Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 35 in total

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  1. Fulltext Updated APLAR consensus statements on care for patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic
    Tam LS, Tanaka Y, Handa R, Li Z, Lorenzo JP, Louthrenoo W, et al.
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2021 Jun;24(6):733-745.
    PMID: 33945214 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14124
    AIM: To update previous guidance of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) on the management of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

    METHODS: Research questions were formulated focusing on diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with RMD within the context of the pandemic, including the management of RMD in patients who developed COVID-19. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies to address the questions, and the APLAR COVID-19 task force convened 2 meetings through video conferencing to discuss its findings and integrate best available evidence with expert opinion. Consensus statements were finalized using the modified Delphi process.

    RESULTS: Agreement was obtained around key aspects of screening for or diagnosis of COVID-19; management of patients with RMD without confirmed COVID-19; and management of patients with RMD with confirmed COVID-19. The task force achieved consensus on 25 statements covering the potential risk of acquiring COVID-19 in RMD patients, advice on RMD medication adjustment and continuation, the roles of telemedicine and vaccination, and the impact of the pandemic on quality of life and on treatment adherence.

    CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence primarily from descriptive research supported new recommendations for aspects of RMD care not covered in the previous document, particularly with regard to risk factors for complicated COVID-19 in RMD patients, modifications to RMD treatment regimens in the context of the pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccination in patients with RMD.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  2. Fulltext The risk of tuberculosis disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients on biologics and targeted therapy: A 15-year real world experience in Taiwan
    Lim CH, Chen HH, Chen YH, Chen DY, Huang WN, Tsai JJ, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(6):e0178035.
    PMID: 28570568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178035
    The objective of this study is to determine the risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease in biologics users among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Taiwan from 2000 to 2015. This retrospective cohort study enrolled adult RA patients initiated on first biologics at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. TB risks were determined as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using cox regression. A total of 951 patients were recruited; etanercept (n = 443), adalimumab (n = 332), abatacept (n = 74), golimumab (n = 60), tocilizumab (n = 31) and tofacitinib (n = 11). Twenty-four TB cases were identified; 13 in etanercept and 11 in adalimumab group with the TB incidence rate of 889.3/ 100,000 and 1055.6/ 100,000 patient-years respectively. There was no significant difference in TB risk between adalimumab and etanercept users with an incidence rate ratio of 1.27 (p = 0.556 by Poisson model). Significant 2-year TB risk factors included elderly patient >65 year-old (HR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.06-6.99, p = 0.037), history of TB (HR: 6.24, 95% CI: 1.77-22.00, p = 0.004) and daily glucocorticoid use ≥5mg (HR:5.01, 95% CI: 1.46-17.21, p = 0.010). Sulfasalazine treatment appeared to be protective (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11-0.97, p = 0.043). Risk management plan (RMP) for TB before initiation of biologics commenced in 2012. The 2-year TB risks after RMP was compared with that before 2012 (HR:0.67, 95% CI: 0.30-1.49, p = 0.323). Elderly RA patients with a history of previous TB infection and concomitant moderate dose glucocorticoid were at higher risk of TB disease. Concurrent sulfasalazine treatment appeared to be a protective factor against TB disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  3. The pattern and clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis in Sarawak General Hospital
    Teh CL, Wong JS
    Clin Rheumatol, 2008 Nov;27(11):1437-40.
    PMID: 18773254 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-008-0945-6
    The aim of our study is to describe the pattern, clinical features, treatment regimes, and disease activity among the patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Sarawak General Hospital. We performed a cross-sectional study of all patients with a diagnosis of RA who received treatment at the General Medical Clinic and the Rheumatology Clinic in Sarawak General Hospital over a 1-year period from 1st June 2006 to 31st May 2007. Demographic data, clinical features, and disease activity of all 154 patients were collected for statistical analysis. Rheumatoid arthritis afflicts all the major racial groups in Sarawak including the native population. Our patients have a mean disease duration of 5.4 years (SD 5.69) and a mean duration of delay in diagnosis RA and initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment of 42.9 months (SD 60.1). They have a low rate of interstitial lung disease (6.5%) and rheumatoid nodules (4.5%). Rheumatoid factor was positive in 65.5% of our patients. They have a mean Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 score of 4.28 (SD 1.33). Only 12.5% of our patients are in remission with DAS 28 < 2.6 and 30.9% of our patients are having high disease activity with DAS 28 > 5.1. Despite the high usage of DMARDs in Sarawak (>80%), our patients have severe disease with high disease activity indices. This is most likely due to delay in diagnosis and initiating DMARDs in RA patients in Sarawak.

    Study site: General Medical Clinic and the Rheumatology Clinic in Sarawak General Hospital
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  4. The effects of TNF α antagonist therapy on bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
    Sakthiswary R, Das S
    Curr Drug Targets, 2013 Dec;14(13):1552-7.
    PMID: 23848441
    Osteoporosis is a common complication observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accelerated bone loss is always a matter of concern. The pathogenesis of RA may be important for better understanding of the bone loss. The mechanism involved in the bone loss in RA is not well understood although cytokines such as interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF α) have been strongly implicated. TNF α antagonists have revolutionised the treatment of RA in the recent years. Beyond the control of disease activity in RA, accumulating evidence suggests that this form of therapy may provide beneficial effects to the bone metabolism and remodeling. An extensive search of the literature was performed in the Medline, Scopus and EBSCO databases to evaluate the documented research on the effects of TNF α antagonists in RA on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. The available data based on our systematic review, depict a significant association between TNF α antagonists treatment and suppression of bone resorption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  5. Fulltext The difficult rheumatology diagnosis
    Devaraj NK
    Ethiop J Health Sci, 2018 Jan;28(1):101-102.
    PMID: 29622913 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v28i1.13
    Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a devastating condition. More so, the diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is often fraught off with much uncertainty and that leads to further suffering to the unfortunate patient.

    Case Details: This is a case of Madam A, who presented with many non-specific symptoms and signs involving many systems which was finally diagnosed as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. This case explores the challenges in reaching this uncommon diagnosis and how anti-inflammatory drugs can bring a miraculous relief to the patient's suffering.

    Conclusion: The diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often presents a real challenge to the medical practitioner and often requires multiple visits and/or shared multidisciplinary care for confirmation of the diagnosis. Once diagnosed and treated with disease modifying anti- rheumatic drugs, often there is a miraculous relief to the patient's suffering.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  6. Fulltext The atypical presentation of rheumatoid arthritis in an elderly woman: a case report
    Devaraj NK
    Ethiop J Health Sci, 2019 Jan;29(1):957-958.
    PMID: 30700964 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v29i1.18
    The diagnosis of rheumatologic problem can be difficult, especially if not all the diagnostic criteria or typical clinical features are seen. This includes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which needs early diagnosis to start disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) which can improve the prognosis and prevent further joint erosion and organ damage. This case report focused on a similar scenario in an elderly woman initially thought to have osteoarthritis but was diagnosed later with rheumatoid arthritis which brought much relief to her current predicament.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  7. Systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancies: the Sarawak experience and review of lupus pregnancies in Asia
    Teh CL, Wong JS, Ngeh NK, Loh WL
    Rheumatol Int, 2011 Sep;31(9):1153-7.
    PMID: 20349069 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-010-1435-0
    We performed a cross-sessional study of all systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancies during a 4-year period (2006-2009) to describe the clinical features, maternal and foetal outcomes in our centre. There were 48 pregnancies in 44 women with SLE. Our patients have a mean age of 30.0 years (SD 6.36) and a mean disease duration of 40.67 months (SD 48.23). Our patients have complicated pregnancies: 32.7% have SLE flares, 17.3% have preeclampsia and 48.9% needed caesarean sections. There were 20.0% foetal losses and 17.8% preterm deliveries in our patients. SLE flares contributed to 60.0% of foetal losses in our patients. Lupus pregnancies in our centre generally have a good maternal and foetal outcome comparable to developed countries in Asia. The low incidence of APS, the high usage of hydroxychloroquine and the high SLE remission rate in our patients prior to conceptions contributed to the good outcome.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  8. Suppressive Effects of the Standardized Extract of Phyllanthus amarus on Type II Collagen-induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sprague Dawley Rats
    Alam J, Jantan I, Kumolosasi E, Nafiah MA, Mesaik MA
    Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2018;19(14):1156-1169.
    PMID: 30539691 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666181211124954
    BACKGROUND: Standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus has been shown to possess inhibitory effects on cellular and humoral immune responses in Wistar-Kyoto rats and Balb/c mice.

    OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the standardized extract of P. amarus was investigated for its suppressive effects on type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (TCIA) in Sprague Dawley rats.

    METHOD: The major components of the extracts, lignans and phenolic compounds were analysed by using a validated reversed phase HPLC and LC-MS/MS. A rheumatoid arthritis rat model was induced by administering a bovine type II collagen emulsion subcutaneously at the base of tail, on day 0 and 7 of the experiment. Effects of the extract on severity assessment, changes in the hind paw volume, bone mineral density, body weight and body temperature were measured. Concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-6) released, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 MMP-9) and their inhibitor (TIMP-1), haematological and biochemical changes were also measured. ELISA was used to measure the cytokines and proteinases in the rat serum and synovial fluid according to manufacturer's instructions.

    RESULTS: The extract dose-dependently modulated the progression in physical parameters (i.e. decrease in body weight, increase in body temperature, reduced hind paw volume, reduced the severity of arthritis), bone mineral density, haematological and biochemical perturbations, serum cytokines production and levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor in the synovial fluid. Histopathological examination of the knee joint also revealed that the extract effectively reduced synovitis, pannus formation, bone resorption and cartilage destruction.

    CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the oral administration of a standardized extract of P. amarus was able to suppress the humoral and cellular immune responses to type II collagen, resulting in the reduction of the development of TCIA in the rats.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  9. Steroid-induced diabetes mellitus in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: analysis from a Malaysian multi-ethnic lupus cohort
    Shaharir SS, Gafor AH, Said MS, Kong NC
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2015 Jun;18(5):541-7.
    PMID: 25294584 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12474
    OBJECTIVE:
    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease and glucocorticoid is the mainstay of treatment in SLE. The reported incidence of steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (SDM) ranged between 1-53%. We sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of SDM in patients with SLE.

    METHODOLOGY:
    A total of 100 SLE patients attending the Nephrology/SLE and Rheumatology Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) who received corticosteroid treatment were recruited. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was based on the 2010 American Diabetes Association's criteria. Prevalent cases of SDM were also included. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with SDM.

    RESULTS:
    Thirteen of them (13%) developed SDM, with the median onset of diagnosis from commencement of glucocorticoid treatment being 8 years (range 0.5-21 years). Although only seven Indians were recruited into the study, three of them (42.9%) had SDM compared to Malays (9.3%) and Chinese (12.8%) (P ≤ 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that higher numbers of system or organ involvement in SLE, abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and daily prednisolone of ≥ 1 mg/kg/day were the important associated factors of SDM (P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use was associated with reduced SDM prevalence (P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION:
    The prevalence of SDM among SLE patients was 13% and Indians were more prone to develop SDM compared to other races. Higher numbers of system involvement, abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and the use of oral prednisolone of ≥ 1 mg/kg/day were associated with SDM, while HCQ use potentially protects against SDM.

    © 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

    KEYWORDS:
    SLE drug treatment; clinical aspects; systemic lupus erythematous
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  10. Rheumatoid arthritis: Recent advances on its etiology, role of cytokines and pharmacotherapy
    Alam J, Jantan I, Bukhari SNA
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2017 Aug;92:615-633.
    PMID: 28582758 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.055
    An autoimmune disease is defined as a clinical syndrome resulted from an instigation of both T cell and B cell or individually, in the absence of any present infection or any sort of distinguishable cause. Clonal deletion of auto reactive cells remains the central canon of immunology for decades, keeping the role of T cell and B cell aside, which are actually the guards to recognize the entry of foreign body. According to NIH, 23.5 million Americans are all together affected by these diseases. They are rare, but with the exception of RA. Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic and systemic autoimmune response to the multiple joints with unknown ethology, progressive disability, systemic complications, early death and high socioeconomic costs. Its ancient disease with an old history found in North American tribes since 1500 BCE, but its etiology is yet to be explored. Current conventional and biological therapies used for RA are not fulfilling the need of the patients but give only partial responses. There is a lack of consistent and liable biomarkers of prognosis therapeutic response, and toxicity. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by hyperplasic synovium, production of cytokines, chemokines, autoantibodies like rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), osteoclastogensis, angiogenesis and systemic consequences like cardiovascular, pulmonary, psychological, and skeletal disorders. Cytokines, a diverse group of polypeptides, play critical role in the pathogenesis of RA. Their involvement in autoimmune diseases is a rapidly growing area of biological and clinical research. Among the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1α/β and TNF-α trigger the intracellular molecular signalling pathway responsible for the pathogenesis of RA that leads to the activation of mesenchymal cell, recruitment of innate and adaptive immune system cells, activation of synoviocytes which in term activates various mediators including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), resulting in inflamed synovium, increase angiogenesis and decrease lymphangiogensis. Their current pharmacotherapy should focus on their three phases of progression i.e. prearthritis phase, transition phase and clinical phase. In this way we will be able to find a way to keep the balance between the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines that is believe to be the dogma of pathogenesis of RA. For this we need to explore new agents, whether from synthetic or natural source to find the answers for unresolved etiology of autoimmune diseases and to provide a quality of life to the patients suffering from these diseases specifically RA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  11. Rheumatoid arthritis management in the APLAR region: Perspectives from an expert panel of rheumatologists, patients and community oriented program for control of rheumatic diseases
    Chopra A, Lin HY, Navarra SV, Saeed MA, Sockalingam S, Thongpooswan S, et al.
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2021 Sep;24(9):1106-1111.
    PMID: 34375036 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14185
    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major health burden in Asia Pacific affecting the quality of life of patients and consuming healthcare resources. According to recent estimates from the World Health Organization-International League Against Rheumatism-Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases, prevalence is around 0.3%-0.5%. Management guidelines have helped to improve treatment across this diverse region. To gain better insight into current real-world management applications in view of these guidelines, virtual meetings were conducted in mid-2020 to explore perspectives of rheumatologists and patients, as well as discuss the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on RA management. Patients and rheumatologists from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Pakistan, and Taiwan were included, representing a diverse mix of healthcare systems, wealth, ethnicity and culture. Despite many countries having prospered in recent years, similar challenges in RA diagnosis and treatment were identified. The daily impact and patient experience of RA were also similar across countries, marked by "silent" pain and disability, and universal misunderstanding of the disease. Late diagnosis and treatment, and barriers to access to appropriate treatment, remain problematic. The experience shared by Taiwan offers a glimmer of hope, however, wherein patient advocacy groups have succeeded in being included in policy-making decisions and securing access to advanced treatment. Real-world solutions that pay heed to the unique local needs and diversity of Asia Pacific are required to improve RA management, which will take time. In the interim, help can be sought from the trained, non-rheumatologist community to reduce some of the disease burden.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  12. Relation of Doppler ultrasound synovitis versus clinical synovitis with changes in native complement component levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
    Montoro Alvarez M, Chong OY, Janta I, González C, López-Longo J, Monteagudo I, et al.
    Clin Exp Rheumatol, 2015 Mar-Apr;33(2):141-5.
    PMID: 25665178
    The complement system plays a fundamental role in mediating the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Biologic therapy can reduce native complement component levels and its activation. We aimed to study the relation of Doppler ultrasound (US) synovitis versus clinical synovitis with changes in native complement component levels in RA patients on biologic therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  13. Fulltext Real-world experiences of folic acid supplementation (5 versus 30 mg/week) with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a comparison study
    Koh KT, Teh CL, Cheah CK, Ling GR, Yong MC, Hong HC, et al.
    Reumatismo, 2016 Sep 09;68(2):90-6.
    PMID: 27608797 DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2016.872
    The objective of this study was to compare the tolerability of methotrexate in two different regimes of folic acid (FA) supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a multicenter, cross-sectional observational cohort study on 240 RA patients with 120 patients each in 5 mg of FA weekly and 30 mg of FA weekly supplementation. There were no significant differences for side effects (14.2 versus 22.5%, P=0.523) and discontinuation of methotrexate (3.6 versus 13.3%, P=0.085). RA patients given 5 mg of FA weekly supplementation had a lower disease activity score 28 compared to 30 mg of FA weekly supplementation [3.44 (1.10) versus 3.85 (1.40), P=0.014]. FA supplementation of 5 mg per week and 30 mg per week was associated with similar tolerability of methotrexate in RA patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  14. Real-world clinical experience of biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in Malaysia rheumatoid arthritis patients
    Tan BE, Lim AL, Kan SL, Lim CH, Tsang EEL, Ch'ng SS, et al.
    Rheumatol Int, 2017 Oct;37(10):1719-1725.
    PMID: 28695274 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-017-3772-8
    The effect of biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world clinical practice remains unknown in Southeast Asia. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of bDMARDs among Malaysian RA patients treated in routine clinical practice. A retrospective medical chart review of RA patients from 11 government hospitals were conducted from January 2003 to January 2014. A standardized questionnaire was used to abstract patient's demographic, clinical and treatment data. Level of disease activity was measured by DAS28 collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Three hundred and one patients were available for analysis, mean age 41 (SD, 10.8) years, mean RA duration 12.3 (SD, 6.9) years and 98% had history of two or more conventional-synthetic DMARDs. There were 467 bDMARD courses prescribed with mean bDMARDs duration use of 12.9 months (SD 14.7). Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors were the most common prescribed bDMARDs (77.1%), followed by Tocilizumab (14.6%) and Rituximab (8.4%). We observed significant improvement in mean DAS28 values from baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  15. Fulltext Rauniticine-allo-oxindole B and rauniticinic-allo acid B, new heteroyohimbine-type oxindole alkaloids from the stems of Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda
    Salim F, Ismail NH, Awang K, Ahmad R
    Molecules, 2011 Aug 04;16(8):6541-8.
    PMID: 21818057 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16086541
    Two new heteroyohimbine-type oxindole alkaloids, rauniticine-allo-oxindole B and rauniticinic-allo acid B, have been successfully isolated from the stems extract of Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda. The structures of the two new alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  16. Fulltext Pulmonary haemosiderosis with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a Malaysian child
    Wong AR, Noor AS, Rasool AH, Quah BS, Roberton D
    Med J Malaysia, 2007 Oct;62(4):352-4.
    PMID: 18551948 MyJurnal
    A rare case of childhood pulmonary haemosiderosis with juvenile idiopathic arthritis is discussed, with particular reference to treatment with hydroxychloroquine and sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension which occurs secondary to this disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  17. Prevalence of anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in Malaysian rheumatoid arthritis patients and its correlation with disease activity
    Sockalingam S, Chow SK, Sthaneshwar P
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2009 Sep;12(3):211-5.
    PMID: 20374348 DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-185X.2009.01412.x
    AIM: The objectives of this study are to provide data regarding the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies in Malaysian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to correlate the levels of anti-CCP antibody with the Disease Activity Score (DAS).
    METHOD: We studied the prevalence of anti-CCP antibodies in 51 RA patients attending our clinic and 29 controls. We also looked for correlation between anti-CCP antibody levels with the DAS and parameters such as duration of disease, rheumatoid factor (RF) and disease-modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD) usage.
    RESULTS: None of the controls demonstrated anti-CCP antibodies. Forty-one out of 51 patients (80.4%) were positive for anti-CCP antibodies. Sensitivity and specificity were 80.4% and 100% respectively in this study. Anti-CCP levels correlated significantly with rheumatoid factor, but no correlation was observed with the other parameters.
    CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCP antibody is prevalent in Malaysian RA patients at 80.4% and more sensitive than RF in our cohort of established RA patients. Even though the anti-CCP levels correlated with RF, it did not show correlation with DAS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use
  18. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis in Sarawak: a profile of patients treated in the Sarawak General Hospital
    Teh CL, Wong JS, Soo HH
    Rheumatol Int, 2012 Jan;32(1):265-8.
    PMID: 21243497 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-010-1745-2
    We performed a cross-sectional study of the demography, clinical and laboratory features of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis followed up in our centre from 2006 to 2009. There were 12 cases, with the majority of them (58.3%) being woman. They have a mean age of 57.8 years and mean disease duration of 11.83 (SD 9.92) months. Our patients comprised of multi-ethnic groups with predominantly Chinese (83.3%), Sarawak natives (8.3%) and Malays (8.3%). They have a mean lag time to diagnosis of 3.67 (SD 4.27) months. Nine (75%) patients had dermatomyositis and 3(25%) had polymyositis. The common clinical manifestations found in our patients were proximal myopathy (100%), neck weakness (33.3%), dysphagia (33.3%) and interstitial lung disease (33.3%). For the nine patients with dermatomyositis, the most common dermatological manifestations were shawl sign (88.9%) and V sign (88.9%). Muscle enzymes were raised in 91.7% of patients. Electromyographies were carried out in four patients, and only one of our patients had muscle biopsy. Only 41.7% of our patients have positive ANA. The majority received prednisolone (100%) and hydroxychloroquine (58.3%). Malignancy occurred in five (three nasopharyngeal carcinomas, one sigmoid colon cancer and one lung cancer) out of the nine dermatomyositis patients but none in the polymyositis group. The mortality rate in our group was 4(33.3%) over the 4-year period. This study demonstrated the rarity of PM/DM in our centre with considerable lag time to diagnosis in our patients. Despite lack of muscle biopsy in our centre, our centre achieved appropriate diagnosis and management of PM/DM.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  19. Fulltext One-Year Tuberculosis Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Their First Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy from 2008 to 2012 in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
    Lim CH, Lin CH, Chen DY, Chen YM, Chao WC, Liao TL, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(11):e0166339.
    PMID: 27832150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166339
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of tuberculosis (TB) among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients within 1 year after initiation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy from 2008 to 2012.

    METHODS: We used the 2003-2013 Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database to identify RA patients who started any RA-related medical therapy from 2008 to 2012. Those who initiated etanercept or adalimumab therapy during 2008-2012 were selected as the TNFi group and those who never received biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy were identified as the comparison group after excluding the patients who had a history of TB or human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We used propensity score matching (1:6) for age, sex, and the year of the drug index date to re-select the TNFi group and the non-TNFi controls. After adjusting for potential confounders, hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to examine the 1-year TB risk in the TNFi group compared with the non-TNFi controls. Subgroup analyses according to the year of treatment initiation and specific TNFi therapy were conducted to assess the trend of 1-year TB risk in TNFi users from 2008 to 2012.

    RESULTS: This study identified 5,349 TNFi-treated RA patients and 32,064 matched non-TNFi-treated controls. The 1-year incidence rates of TB were 1,513 per 105 years among the TNFi group and 235 per 105 years among the non-TNFi controls (incidence rate ratio, 6.44; 95% CI, 4.69-8.33). After adjusting for age, gender, disease duration, comoridities, history of TB, and concomitant medications, TNFi users had an increased 1-year TB risk (HR, 7.19; 95% CI, 4.18-12.34) compared with the non-TNFi-treated controls. The 1-year TB risk in TNFi users increased from 2008 to 2011 and deceased in 2012 when the Food and Drug Administration in Taiwan announced the Risk Management Plan for patients scheduled to receive TNFi therapy.

    CONCLUSION: This study showed that the 1-year TB risk in RA patients starting TNFi therapy was significantly higher than that in non-TNFi controls in Taiwan from 2008 to 2012.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
  20. Fulltext Nocardiosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab and a summary of reported cases
    Ngiu CS, Said MS, Periyasamy P, Low SF
    BMJ Case Rep, 2010;2010.
    PMID: 22778377 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2421
    Rituximab is a B-cell-depleting monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody. It is widely used in haematology and rheumatology. However, usage of rituximab in immunosupressed patient has been associated with various opportunistic infections. The authors reported a case of refractory rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab, which later presented with non-resolving pneumonia with pulmonary nodule. Percutaneous computer tomogram guided lung biopsy was arranged to confirm the suspicion of tuberculosis, but did not yield conclusive results. Later, she presented left-chest abscess and underwent incision and drainage. The pus culture and sensitivity confirmed pulmonary nocardiosis with chest wall dissemination. She was treated with 2-week course of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and responded. The authors also reviewed published cases of nocardiosis post-rituximab.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use*
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