Topic Editors

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Policlinico di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
Dr. Caterina Vacchi
Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Policlinico di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
Dr. Andreina Manfredi
Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico of Modena, 41121 Modena, Italy

Rheumatic Disorder: From Basic Science to Clinical Practice

Abstract submission deadline
20 October 2024
Manuscript submission deadline
20 December 2024
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RDs) are chronic inflammatory diseases with a major health impact worldwide, but their management and classification are sometimes difficult due to unknown aetiology and heterogeneity in their clinical presentation. RDs have the largest and consistent impact across all ages of the population, and they affect a significant proportion of the population. Their economic and social burden results from a decreased quality of life, lost productivity, and increased costs of health care. Moreover, although RDs affect people of all ages, the demographic structure of the population indicates an increasing tendency towards an older population along with an increasing prevalence of these diseases. Therefore, improving our knowledge of RDs, from basic science to clinical practice, has become critical. The heterogeneity of RDs and the lack of any clear clinical correlation with pathology makes for inexact estimation of their incidence and prevalence. Moreover, more investigation is needed concerning the causes and mechanisms affecting the development and progression of these disorders, and moreover more studies are needed to discover innovative treatments. As a result, challenges in studying RDs lie in achieving accurate epidemiological data and making efforts to obtain significant progress in terms of etiological mechanisms, clinical behaviour and the genetic/epigenetic basis of the diseases, as well as early diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients.

Dr. Giulia Cassone
Dr. Caterina Vacchi
Dr. Andreina Manfredi
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • rheumatic diseases
  • etiology
  • epidemiology
  • therapy
  • diagnosis
  • classification
  • risk factors

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Biomedicines
biomedicines
4.7 3.7 2013 14.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Clinics and Practice
clinpract
2.3 2.0 2011 26.4 Days CHF 1600 Submit
Diagnostics
diagnostics
3.6 3.6 2011 18.8 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine
jcm
3.9 5.4 2012 19.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Rheumato
rheumato
- - 2021 15.0 days * CHF 1000 Submit

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the first half of 2023.


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Published Papers (4 papers)

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9 pages, 498 KiB  
Brief Report
Fibrosing Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Multicentre Italian Study
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(22), 7041; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12227041 - 11 Nov 2023
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Abstract
Background: The INBUILD study demonstrated the efficacy of nintedanib in the treatment of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease different to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related ILD. Nevertheless, the prevalence of RA-ILD patients that may potentially benefit from nintedanib remains unknown. Objectives [...] Read more.
Background: The INBUILD study demonstrated the efficacy of nintedanib in the treatment of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease different to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related ILD. Nevertheless, the prevalence of RA-ILD patients that may potentially benefit from nintedanib remains unknown. Objectives and methods: The aim of the present multicentre study was to investigate the prevalence and possible associated factors of fibrosing progressive patterns in a cross-sectional cohort of RA-ILD patients. Results: One hundred and thirty-four RA-ILD patients with a diagnosis of RA-ILD, who were confirmed at high-resolution computed tomography and with a follow-up of at least 24 months, were enrolled. The patients were defined as having a progressive fibrosing ILD in case of a relative decline in forced vital capacity > 10% predicted and/or an increased extent of fibrotic changes on chest imaging in a 24-month period. Respiratory symptoms were excluded to reduce possible bias due to the retrospective interpretation of cough and dyspnea. According to radiologic features, ILD was classified as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) in 50.7% of patients, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in 19.4%, and other patterns in 29.8%. Globally, a fibrosing progressive pattern was recorded in 36.6% of patients (48.5% of patients with a fibrosing pattern) with a significant association to the UIP pattern. Conclusion: We observed that more than a third of RA-ILD patients showed a fibrosing progressive pattern and might benefit from antifibrotic treatment. This study shows some limitations, such as the retrospective design. The exclusion of respiratory symptoms’ evaluation might underestimate the prevalence of progressive lung disease but increases the value of results. Full article
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7 pages, 233 KiB  
Brief Report
The Influence of Time on the Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations of Behçet’s Disease in Brazil
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(22), 7008; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12227008 - 09 Nov 2023
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Abstract
Objective: Modifications in the severity and clinical expression of Behçet’s disease (BD) have been described in some areas that are considered endemic for the disease. This study aims to evaluate the chronological changes in epidemiology and clinical characteristics of BD patients in a [...] Read more.
Objective: Modifications in the severity and clinical expression of Behçet’s disease (BD) have been described in some areas that are considered endemic for the disease. This study aims to evaluate the chronological changes in epidemiology and clinical characteristics of BD patients in a referral center in Brazil, which is considered a non-endemic area for the disease. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study involving BD patients divided into two groups: group 1 patients were diagnosed and followed between 1988 and 2010, and group 2 were diagnosed and followed between 2011 and 2022. Results: No significant differences were found regarding gender and age at onset of symptoms between groups. We found a significant decrease in the frequency of bilateral ocular involvement, posterior uveitis, and retinal vasculitis. Conclusion: The demographic dates of this group of Brazilian BD patients remained similar over the last decade. Our study supports the notion that BD is becoming lighter in some regions. BD is a severe blinding disorder, and we found a lower frequency of ocular involvement over time. These findings may be attributed to a higher level of education of patients and a growing awareness of the disease. Newer immunomodulating and biologic agents may offer an improved prognosis in patients with BD with severe manifestations. Full article
17 pages, 1416 KiB  
Article
Infection Risk, Mortality, and Hypogammaglobulinemia Prevalence and Associated Factors in Adults Treated with Rituximab: A Tertiary Care Center Experience
Clin. Pract. 2023, 13(6), 1286-1302; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract13060115 - 25 Oct 2023
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Background: Rituximab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell transmembrane protein CD20. Although well-tolerated, given its mechanism of action, rituximab can induce a state of severe immunosuppression, increasing the risk of opportunistic and fulminant infection and mortality. Aim: To evaluate the [...] Read more.
Background: Rituximab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell transmembrane protein CD20. Although well-tolerated, given its mechanism of action, rituximab can induce a state of severe immunosuppression, increasing the risk of opportunistic and fulminant infection and mortality. Aim: To evaluate the risk of infection, mortality, and hypogammaglobulinemia and their associated factors among rituximab receivers. Method: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of adults treated with rituximab for various indications. Hypogammaglobulinemia was defined by a cut-off value below the normal limit (an IgG level of <7.51 g/L, an IgM level of <0.46 g/L, and/or an IgA level of <0.82 g/L). Patients who met the definition of hypogammaglobinemia solely based on IgA were excluded. Severe infection was defined as any infection that required intensive care unit admission. Results: A total of 137 adults with a mean age of 47.69 ± 18.86 years and an average BMI of 28.57 ± 6.55 kg/m2 were included. Hematological malignancies and connective tissue diseases were the most common primary diagnoses for which rituximab was used. More than half of the patients received the 375 mg/m2 dose. Rituximab’s mean cumulative dose was 3216 ± 2282 mg, and the overall mortality rate was 22.6%. Hypogammaglobulinemia was diagnosed in 43.8% of the patients, and it was significantly more prevalent among males and the 375 mg/m2 and 500 mg doses. Hematological malignancy was the only predictor for infection. Patients with blood type AB or B, hematological malignancies, and corticosteroids had a significantly higher mortality rate. Receiving the 1000 mg dose and having a low CD19 were associated with a significantly lower risk of infection and mortality, respectively. Conclusions: Hypogammaglobulinemia was diagnosed in 43.8% of the patients, and it was significantly more common among males and the 375 mg/m2 and 500 mg doses. Hematological malignancies were significantly associated with higher infection and mortality rates, while corticosteroids were significantly associated with a higher mortality. Since the culprit of mortality was infection, these findings highlight the critical need for more frequent immunological monitoring during rituximab treatment period to mitigate the burden of infection and identify candidates for immunoglobulin replacement. Full article
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13 pages, 311 KiB  
Article
Mean Platelet Volume in a Series of 315 Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relationship with Disease Characteristics, including Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Comorbidity
Diagnostics 2023, 13(20), 3208; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13203208 - 14 Oct 2023
Viewed by 615
Abstract
Mean platelet volume (MPV) refers to the average platelet size in femtoliters. Increased or decreased MPV has been associated with several disorders, including inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, our objective was to analyze the relationship of MPV with disease activity [...] Read more.
Mean platelet volume (MPV) refers to the average platelet size in femtoliters. Increased or decreased MPV has been associated with several disorders, including inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, our objective was to analyze the relationship of MPV with disease activity in a large and well-characterized series of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is a cross-sectional study that included 315 patients with RA and 208 controls matched by sex and age. Complete blood count, including MPV, was assessed. Multivariable analysis was performed to examine the relationship of MPV with RA disease characteristics, carotid atherosclerosis, and traditional cardiovascular factors, including a comprehensive profile of lipid molecules and insulin resistance or beta cell function indices. The multivariable analysis, which includes other hematological modifications produced by the disease and platelet values, showed that MPV levels were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and interleukin-6, but not C-reactive protein, were negatively correlated with MPV after adjustment for covariates. Similarly, disease activity and MPV had a significant and independent negative correlation. No relationships were found between MPV and cardiovascular risk factors, lipid profile or insulin resistance indices or subclinical atherosclerosis. In conclusion, patients with RA have lower levels of MPV than controls. MPV is negatively related to acute phase reactants and disease activity in RA. Full article
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