Comparative Effectiveness of Abatacept versus Adalimumab in Shared Epitope positive and negative Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

Objectives: The effect of the shared epitope (SE), and valine at position 11 (Val11) of HLA-DRB1, on the activation of CD4 T cells, is expected to be diminished by abatacept, a co-stimulation blocker. However, published evidence on the value of genetic stratification for abatacept treatment is conflicting. We aimed to compare the difference in effectiveness of abatacept and adalimumab in patients carrying the SE (or Val11).

Systematic review and independent validation of genetic factors of radiographic outcome in rheumatoid arthritis identifies a genome-wide association with CARD9.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate non-HLA genetic mechanisms underlying radiographic severity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A systematic review of publications reporting non-HLA genetic associations with radiographic severity in RA across ancestries was undertaken. Experimental validation was performed in the Norfolk Arthritis Register, comprising 1407 patients with available genetic and treatment data followed prospectively for up to 10 years, with 2198 longitudinal radiographs.

Towards Personalized Medicine in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, incurable, multisystem, inflammatory disease characterized by synovitis and extra-articular features. Although several advanced therapies targeting inflammatory mechanisms underlying the disease are available, no advanced therapy is universally effective. Therefore, a ceiling of treatment response is currently accepted where no advanced therapy is superior to another.

Does testosterone influence the association between sleep and frailty in men: results from the European Male Aging Study.

Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between sleep disturbance and frailty. The mechanism is unknown, although it has been suggested that hormonal factors may play a role.

Methods: The aim was to determine the association between sleep duration, sleep quality and frailty, and to determine whether testosterone influenced this association.

Using Polygenic Risk Scores to Aid Diagnosis of Patients With Early Inflammatory Arthritis: Results From the Norfolk Arthritis Register.

Objective: There is growing evidence that genetic data are of benefit in the rheumatology outpatient setting by aiding early diagnosis. A genetic probability tool (G-PROB) has been developed to aid diagnosis has not yet been tested in a real-world setting. Our aim was to assess whether G-PROB could aid diagnosis in the rheumatology outpatient setting using data from the Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR), a prospective observational cohort of patients presenting with early inflammatory arthritis.

Prevalence and predictors of adverse events with methotrexate mono- and combination-therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to summarize rates of adverse events (AEs) in patients with RA or inflammatory arthritis starting MTX as monotherapy or in combination with other csDMARDs, and to identify reported predictors of AEs.

Methods: Three databases were searched for studies reporting AEs in MTX-naïve patients with RA. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies were included.

Chromosomal rearrangement-A rare cause of complement factor I associated atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

Chromosomal rearrangements affecting the genes encoding complement factor H and the factor H related proteins have been described in aHUS patients. To date such disorders have not been described in other aHUS associated genes. We describe here a heterozygous 875,324bp deletion encompassing the gene (CFI) encoding complement factor I and ten other genes.