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- Sen, P, et al.
(författare)
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Vaccine hesitancy decreases in rheumatic diseases, long-term concerns remain in myositis: a comparative analysis of the COVAD surveys
- 2023
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Ingår i: Rheumatology (Oxford, England). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 62:10, s. 3291-3301
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveCOVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs); however, hesitancy continues to persist among these patients. Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the two international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) e-surveys.MethodsThe first and second COVAD patient self-reported e-surveys were circulated from March to December 2021, and February to June 2022 (ongoing). We collected data on demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 infection and vaccination history, reasons for hesitancy, and patient reported outcomes. Predictors of hesitancy were analysed using regression models in different groups.ResultsWe analysed data from 18 882 (COVAD-1) and 7666 (COVAD-2) respondents. Reassuringly, hesitancy decreased from 2021 (16.5%) to 2022 (5.1%) (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.30, P < 0.001). However, concerns/fear over long-term safety had increased (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 2.9, 4.6, P < 0.01). We noted with concern greater skepticism over vaccine science among patients with IIMs than AIRDs (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.2, P = 0.023) and HCs (OR: 4; 95% CI: 1.9, 8.1, P < 0.001), as well as more long-term safety concerns/fear (IIMs vs AIRDs – OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.9, P = 0.001; IIMs vs HCs – OR: 5.4 95% CI: 3, 9.6, P < 0.001). Caucasians [OR 4.2 (1.7–10.3)] were likely to be more hesitant, while those with better PROMIS physical health score were less hesitant [OR 0.9 (0.8–0.97)].ConclusionVaccine hesitancy has decreased from 2021 to 2022, long-term safety concerns remain among patients with IIMs, particularly in Caucasians and those with poor physical function.
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- Chavatza, K, et al.
(författare)
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EULAR RECOMMENDATION-BASED QUALITY INDICATORS (QIS) FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): ELABORATION, FINAL SET, PERFORMANCE AND INITIAL VALIDATION
- 2021
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Ingår i: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 80, s. 635-636
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Targets of therapy and quality of care are receiving increased attention in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Objectives:To develop Quality Indicators (QIs) for the care of SLE patients based on the EULAR recommendations, and assess their performance.Methods:Using the published EULAR recommendations for SLE, we developed 44 candidate QIs. These were independently rated for validity and feasibility by 12 experts, analysed by a modified RAND/UCLA model and further scrutinized based on the scorings and expert opinion. (Fig.1) Adherence to the final set of QIs was tested in a cohort of 220 SLE patients combined with an assessment on its impact on disease outcomes such as flares, hospitalizations and organ damage.Results:The panel rated 18 QIs as valid and feasible. These involve diagnosis; disease and damage assessment; monitoring for lupus nephritis and drug toxicity; therapy and targets of therapy; fertility and pregnancy; and adjunct therapy (preventive measures for osteoporosis, vaccination, cardiovascular disease). On average, SLE patients received 54% (95%CI 52–56%) of the indicated care with adherence ranging from 41% for QIs related to monitoring to 88% for treatment-related QIs. Regarding targets of therapy, sustained remission or low disease activity were achieved in 27%, while 94% of patients received low-dose glucocorticoids, and 92% the recommended hydroxychloroquine dose. Dependent upon individual QI tested, adherence for lupus nephritis-related QIs was 88% for receiving appropriate adjunct therapy (ACE inhibitors) to 100% for being treated with the indicated immunosuppressive treatment. In contrast, adherence to QIs related to preventive measures and other adjunct therapies was moderate to low. Notably, patients who were eligible for cardiovascular risk modification, vaccination, and osteoporosis management received lower quality of care (40.5%, 47.7% and 45.5% respectively) while 91.4% had sunscreen protection. In reference to laboratory work-up and monitoring, complete laboratory work-up at diagnosis was performed in 48%, while disease activity and damage, were fully assessed only in 14.1% (in three consecutive visits) and 28.6% (annually) respectively, Similarly, reproductive health and pregnancy counselling adherence rates were modest estimated at 50% and 62% respectively. Higher adherence to the indicated care during follow-up (monitoring QIs) was associated with reduced risk for adverse outcomes during the last year of observation (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.96-0.99). Patients who achieved sustained remission or LLDAS, exhibited fewer flares (OR=0.15, p-value<0.001) and damage accrual (OR=0.35, p-value<0.001). Of interest, patients who received low-dose of GCs or were appropriately vaccinated, had a lower risk of experiencing a flare (OR=0.23 and 0.46 respectively).Conclusion:A set of 18 QIs based on the EULAR recommendations for SLE was developed to be used towards improving care in SLE. Initial real-life data suggest variable degree of adherence with higher adherence resulting in reduced adverse outcomes.References:[1]Fanouriakis, et al., 2019 Update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. In Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (Vol. 78, Issue 6, pp. 736–745). BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215089.[2]Nikolopoulos, D., et al., Evolving phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus in Caucasians: low incidence of lupus nephritis, high burden of neuropsychiatric disease and increased rates of late-onset lupus in the ‘Attikon’ cohort. Lupus, 29(5), 514–522. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203320908932.Acknowledgements:This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 742390)Disclosure of Interests:None declared
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| 6. |
- Chavatza, K, et al.
(författare)
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Quality indicators for systemic lupus erythematosus based on the 2019 EULAR recommendations: development and initial validation in a cohort of 220 patients
- 2021
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Ingår i: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 80:9, s. 1175-1182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Quality of care is receiving increased attention in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We developed quality indicators (QIs) for SLE based on the 2019 update of European League Against Rheumatism recommendations.MethodsA total of 44 candidate QIs corresponding to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment, were independently rated for validity and feasibility by 12 experts and analysed by a modified Research and Development Corporation/University of California Los Angeles model. Adherence to the final set of QIs and correlation with disease outcomes (flares, hospitalisations and organ damage) was tested in a cohort of 220 SLE patients with a median monitoring of 2 years (IQR 2–4).ResultsThe panel selected a total of 18 QIs as valid and feasible. On average, SLE patients received 54% (95% CI 52.3% to 56.2%) of recommended care, with adherence ranging from 44.7% (95% CI 40.8% to 48.6%) for diagnosis-related QIs to 84.3% (95% CI 80.6% to 87.5%) for treatment-related QIs. Sustained remission or low disease activity were achieved in 26.8% (95% CI 21.1% to 33.2%). Tapering of prednisone dose to less than 7.5 mg/day was achieved in 93.6% (95% CI 88.2% to 97.0%) while 73.5% (95% CI 66.6% to 79.6%) received the recommended hydroxychloroquine dose. Higher adherence to monitoring-related QIs was associated with reduced risk for a composite adverse outcome (flare, hospitalisation or damage accrual) during the last year of observation (OR 0.97 per 1% adherence rate, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99).ConclusionWe developed QIs for assessing and improving the care of SLE patients. Initial real-life data suggest face validity, but a variable degree of adherence and a need for further improvement.
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- Fittipaldi, Antonela S., et al.
(författare)
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Ghrelin proteolysis increases in plasma of men, but not women, with obesity
- 2023
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Ingår i: Life Sciences. - : Elsevier. - 0024-3205 .- 1879-0631. ; 313
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Since plasma ghrelin can undergo des-acylation and proteolysis, the aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which an enhancement of these reactions is associated to the decrease of ghrelin in plasma after food intake or in individuals with obesity.Main methods: we performed an intervention cross-sectional study, in which levels of ghrelin, desacyl-ghrelin (DAG), glucose, insulin, ghrelin des-acylation and ghrelin proteolysis were assessed in plasma before and after a test meal in 40 people (n = 21 males) with normal weight (NW, n = 20) or overweight/obesity (OW/OB, n = 20).Key findings: Preprandial ghrelin and DAG levels were lower, whereas preprandial ghrelin proteolysis was -4.6-fold higher in plasma of males with OW/OB. In males, ghrelin proteolysis positively correlated with glycemia. Ghrelin and DAG levels were also lower in females with OW/OB, but preprandial ghrelin proteolysis was not different between females with NW or OW/OB. Ghrelin and DAG levels decreased postprandially in males and females, independently of BMI, and ghrelin proteolysis increased postprandially-2 folds only in individuals with NW. Ghrelin des-acylation remained unaffected by BMI or feeding status in both sexes.Significance: Current study shows that ghrelin proteolysis increases in males with obesity as well as after meal in lean individuals. Therefore, ghrelin proteolysis may be an important checkpoint and, consequently, a putative pharmacological target to control circulating ghrelin levels in humans.
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- Westgate, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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A reappraisal of legacy reflection seismic data from the western margin of the Kaapvaal craton, South Africa, with implications for Mesozoic-Cenozoic regional tectonics
- 2021
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Ingår i: Tectonophysics. - : Elsevier. - 0040-1951 .- 1879-3266. ; 813
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The 150 km long, 6 s TWT, 2D seismic profile KBF03A, which was acquired in 1994 and lies near the western edge of the Kaapvaal craton in South Africa, has been reprocessed using standard reflection seismic processing methods. The results exhibit a significant improvement in the imaging quality of the subsurface features and an evident boost in the signal-to-noise ratio. The improved seismic data, combined with application of seismic attributes, integration with surficial geological and geophysical maps, and computation of velocity tomograms, has revealed previously undetected structural features within the supracrustal sequences underlying the profile. In particular, the Phanerozoic sediments found along the profile, comprising exclusively Kalahari Group and Dwyka Group deposits, are disrupted by multiple folds of varying wavelengths (similar to 1 similar to 10 km) and variably oriented normal and thrust faults. Additionally, the effect of the Moshaweng fault, previously characterised as a listric fault extending to depths of >10 km, on the Phanerozoic sediments has been further constrained to suggest repeated extensional reactivations and a more recent (<1 Ma) inversion. Considerations of the eastern end of the profile have suggested links between some of the observed structural features and the nearby similar to 146 Ma Morokweng impact structure, the lateral expanse of which is poorly constrained in the literature. The collection of these newly imaged features is interpreted as evidence for multiple Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic tectonic events, including polyphasic reactivation of basement structures, under both extensional and compressional stress regimes. By analysing these newly detected features, our study not only provides new insight into the neotectonic evolution of the Phanerozoic sediments along the western margin of the Kaapvaal craton, but also demonstrates the utility in reprocessing legacy data and reveals its untapped potential.
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