A cross-national comparison of obesity using BMI-for-age percentiles: results from the Canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA) and the United States health and retirement study (HRS).

Obesity prevalence is increasing in both the United States (US) and Canada concurrently with demographic shifts, resulting in increasingly older populations with a high prevalence of obesity. Older adults have unique risks factors and outcomes related to obesity, such as age-related physiologic changes over time, that need to be considered when assessing obesity. In a comparison of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and the United States Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we use BMI-for-age percentile curves to examine obesity in the US and Canada in individuals 50+ years.

BMI-for-age percentile curves for older adults.

Objective: The objective of this manuscript is to present BMI-for-age percentile curves for men and women aged 45 to 90 years.

Methods: Weighted empirical percentile estimates were calculated using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) comprehensive cohort (2011-2018) according to age and sex. Statistical smoothing procedures were used to generate smoothed curves for the percentile values.

Identification of an ANCA-associated vasculitis cohort using deep learning and electronic health records.

Background: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare but serious disease. Traditional case-identification methods using claims data can be time-intensive and may miss important subgroups. We hypothesized that a deep learning model analyzing electronic health records (EHR) can more accurately identify AAV cases.

Burden of coronary artery calcification in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Screening and primary cardiovascular prevention may improve outcomes.

Methods: We identified patients in the 2002-2019 Mass General Brigham AAV cohort with thoracic CT scans obtained for other clinical purposes.

Defining cause of death in a contemporary cohort with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): A comparison of electronic health record and death certificate data.

Objectives: Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) face excess mortality compared with the general population. Mortality in clinical epidemiology research is often examined using death certificate diagnosis codes; however, the sensitivity of such codes in AAV is unknown.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Mass General Brigham AAV Cohort, including patients with AAV who died between 2002 and 2019.

The effects of age and frailty on the risks of end-stage renal disease, death, and severe infection in older adults with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Frailty, a measure of biological age, might predict poor outcomes in older adults better than chronological age. We aimed to compare the effect of age and frailty on end-stage renal disease, death, and severe infection within 2 years of diagnosis in older adults with incident antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included individuals aged 65 years or older from the Mass General Brigham ANCA-associated vasculitis cohort in the USA who were treated between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2019.

Identification of an ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Cohort Using Deep Learning and Electronic Health Records.

Background: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare but serious disease. Traditional case-identification methods using claims data can be time-intensive and may miss important subgroups. We hypothesized that a deep learning model analyzing electronic health records (EHR) can more accurately identify AAV cases.

The association between reproductive history and abdominal adipose tissue among postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative.

Study Question: What is the association between reproductive health history (e.g. age at menarche, menopause, reproductive lifespan) with abdominal adiposity in postmenopausal women?

Summary Answer: Higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) tissue levels were observed among women with earlier menarche, earlier menopause, and greater parity.

CellMag-CARWash: A High Throughput Droplet Microfluidic Device for Live Cell Isolation and Single Cell Applications.

The recent push toward understanding an individual cell's behavior and identifying cellular heterogeneity has created an unmet need for technologies that can probe live cells at the single-cell level. Cells within a population are known to exhibit heterogeneous responses to environmental cues. These differences can lead to varied cellular states, behavior, and responses to therapeutics.

The clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in IgG4-related disease: a claims-based analysis of commercially insured adults in the United States.

Objectives: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can affect nearly any organ and is often treated with glucocorticoids, which contribute to organ damage and toxicity. Comorbidities and healthcare utilization in IgG4-RD are poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study using claims data from a US managed care organization.

Factors Associated With an Electronic Health Record-Based Definition of Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease.

Objective: Many individuals with rheumatic disease are at higher risk for severe acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to evaluate risk factors for postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) using an electronic health record (EHR)-based definition.

Methods: We identified patients with prevalent rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 within the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.

Effectiveness of a fourth dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: an emulated target trial.

Background: Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) might have blunted responses to COVID-19 vaccines. The initial mRNA vaccine series is defined as three doses for this population and a fourth booster dose is recommended. The effectiveness of the fourth dose in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases using DMARDs is not well established.

Associations of DMARDs with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a prospective study.

Objective: We investigated the baseline DMARD use and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) risk among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: Patients with SARDs and confirmed COVID-19 infection at Mass General Brigham completed a survey ≥28 days after a positive PCR/antigen test to prospectively investigate their COVID-19 courses. We investigated DMARD use at COVID-19 onset and PASC risk.

Risk factors and outcomes for repeat COVID-19 infection among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A case-control study.

Objective: To investigate risk factors and outcomes of repeat COVID-19 infections among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: We performed a case-control study investigating repeat COVID-19 infection within the Mass General Brigham Health Care System. We systematically identified all SARD patients with confirmed COVID-19 (15/Mar/2020 to 17/Oct/2022).

Immunomodulators and risk for breakthrough infection after third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate COVID-19 breakthrough infection after third mRNA vaccine dose among patients with RA by immunomodulator drug class, and we hypothesized that CD20 inhibitors (CD20i) would have higher risk for breakthrough COVID-19 vs. TNF inhibitors (TNFi).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study investigating breakthrough COVID-19 among RA patients at Mass General Brigham in Boston, MA, USA.

Breakthrough COVID-19 After Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab Among Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

Objective: To determine the incidence and baseline factors associated with breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tixagevimab/cilgavimab among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study among patients with SARDs who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab between January 2, 2022, and November 16, 2022. The primary outcome was breakthrough COVID-19 after tixagevimab/cilgavimab.

Humoral immunity to an endemic coronavirus is associated with postacute sequelae of COVID-19 in individuals with rheumatic diseases.

Beyond the acute illness caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, about one-fifth of infections result in long-term persistence of symptoms despite the apparent clearance of infection. Insights into the mechanisms that underlie postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) will be critical for the prevention and clinical management of long-term complications of COVID-19. Several hypotheses have been proposed that may account for the development of PASC, including persistence of virus and dysregulation of immune responses.

Assessment of patient-reported symptoms and distress in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD): Development, clinical validation, and content validation of the IgG4-RD Symptom Severity Index.

Objective: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a multi-organ autoimmune disease, causes diverse manifestations that can lead to symptoms and distress. We developed and validated the Symptom Severity Index (SSI) to assess symptom burden.

Methods: A pilot SSI was tested in n = 5; several gaps were identified.

Incidence, prevalence and mortality of IgG4-related disease in the USA: a claims-based analysis of commercially insured adults.

Background: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition that can affect nearly any organ or anatomic site. We sought to describe the epidemiology of IgG4-RD in the USA.

Methods: We used Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2021 to identify IgG4-RD cases using a validated algorithm.

Comparative Effectiveness of Rituximab- Versus Cyclophosphamide-Based Remission Induction Strategies in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis for the Risk of Kidney Failure and Mortality.

Objective: To compare rituximab- versus cyclophosphamide-based remission induction strategies for the long-term risks of kidney failure and death in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in a real-world cohort.

Methods: We performed a cohort study using the Mass General Brigham AAV Cohort, which includes proteinase 3-ANCA+ and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA+ AAV patients diagnosed from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2019. We included cases in which the initial remission induction strategy was based either on rituximab or cyclophosphamide.

Longitudinal Patterns of Renal Function in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

Objective: A spectrum of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may occur in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). The longitudinal trajectory of renal function in AAV is poorly understood.

Methods: Patients with ≥2 creatinine measurements, including at baseline (±30 days of treatment initiation), were included from the Mass General Brigham AAV Cohort.

Outcomes with and without outpatient SARS-CoV-2 treatment for patients with COVID-19 and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Some patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease and immunosuppression might still be at risk of severe COVID-19. The effect of outpatient SARS-CoV-2 treatments on COVID-19 outcomes among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease is unclear. We aimed to evaluate temporal trends, severe outcomes, and COVID-19 rebound among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease and COVID-19 who received outpatient SARS-CoV-2 treatment compared with those who did not receive outpatient treatment.

Comparative Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 Vaccines Against COVID-19 Infection Among Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases on Immunomodulatory Medications.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 vs mRNA-1273) against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) on immunomodulatory medications.

Methods: We identified patients with SARDs being treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or glucocorticoids in the Mass General Brigham healthcare system who received either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 as their initial vaccine series. Patients were followed until positive SARS-CoV-2 test, death, or February 22, 2022.