Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoinflammatory, chronic disease. Patients with AS are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The link between AS and subclinical atherosclerosis is multifactorial and still not completely understood. The aim of this study was to examine the potential associations between carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and different cardiometabolic biomarkers in individuals with AS. Methods: A total of 96 patients with AS were prospectively included. cIMT was measured via ultrasonography. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to find the best predictors of cIMT values. Principal component analysis (PCA) was implemented to extract factors that were further tested via binary logistic regression analysis in relation to cIMT. Results: Waist circumference (WC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and the BASDAI score were independently correlated with cIMT in AS patients (p = 0.037, p = 0.060, and p = 0.048, respectively; adjusted R² = 0.113). PCA extracted four panels of biomarkers, i.e., “haematology–lipid-related factor” (i.e., ferritin, haemoglobin, HDL-c, and triglycerides), “proinflammatory–prothrombotic-related factor” (i.e., platelets, neutrophils, and C-reactive protein), “LDL-c–vitamin-related factor” (i.e., vitamins D and B12, and LDL-c), and “age–glucometabolic-related factor” (i.e., age and HbA1c), in relation to higher cIMT in patients with AS. Among these four clusters, “age–glucometabolic-related factor” was an independent predictor of increased cIMT (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In addition to traditional cardiometabolic risk factors, WC and LDL-c, the disease activity score (BASDAI) is independently related to subclinical atherosclerosis in AS patients. The joint involvement of heterogeneous cardiometabolic risk factors may reflect different pathophysiological processes of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with AS.

Background/Objectives: To appraise the mandibular bone structure of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with different drugs using fractal dimension (FD) analysis and panoramic radiomorphometric indices and investigate the effects of RA on the jaw bone. Methods: A total of 90 panoramic radiographs were analyzed in this study: 30 were from patients with RA using conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and glucocorticoids, 30 were from patients with RA using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, and 30 were from systemically healthy individuals. In panoramic radiographs, panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mandibular cortical thickness measurements, mandibular cortical index (MCI), and FD analysis taken from four different regions were evaluated. Results: The lowest FD analysis value was observed in patients using csDMARDs and glucocorticoids and in the condyle region (p = 0.001). Although PMI and posterior index (PI) were found to be significantly lower in patients using csDMARDs and glucocorticoids compared with the others (p = 0.001), no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of anterior index (AI), symphysis index (SI), and molar index (MI) values (p > 0.05). When MCI was analyzed, there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It was observed that the trabecular structure in the condyle and posterior region of the mandible was negatively influenced by RA and csDMARD and glucocorticoid drug use. Radiomorphometric indices and FD analysis on panoramic radiographs can be used to evaluate osteoporotic alterations in individuals with RA. These assessments are valuable in predicting the prognosis of conditions such as bone healing after tooth extraction and other surgical procedures and osseointegration after implant surgery.

Objective: The goal of this research was to assess HALP score (Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, Platelet) as a potential indicator of disease activity among patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Methods: Data from 260 individuals (130 AS patients and 130 healthy controls) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and demographic information was collected, and the AS group was divided into remission and active disease subgroups for comparison. Results: In contrast to the group of healthy controls, AS patients had a lower HALP score (P<0.001). The HALP score was notably lower in the active patient group than in the remission group (P=0.025). The HALP score and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were found to be negatively correlated (r=-0.307, P<0.001). Additionally, significant negative correlations were identified between the HALP score and the following parameters: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (r=-0.208, P=0.017), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) (r=-0.195, P=0.026), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) (r=-0.199, P=0.024), and Visual Analog Scale (r=-0.229, P=0.009). The optimal HALP score cut-off for determining disease activity was established as ≤0.56 (AUC: 0.619, 95% CI: 0.518-0.721, sensitivity: 80.00%, specificity: 40.00%). Conclusions: This study found that the HALP score was lower in active AS patients compared to those in remission. Therefore, the HALP score may serve as a potential marker for assessing disease activity in AS patients.

SARS-CoV-2,rheumatic diseases,radiology,lung imaging,management

Background: Secukinumab is a monoclonal antibody against interleukin 17 approved for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and psoriasis. Treating axSpA and PsA patients with a history of malignancy is a challenge. While initial results on the applicability of secukinumab in this patient group are positive, the number of studies on this topic remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the drug’s survival time and the efficacy and safety of secukinumab treatment in this specific patient group. Methods: This retrospective study included 30 patients with a history of malignancy who were followed up in rheumatology outpatient clinics in 12 centers throughout Turkey and treated with secukinumab between May 2018 and March 2024 with a diagnosis of axSpA and PsA. Results: The mean follow-up time was 29.8 ± 19.3 months. The drug retention rate was 89.7% after 12 months and 80.6% after 24 months. The most common tumor in our study was papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 5, 16.7%). During follow-up, local tumor recurrence was observed in a patient with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Conclusions: In the largest cohort reported to date, treatment with secukinumab in axSpA and PsA patients with a history of malignancy was not shown to cause oncologic recurrence except for one local tumor recurrence. Drug retention rates were also high, and disease activation and function improved compared to baseline. Therefore, secukinumab could be a safe and effective option for this patient group.

Objectives:Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory breast disease of unknown etiology. There is no standardized treatment because its etiology is still unclear. In this multicenter study, we presented the demographic, treatment, and follow-up characteristics of IGM cases monitored by rheumatology clinics. Material and Methods:This retrospective study was conducted in 13 different rheumatology centers. A total of 108 patients with IGM were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively obtained from patient files. Results:The most commonly administered drugs were, in order of frequency, corticosteroid (CS) (91.7%), methotrexate (MTX) (74.1%), antibiotics (63%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (41.7%), azathioprine (AZA) (13.9%), colchicine (5.6%), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (0.9%). The most commonly used form of immunosuppressive (IS) treatment was the MTX and CS combination 78 (72.2%). The ratio of patients receiving CS alone was 19 (17.6%). The ratio of patients who were operated on only and did not use IS drugs was 6.5%. The ratio of patients who received no treatment was 2.8%. Among the drugs used, MTX and CS alone use were independent risk factors for relapse; (p=0.027, p=0.011, respectively). The relapse rate was higher in patients receiving CS alone. Conclusion:IS drugs including CS, MTX, AZA, and TNF inhibitors seem to be efficient for treating IGM. CS alone use is associated with relapse, and the use of other IS drugs such as MTX is particularly effective in reducing relapse in IGM.