0000000001260001
AUTHOR
Ignazio Olivieri
CC chemokine receptor 5 polymorphism in Italian patients with Beḩet's disease
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential role of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)Δ32 polymorphism in the susceptibility to and clinical expression of Behcet's disease (BD) in a cohort of Italian patients. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six consecutive Italian patients satisfying the ISG criteria for BD were followed up for 8 years, and 180 healthy age- and sex-matched blood donors were molecularly genotyped for the CCR5Δ32 polymorphism. A standard microlymphocytotoxicity technique was used to serotype HLA-B51. The patients were subgrouped on the basis of the presence or absence of clinical manifestations. RESULTS: The distribution of the CCR5Δ32 genotype differed between BD patients and controls…
Obesity and reduction of the response rate to anti-tumor necrosis factor α in rheumatoid arthritis: an approach to a personalized medicine.
Objective Obesity is a mild, long-lasting inflammatory disease and, as such, could increase the inflammatory burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study aim was to determine whether obesity represents a risk factor for a poor remission rate in RA patients requiring anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) therapy for progressive and active disease despite treatment with methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methods Patients were identified from 15 outpatient clinics of university hospitals and hospitals in Italy taking part in the Gruppo Italiano di Studio sulle Early Arthritis network. Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), body mass index (BMI; categorized …
Patient-reported impact of spondyloarthritis on work disability and working life: the ATLANTIS survey
Background The aim was to establish how patients experience the impact of spondyloarthritis (SpA) on work disability and working life. Methods The survey was performed in 17/20 regions in Italy (1 January to 31 March 2013). A multiple-choice questionnaire was published on the official website of the sponsor - the National Association of Rheumatic Patients (ANMAR) - and hard-copies were distributed at outpatient clinics for rheumatic patients. Results Respondents (n = 770) were of both sexes (56 % men), educated (62 % at high school or more), of working age (75 % aged ≤60 years), and affected by SpA. The most common types diagnosed were ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (39 %) and psoriatic arthri…
New approaches in the treatment of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease.
Purpose of review To update clinicians on the recent advances in the treatment of Adamantiades-Behcet's disease. Recent findings Interferon-α-2a and infliximab have proved able to induce prompt remission in the vast majority of Adamantiades-Behcet's patients with DMARD-resistant uveoretinitis. Efficacy of interferon-α-2a has also been reported for mucocutaneous lesions, arthritis, and (more anecdotally) for neuro-Behcet, while results from small case series suggest that infliximab is beneficial for mucocutaneous lesions and (more anecdotally) for arthritis and gastro-intestinal manifestations. Two cases of neuro-Behcet treated with infliximab showed a complete resolution. Finally, in a rand…
Additional file 1: of Patient-reported impact of spondyloarthritis on work disability and working life: the ATLANTIS survey
Anonymous questionnaire (multiple choice questions). (PDF 56 kb)
Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A mutations in Italian patients with Behçet's disease and deep vein thrombosis
Objective To evaluate the frequency and type of vascular lesions and to study the association of factor V gene G1691A (Leiden) and prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphisms with venous thrombosis in Italian patients with Behcet's disease (BD). Methods Included were 118 consecutive Italian BD patients followed over a 3-year period (1997–1999) who satisfied the International Study Group criteria for BD. The control group consisted of 132 healthy Italian blood donors. All BD patients and controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and allele-specific restriction enzyme techniques for factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphisms. Results Vascular lesions were observed in 37 …
Longterm Retention of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Therapy in a Large Italian Cohort of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis from the GISEA Registry: An Appraisal of Predictors.
Objective.To evaluate 4-year retention rates of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab among patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as derived from an Italian national registry.Methods.The clinical records of 853 adult patients with RA in the GISEA (Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis) registry were prospectively analyzed to compare drug survival rates and the baseline factors that may predict adherence to therapy.Results.In 2003 and 2004, 324 patients started treatment with adalimumab, 311 with etanercept, and 218 with infliximab. After 4 years, the global retention rate of anti-TNF-α therapy was 42%. Etanercept survival (51.4%) …