April 2024 to July 2024
Author: Olivier Fakih & Roba Ghossan
Lancet Rheumatology
Identification of distinct subgroups of Sjögren’s disease by cluster analysis
Nguyen et al. (10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00340-5) aimed to identify distinct subgroups in Sjögren’s disease using hierarchical cluster analysis on two French patient cohorts, classifying them into three groups based on disease activity and symptom burden. The subgroups had different prognoses, including a risk of lymphoma in patients with B-cell active disease and low symptom burden. The findings suggest that these subgroups reflect different disease mechanisms or stages and could be used for future clinical trials.
Self-management of low back pain with an internet intervention in primary care
Geraghty et al. (10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00086-9) conducted a trial in primary care in UK evaluating the impact of an interactive, automated multi-session internet intervention called SupportBack compared to usual care in patients with low back pain over 12 months. There was no significant differences in low back pain-related disability but SupportBack was found to be cost-effective and safe.
Biosimilar switching in children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Kearsley-Fleet et al. (10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00087-0) studied biosimilar switching in children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the UK comparing drug survival and disease activity with a matched cohort who stayed on the originator. Results showed no significant differences in drug persistence or worsening of disease activity between groups. Most patients tolerated the switch well, with only 9% switching back to the originator after one year.
Sex as a predictor of clinical phenotype and determinant of immune response in IgG4-related disease
Jha et al. (10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00089-4) analyzed sex differences in IgG4-related disease using a large single-center cohort. Male patients outnumbered females (2.2:1 ratio) and showed more severe disease manifestations, higher IgG4 values, and increased B-cell activity. Males were also diagnosed later in life than females, with more serological abnormalities at baseline. The findings highlight the unusual male predominance in this autoimmune disease, contrasting with the female bias seen in most autoimmune disorders.
Immunogenicity of third dose COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised patients with suboptimal immunity
Goodyear et al. (10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00065-1) explored the effectiveness of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose in immunocompromised individuals with a trial of third different vaccines. Most immunocompromised individuals who had poor responses to two doses could generate adequate antibody and T-cell responses after a third dose. However, certain groups, like those with chronic renal disease or on B-cell therapies, remained at risk of inadequate response, highlighting the need for alternative protection strategies.
Olivier Fakih
Olivier is a rheumatology fellow at the Department of Rheumatology of Besançon University Hospital in France. His research interests include the epidemiology of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, in particular mortality and comorbidities in spondyloarthritis. Olivier is a member of the French Society of Rheumatology and the society’s young rheumatologists section (REF). He is a member of the EMEUNET Education Sub-Committee.
Roba Ghossan
Roba is a rheumatologist at the Department of Rheumatology of Cochin Hospital APHP in Paris, France. Her main clinical and research interests include Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases, Muskuloskeletal Ultrasound and Epidemiology. Roba is a member of the French Society of Rheumatology and the society’s young rheumatologists section (REF). She is a member of the EMEUNET Social Media Sub-Committee.