1. |
- de Rooy, D. P. C., et al.
(author)
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Smoking as a risk factor for the radiological severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a study on six cohorts
- 2014
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 73:7, s. 1384-1387
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Smoking is a risk factor for the development of anti -citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whether smoking predisposes to severe joint damage progression is not known, since deleterious, protective and neutral observations have been made. Objective To determine the effect of smoking on joint damage progression. Methods Smoking status was assessed in 3158 RA patients included in six cohorts (Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic (Leiden-EAC), BARFOT, Lund, Iceland, NDB and Wichita). In total 9412 radiographs were assessed. Multivariate normal regression and linear regression analyses were performed. Data were summarised in a random effects inverse variance meta-analysis. Results When comparing radiological progression for RA patients that were never, past and current smokers, smoking was significantly associated with more severe joint damage in Leiden-EAC (p=0.042) and BARFOT (p=0.015) RA patients. No significant associations were found in the other cohorts, though a meta-analysis on the six cohorts showed significantly more severe joint damage progression in smokers (p=0.01). Since smoking predisposes to ACPA, analyses were repeated with ACPA as additional adjustment factor. Then the association was lost (meta-analysis p=0.29). Conclusions This multi-cohort study indicated that the effect of smoking on joint damage is mediated via ACPA and that smoking is not an independent risk factor for radiological progression in RA.
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2. |
- Elmér, Evelina, et al.
(author)
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Methotrexate Treatment Suppresses Monocytes in Nonresponders to Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
- 2022
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In: Journal of Immunology Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2314-8861 .- 2314-7156. ; 2022
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of infections; therefore, immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases is important. Methotrexate (MTX) impairs the antibody response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in patients with arthritis, and the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we investigate the potential role of the innate immune system in the faltering antibody response following PCV vaccination in RA patients treated with MTX. Phenotypes of circulating granulocytes and monocytes were analyzed in 11 RA patients treated with MTX, 13 RA patients without disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment (0DMARD), and 13 healthy controls (HC). Peripheral blood samples were collected before and 7 days after vaccination. In addition, the MTX group was sampled before initiating treatment. Frequencies of granulocyte and monocyte subsets were determined using flow cytometry. Serotype-specific IgG were quantified using a multiplex bead assay, pre- and 4-6 weeks after vaccination. At baseline, no differences in granulocyte and monocyte frequencies were observed between the groups. Within the MTX group, the frequency of basophils increased during treatment and was higher compared to the HC and 0DMARD groups at the prevaccination time point. MTX patients were categorized into responders and nonresponders according to the antibody response. Before initiation of MTX, there were no differences in granulocyte and monocyte frequencies between the two subgroups. However, following 6-12 weeks of MTX treatment, both the frequency and concentration of monocytes were lower in PCV nonresponders compared to responders, and the difference in monocyte frequency remained after vaccination. In conclusion, the suppressive effect of MTX on monocyte concentration and frequency could act as a biomarker to identify nonresponders to PCV vaccination.
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3. |
- Lie, Elisabeth, 1980, et al.
(author)
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Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor treatment and occurrence of anterior uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis: results from the Swedish biologics register
- 2017
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 76:9, s. 1515-1521
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Tumour necrosis factor-a inhibitor (TNFi) treatment has been shown to reduce the rates of anterior uveitis (AU) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our objective was to compare the effect of adalimumab (ADA), etanercept (ETN) and infliximab (IFX) on AU occurrence in AS, using real-world data. Methods Patients with AS starting ADA, ETN or IFX as their first TNFi from January 2003 to December 2010 were extracted from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. AU rates, based on visits to an ophthalmologist with International Classification of Diseases 10 codes for AU, were obtained by linkage to the Swedish National Patient Register. For each TNFi, AU rates 2 years before TNFi start and for the first 2 years on TNFi treatment were compared. In the subgroup of patients who were AU-free during the 2 years before TNFi start, we also compared the risk of a first AU event. Results 1365 patients with AS were included (406 ADA, 354 ETN, 605 IFX). Compared with pretreatment rates, we noted a reduction in overall AU rates for ADA and IFX, and an increase for ETN. The adjusted HRs for AU in 1127 patients who were free of AU in the last 2 years before TNFi start were significantly higher for ETN versus ADA (HR: 3.86 95% CI 1.85 to 8.06) and ETN versus IFX (HR: 1.99, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.22), while the HR for IFX versus ADA was not statistically significant. Conclusions The results suggest differences in effect on AU risk between ADA, ETN and IFX, with a clear advantage for ADA/IFX over ETN.
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4. |
- Martin, Myriam, et al.
(author)
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Citrullination of C1-inhibitor as a mechanism of impaired complement regulation in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundDysregulated complement activation, increased protein citrullination, and production of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Citrullination is induced by immune cell-derived peptidyl-Arg deiminases (PADs), which are overactivated in the inflamed synovium. We characterized the effect of PAD2- and PAD4-induced citrullination on the ability of the plasma-derived serpin C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) to inhibit complement and contact system activation. MethodsCitrullination of the C1-INH was confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting using a biotinylated phenylglyoxal probe. C1-INH-mediated inhibition of complement activation was analyzed by C1-esterase activity assay. Downstream inhibition of complement was studied by C4b deposition on heat-aggregated IgGs by ELISA, using pooled normal human serum as a complement source. Inhibition of the contact system was investigated by chromogenic activity assays for factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa. In addition, autoantibody reactivity to native and citrullinated C1-INH was measured by ELISA in 101 RA patient samples. ResultsC1-INH was efficiently citrullinated by PAD2 and PAD4. Citrullinated C1-INH was not able to bind the serine protease C1s and inhibit its activity. Citrullination of the C1-INH abrogated its ability to dissociate the C1-complex and thus inhibit complement activation. Consequently, citrullinated C1-INH had a decreased capacity to inhibit C4b deposition via the classical and lectin pathways. The inhibitory effect of C1-INH on the contact system components factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa was also strongly reduced by citrullination. In RA patient samples, autoantibody binding to PAD2- and PAD4-citrullinated C1-INH was detected. Significantly more binding was observed in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive than in ACPA-negative samples. ConclusionCitrullination of the C1-INH by recombinant human PAD2 and PAD4 enzymes impaired its ability to inhibit the complement and contact systems in vitro. Citrullination seems to render C1-INH more immunogenic, and citrullinated C1-INH might thus be an additional target of the autoantibody response observed in RA patients.
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5. |
- Nagel, Johanna, et al.
(author)
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Reduced risk of serious pneumococcal infections up to 10 years after a dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in established arthritis.
- 2023
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In: Vaccine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-2518 .- 0264-410X. ; 41:2, s. 504-510
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To examine rates of serious pneumococcal infections up to 10 years after vaccination with 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) in patients with arthritis compared to non-vaccinated arthritis patients.Methods: In total, 595 adult arthritis patients (rheumatoid arthritis; RA = 342, 80 % women and spondylarthropathy; SpA = 253, 45 % women) received one dose of PCV7. Mean age/disease duration were 62/16 and 51/14 years, respectively. For each patient, 4 matched reference subjects were identified. At vaccination, 420 patients received bDMARDs (anti-TNF = 330, tocilizumab = 15, abatacept = 18, anakinra = 1, rituximab = 56). Methotrexate was given as monotherapy (n = 86) or in combination with bDMARD (n = 220). 89 SpA patients received NSAIDs without DMARD. The Skåne Healthcare Register was searched for ICD-10 diagnostic codes for pneumococcal infections (pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infection, septicemia, meningitis, septic arthritis) between January 2000 and December 2018. Frequency of infections after vs before vaccination were calculated (relative risks). Relative risk ratio (RRR) and relative risk reduction (1-RRR) were calculated comparing patients vs non-vaccinated references. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to investigate time to first event and predictors of infections.Results: Among vaccinated RA and SpA patients, there was a significant relative risk reduction of pneumonia and all serious infections; 53% and 46%, respectively. There was no significant difference in time to first pneumonia or all serious infections after vaccination between patients and references. Higher age, RA diagnosis and concomitant prednisolone were associated with infections.Conclusion: One dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may decrease risk of serious pneumococcal infection up to 10 years in patients with arthritis receiving immunomodulating treatment.
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6. |
- Nagel, Johanna, et al.
(author)
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Treatment with belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus does not impair antibody response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
- 2017
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In: Lupus. - : SAGE Publications. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 26:10, s. 1072-1081
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the impact of systemic lupuserythematosus and belimumab given in addition to standard of care therapy on 13-valentconjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) response. Methods: Forty-seven systemic lupuserythematosus patients and 21 healthy controls were immunized with a single dose of13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine. Forty systemic lupus erythematosus patientswere treated with traditional disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs, 11 of those receivedbelimumab in addition, and 32 patients were treated with concomitant prednisolone.Quantification of serotype specific IgG levels to 12 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharideswas performed in serum taken before and four to six weeks after vaccination using multiplexfluorescent microsphere immunoassay. IgG levels against serotypes 23F and 6B were alsoanalyzed using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Opsonophagocyticassay was performed on serotype 23F to evaluate the functionality of the antibodies. Preandpost-vaccination log transformed antibody levels were compared to determine theimpact of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis and different treatments on antibodyresponse. Results: Systemic lupus erythematosus patients as a group showed lower postvaccinationantibody levels and lower fold increase of antibody levels after vaccinationcompared to controls (p¼0.02 and p¼0.009, respectively). Systemic lupus erythematosuspatients treated with belimumab in addition to standard of care therapy or with only hydroxychloroquinedid not differ compared to controls, whereas the other treatment groups hadsignificantly lower fold increase of post-vaccination antibody levels. Higher age was associatedwith lower post-vaccination antibody levels among systemic lupus erythematosuspatients. Conclusion: Belimumab given in addition to traditional disease-modifyinganti rheumatic drugs or prednisolone did not further impair antibody response to 13-valentconjugated pneumococcal vaccine.
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7. |
- Rondaan, Christien, et al.
(author)
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Efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases : A systematic literature review for the 2019 update of EULAR recommendations
- 2019
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In: RMD Open. - : BMJ. - 2056-5933. ; 5:2
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim To present a systematic literature review (SLR) on efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD), aiming to provide a basis for updating the EULAR evidence-based recommendations. Methods An SLR was performed according to the standard operating procedures for EULAR-endorsed recommendations. Outcome was determined by efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with AIIRD, including those receiving immunomodulating therapy. Furthermore, a search was performed on the effect of vaccinating household members of patients with AIIRD on the occurrence of vaccine-preventable infections in patients and their household members (including newborns). The literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library (October 2009 to August 2018). Results While most investigated vaccines were efficacious and/or immunogenic in patients with AIIRD, some were less efficacious than in healthy control subjects, and/or in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents. Adverse events of vaccination were generally mild and the rates were comparable to those in healthy persons. Vaccination did not seem to lead to an increase in activity of the underlying AIIRD, but insufficient power of most studies precluded arriving at definite conclusions. The number of studies investigating clinical efficacy of vaccination is still limited. No studies on the effect of vaccinating household members of patients with AIIRD were retrieved. Conclusion Evidence on efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in patients with AIIRD was systematically reviewed to provide a basis for updated recommendations.
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8. |
- Bendtzen, Klaus, et al.
(author)
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Behandling af reumatoid artrit med anti-tumornekrosefaktor-alpha-antistof. Individuel monitorering af biotilgaengelighed og immunogenicitet-- sekundaerpublikation
- 2007
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In: Ugeskrift for Laeger. - 0041-5782. ; 169:5, s. 420-423
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Remicade/infliximab is effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but response failure is frequent. Sera from 106 RA patients were monitored using an RIA for functional infliximab and an RIA for anti-infliximab antibody (Ab). S-infliximab varied considerably, e.g. 0-22 microg/ml before the 3rd infusion, and 44% were Ab-positive after 6 months. Low s-infliximab was associated with Ab development and later therapeutic failure, and high Ab levels could be related to dose increases, side-effects and cessation of therapy. Pharmacological monitoring should help optimize anti-TNF therapies.
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9. |
- Bendtzen, Klaus, et al.
(author)
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Individualized monitoring of drug bioavailability and immunogenicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with the tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor infliximab
- 2006
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 1529-0131 .- 0004-3591. ; 54:12, s. 3782-3789
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF alpha) antibody, is effective in the treatment of several immunoinflammatory diseases. However, many patients experience primary or secondary response failure, suggesting that individualization of treatment regimens may be beneficial. This study was undertaken to investigate whether serologic monitoring of infliximab bioavailability and immunogenicity in individual patients would be useful in optimizing treatment regimens to improve efficacy and tolerability. Methods. To avoid the use of solid-phase assays, two radioimmunoassays were developed: one for measurement of levels of anti-infliximab antibody, and a functional one for measurement of TNF alpha binding due to infliximab. Sera from 106 randomly selected rheumatoid arthritis patients were tested within 6 months of therapy initiation, and associations between findings of serum assays and disease activity, infusion reactions, and treatment failure occurring within 18 months were assessed. Results. Trough serum infliximab levels after the first 2 intravenous infusions of infliximab at 3 mg/kg varied considerably between patients (range 0-22 mu g/ml). At this stage, only 13% of the patients were anti-infliximab antibody positive. With subsequent infusions, the frequency of antibody positivity rose to 30% and 44% (at 3 months and 6 months, respectively), accompanied by diminished trough levels of infliximab. Indeed, low infliximab levels at 1.5 months predicted antibody development and later treatment failure. There were highly significant correlations between high levels of antibodies and later dose increases, side effects, and cessation of therapy. High baseline disease activity, judged by C-reactive protein level and Disease Activity Score, was associated with low levels of infliximab at the early stage of treatment and later development of anti-infliximab antibodies. Cotreatment with methotrexate resulted in slightly reduced antibody levels after 6 months; other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and prednisolone had no effect. Conclusion. Development of anti-infliximab antibodies, heralded by low preinfusion serum infliximab levels, is associated with increased risk of infusion reaction and treatment failure. Early monitoring may help optimize dosing regimens for individual patients, diminish side effects, and prevent prolonged use of inadequate infliximab therapy.
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10. |
- Bengtsson, Camilla, et al.
(author)
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Common vaccinations among adults do not increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Swedish EIRA study
- 2010
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 69:10, s. 1831-1833
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To investigate the association between vaccinations in adults and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Data from the Swedish population-based Epidemiological Investigation of RA case-control study encompassing 1998 incident cases of RA aged 18-70 years and 2252 randomly selected controls matched for age, sex and residency were analysed. Those vaccinated within 5 years before disease onset were compared with those not vaccinated by calculating OR with 95% CI. Results Vaccinations neither increased the risk of RA overall (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.1) nor the risk of two major subgroups of RA (antibodies to citrullinated peptide-positive (ACPA-positive) and ACPA-negative disease). Furthermore, vaccinations did not increase the risk of RA in smokers or carriers of HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles, two groups with established risk factors for RA. Conclusions In this case-control study of incident cases of newly diagnosed RA, no increased risk of RA following immunisation was observed for vaccinations overall or for any specific vaccination. This indicates that immunological provocation of adults with commonly used vaccines in their present form carries no risk of RA. These findings should be implemented among public healthcare providers in order to encourage vaccinations according to recommended national vaccination schedules.
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