August 2025 to November 2025
Author: Victoria Sadovici-Bobeica
Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Mepolizumab in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis
Wechsler ME et al. (10.1002/art.43146) in this open-label extension of the phase 3 MIRRA trial evaluated long-term safety and oral corticosteroid (OCS)–sparing effects of mepolizumab in patients with EGPA. Over a median of 27 months’ exposure, mepolizumab was well tolerated with no new safety signals. Treatment led to sustained reductions in OCS use, proportion of patients using OCS >7.5 mg/day decreased from 75% at baseline to 32% at study exit; 28% of patients discontinued OCS.
Association of Physical Therapy With Injection Use in Knee Osteoarthritis
Neogi T et al. (10.1002/art.43155) in this cohort study examined how timing, dose, and type of physical therapy (PT) relate to future intra-articular therapy use in adults with newly diagnosed knee osteoarthritis. Using claims data from 67,245 patients, earlier PT initiation and receiving ≥13 PT sessions were associated with a lower risk of subsequent intra-articular therapies. Delayed PT initiation increased risk, while predominantly active PT was not associated with reduced use compared with passive interventions
Deep Immunophenotyping and Clustering Identifies Biomarkers Predictive of Lymphoma in Primary Sjögren Disease
Marques C et al.(10.1002/art.43207) found that patients with primary Sjögren disease (pSD) have an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but predictive biomarkers are limited. In 206 patients with pSD, deep immunophenotyping of B and T cells combined with clinical and biologic data identified CD11c⁺FcRL5⁺ tissue-like memory B cells and IFNγ⁺TNFα⁺ conventional T cells as strongly associated with NHL. These markers showed progressive enrichment from pSD to lymphoproliferative pSD and NHL-pSD, outperformed conventional risk factors, and distinguished MALT from non-MALT NHL subtypes.
Global Burden of Osteoarthritis Due to High BMI, 1990–2021: Insights from GBD 2021
Xi Lu et al.(10.1002/art.43241) in this study quantify the global burden of osteoarthritis (OA) attributable to high body mass index (BMI) from 1990 to 2021 using GBD 2021 data. OA-related years lived with disability (YLDs) due to high BMI tripled globally, rising from 1.45 million to 4.42 million. The burden was higher in women, older adults, and high- Sociodemographic Index (SDI) regions. A consistent upward trend was observed, indicating a growing global health challenge, especially in regions with higher SDI levels.
Regulatory Role of FGL-1 in T Cell Homeostasis During Sjögren Disease Onset
Kunihiro Otsuka et al.(10.1002/art.43236) in this study explore the role of interorgan communication in autoimmune diseases, focusing on primary Sjögren disease (pSjD). Using mouse models and patient samples, Fibrinogen-like protein-1 (FGL-1) was identified as a key factor linking the liver and immune system. FGL-1 production in the liver is induced by IL-6 from CD4+ T cells, influencing T cell homeostasis. FGL-1 levels were higher in pSjD patients and correlated with serum IL-6. This research highlights FGL-1 as a potential target for autoimmune disease diagnostics and therapy.
Victoria Sadovici-Bobeica
Victoria is an assistant professor at the Department of Internal Medicine of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” in Moldova and Rheumatologist at the International Hospital Medpark, Moldova. She graduated from the same university in 2009.
Her main research interests include systemic diseases and systemic lupus erythematosus.