Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) increases cardiovascular disease risk. Emerging evidence suggests biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) may offer protective effects, though their advantage over conventional therapy remains under investigation.

Few recent epidemiological data are available on the risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular events and infections, in patients with LN, even though these data are crucial for guiding therapeutic decisions. We conducted a cohort study with the aim of evaluating survival without CKD and adverse events in patients with LN.

This study aimed to investigate associations between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and myocardial tissue characteristics in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) using multi-parameter cardiac magnetic resonance.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of systemic complications, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS, defined by central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, not only raises cardiovascular risk but also worsens the prognosis of RA. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of MetS in RA patients and identify clinical factors contributing to its occurrence.

Rituximab (RTX) is a key treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but RTX-induced acute thrombocytopenia (RIAT) remains a concern. We aimed to evaluate the risk and risk factors of RIAT in patients with AAV undergoing RTX induction therapy.

Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) predicts end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in lupus nephritis (LN). Repeat kidney biopsies were evaluated to identify variables driving progression of IF/TA and ESKD.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment syndrome, affecting 3-6% of the adult population. Its prevalence among patients with primary Sjögren's disease (pSjD) is much higher. Interestingly, clinical observations do not support the view that the incidence of CTS increases with joint involvement. Moreover, patients with pSjD oftentimes present worse outcomes of traditional therapeutic methods. Herein, we present two cases of patients with CTS in the course of pSjD. In one of them, there was rapid recurrence of symptoms after surgery, and in the other, delayed healing was observed. In this article, the authors highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in daily practice, resulting from probable differences in the pathophysiology of nerve involvement in Sjögren's disease patients.

The main objective of our study was to assess the prevalence of paradoxical reactions in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatism treated with biologic drugs, while secondary objectives were to determine the type of paradoxical reactions and to investigate associated factors.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like cytokine 1A (TL1A) is a member of the TNF superfamily of cytokines, involved in regulation of the immune and inflammatory response. Recently, therapies aimed at blockade of the TL1A pathway have shown benefit in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, very little is known regarding activation of the TL1A axis in spondyloarthropathies (SpA), which are clinically and pathogenetically linked to IBDs. Our study investigated soluble forms of TL1A and its receptors, death receptor 3 (DR3) and decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), in the serum of patients with SpA, and evaluated potential associations between concentrations of the investigated molecules and clinical features of SpA.

Physiotherapy is a widely used form of treatment of low back pain (LBP) and is important in non-surgical/surgical management of patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV). This review presents physiotherapeutic management in LSTV patients with LBP. A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Medline, and Google Scholar between November 20 and December 31, 2023. The mean age of patients was 39 years. The patients had an average of 13 sessions, and the average duration of physiotherapy was 3 weeks (frequency of 1-5 sessions/week). The physiotherapy methods used were: manual therapy, mobility training, motor control training, myofascial approach and hot packs, and electrotherapy. Outcome measures were pain scales, range of motion testing, improvement in sleep, return to work, physical activity, or muscle thickness. The reviewed papers described pain reduction, though pain recurrence occurred with varying frequency (1-3 months after therapy). Physiotherapy for LSTV patients should be a first-line treatment, but requires an individualized approach.

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but growing evidence raises cardiovascular (CV) safety concerns. Given the elevated baseline CV risk in RA, appropriate risk stratification is essential. We retrospectively analyzed 116 RA patients treated with JAKi at the University of Naples Federico II (2020-2025), excluding those with previous CV events. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the CUORE algorithm, adjusted with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology-recommended 1.5 multiplication factor. Patients were stratified into low (37.9%), intermediate (48.3%), and high (13.8%) risk categories. Over a median follow-up of 25.6 months, only one major CV event (myocardial infarction) was recorded, with no CV deaths. Despite the algorithm being developed for the general population, it appears feasible for RA patients on JAKi. Our findings suggest its potential role in guiding CV prevention strategies, although larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm its predictive value and integrate RA-specific variables.

The involvement of neutralizing antibodies against type I interferon (IFN-I) in the development of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adult patients has been well documented. However, the role of anti-IFN-α autoantibodies, especially non-neutralizing types, remains underexplored, especially in children. Our study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies against IFN-α in children with COVID-19 and long COVID, as well as their potential role in the development of long COVID.