To describe patients who underwent a temporal artery biopsy (TAB) for suspected GCA but were given a different diagnosis. We focused on a subset of alternate diagnoses mimicking GCA with ominous consequences of a delayed diagnosis or undue glucocorticoid treatment.

To evaluate the performance of a commercial line immunoassay (LIA) in cohorts of healthy controls (HC), disease controls (DC) and patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and investigate whether different cut-offs would enhance the accuracy of myositis antibodies (MAs) by LIA.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with several comorbidities, including an increased risk of certain cancers. This study aimed to investigate the potential associations between RA and increased risk of urological cancers - specifically kidney, bladder, prostate and testicular cancers - and the influence of RA serological status on this risk.

The drop in oestrogen levels during menopause coincides with the peak incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in women, suggesting a role of oestrogens in its pathophysiology. However, the timing of the effect of oestrogens during RA development is unknown. Studies in the final phase of RA development, from clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) towards clinically apparent arthritis, are lacking. We hypothesized that shorter lifetime oestrogen exposure might be associated with a higher risk of inflammatory arthritis (IA) development in women with CSA and studied this in two cohorts.

Negative illness perceptions (IPs) are associated with poorer disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unfortunately, IPs are generally stable in established RA. We hypothesized that IPs, especially in the cognitive domain, are modifiable in arthralgia at risk of RA. We aimed to study if receiving DMARD treatment, or the offer of DMARD treatment associates with more positive IPs in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA).

To describe the clinical spectrum of VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, and somatic) syndrome in patients managed by rheumatology units and analyse genotype-phenotype correlations.

To assess the comparative safety of TNF inhibitor (TNFi), non-TNFi, and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) biologic or targeted synthetic DMARD (b/tsDMARD) in patients with RA for the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using US administrative claims data.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine, leading to chronic pain, fatigue, and reduced mobility. The diagnostic delay for axSpA is often long, causing significant physical, psychological, and social burdens for patients and their relatives. This study aims to explore the patient journey of individuals with axSpA and their relatives within the German healthcare system, identifying key challenges and unmet needs from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment. A qualitative approach was employed, involving structured interviews with axSpA patients and their relatives. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diverse representation. Data collection involved individual telephone interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed using Kuckartz's structured qualitative content analysis framework. The patient journey was characterized by four distinct phases: Time before diagnosis, Diagnosis, After the diagnosis, and Current treatment. Participants reported significant psychological and emotional burdens, with many experiences attributed to chance encounters with knowledgeable healthcare professionals. Key issues included a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, diagnostic delays, and inadequate psychological support. The perspectives of patients and their relatives highlighted the significant psychological burden they both experience throughout the journey. This underscores the need for services that cater not only to patients but also to their relatives. The study highlights critical gaps in the current healthcare system regarding the diagnosis and care of axSpA patients. To improve care, systematic efforts are needed to enhance awareness, reduce diagnostic delays, integrate psychological support, and provide comprehensive information throughout the patient journey for both, patients and relatives. Effective care should not rely on chance; systematic improvements are necessary to ensure consistent, high-quality care.

Gout patients frequently have decreased urine pH, related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic kidney disease. Here, we aimed to investigate whether the addition of urine alkalization to urate-lowering therapy (ULT) is associated with improvements in albuminuria, gout flares or MetS outcomes in men with gout and low urinary pH (pH < 6.2).

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a form of osteoarthropathy that affects the skeletal and joint systems of children and adolescents. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) plays an important role in bone growth and development. This study aimed to investigate the role of IGBFP5 in regulating the function and differentiation of chondrocytes in KBD.

Janus kinase inhibition (JAKi) has been proposed as a treatment for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies to target increased interferon signalling. Predominantly retrospective reports have demonstrated effectiveness of JAKi in refractory JDM. However, JAKi remains an off-label treatment for JDM and there may be variation in use worldwide. An international survey was conducted to investigate approaches to JAKi for JDM.