In this study, we investigated the relationship between vitamin D, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and estradiol (E₂) in females of childbearing age with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study included 22 SLE patients, and 21 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃), E₂, and IFN-γ were measured by radioimmunoassay using the gamma-counter and ELISA. Patients and control subjects were divided into two groups based on their vitamin D levels (25(OH)D₃ ≤ 20 ng/mL; 25(OH)D₃ > 20 ng/mL). The median values of IFN-γ and E₂ were higher in SLE patients compared to the controls, irrespective of vitamin D level ( p = 0.001, p = 0.009, p = 0.003, and p = 0.003, respectively). In SLE patients, there was a negative correlation between IFN-γ and 25(OH)D₃ ( r_s = −0.330; p = 0.03) and a positive correlation between IFN-γ and E₂ ( r_s = 0.404; p = 0.007). This study demonstrates an interesting interplay between vitamin D, INF-γ, and E₂ in SLE patients with inactive disease.

The aim of this study was to develop a Croatian Delphi-based expert consensus for screening interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD). A systematic literature review was conducted on risk factors for the development of ILD, prevalence and incidence of ILD, diagnostic and screening methods for ILD, and prognosis of ILD in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) were performed. Based on the evidence found, experts developed questionnaires for screening and monitoring ILD in each CTD, which were provided via an online survey. Following the electronic survey, two screening algorithms were developed based on the consensus opinions. The detection strategy for ILD included high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in addition to pulmonary function testing for IIM, MCTD, and SSc. and pulmonary function testing for newly diagnosed pSS, RA and SLE. However, in patients with identified risk factors for ILD HRCT, these tests should also be performed. A screening strategy for early identification of patients with various CTD-ILD was first developed by a multidisciplinary team of rheumatologists, pulmonologists, and radiologists to identify early CTD patients at risk of ILD, a severe extra-articular manifestation of CTD.

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients have higher prevalence of endothelial dysfunction and premature atherosclerosis. Recent studies investigated adropin, a secretory protein that can regulate lipid metabolism and insulin resistance and protect endothelial cells’ function and that has an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to determine adropin levels in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. Additional goals were exploring the correlation between adropin and several metabolic and immunological parameters in pSS, including disease specific antibodies, EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Damage Index (SSDDI). This research included 52 pSS patients and 52 healthy controls. pSS patients have significantly higher adropin levels compared to the control group (3.76 ± 0.68 vs. 3.14 ± 0.69 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that adropin levels in pSS patients have positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.290, p = 0.036) and anti SSA/Ro52 antibodies (r = 0.307, p = 0.026) and negative correlation with SSDDI (r = −0.401, p = 0.003). Multivariant linear regression showed that adropin levels are independently associated with HDL (β ± SE, 0.903 ± 0.283, p = 0.002) and SSDDI (β ± SE, −0.202 ± 0.073, p = 0.008). Our findings imply that adropin could be involved in the pathophysiology of pSS, yet it remains to be elucidated in future studies whether adropin has a protective or detrimental role in this setting.

Sir, SSc is more common in women of childbearing age, which suggests that female sex hormones play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease [1]. It is known that sex hormones, adrenal androgens and prolactin have a number of immunomodulatory functions [2]. Data on levels of sex hormones and their role in SSc are scarce. Only a few studies have found an altered hormonal status in SSc patients [3–5]. Their connection with disease severity has also been determined [4, 5]. The aim of our study was to investigate serum levels of testosterone, DHEAS, androstenedione and oestradiol in post-menopausal SSc patients and their association with disease-specific ACA and DNA topoisomerase I (anti-Scl-70 or anti-topo I).