BACKGROUND: Inflammation is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Data from recent trials suggest that colchicine reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. METHODS: In this multicenter trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned patients who had myocardial infarction to receive either colchicine or placebo and either spironolactone or placebo. The results of the colchicine trial are reported here. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned ischemia-driven coronary revascularization, evaluated in a time-to-event analysis. C-reactive protein was measured at 3 months in a subgroup of patients, and safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 7062 patients at 104 centers in 14 countries underwent randomization; at the time of analysis, the vital status was unknown for 45 patients (0.6%), and this information was most likely missing at random. A primary-outcome event occurred in 322 of 3528 patients (9.1%) in the colchicine group and 327 of 3534 patients (9.3%) in the placebo group over a median follow-up period of 3 years (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 1.16; P = 0.93). The incidence of individual components of the primary outcome appeared to be similar in the two groups. The least-squares mean difference in C-reactive protein levels between the colchicine group and the placebo group at 3 months, adjusted according to the baseline values, was -1.28 mg per liter (95% CI, -1.81 to -0.75). Diarrhea occurred in a higher percentage of patients with colchicine than with placebo (10.2% vs. 6.6%; P<0.001), but the incidence of serious infections did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who had myocardial infarction, treatment with colchicine, when started soon after myocardial infarction and continued for a median of 3 years, did not reduce the incidence of the composite primary outcome (death from cardiovascular causes, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned ischemia-driven coronary revascularization). (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; CLEAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03048825.).

• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein * analysis   MeSH
• Stroke prevention & control   MeSH
• Double-Blind Method MeSH
• Myocardial Infarction * prevention & control   mortality   MeSH
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate MeSH
• Colchicine * therapeutic use   adverse effects   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Recurrence MeSH
• Secondary Prevention MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Spironolactone therapeutic use   adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data on upadacitinib therapy in children with ulcerative colitis (UC) or unclassified inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-U) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib as an induction therapy in pediatric UC or IBD-U. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, children treated with upadacitinib for induction of remission of active UC or IBD-U from 30 centers worldwide were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, as well as adverse events (AEs), were recorded at Week 8 post-induction. RESULTS: One hundred children were included (90 UC and 10 IBD-U, median age 15.6 [interquartile range 13.3-17.1] years). Ninety-eight were previously treated with biologic therapies, and 76 were treated with ≥2 biologics. At the end of the 8-week induction period, clinical response, clinical remission, and corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CFR) were observed in 84%, 62%, and 56% of the children, respectively. Normal C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin (FC) <150 mcg/g were achieved in 75% and 50%, respectively. Combined CFR and FC remission was observed in 18/46 (39%) children with available data at 8 weeks. Adverse events were recorded in 37 children, including 1 serious AE of an appendiceal neuroendocrine tumor. The most frequent AEs were hyperlipidemia (n = 13), acne (n = 12), and infections (n = 10, 5 of whom with herpes viruses). CONCLUSIONS: Upadacitinib is an effective induction therapy for refractory pediatric UC and IBD-U. Efficacy should be weighed against the potential risks of AEs.

• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring * therapeutic use   adverse effects   MeSH
• Remission Induction methods   MeSH
• Induction Chemotherapy methods   MeSH
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex analysis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Colitis, Ulcerative * drug therapy   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH

Úvod: Inhibícia aktivity proproteín konvertázy subtilizín/kexín typu 9 predstavuje účinnú stratégiu na zníženie LDL cholesterolu (LDL-C), ktorý je jedným z hlavných kardiovaskulárnych rizikových faktorov. Inklisiran, prvá malá interferujúca RNA cielená na PCSK9, preukázal v klinických štúdiách zníženie LDL-C o 50 %. Ciele: Cieľom tejto štúdie bolo opísať účinky inklisiranu v reálnych klinických podmienkach spolu s prvými klinickými skúsenosťami s jeho používaním na Slovensku. Metódy: V tejto observačnej štúdii bolo na liečbu inklisiranom vybraných 36 pacientov v rámci štandardných klinických vyšetrení, postupov a úhrady zo zdravotného poistenia. U každého pacienta sa pred podaním žiadosti o schválenie terapie vykonalo štandardné hodnotenie lipidového profilu a stanovenie vysokosenzitívneho C-reaktívneho proteínu (hsCRP), ktoré sa zopakovalo mesiac po podaní dvoch dávok inklisiranu. Priemerná zmena hladín lipidového profilu bola vypočítaná u každého pacienta, ktorý absolvoval tretiu dávku inklisiranu. Výsledky: Liečba inklisiranom bola schválená pre 36 pacientov, z toho 27 s aterosklerotickým ochorením koronárnych artérií a 9 po prekonaní cievnej mozgovej príhody. Súbor zahŕňal 1 pacienta intolerantného na statíny, 28 pacientov na maximálnej dávke statínov a 7 na zníženej dávke. Po 3 mesiacoch sa hladina LDL-C znížila o 57,5 %, hsCRP na 1,2 mg/dl a lipoproteín(a) o 14,3 ± 6,4 %. Bezpečnostné výsledky boli v súlade s klinickými štúdiami – mierna bolesť v mieste vpichu sa vyskytla u 26 pacientov a chrípkové príznaky u 3 pacientov. Záver: Inklisiran preukázal účinné zníženie hladín LDL-C a hsCRP, pričom výsledky mierne prevýšili klinické štúdie. Redukcia lipoproteínu(a) sa medzi pacientmi líšila. Bezpečnostný profil bol v súlade s očakávaniami, čo potvrdzuje potenciál inklisiranu pre širšie klinické využitie.

Background: Inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 activity is an effective strategy to lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), a major cardiovascular risk factor. Inclisiran, the first small interfering RNA targeting PCSK9, has shown a 50% LDL-C reduction in clinical trials. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of inclisiran in real-world clinical settings, along with the first clinical experiences of its use in Slovakia. Methods: In this observational study, 36 patients were selected for inclisiran therapy as part of standard clinical assessments, procedures, and reimbursement from public health insurance. Each patient underwent a standard lipid profile assessment and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) testing before submitting applications for therapy approval, and again one month after receiving two doses of inclisiran. The average change in lipid profile levels was calculated for each patient who completed the third dose of inclisiran. Results: Inclisiran therapy was approved for 36 patients, including 27 with athero­sclerotic coronary artery disease and 9 with prior strokes. The cohort included 1 statin-intolerant patient, 28 on maximum statin doses, and 7 on reduced doses. After 3 months, LDL-C dropped by 57.5%, hsCRP to 1.2mg/dL, and lipoprotein(a) by 14.3 ± 6.4%. Safety outcomes mirrored clinical trials, with mild injection-site pain in 26 cases and flu-like symptoms in 3. Conclusions: Inclisiran demonstrated an effective reduction in LDL-C and hsCRP levels, slightly exceeding clinical trial outcomes, but lipoprotein(a) reductions varied among patients. Safety was consistent with expectations, confirming inclisiran's potential for broader clinical use.

• Keywords
• inclisiran,
• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   drug effects   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Dyslipidemias * drug therapy   MeSH
• Hypolipidemic Agents administration & dosage   MeSH
• Cholesterol, LDL analysis   drug effects   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipoprotein(a) analysis   drug effects   MeSH
• RNA, Small Interfering * administration & dosage   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Clinical Study MeSH

BACKGROUND: Observational data on composite scores often comes with missing component information. When a complete-case (CC) analysis of composite scores is unbiased, preferable approaches of dealing with missing component information should also be unbiased and provide a more precise estimate. We assessed the performance of several methods compared to CC analysis in estimating the means of common composite scores used in axial spondyloarthritis research. METHODS: Individual mean imputation (IMI), the modified formula method (MF), overall mean imputation (OMI), and multiple imputation of missing component values (MI) were assessed either analytically or by means of simulations from available data collected across Europe. Their performance in estimating the means of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) in cases where component information was set missing completely at random was compared to the CC approach based on bias, variance, and coverage. RESULTS: Like the MF method, IMI uses a modified formula for observations with missing components resulting in modified composite scores. In the case of an unbiased CC approach, these two methods yielded representative samples of the distribution arising from a mixture of the original and modified composite scores, which, however, could not be considered the same as the distribution of the original score. The IMI and MF method are, thus, intrinsically biased. OMI provided an unbiased mean but displayed a complex dependence structure among observations that, if not accounted for, resulted in severe coverage issues. MI improved precision compared to CC and gave unbiased means and proper coverage as long as the extent of missingness was not too large. CONCLUSIONS: MI of missing component values was the only method found successful in retaining CC's unbiasedness and in providing increased precision for estimating the means of BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS-CRP. However, since MI is susceptible to incorrect implementation and its performance may become questionable with increasing missingness, we consider the implementation of an error-free CC approach a valid and valuable option. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable as study uses data from patient registries.

• MeSH
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing MeSH
• Axial Spondyloarthritis * MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Data Interpretation, Statistical MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index MeSH
• Research Design MeSH
• Bias MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) constitute a group of chronic inflammatory immune-mediated rheumatic diseases characterized by genetic, clinical, and radiological features. Recent efforts have concentrated on identifying biomarkers linked to axial SpA associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), offering predictive insights into disease onset, activity, and progression. Genetically, the significance of the HLA-B27 antigen is notably diminished in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with IBD, but is heightened in concurrent sacroiliitis. Similarly, certain polymorphisms of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase (ERAP-1) appear to be involved. Carriage of variant NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms has been demonstrated to correlate with the risk of subclinical intestinal inflammation in AS. Biomarkers indicative of pro-inflammatory activity, including C-reactive protein (CRP) along with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), are among the consistent predictive biomarkers of disease progression. Nevertheless, these markers are not without limitations and exhibit relatively low sensitivity. Other promising markers encompass IL-6, serum calprotectin (s-CLP), serum amyloid (SAA), as well as biomarkers regulating bone formation such as metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1). Additional candidate indicators of structural changes in SpA patients include matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tenascin C (TNC), and CD74 IgG. Fecal caprotein (f-CLP) levels over long-term follow-up of AS patients have demonstrated predictive value in anticipating the development of IBD. Serologic antibodies characteristic of IBD (ASCA, ANCA) have also been compared; however, results exhibit variability. In this review, we will focus on biomarkers associated with both axial SpA and idiopathic intestinal inflammation, notably enteropathic spondyloarthritis.

• MeSH
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing blood   diagnosis   immunology   MeSH
• Axial Spondyloarthritis blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• Biomarkers * blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• HLA-B27 Antigen genetics   immunology   MeSH
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases * blood   immunology   diagnosis   complications   MeSH
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex blood   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

OBJECTIVE: This research investigated the effects of different hemodialysis modalities combined with low-calcium dialysate (LCD) on mineral metabolism and vascular calcification (VC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: General data were collected from 192 cases of MHD patients, who were divided into 4 groups according to the randomized numerical table. Each group was given LCD treatment, and conventional hemodialysis (HD), high-flux HD (HFHD), hemodiafiltration (HDF), and HD + hemoperfusion (HP) were performed, respectively. The patients were dialyzed 3 times per week for 4 h each time, and each group was treated for 6 months. Fasting venous blood was collected. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured by ELISA, calcium (Ca2+), phosphorus (P), Ca2+-P product, serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), β2 microglobulin (β2-MG), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined by turbidimetric assay, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by autoradiographic immunoassay. To assess the extent of calcification in the iliac artery and abdominal aorta, a multilayer spiral CT device was employed for abdominal scans. RESULTS: Serum IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α, Ca2+, P, Ca2+-P product, SCr, BUN, β2-MG, iPTH, and ALP levels decreased, while 25(OH)D levels increased in the four groups after treatment. The most pronounced effect on the reduction of IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α, Ca2+, P, Ca2+-P product, SCr, BUN, β2-MG, iPTH, and ALP was in the HD + HP group, followed by the HDF and HFHD groups, and then by the HD group. The rate of VC in the HDF, HFHD, and HD + HP groups was lower than that in the HD group, and the rate in the HD + HP group was lower than that in the HDF and HFHD groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of HD + HP and LCD in treating CKD with MHD is effective, evidently rectifying disruptions in serum Ca2+ and P metabolism, enhancing kidney function, lessening the body's inflammatory response, and lessening VC.

• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   analysis   MeSH
• Renal Insufficiency, Chronic * therapy   blood   complications   metabolism   MeSH
• Renal Dialysis * adverse effects   MeSH
• Dialysis Solutions pharmacology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Phosphorus blood   MeSH
• Interleukin-6 blood   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Minerals metabolism   blood   MeSH
• Parathyroid Hormone blood   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha blood   MeSH
• Calcium * blood   metabolism   MeSH
• Vascular Calcification * blood   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of selected microRNAs as biomarkers of atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke patients in comparison with other established biochemical biomarkers. A prospective case-control study of consecutive ischemic stroke patients with AF admitted to a comprehensive stroke center was conducted. The control group consisted of patients with ischemic stroke with no AF detected on prolonged (at least 3 weeks) Holter ECG monitoring. As potential biomarkers of AF, we analyzed the plasma levels of microRNAs (miR-21, miR-29b, miR-133b, miR-142-5p, miR-150, miR-499, and miR-223-3p) and 13 biochemical biomarkers at admission. The predictive accuracy of biomarkers was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The data of 117 patients were analyzed (61 with AF, 56 with no AF, 46% men, median age 73 years, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 6). Biochemical biomarkers (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, eGFR, and total triglycerides) were significantly associated with AF. NT-proBNP had the best diagnostic performance for AF with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.92 (95%, CI 0.86-0.98); a cutoff value of >528 ng/L had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 97%. None of the other biomarkers, including microRNAs, was associated with AF. Conventional biochemical biomarkers (NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, eGFR, and triglycerides), but not microRNAs (miR-21, miR-29b, miR-133b, miR-142-5p, miR-150, miR-499, and miR-223-3p) were significantly associated with AF in our ischemic stroke cohort.

• MeSH
• Biomarkers * blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Atrial Fibrillation * blood   diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Ischemic Stroke * blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• MicroRNAs * blood   MeSH
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain blood   MeSH
• Peptide Fragments blood   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• ROC Curve MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Observational Study MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Because 66/68 joint counts are not always performed in routine care, we aimed to determine which of the modified 28-joint disease activity index for psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA28) or 28-joint disease activity score with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) should be preferred for monitoring disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when the original DAPSA (66/68 joints) is not available. METHODS: Prospectively collected real-world data of European bionaive patients with PsA initiating a first tumor necrosis factor inhibitor were pooled. Remission and response status were evaluated at 6 months by remission (DAPSA ≤ 4, DAPSA28 ≤ 4, and DAS28-CRP < 2.6), response (75% improvement for DAPSA and DAPSA28), and combined EULAR good/moderate responses for DAS28-CRP. Logistic regression analyses on multiple imputed data were used to identify baseline predictors. RESULTS: Remission and response cohorts included 3,159 and 1,866 patients, respectively. The 6-month proportions achieving remission/response were DAPSA (27%/44%), DAPSA28 (28%/44%), and DAS28-CRP (59%/80%). Of 14 possible baseline predictors, 11 predicted both DAPSA and DAPSA28 remission (8 of which also predicted their response, indicated by "*"): longer disease duration*, male sex*, and higher CRP* were positive, whereas older age*, higher body mass index*, patient fatigue*, and global, physician global, health assessment questionnaire score*, and tender and swollen* joint counts were negative predictors. Eight and five of these predicted DAS28-CRP remission and response, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with PsA, DAPSA28 should be preferred over DAS28-CRP as a substitute for DAPSA when 66/68 joint counts are not available because of the large overlap in remission and response status and in predictors between DAPSA and DAPSA28.

• MeSH
• Antirheumatic Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Biomarkers blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein * analysis   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Remission Induction * MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Arthritis, Psoriatic * drug therapy   blood   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index * MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

BACKGROUND: Total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty is still a traumatic and challenging operation that induces inflammation, with a particularly high risk of acute-phase reaction. The aim of this study was to predict the likelihood of implant-associated complications during the preoperative and postoperative course. METHODS: The prospective observational, non-interventional study of patients diagnosed with primary knee or hip osteoarthrosis undergoing THA or TKA during the study period was conducted. The inflammatory and malnutrition parameters were collected for each patient one day before surgery, two days after surgery, and in outpatient follow-up. RESULTS: Of 159 patients analysed, 12 developed implant-associated complications. The albumin, prealbumin, Intensive Care Infection Score (ICIS), Nutritional Risk Index, and white blood cell counts were found to be potential predictors. Notably, preoperative albumin levels significantly differed between groups with and without complications (P-value = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Our study definitively shows that WBC, prealbumin, Nutritional Risk Index, ICIS as a novel marker, and significantly albumin, outperform C-reactive protein in predicting implant-associated complications in hip and knee arthroplasty.

• MeSH
• Osteoarthritis, Hip surgery   MeSH
• Biomarkers blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   analysis   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip * adverse effects   MeSH
• Postoperative Complications * etiology   blood   MeSH
• Prealbumin metabolism   analysis   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Serum Albumin analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee * adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Observational Study MeSH

• MeSH
• Biomarkers * blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Communicable Diseases diagnosis   MeSH
• Interleukin-6 blood   MeSH
• Blood Cell Count MeSH
• Blood Sedimentation MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Point-of-Care Testing MeSH
• Procalcitonin blood   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH