Determination of IgA,IgG,IgM Class-Specific Rheumatoid Factor and Its Clinical Evaluation

Solid Phase enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay（ELISA） for detectingclass-specific rheumatoid factor （RF） was established.Aggregated rabbit lgG was used ascoating antigen and the presence of RF was demonstrated by F（ab’）2 fragment of anti-humanIg conjugated to horseradish peroxidase（HRP）.The results showed that high levels ofIgM-RF,IgG-RF and IgA-RF were found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.A positive cor-relation existed between IgM-,IgG-,IgA-RF and disease activity.The presence of vasculitis al-so correlated positively with the levels of 3 class-specific RFs.

Rheumatoid Factor and Anti Citrulinated Peptide. Relation with Remission and Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis with Biologic Agent Therapy, during a One-Year Follow-Up

The aim of this study is to assess the variations of the RF and ACCP in RA patients treated with biologics in actual clinical practice (real) conditions for a one-year follow-up from the first biologic medication. The evaluated patients with a diagnosis of RA, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 were selected from the outpatient consult of Rheumatology of the “Hospital de Sant Pau” during one month (November 2012). We collected and analyzed data from 41 patients with RA and positivity for RF and/or ACCP. Of the 41 patients had given FR and ACCP at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively in 18 and 10 patients. In 22 patients had given DAS 28 at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. The mean age of the sample is 55 years (range 29-79), with a mean disease progression 9 years (4 months to 32 years). 70% are women. 33 patients (80.5%) initiated treatment with anti-TNF and 8 (19.5%) with other no anti-TNF mechanism of action. There was a statistically significant (p = 0.001, ANOVA) decrease in DAS 28 (average decrease of 1.6 points) at 3 months is maintained at 6 and 12 m and no significant differences in their evolution by separating anti-TNF drugs vs. other biological agents (different mechanisms of action (p = 0.285). So we have not detected a correlation between DAS 28 and FR or ACCP along the first 12 months of biological treatment. In our experience we did not find a correlation between DAS 28 and RF or ACCP, thus RF and ACCP do not appear to predict the response to treatment.

Correlation Analysis Between Changes of D-Dimer Level and Rheumatoid Arthritis Complicated with Interstitial Lung Disease

Objective:To explore the correlation between the change of D-dimer level and rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial lung disease.Methods:From January 2022 to February 2024,20 rheumatoid arthritis patients complicated with interstitial lung disease(interstitial lung disease group),20 rheumatoid arthritis patients without interstitial lung disease(without interstitial lung disease group),and 20 healthy people(control group)in Xijing Hospital were selected for this study.The fasting venous blood of the three groups of subjects was collected and their D-dimer,C-reactive protein(CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)were detected.Subsequently,the correlation between each index and rheumatoid arthritis complicated with interstitial lung disease was analyzed.Results:The D-dimer level of the interstitial lung disease group was significantly higher than the other two groups(P<0.05).The D-dimer level of the group without interstitial lung disease was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).CRP levels in the interstitial lung disease group and the group without interstitial lung disease were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).The ESR and RF levels of the interstitial lung disease group were significantly higher than the other two groups(P<0.05).The levels of ESR and RF levels of the group without interstitial lung disease were significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:D-dimer levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients are higher than those of healthy individuals,and those complicated with interstitial lung disease present even higher levels.This finding shows that there is a correlation between D-dimer levels and rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease,which may facilitate the evaluation and diagnosis of this disease.

Challenges of Rheumatoid Arthritis Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 21st Century

In recent decades, several advances have been made in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both in the diagnostic field and in the therapeutic field. Unfortunately, RA remains poorly studied in black Africa. Epidemiological data are rare and controversial. The estimated prevalence of RA in Africa is about 0% - 2.54%. Risk factors associated with RA must be studied by taking into account special features of black Africa such as the low tobacco consumption in certain regions, the tropical climate and the high frequency of endemic parasitic and viral infections. The initially supposed mildness of RA in black Africa is increasingly challenged. The diagnosis is often made too late because of the scarcity of rheumatologists and ignorance. Diagnostic tools are limited to the clinical data, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiographs as the other tools are poorly available. In addition, there are misconceptions in African communities, responsible for loss of sight during follow-up and treatment discontinuations. This is exacerbated by the shortage of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and the inability to afford them. Furthermore, biological agents are very difficult to access. Further studies are essential to better understand the characteristics of RA in black Africa. Thus, collaborations between African and Western research teams seem very important. In order to make available the DMARDs especially biological agents, pharmaceutical companies can contribute through research partnerships. Moreover, governments should provide a better place for chronic inflammatory diseases in the programs against non-communicable diseases. Finally, training must also be promoted to increase the number of specialists and the level of knowledge of other health workers.

Distinct Expression of Chemokine-like Factor 1 in Synovium of Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Chemokine-like factor 1（CKLF1） is a newly cloned chemotactic cytokine with CCR4 being its functional receptor. Recent evidence demonstrates a role of CKLF1 in arthritis. The aim of this study was to quantify the expression of CKLF1 as well as assess the correlation between CKLF1 and plasma acute-phase markers. Synovium was obtained from 16 osteoarthritis（OA）, 15 rheumatoid arthritis（RA） and 10 ankylosing spondylitis（AS） patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty, with other 11 patients treated for meniscal tears during sport accidents serving as normal controls. Levels of CKLF1 and CCR4 m RNA were detected by q RT-PCR, and the expression of CKLF1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry staining, subsequently analyzed with semiquantitative scores. Plasma acute-phase markers of inflammation were determined by ELISA. CKLF1 was found with a particularly up-regulated expression in synovim from AS and RA patients, and CCR4 m RNA levels increased in RA patients, not in OA or AS patients. Elevated levels of plasma markers of inflammation including CRP, ESR and Ddimer were observed in RA. Further, significantly positive correlations between relative expression levels of CKLF1 and CRP/ESR in RA patients and a positive correlation between CKLF1 and ESR in AS patients were found. There was no detectable correlation between CKLF1 and plasma D-dimer. This study confirms an increased but different level of CKLF1 in RA, OA and AS patients, all significantly higher than that in controls. Additionally, the significant positive correlations between CKLF1 levels and CRP/ESR in RA and between CKLF1 and ESR suggest that CKLF1 might contribute to the inflammation state and clinical symptoms in these rheumatic diseases. Further studies are required to investigate the utility of targeting specific CKLF1 for symptom control or disease modification in RA and AS.

Blood glucose changes surrounding initiation of tumor-necrosis factor inhibitors and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in veterans with rheumatoid arthritis

AIM To determine the scope of acute hypoglycemic effects for certain anti-rheumatic medications in a large retrospective observational study. METHODS Patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry were selected who, during follow-up, initiated treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi's, including etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, or certolizumab), prednisone, or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs), and for whom proximate random blood glucose (RBG) measurements were available within a window 2-wk prior to, and 6 mo following, medication initiation. Similar data were obtained for patients with proximate values available for glycosylated hemoglobin A1C values within a window 2 mo preceding, and 12 mo following, medication initiation. RBG and A1C measurements were compared before and after initiation events using paired t-tests, and multivariate regression analysis was performed including established comorbidities and demographics.RESULTS Two thousands one hundred and eleven patients contributed at least one proximate measurement surrounding the initiation of any examined medication. A significant decrease in RBG was noted surrounding 653 individual hydroxychloroquine-initiation events(-3.68 mg/dL, P = 0.04), while an increase was noted for RBG surrounding 665 prednisone-initiation events(+5.85 mg/d L, P < 0.01). A statistically significant decrease in A1C was noted for sulfasalazine initiation, as measured by 49 individual initiation events(-0.70%, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analyses, using methotrexate as the referent, suggest sulfasalazine (β =-0.58, P = 0.01) and hydroxychloroquine(β =-5.78, P = 0.01) use as predictors of lower post-medicationinitiation RBG and A1C values, respectively. Analysis by drug class suggested prednisone (or glucocorticoids) as predictive of higher medication-initiation event RBG among all start events as compared to DMARDs, while this analysis did not show any drug class-level effect for TNFi. A diagnosis of congestive heart failure(β = 4.69, P = 0.03) was predictive for higher post-initiation RBG values among all medication-initiation events.CONCLUSION No statistically significant hypoglycemic effects surrounding TNFi initiation were observed in this large cohort. Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine may have epidemiologically significant acute hypoglycemic effects.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors on rheumatoid arthritis-induced peripheral neuropathy A cohort study

In this historical cohort study, 236 patients with primary rheumatoid arthritis were treated with the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, etanercept or infliximab （n = 80）, or by conventional methods （n = 156）. Results revealed that 11 patients developed varying types of peripheral neuropathy at 1-2 years post-treatment （mean 16 months）. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 8.8% （7/80）, which was significantly higher than the conventional treatment group （2.6%; 4/156）. The relative risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors treatment group was 3.41 （95% confidence interval： 1.03 11.31）. Comparison of the tumor necrosis factor inhibitors revealed that etanercept and infliximab had no significant difference in terms of inducing peripheral neuropathy. Experimental findings indicate that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Inhibition of rheumatoid arthritis by blocking connective tissue growth factor

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) remains to be completely elucidated so far; however, it is known that proinflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in the induction of RA. Tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α), in particular, is considered to play a central role in bone destruction by mediating the abnormal activation of osteoclasts or the production of proteolytic enzymes through direct or indirect mechanisms. The use of TNF-α blocking agents has a significant impact on RA therapy. Anti-TNF-α blocking agents such as infliximab are very effective for treatment of RA, especially for the prevention of articular destruction. We have previously shown that several proteins exhibited extensive changes in their expression after amelioration of RA with infliximab treatment. Among the proteins, connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) has a significantrole for the development of RA. Herein, we review the function of CTGF in the pathogenesis of RA and discuss the possibility of a novel treatment for RA. We propose that CTGF is a potentially novel effector molecule in the pathogenesis of RA. Blocking the CTGF pathways by biological agents may have great beneficial effect in patients with RA.

Gene Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Etanercept-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Fifty-one rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were enrolled to assess the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in etanercept-treated RA patients, with some emphasis on clinical and biological markers of disease. The results revealed that the ΔCt mean range in total, male and female RA patients and controls was 1.286 ± 1.226 - 4.023 ± 0.856 and the differences were not. Laboratory and clinical findings in subgroups of patients also showed no significant variations in the distribution of 2-ΔΔCt means, with the exception of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) antibodies. The lowest expression was observed in moderate positive patients (1.566 ± 1.104) compared to low and high positive patients (4.061 ± 1.366 and 9.668 ± 3.518, respectively) for ACCP antibodies, and the difference was significant (p = 0.043). Inspecting the 2-ΔΔCt means in duration of disease and gender revealed that male patients recorded a lower mean than female patients (0.827 ± 0.550 vs. 4.143 ± 1.317) at 10 years duration of disease, female patients showed a lower mean than male patients (1.242 ± 0.372 vs. 5.607 ± 3.334). However, both differences were not significant. It is concluded that etanercept was effective in normalizing the TNF gene expression, but variations that were related to gender, duration of disease and some biological markers of disease, were observed.

Low rates of adherence for tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis: Results of a systematic review

AIM:To investigate adherence rates in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-inhibitors in Crohn's disease (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by systematic review of medical literature. METHODS:A structured search of PubMed between 2001 and 2011 was conducted to identify publications that assessed treatment with TNF-α inhibitors providing data about adherence in CD and RA. Therapeutic agents of interest where adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept, since these are most commonly used for both diseases. Studies assessing only drug survival or continuation rates were excluded. Data describing adherence with TNF-α inhibitors were extracted for each selected study. Given the large variation between definitions of measurement of adherence, the definitions as used by the authors where used in our calculations. Data were tabulated and also presented descriptively. Sample size-weighted pooled proportions of patients adherent to therapy and their 95%CI were calculated.To compare adherence between infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept, the adherence rates where graphed alongside two axes. Possible determinants of adherence were extracted from the selected studies and tabulated using the presented OR. RESULTS:Three studies on CD and three on RA were identified, involving a total of 8147 patients (953 CD and 7194 RA). We identified considerable variation in the definitions and methodologies of measuring adherence between studies. The calculated overall sample size-weighted pooled proportion for adherence to TNF-α inhibitors in CD was 70% (95%CI:67%-73%) and 59% in RA (95%CI:58%-60%). In CD the adherence rate for infliximab (72%) was highercompared to adalimumab (55%), with a relative risk of 1.61 (95%CI:1.27-2.03), whereas in RA adherence for adalimumab (67%) was higher compared to both infliximab (48%) and etanercept (59%), with a relative risk of 1.41 (95%CI:1.3-1.52) and 1.13 (95%CI:1.10-1.18) respectively. In comparative studies in RA adherence to infliximab was better than etanercept and etanercept did better than adalimumab. In three studies, the most consistent factor associated with lower adherence was female gender. Results for age, immunomodulator use and prior TNF-α inhibitors use were conflicting. CONCLUSION:One-third of both CD and RA patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors are non-adherent. Female gender was consistently identified as a negative determinant of adherence.

电针辅助治疗类风湿关节炎的疗效观察及对血清类风湿因子和炎症因子的影响

目的观察电针足三里和关元穴辅助治疗类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)的临床疗效及对患者关节功能、关节压痛指数、红细胞沉降率、类风湿因子和炎症因子的影响。方法将112例RA患者用随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组56例。对照组采用常规西医治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上予电针足三里和关元穴治疗。比较两组临床疗效和不良反应发生情况,观察两组治疗前后关节功能、关节肿胀指数、关节压痛指数、RA患者病情评价(disease activity score 28,DAS28)评分以及红细胞沉降率、类风湿因子、炎症因子[C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)、白介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)]水平的变化。结果观察组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组关节功能(关节僵硬、疼痛和日常活动)评分、DAS28评分、关节肿胀指数和关节压痛指数以及红细胞沉降率、类风湿因子、CRP、TNF-α和IL-1β水平均低于治疗前(P<0.05),且观察组上述观察指标均低于对照组(P<0.05)。对照组1例出现咽部梗阻感,疑为甲氨蝶呤所致;有2例出现消化道不适症状。观察组2例出现针刺后皮下血肿,1例出现消化道不适症状。结论在常规西医治疗基础上,电针足三里和关元穴辅助治疗RA可提高临床疗效,有助于改善患者关节功能和关节压痛,降低红细胞沉降率、类风湿因子和炎症因子水平。

硫酸羟氯喹与艾拉莫德治疗干燥综合征的效果及安全性比较

目的比较硫酸羟氯喹与艾拉莫德治疗干燥综合征(SS)的效果及安全性。方法选择2019年4月至2021年5月就诊于九江市第一人民医院风湿免疫科的90例SS患者作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将患者分为A组(n=45)和B组(n=45)。A组予硫酸羟氯喹治疗,B组予艾拉莫德治疗,均连续治疗3个月。比较两组患者的疗效、类风湿因子(RF)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、血小板计数(PLT)、炎症指标[白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)]及不良反应。结果B组患者的治疗总有效率高于A组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);B组患者治疗后的RF、ESR、IgG水平低于A组,PLT水平高于A组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);B组患者治疗后的IL-6、TNF-α、ICAM-1水平均低于A组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者的不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论相比羟氯喹,艾拉莫德治疗SS效果更好,可降低IgG、RF水平,抑制B细胞活性,提高PLT水平,减轻炎症反应,且安全性好。

CDFI血流信号分级、抗CCP抗体、G6PI、RF对类风湿性关节炎的诊断价值

目的分析彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)血流信号分级、抗环瓜氨酸肽抗体(CCP)、葡萄糖6磷酸异构酶(G6PI)、类风湿因子(RF)对类风湿性关节炎(RA)的诊断价值。方法回顾性选取2022年4月至2023年10月新疆医科大学附属中医医院收治的100例RA患者纳入观察组,根据病情分为RA活动期组(n=50)和RA非活动期组(n=50);依据血流信号CDFI分级分为0~1级组(n=20)、2级组(n=17)、3级组(n=13)。选取同期本院收治的100例其他自身免疫性疾病患者纳入对照组。比较观察组、对照组一般临床资料(性别、病程、年龄、RA家族史、体重指数、吸烟史、饮酒史、居住地、职业等),比较不同活动期患者抗CCP抗体、G6PI及RF水平;比较不同血流信号分级组患者抗CCP抗体、G6PI及RF水平;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估CDFI血流信号分级、抗CCP抗体、G6PI、RF联合检测对RA的诊断价值。结果两组患者性别构成比、病程、年龄、RA家族史、体重指数、吸烟史、饮酒史、居住地、职业比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组患者抗CCP抗体、G6PI及RF水平均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。RA活动期组患者抗CCP抗体、G6PI及RF水平均高于RA非活动期组患者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。血流信号3级组患者抗CCP抗体、G6PI及RF水平均高于血流信号0-1级组、2级组患者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CDFI血流信号分级、抗CCP抗体、G6PI、RF单独检测RA的敏感度分别为79.57%、86.45%、82.14%、77.89%,特异度分别为83.89%、79.28%、83.67%、84.15%,AUC分别为0.855(0.804~0.907)、0.940(905~0.976)、0.893(0.852~0.935)、0.800(0.736~0.864),CDFI血流信号分级、抗CCP抗体、G6PI、RF联合检测RA的敏感度为89.36%,特异度为77.24%,AUC为0.957(0.933~0.980)。结论RA患者血清CCP抗体、G6PI、RF水平升高,随着CDFI血流信号分级增大,升高愈加明显,CDFI血流信号分级、抗CCP抗体、G6PI、RF联合检测RA诊断价值较高,对判断RA进展具有意义。

基于25⁃羟基维生素D、血清学因子等对老年类风湿性关节炎合并间质性肺疾病Nomogram预测模型的构建和评价

目的基于25-羟基维生素D[25-(OH)D]、血清学因子等构建老年类风湿性关节炎合并间质性肺疾病(RA-ILD)的Nomogram预测模型,并进行模型评价。方法选取2020年5月—2022年10月收治的老年类风湿性关节炎(RA)220例,根据是否合并间质性肺疾病将其分为RA-ILD组(51例)和单纯RA组(169例)2组,比较2组一般资料和实验室相关指标[类风湿因子(RF)、抗环瓜氨酸抗体(anti-CCP)、抗角蛋白抗体(AKA)、类风湿关节炎活动度评分(DAS28)]、25-(OH)D、血清学因子[白细胞介素-33(IL-33)、白细胞介素-35(IL-35)、赖氨酰氧化酶样蛋白-2(LOXL-2)、涎液化糖链抗原-6(KL-6)、基质金属蛋白酶-8(MMP-8)]水平,分析老年RA患者25-(OH)D与各血清学因子的相关性,探讨老年RA-ILD发生的影响因素,根据影响因素、25-(OH)D及血清学因子构建老年RA-ILD的Nomogram预测模型,并对该模型进行评价。结果RA-ILD组和单纯RA组RF、DAS28比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);RA-ILD组25-(OH)D、IL-35、KL-6低于单纯RA组,IL-33、LOXL-2、MMP-8高于单纯RA组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。老年RA患者25-(OH)D与IL-35、KL-6呈正相关,与IL-33、LOXL-2、MMP-8呈负相关(P<0.05)。25-(OH)D、IL-35、KL-6、IL-33、LOXL-2、MMP-8、RF和DAS28均为老年RA-ILD发生的影响因素(P<0.01)。在Nomogram预测模型中直接获取各预测因素对应得分,得分之和对应的预测概率即为该老年患者RA-ILD发生的风险概率,该模型对老年RA-ILD发生具有良好预测效能,且具有良好校准度。结论基于25-(OH)D、血清学因子等构建老年RA-ILD发生的Nomogram预测模型,预测效能较高、校准度良好。

四妙散及其拆方对类风湿关节炎大鼠血清IL-6、MMP-3的影响

目的:观察四妙散及其拆方对经典RA动物模型血清IL-6、MMP-3的影响,以了解四妙散对RA的治疗效果及其组方特点。方法:将100只雌性SD大鼠随机分成10组,随机分为正常对照组、模型对照组、西药对照组(甲氨蝶呤,MTX)、四妙汤全方组及其6个拆方组(黄柏+牛膝、苍术+牛膝、薏苡仁+牛膝、苍术+薏苡仁、黄柏+薏苡仁、黄柏+苍术),每组10只。除空白组外,余组大鼠以每只0.1 ml弗氏完全佐剂于右侧足跖部注射诱导关节炎模型。造模后第1天开始药物干预,正常对照组和模型组分别给予等体积双蒸水灌胃,所有大鼠按照10 ml/kg灌胃给药,1次/d,连续灌胃14 d。灌胃治疗结束后,采用ELISA法测定各组大鼠血清中IL-6、MMP-3的含量。结果:四妙散全方及拆方组大鼠血清IL-6、MMP-3均有不同程度下降(P<0.05)。根据综合指标结果,四妙散全方效果最佳,其次分别为黄柏+牛膝组、黄柏+苍术组、苍术+牛膝组、黄柏+薏苡仁组、薏苡仁+牛膝组、苍术+薏苡仁组。结论:四妙散全方的配伍应用,发挥了降低佐剂诱导致RA大鼠血清炎症因子最佳作用效果,拆方两两组合效果最强为黄柏+牛膝组。四妙散全方组对降低佐剂诱导致RA大鼠血清炎症因子效果明显,体现了四妙散组方药简力专的鲜明特点。两两组合中黄柏+牛膝组对大鼠血清IL-6、MMP-3含量下降效果最强,对四妙散的君臣配伍有了新的认识,但尚需进一步临床研究证实。

类风湿因子亚型、抗CCP和抗RA33联合检测在早期类风湿关节炎诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨血清类风湿因子(RF)亚型(包括IgG-RF、IgA-RF、IgM-RF)、抗CCP、抗RA33联合检测在早期类风湿关节炎(RA)诊断中的意义。方法收集2021年6月至2022年5月医院收治的可疑RA患者作为研究对象,根据临床诊断结果将患者分为RA组(135例)和非RA组(1556例),测定两组血清IgG-RF、IgA-RF、IgM-RF、抗CCP、抗RA33水平,比较各项指标阳性表达情况,分析联合检测的诊断效能。结果RA组IgG-RF、IgA-RF、IgM-RF、抗CCP、抗RA33水平均高于非RA组(P<0.05);单项指标中,灵敏度和正确指数最高的是抗CCP,特异性最高的是IgG-RF;抗RA33灵敏度最低但特异性比较高。联合检测中以只要有阳性为判断标准,灵敏度和正确指数增加,灵敏度最高的是RF亚型/抗CCP/抗RA33(为99.26%),其次是RF亚型/抗CCP(95.56%);正确指数最高的是RF亚型/抗CCP/抗RA33(78.57%),其次是RF亚型/抗CCP(78.52%)。如果以联合检测中所有项目均阳性为判断标准,特异性明显升高,特异性最高的是RF亚型+抗CCP+抗RA33(99.55%),其次是RF亚型+抗RA33(98.78%)。结论RF亚型、抗CCP和抗RA33等指标对RA诊断具有一定价值,这些指标联合检测可以提高诊断灵敏度、特异性,提高早期诊断效能。

类风湿关节炎治疗达标率的影响因素

目的:基于智能疾病管理系统分析影响类风湿关节炎治疗达标的因素,为进一步调整慢性病管理策略提供参考。方法:回顾性分析2018年1月—2020年12月在重庆市某三级甲等医院风湿病科接受慢性病管理的471例类风湿关节炎病人,根据是否达标分为达标组和未达标组,收集性别、年龄、病程、是否因药物副作用调整方案、是否规律用药、是否有经济负担、是否受其他疾病影响、是否受行动不便或路途远影响、是否定期复诊等资料,并分析其影响因素。结果:基于智能疾病管理系统对类风湿关节炎病人进行慢性病管理总达标率为57.3%,不同年龄、规律用药、定期复诊病人类风湿关节炎病人治疗达标率不同(P<0.05)。结论:应加强对老年病人的关怀,提高老年病人的依从性,指导病人规律用药和定期复诊有利于提高类风湿关节炎病人治疗的达标率。

阿达木单抗辅助治疗类风湿关节炎的效果

目的:探究阿达木单抗辅助治疗类风湿关节炎的效果。方法:选取2022年1月—2023年7月新疆医科大学第六附属医院收治的类风湿关节炎患者64例为研究对象,采用数字奇偶法分为研究组和对照组,各32例。对照组采用甲氨蝶呤片、来氟米特片、艾拉莫德片常规治疗,研究组在对照组基础上采用阿达木单抗治疗。比较两组治疗效果、炎性指标[C反应蛋白(CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)]、不良反应发生率。结果:研究组治疗总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.045)。治疗前,两组CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、ESR水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,两组CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、ESR水平降低,研究组均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组不良反应发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.023)。结论:阿达木单抗辅助治疗类风湿关节炎的效果较好,可减轻炎性反应,降低不良反应发生率。

METTL3通过mRNA m6A甲基化促进类风湿关节炎滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及分泌炎症因子

目的探讨甲基转移酶样3(METTL3)对类风湿关节炎(RA)滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及分泌炎症因子的作用及机制。方法本研究纳入类风湿关节炎及骨关节炎患者各25例,留取滑膜组织,分别用RT-qPCR及免疫组化法检测METTL3表达水平,ELISA检测RNA m6A浓度;分离培养RA滑膜成纤维细胞,分为NC组、hi-METTL3(过表达METTL3)组、si-METTL3(敲低METTL3)组、STM2457(METTL3抑制剂)干预组,用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、ELISA检测细胞培养上清液白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-17A(IL-17A)、肿瘤坏死因子-κB活化受体配体(RANKL)、骨保护素(OPG)的浓度。结果与骨关节炎滑膜组织相比,RA滑膜组织RNA m6A表达显著增高(P<0.05),METTL3的表达显著增高(P<0.05)。过表达METTL3后,滑膜成纤维细胞m6A表达增加,细胞增殖、迁移能力显著提高,凋亡无明显变化,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著增加,OPG显著减少(P<0.05)。干扰METTL3表达后,滑膜成纤维细胞m6A表达减少,细胞增殖、迁移显著减低,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著降低,OPG显著增高(P<0.05);使用METTL3抑制剂STM2457干预后,滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移显著减低,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著降低,OPG显著增高(P<0.05);各组表达IL-17A无显著差异。结论METTL3可能通过RNA m6A甲基化修饰促进RA滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及促进IL-6、RANKL的表达,抑制OPG的表达。

婆罗双树样基因4、嗅素结构域家族蛋白4及激活素A表达水平与类风湿性关节炎患者临床特征的相关性及其对合并关节畸形的预测价值

目的探讨血清婆罗双树样基因4(SALL4)mRNA、嗅素结构域家族蛋白4(OLFM4)mRNA和激活素A(Activin-A)表达水平与类风湿性关节炎(RA)患者临床特征的相关性及其对合并关节畸形的预测价值。方法选择2021年1月至2023年4月河南中医药大学第三附属医院收治的130例RA患者为RA组,另选择同期于门诊体检的102例健康志愿者为对照组。RA组患者于入院第2天、对照组受试者于体检当日,采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清Activin-A水平,反转录-聚合酶链反应检测2组受试者血清SALL4、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量。比较RA组与对照组受试者及不同临床特征RA患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA、Activin-A水平,采用单因素和多因素logistic回归分析RA合并关节畸形的影响因素,采用受试者操作特征曲线分析SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA、Activin-A预测RA合并关节畸形的价值。结果RA组患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量及Activin-A水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。疾病活动度重度患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量及Activin-A水平显著高于中度和轻度患者,疾病活动度中度患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量及Activin-A水平显著高于轻度患者(P<0.05)。受累关节数目≥10个、滑膜炎持续时间≥6周、关节畸形患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量及Activin-A水平分别高于受累关节数目<10个、滑膜炎持续时间<6周、无关节畸形患者(P<0.05)。不同年龄、性别患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA相对表达量及Activin-A水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,疾病活动重度及SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA、Activin-A水平升高是RA合并关节畸形的危险因素(P<0.05)。Activin-A、SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA预测RA合并关节畸形的截断值分别为15.06 pg·L^(-1)、3.412、3.802,曲线下面积分别为0.699、0.693、0.756,SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA、Activin-A联合预测RA合并关节畸形的曲线下面积为0.892,联合预测的曲线下面积显著高于单独预测(Z=4.171、2.785、3.626,P<0.05)。结论RA患者血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA及Activin-A水平增高与RA疾病活动度、受累关节数目、滑膜炎持续时间、关节畸形有关。血清SALL4 mRNA、OLFM4 mRNA、Activin-A联合预测RA合并关节畸形的效能高于三者单独预测。