Anxiety symptoms and associated factors in the scleroderma patient-centered intervention network (SPIN) cohort: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: We (1) compared anxiety symptom levels in a multinational systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort to a general population normative sample and (2) evaluated sociodemographic, lifestyle, and SSc disease factors associated with symptoms.

Methods: Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Version 2 4a Anxiety domain upon enrolment. PROMIS domain scores use T-scores (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10) calibrated to a United States normative sample.

[Assessment of internship sites in Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, 7 years after the Residency Training Program Reform: Findings from a 2024 year-end survey in France].

Objective: To compile a list of approved training sites for the Residency Training Program [Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées] in Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology (DES-MIIC) in France.

Method: All local coordinators of the DES-MIIC were contacted to establish the list of approved internship sites for the MIIC DES within their geographical subdivision.

Results: We listed 244 approved training sites, of which 87 (35.

Cluster analysis identifies three clinical patterns of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases and anti-Ku antibodies.

Objective: To determine distinct patterns of patients with autoimmune diseases harbouring anti-Ku antibodies and their respective prognosis.

Methods: Anti-Ku-positive patients were retrieved through four immunology departments. Clusters were derived from unsupervised multiple correspondence analysis, not including the disease's diagnosis, followed by hierarchical clustering.

Temporal trends in vascular medication use in 8,079 patients with systemic sclerosis: insights to inform future trials and therapeutic strategies from the EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by widespread vascular damage resulting in digital and systemic vasculopathic sequelae. Although there are effective treatments available, vascular disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in SSc. Our aim was to describe patterns of vascular medication use in SSc, including examination for potential changes over time.

Glucocorticoids versus glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis without poor-prognosis factors: a target trial emulation study.

Objectives: Current recommendations suggest treating eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) without severe manifestations with glucocorticoids (GCs) and EGPA with severe manifestations with GCs plus cyclophosphamide (CYC) regardless of poor-prognostic factors. However, GCs plus CYC and GCs alone have never been compared in EGPA without poor-prognosis factors assessed by the 1996 Five Factor Score (FFS). We aimed to compare the efficacy of GCs plus CYC vs GCs alone for the treatment of EGPA without poor-prognosis, including among patients with severe manifestations.

Master protocol for a series of cohort-based randomized controlled trials to test tools to communicate research results to study participants and others with relevant lived experience: the SPIN-CLEAR Trials.

Background: Research results are often not communicated to study participants or others with relevant lived experience. Effective communication of research results would help study participants understand their contribution to research and could improve trust in research and likelihood of research participation. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs), however, have compared the effectiveness of research communication tools, and it is not known which tools work best for different people.

Morbi-mortality of obese patients with systemic sclerosis: A comparative study.

Introduction: The prevalence of systemic sclerosis (SSc), as well as obesity, has significantly increased in recent decades. To address the lack of data on obese SSc patients, we conducted a retrospective comparative study to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and long-term consequences of obesity in SSc patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study at the Cochin University Hospital's Department of Internal Medicine (Paris) from 2000 to 2019.

Treatment of mixed connective tissue disease: A multicenter retrospective study.

Introduction: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare systemic disorder that belongs to connective tissue diseases (CTD). Few studies are available on MCTD treatment.

Methods: We conducted an observational study within the French MCTD cohort.

Pilot Study of Diagnostic Performances of Vascular Biomarkers Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase and Placental Growth Factor in Scleroderma Renal Crisis.

Introduction: Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a major vascular complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the potential prognostic and diagnostic roles of angiogenesis molecules, placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and sFlt1/PlGF ratio as biomarkers in SRC.

Methods: Sera samples from 27 patients with a history of SRC (SSc-SRC+) were collected following event occurence.

Interstitial lung disease in anti-U1RNP systemic sclerosis patients: A European Scleroderma Trials and Research analysis.

Background: Interstitial lung disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis, but it is characterized by significant heterogeneity in patient outcomes. So far, little is known about the influence of anti-U1RNP antibodies on lung outcomes in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease patients.

Methods: European Scleroderma Trials and Research group systemic sclerosis patients with radiological-confirmed interstitial lung disease, available %predicted forced vital capacity, and autoantibody status were included.

Evaluation of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised for fatigue in systemic sclerosis: a Scleroderma Patient-centred Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort study.

Objectives: To adapt and evaluate the Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R), designed to assess pain coping, for assessing coping with fatigue in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: We adapted CSQ-R items for fatigue, and a panel of people with SSc verified content validity. Scleroderma Patient-centred Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the CSQ-R-Fatigue.

Comparison of flares in 85 patients with SLE who maintained, discontinued or reduced dose of hydroxychloroquine during a prospective study of ophthalmological screening for retinopathy (PERFOCTAPS Study).

Objective: Little is known about the risk of SLE flares associated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduction or cessation, especially after ophthalmological screening. We analysed the risk of SLE flares after HCQ reduction or discontinuation after detection of early ophthalmological toxicity.

Methods: This study includes all patients with SLE among the 109 included in the prospective PERFOCTAPS Study and treated with HCQ for at least 5 years.

Total lung capacity is predictive of disease severity and survival in systemic sclerosis: A longitudinal analysis in 2347 patients from the French National Cohort Study.

Background: Total lung capacity (TLC) is seldom assessed in the prediction of systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease severity.

Objective: To describe and analyse TLC in SSc.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicentre study of SSc patients enrolled in the French national SSc cohort with at least one TLC assessment, described patients based on baseline TLC measurements, modelized TLC trajectories in SSc, and associated TLC measures with disease prognosis.

An international perspective on the future of systemic sclerosis research.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains a challenging and enigmatic systemic autoimmune disease, owing to its complex pathogenesis, clinical and molecular heterogeneity, and the lack of effective disease-modifying treatments. Despite a century of research in SSc, the interconnections among microvascular dysfunction, autoimmune phenomena and tissue fibrosis in SSc remain unclear. The absence of validated biomarkers and reliable animal models complicates diagnosis and treatment, contributing to high morbidity and mortality.

Symptomatic Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis as an Unusual Presentation of Biopsy-Proven Sarcoidosis: A Case Series.

Purpose: The presentation of ocular sarcoidosis may involve different parts of the eye and/or adnexal tissues. Uveitis is the most common manifestation, and when it involves the posterior segment, it often presents as peripheral multifocal choroiditis. The occurrence of symptomatic occlusive retinal vasculitis (ORV) associated with ocular sarcoidosis is not well described in the literature.

Anti-fibroblast and anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD).

Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that may be associated with CTD. Anti-fibroblast (AFA) and AECA have been identified in idiopathic and SSc-associated PAH. The aim was to identify autoantibodies discriminating for PAH associated with SLE, MCTD and primary SS, and their target antigens.

Association between large vessel vasculitis and inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics and outcome of patients with the association of large vessel vasculitis (LVV, Takayasu arteritis [TA] or GCA) and IBD.

Methods: An observational, multicentre, retrospective case-control study. Cases were LVV-IBD patients from European countries, whereas controls had isolated LVV (iLVV).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with a more severe interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis in the EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and could predict progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to analyse (1) the prevalence of GERD among SSc-ILD patients, (2) its association with disease characteristics and (3) predictive factors for ILD progression in SSc-ILD patients with GERD.

Methods: SSc patients from the EUSTAR database with ILD were included.

Safety of Fertility Treatments in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Data From a Prospective Population-Based Study.

Objective: To assess safety of fertility treatments in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Design: Data from the multicentre French observational GR2 (Groupe de Recherche sur la Grossesse et les Maladies Rares) study (2014-ongoing).

Setting: Seventy-six centres in France.

Vasodilator drugs and heart-related outcomes in systemic sclerosis: an exploratory analysis.

Background And Aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective disease characterised by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and widespread skin and internal organ fibrosis including various cardiac manifestations. Heart involvement is one of the leading causes of death among patients with SSc. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of various vasodilator treatments.