentration in SLE and PsA patients did not differ from healthy subjects. HMGN1 showed good diagnostic potential as a predictor of RA patients and healthy individuals (AUC: 0.87, 95 %CI: 0.79–0.95, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.00001). HMGN1 level correlated only with DAS28 score in RA (<em>r</em> = 0.44, <em>p</em> = 0.02), although multiple regression analysis identified only erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a predictor of DAS28 but not HMGN1 level. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> HMGN1 can be considered as a promising differential biomarker of RA. More sensitive tests for HMGN1 levels are needed for accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, studies on the role of HMGN1 in RA pathogenesis are needed in light of these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 51-55"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Musculoskeletal ultrasound findings in first-degree relatives of rheumatoid arthritis patients","authors":"Safaa A. Hussein,&nbsp;Abdelazim M. El-Hefny,&nbsp;Caroline S. Morad,&nbsp;Bassant MI Hassanin,&nbsp;Mohamed RM Abdelkader","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong>Aim of the work:</strong> To determine the frequency of subclinical joint and/or tendon affection using high resolution ultrasonography in healthy first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the relation to serological markers. <strong>Patients and methods:</strong> This work was conducted on 60 subjects with high risk of developing arthritis; healthy FDRs of patients with RA. Clinical assessment, laboratory investigations and high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) were done. Seven joints of the clinically dominant foot and hand<!--> <!-->had been evaluated by ultrasound in grayscale and Doppler flow employing the ultrasound 7 (US7) scoring system. The US7 score evaluated the following joints: wrists, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) II and III, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) II and III, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) II and V, which had been examined for tenosynovitis/<em>para</em>-tenonitis, synovitis, and erosions. <strong>Results:</strong> Rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in four FDRs (6.7%) had, two (3.3%) had positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, MSUS positive findings had been identified in 31 FDRs (51.6%); of whom 18 (58%) had arthralgia. Synovitis by Gray Scale was the commonest finding, as it was recorded in 31 FDRs (51.6%), tenosynovitis/<em>para</em>-tenonitis was present in 2 (3.3%) FDRs. There were no erosions detected in all subjects. The wrist was the most frequently affected joint in 23 subjects (38.3%) on MSUS.RF gives the best AUC being (67%), followed by anti-CCP (52%), then the arthralgia. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> This work is in line with the notion of FDRs being pre-RA. MSUS serves as an effective screening instrument for detecting subclinical synovitis among at risk individuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 2","pages":"Pages 56-60"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143151960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of serum interleukin-20 and interleukin-33 levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients","authors":"Shimaa A. Abdel Salam ,&nbsp;Fatma elzahraa Y. Fathy ,&nbsp;Rasha N. Thabet ,&nbsp;Nagwa M. Abo El Magd","doi":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejr.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Understanding the role of cytokines in progression and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may help in development of new treatment strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the work</h3><div>To detect the interleukin–20 (IL-20) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) serum levels in RA patients and to assess their relationship with disease activity.</div></div><div><h3>Patients and methods</h3><div>This study was done on 30 RA patients and 30 matched controls. Disease activity score (DAS 28) was assessed. Level of IL-20 and IL-33 were measured by using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The level of IL-20 and IL-33 were significantly elevated in the RA patients (37 ± 17.8 ng/L and 102.6 ± 17.5 ng/L) compared to controls (13.6 ± 1.9 ng/L and 44.6 ± 10.5 ng/L; p &lt; 0.001 for both) and level of each cytokine was significantly changed according to DAS 28 disease activity score. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that both IL-20 and IL-23 had excellent diagnostic accuracy in differentiation of RA patients from healthy controls with 80 % and 93.3 % sensitivity and 80 % and 83.3 % specificity respectively. Also, IL33 level was considered an accurate discriminating marker between RA patients and controls. Regression analysis highlights that DAS-28 is predictor for both IL-20 and IL-33.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A significant higher levels of serum IL-20 and IL-33 was observed in RA patients, and both were associated with the disease activity. Also, IL-33 was effective in differentiation between RA cases and controls. These findings indicate that IL-20 and IL-33 could be useful biomarkers for assessing disease activity in RA and both may serve as potential targets for future treatment of the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46152,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Rheumatologist","volume":"47 1","pages":"Pages 46-50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143102584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}