Clinical data on the use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in late-onset ankylosing spondylitis (LoAS) are limited. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and treatment adherence associated with the initial use of TNFi therapy in biologic naive patients diagnosed with LoAS. Patients whose age of onset was ≥ 45 years and < 45 years were classified as having LoAS and YoAS, respectively, based on the age of symptom onset. There were 2573 patients with YoAS and 281 LoAS. Baseline disease activity measures were similar between the groups. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in response to treatment and in remaining on the first TNFi at 6, 12 and 24 months. In the LoAS group, the analysis showed that TNFi discontinuation was linked to VAS pain score (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01–1.06). Patient groups had similar rates of adverse events (YoAS: 8.7% vs. LoAS: 11.7%). In both biologic naive LoAS and YoAS patients, the study showed that the initial TNFi therapy was equally effective and safe.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of age on disease activity and biological treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients and methods: A total of 811 AS patients registered in the TURKBIO registry database between 2011 and 2019 were categorized according to their age at the time of entry into the registry and assigned to one of two groups: young patients, defined as
Background/Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease frequently complicated by hematologic abnormalities, which may reflect disease activity or treatment effects. To characterize the clinical, laboratory, and immunological features of adult SLE patients referred to hematology during routine rheumatology follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 84 adult SLE patients who fulfilled the 2012 SLICC or 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria and were referred to hematology during follow-up. Clinical, laboratory, and immunological data were collected. Associations between hematologic manifestations, organ involvement, autoantibodies, and complement levels were evaluated. Results: The cohort included 92.6% females with a median age of 46 (IQR 36–62). Hematologic abnormalities commonly appeared within three years of disease onset. Lymphadenopathy was more frequent in patients with cutaneous vasculitis and lupus nephritis (p = 0.046 and p = 0.045). Splenomegaly was associated with serositis, anti-β2 glycoprotein I IgG, and lupus anticoagulant (LA) positivity; anti-β2GPI IgG independently predicted splenomegaly (OR 26.02, p = 0.006). Low C4 was associated with increased autoimmune hemolytic anemia risk (OR 5.88, p = 0.009), while low C3 was linked to lupus nephritis (p = 0.017). Antiphospholipid antibodies were significantly associated with venous thrombosis, with anti-cardiolipin IgG as an independent predictor (OR 7.43, p = 0.007). Stroke history, anti-histone antibodies, and higher steroid doses were associated with mortality. Remission was linked to fewer comorbidities (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Hematologic complications in SLE arise early and carry prognostic significance, with splenomegaly associated with lupus anticoagulant and anti-β2GPI IgG, and mortality linked to anti-histone antibodies.