Background/Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, characterized by the production of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which lead to pathophysiological changes in innate and acquired immunity. The existing evidence shows that pro-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis impact monoaminergic neurotransmission, neurotropic factors, and synaptic activity, which may lead to the development of depression. Materials and Methods: In our study, we explored the association between TNF-α and IL-6, disease activity, and the degree of depression in patients with RA. The association between TNF-α and IL-6 and the Beck and Hamilton depression scales was analyzed in a group of 116 RA patients with depression. We investigated the same correlation in 45 patients with primary depression who represented the control group. Results: A Spearman test showed that IL-6 levels had a positive association with the Beck and Hamilton scales (p < 0.05) and that TNF-α had a positive association with the Hamilton scale (p < 0.05). Also, the Hamilton depression scale was the more sensitive scale in the detection of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our study indicates that elevated values of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with the degree of depression in patients with RA. Future preclinical and clinical studies will contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of depression in patients with RA and may serve as the basis for new treatment modalities. By detecting depression promptly, with the help of the HAM-D as the more sensitive scale, we could influence the future modality of treatment, and with a multidisciplinary approach, we could ensure an improvement in the quality of life of patients with RA.

Background/Aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with multisystemic involvement. Almost 50 % of patients who suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus have lupus nephritis (LN) as well. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) are recommended as preferred therapy. The aim of this study was to see how MMF and CYC, when compared, are efficient in dealing with LN. Methods: Study included 53 SLE patients with biopsy-proven class III and class IV LN. Twenty-two patients (42 %) were treated with MMF (dosage 2-3 g/day) and 31 patients (58 %) were treated with CYC (0.5 to 1.0 g/m2 in monthly pulses) in a 24-week induction study. Outcome of interest was the improvement in serum creatinine, proteinuria and creatinine clearance. Primary end point included complete renal remission defined as serum creatinine within 25 % of baseline before flare and proteinuria < 0.5 g/24 h. Secondary end point included complete renal remission in follow-up period. Results: The results revealed that response between two groups was not notably different (X2 = 0.151, p = 0.697). Four out of 22 patients (18.2 %) in MMF group and 7 out of 31 patients (22.6 %) in CYC group had complete renal remission. Most patients from both groups showed improvement from the clinical point of view. Secondary end point was also similar between treatment groups. Conclusion: The study showed same efficiency between these treatment groups, MMF and CYC as induction for LN. No crucial differences were identified between MMF and CYC groups in terms of renal remission.