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Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition
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Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Immunology & Rheumatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2026) | Viewed by 3133

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jacopo Ciaffi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Interests: interventional procedures; rheumatoid arthritis; peripheral spondylarthritis; metabolic bone diseases; complex regional pain syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue entitled “Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition”. We published 12 papers in the first edition and are excited to continue this series. For more details, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/I87L4H1081. We will explore a range of pivotal topics at the forefront of our evolving understanding and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

The study of rheumatoid arthritis has led to novel therapeutic strategies and emerging concepts in pathogenesis, and we aim to investigate the unique clinical presentations and challenges in the management of peripheral spondylarthritis. Papers discussing interventional procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial embolization, and those covering metabolic bone diseases, from osteoporosis to rarer disorders, are also welcome. With these objectives in mind, we will provide insights into new diagnostic modalities and therapeutic interventions for patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a perplexing and often debilitating condition.

Through this Special Issue, we will contribute to the dynamic and ever-advancing field of clinical rheumatology, and we are confident that it will inspire continued progress in our understanding and treatment of these challenging conditions.

Dr. Jacopo Ciaffi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • spondylarthritis
  • interventional
  • osteoporosis
  • complex regional pain syndrome

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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13 pages, 524 KB  
Article
Renal Vascular Involvement Assessed by Intrarenal Resistive Index in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations with Structural Joint Damage and Cardiovascular Risk
by Alexandru Caraba, Deiana Roman, Mircea Iurciuc and Stela Iurciuc
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(5), 1991; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051991 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease, largely driven by persistent systemic inflammation. This study aimed to assess the risk of CKD in RA patients and to evaluate its association with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease, largely driven by persistent systemic inflammation. This study aimed to assess the risk of CKD in RA patients and to evaluate its association with structural joint damage and cardiovascular risk (CVR). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 patients fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA were evaluated. Structural joint damage was assessed using the Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). Renal involvement was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and intrarenal resistive index (RRI). CVR was assessed using the SCORE system, adjusted according to EULAR recommendations, and carotid ultrasonography was performed to assess intima–media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques. Results: SHS was significantly correlated with renal and vascular parameters, showing positive associations with ACR, RRI, and carotid IMT, and a negative correlation with eGFR (all p < 0.0001). CVR correlated positively with SHS, ACR, RRI, and IMT. Patients with elevated RRI (≥0.70) had longer disease duration, more severe joint damage, impaired renal function, and higher CVR. Conclusions: In RA patients, cumulative articular damage is closely associated with renal dysfunction and increased CVR, highlighting the central role of sustained inflammation in multiorgan involvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 333 KB  
Article
Depression, Anxiety, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Findings from a National Survey
by Monira Alwhaibi
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(22), 7940; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14227940 - 9 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1788
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that substantially impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Comorbid mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, may further exacerbate this burden, yet evidence from large, population-based studies remains limited. Therefore, this study examined [...] Read more.
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that substantially impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Comorbid mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, may further exacerbate this burden, yet evidence from large, population-based studies remains limited. Therefore, this study examined the association between comorbid depression and anxiety and HRQoL among adults with RA using nationally representative data from the United States. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2017–2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Adults aged ≥18 years with self-reported RA were included. HRQoL was assessed using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between depression, anxiety, and HRQoL, adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related covariates. Results: Comorbid depression and anxiety were significantly associated with lower HRQoL scores compared with RA alone. Participants with both conditions exhibited the poorest PCS and MCS scores, indicating a disease burden. Lower income, unemployment, and limited physical activity were also linked to poorer HRQoL, whereas better self-rated health and physical activity were positive predictors. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety independently and jointly contribute to poorer HRQoL among adults with RA, even after controlling for key confounders. These findings highlight the importance of integrated care models that address both psychological and physical health, alongside interventions promoting physical activity to enhance overall well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition)
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Other

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16 pages, 808 KB  
Case Report
Whole-Body Cryostimulation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Case Study
by Paolo Piterà, Alberto Camedda, Elisa Prina, Eleonora Franzini Tibaldeo, Gabriele Baccalaro and Paolo Capodaglio
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2142; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062142 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 521
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating pain condition with complex pathophysiology and limited treatment efficacy. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) has shown promising results in other chronic pain syndromes, but no studies to date have examined its use in CRPS. To evaluate [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating pain condition with complex pathophysiology and limited treatment efficacy. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) has shown promising results in other chronic pain syndromes, but no studies to date have examined its use in CRPS. To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of WBC in a female patient with CRPS of the ankle. Methods: A 65-year-old female outpatient with type I CRPS at the right ankle underwent 15 WBC sessions (3 min at −110 °C) over two weeks, without any concurrent pharmacological or rehabilitative interventions. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included standardized measures of pain (VAS, SF-MPQ), disability (PDI), catastrophizing (PCS), mobility (TUG, Chair Stand Test), strength and ROM (goniometry, MRC), psychosocial status (SF-36, WHO-5, PSQI, BDI, STAI), and MRI of the right knee and ankle. Results: Post-treatment, the patient showed substantial improvements in pain (VAS −66.7%, SF-MPQ −51.7%), function (TUG −31.8%), muscle strength, psychological well-being, and quality of life. MRI and edema measurements indicated stabilization or regression of inflammatory features. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: This case suggests that WBC may represent a safe, well-tolerated, non-pharmacological intervention for CRPS, with potential to improve pain, function, and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Rheumatology—2nd Edition)
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