Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate retinal and choroidal microvascular changes in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with long-term anti-TNF therapy and NSAIDs and in healthy control subjects using optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCT-A). Methods: A total of 162 eyes from 81 participants were included: 52 eyes from 26 axSpA patients treated with anti-TNF therapy (≥5 years), 44 eyes from 22 axSpA patients treated with NSAIDs, and 66 eyes from 33 healthy control subjects. SS-OCT-A imaging was used to assess retinal thickness, ganglion cell layer thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and the vessel densities of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC). Disease activity was assessed with ASDAS-CRP. Results: Both axSpA subgroups showed a significant expansion of the foveal avascular zone and reduced SCP and DCP densities compared to the controls. The CC vessel density was higher in axSpA patients than in healthy subjects. The anti-TNF group had a lower CC vascular density than the NSAIDs group. The disease duration correlated with a decreased central DCP density and increased paracentral SCP and CC densities. Conclusions: SS-OCT-A revealed subclinical retinal and choroidal changes in axSpA patients, highlighting the impact of chronic inflammation on the retinal vasculature. While anti-TNF therapy effectively controls systemic inflammation, it cannot completely prevent microvascular changes. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical relevance of these results.

Background/Aims: Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) are particularly vulnerable to infections as a result of their underlying autoimmune conditions. This vulnerability is further exacerbated by immunosuppressive treatments and associated comorbidities. This study aims to evaluate influenza vaccination rates, hesitancy, and awareness among this patient population. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included patients with AIIRD receiving treatment at rheumatology and pulmonary medicine outpatient clinics. Between January and April 2024, a questionnaire was administered to assess influenza vaccination rates, knowledge, and attitudes. Results: Of the patients, 34.3% had received at least 1 influenza vaccination, while only 13% were vaccinated annually. Additionally, 62.2% recognized that they were at risk for influenza infection due to their current illnesses and medications and believed that they should be vaccinated. However, 59.2% had not received any professional information about the influenza vaccine. Only 38.2% were aware that vaccination was available free of charge for their condition. Older age, prolonged medication use, extended duration since diagnosis, presence of comorbidities, awareness of influenza risk, and receiving information about vaccination were all significantly associated with having received at least 1 influenza vaccination. No statistical relationship was observed between the type of rheumatic disease and vaccination (P= .7803). Patients relying on social media, TV, or internet sources demonstrated greater vaccine hesitancy (P < .0001). Awareness of vaccination recommendations was significantly associated with medication type (P < .0001). Hesitancy was reported by 38.7% of all patients and 48% of unvaccinated patients, influenced by negative experiences during the COVID-19 vaccination process. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination coverage among patients with AIIRD remains suboptimal. Physician reminders during routine visits could enhance vaccination rates. Health authorities might consider implementing pop-up alerts in clinical systems to prompt physicians to recommend vaccination when prescribing immunosuppressive medications.

Objective: Medication adherence is crucial for effective treatment and long-term outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Compliance Questionnaire of Rheumatology (CQR) is a widely used self-report tool for evaluating adherence. This study aimed to validate the Turkish versions of the CQR-19 and its short form, the CQR-5, in RA patients, in order to support the assessment of treatment adherence in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center with patients who were diagnosed with RA according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria and who had been receiving treatment for at least one year. Participants completed the Turkish versions of the CQR-19 and CQR-5. Objective adherence was assessed via prescription refill data and pill counts. Construct validity was evaluated using Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor Analyses. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Criterion validity was examined through correlations between CQR scores and objective adherence rates. Results: A total of 155 participants had a mean age of 57.4 ± 12.4 years, with 87% being female. The CQR-19 showed a two-factor structure (KMO = 0.927, Bartlett's test p < 0.0001), while the CQR-5 demonstrated a unidimensional structure with good model fit. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.9248 for CQR-19; α = 0.8599 for CQR-5). CQR scores correlated significantly with objective adherence (p < 0.0001), supporting criterion validity. Conclusions: The Turkish versions of the CQR-19 and CQR-5 are valid, reliable tools for assessing medication adherence in RA patients and suitable for use in clinical and research settings.

Objective: To compare frailty-related performance and G8 screening results between adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and matched controls, and to examine associations of DAS28-CRP and resilience with these outcomes in RA. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 adults with RA and 100 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Participants completed timed up and go (TUG), 4-m gait speed, and G8. Within RA, multivariable models assessed continuous outcomes and prespecified thresholds (TUG ≥13.5 s, gait speed ≤0.8 m/s, G8 ≤14). Results: Compared with controls, the RA group had longer TUG times (11.4±4.4 vs. 6.6±2.9 s), slower gait speed (0.79±0.24 vs. 0.86±0.19 m/s), lower G8 scores (14.2±2.5 vs. 15.4±1.7), and more frequent G8 ≤14 (42% vs. 26%; all p ≤0.026). In RA, higher DAS28-CRP was associated with longer TUG time (12.6% increase, 95% CI: 6.5-19.1), lower gait speed (−0.06 m/s, 95% CI: −0.09 to −0.02), and lower G8 score (−0.62, 95% CI: −1.05 to −0.20). Higher resilience per 10-point increase was associated with shorter TUG time (−4.6%, 95% CI: −7.3 to −1.7), faster gait speed (0.03 m/s, 95% CI: 0.02-0.05), and higher G8 score (0.53, 95% CI: 0.35-0.71). Threshold-based analyses were directionally consistent. Conclusions: Adults with RA showed less favorable performance and G8 profiles than matched controls. Within RA, disease activity and resilience were independently associated with objective performance and G8 outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine temporal relationships and prognostic relevance.

Background/Aims: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis (PS) are chronic inflammatory disorders characterized by significant systemic involvement and comorbidities. This study investigated the occurrence of periodontitis among PS and PsA patients and evaluated its associations with clinical and demographic factors. Materials and Methods: Comprehensive evaluations were performed, including the Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) for all participants, along with PsA-specific assessments such as Psoriatic Arthritis and Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI). Dermatological and periodontal clinical parameters were recorded. The participants were organized into 2 groups: those with periodontitis and those without. Results: The study included 128 participants: 62 with PS and 66 with PsA. Although the prevalence of periodontitis was higher among PsA patients compared with those with PS (46.97% vs 30.65%), this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = .058). Elevated CPDAI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.38; P = .001) and MASES (OR: 1.39; P < .001) scores were significantly associated with the presence of periodontitis in PsA patients. Conclusion: In this study, patients with periodontitis demonstrated higher disease activity scores, underscoring the importance of incorporating periodontal assessment into the multidisciplinary management of psoriatic disease, particularly in patients with active disease. Cite this article as: Akyuz B, Durmus H, Baytımur H, et al. Periodontal status and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis: A cross-sectional study. Arch Rheumatol. 2026;41(1):14-21.