Background: Psoriasis patients who are seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) face an elevated risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) when treated with cytokine inhibitors. This study aims to elucidate the risk in this population. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the risk of HBVr in 73 psoriasis patients treated with cytokine inhibitors from 2013 to 2023. Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, pooling data from 10 studies (including our cohort) and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and pooled proportions were calculated using a random effects model. Results: No HBVr cases were observed among the 11 HBsAg+ patients in the cohort. However, two of the sixty-two (3.2%) HBsAg−/HBcAb+ patients experienced reactivation during therapy, with outcomes ranging from spontaneous recovery in one case to death from hepatic failure despite antiviral treatment in the other. The meta-analysis, pooling data from 10 studies, revealed a reactivation rate of 21.2% (95% CI: 9.4–41.0%) in HBsAg+ patients without prophylaxis and 4.4% (95% CI: 2.2–8.7%) in HBsAg−/HBcAb+ patients. Conclusion: Antiviral prophylaxis is essential for HBsAg+ patients receiving cytokine inhibitors, given the high risk of reactivation. Despite the lower risk for HBsAg−/HBcAb+ patients, the potential severity of outcomes demands careful monitoring and timely action.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by inflammatory back pain and bony fusion of vertebral joints. Genetic associations and environmental factors have been proposed to explain the immunopathogenesis of AS. In the past few years, there have been major advances in understanding T cell dysfunction in AS. Clinically, targeting interleukin-17A, a major cytokine secreted by T helper 17 cells, has been approved for treating patients with active AS. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that do not translate into proteins. The ncRNAs regulate both innate and adaptive immunity and participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including AS. The main purpose of this article is to review the up-to-date studies investigating the aberrant expression of ncRNAs in T cells from patients with AS and to summarize their roles in its pathogenesis. After searching PubMed for studies published between January 2013 and June 2024, nine studies investigating the expression of ncRNAs in AS T cells were included. We found that aberrantly expressed ncRNAs in AS T cells could cause abnormal cytokine release, cell signaling abnormalities, and dysregulated cell proliferation and death, which contribute to the immunopathogenesis of AS. We discussed some limitations of these studies and suggested several research fields for further investigation.

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Persistent Idiopathic Dentoalveolar Pain (PIDAP) is a persistent idiopathic toothache that frequently remains unresponsive to medical therapy. Precise targeting of the infraorbital nerve is essential for successful intervention, yet anatomical variability often limits the consistency of conventional radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This report describes a medial-to-lateral ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided approach, intended to align with the natural orientation of the infraorbital canal and potentially enhance electrode–nerve contact. A 48-year-old woman with refractory maxillary incisor pain underwent RFA after only transient benefit from a diagnostic nerve block. Ultrasound enabled accurate identification of the infraorbital foramen and confirmed the canal’s medial-to-lateral course, which then guided CT-assisted needle advancement into the orbitomaxillary segment. The patient experienced immediate analgesia. Pain reduction was maintained at the one-month follow-up. At the two-month assessment, although a mild symptom rebound was observed, no procedure-related complications were noted. This trajectory-based medial-to-lateral technique offers an anatomically grounded alternative for infraorbital nerve RFA and may represent a valuable option for refractory PIDAP.