To systemically assess efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (UPA), a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibro-inflammatory condition characterized by elevated IgG4 serum levels and tissue infiltration by IgG4-positive plasma cells. While often presenting with organ-specific involvement, such as sialadenitis or pancreatitis, its rheumatologic manifestations are rare and poorly understood. IgG4-RD often overlaps with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), posing a diagnostic challenge, particularly in seronegative presentations.

To explore experiences, benefits and concerns associated with remote (telephone/video) consultations from the perspectives of children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), their parents, and health professionals (HPs) who were members of a multidisciplinary team in a paediatric rheumatology setting.

We sought to assess the feasibility of a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial testing the effectiveness of a complex mHealth intervention called REMORA: a co-designed smartphone app enabling daily, weekly and monthly symptom tracking integrated into electronic health records for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease. We aim to describe the characteristics of PsA patients and examine factors affecting their psychological and physical well-being.

To investigate the association between baseline joint-complex inflammation [power Doppler-detected joint synovitis(PDUS) and/or tenosynovitis(PDTS)] and remission in treatment-naïve, new-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate concordance and discordance states between clinical disease activity and PD ultrasound and transition between these states longitudinally.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The aim of this single-center cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether clinical phenotype and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) pattern could influence bone mineral density (BMD) values and fragility fractures in patients with SSc.

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. Advances in the past 5 years, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, next-generation sequencing, spatial biology, transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome profiling and artificial intelligence, offer new avenues for identifying the early pathogenetic events that, once treated, could change the clinical history of SSc. Collaborative global efforts to integrate these approaches are crucial to developing a comprehensive, mechanistic understanding and enabling personalized therapies. Challenges include disease classification, clinical heterogeneity and the establishment of robust biomarkers for disease activity and progression. Innovative clinical trial designs and patient-centred approaches are essential for developing effective treatments. Emerging therapies, including cell-based and fibroblast-targeting treatments, show promise. Global cooperation, standardized protocols and interdisciplinary research are vital for advancing SSc research and improving patient outcomes. The integration of advanced research techniques holds the potential for important breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals with SSc.

To describe patients who underwent a temporal artery biopsy (TAB) for suspected Giant Cell Arteritis (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 syndrome in patients managed by rheumatology units and analyze genotype-phenotype correlations.

To assess the comparative safety of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), non-TNFi, and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (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.