Biologics are medications derived from biological sources used to treat several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. These medications interfere with autoimmune processes by inhibiting specific molecular or cellular targets. They are highly effective medications, mostly used in cases of moderate-to-severe disease activity. As such, biologics have revolutionized the treatment of and transformed outcomes for patients with rheumatological […]

Standardization of the assessment of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has made a big difference in the comparability of clinical trials and in treatment processes in clinical practice.1–3 Disease activity is the underlying driver for radiographic progression, and functional limitations and functional disabilities may also evolve by progressive structural damage.4,5 The introduction of composite […]

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a typical complication of psoriasis (PSO) that is often accompanied by nail PSO, vertebral and/or pelvic involvement, enthesitis and iritis. PsA leads to the destruction and/or ankylosis of the peripheral joints or spine, resulting in poor quality of life.1 Interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) play a pivotal role in […]

The preamble of the World Health Organization’s constitution defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.1 An optimal state of health is considered a fundamental human right. When each human has the ability and opportunity to attain optimal health, only then can a […]

Systemic rheumatic diseases (RDs) commonly arise during a woman’s reproductive years and may have implications for family planning and pregnancy. Among the RDs, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are classically associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including miscarriage, foetal loss, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm delivery.1–4 Although SLE pregnancy outcomes have improved over time, maternal mortality remains higher in women […]

Spondyloarthritides are chronic rheumatic diseases associated with diverse extra-articular manifestations, such as psoriasis, uveitis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), namely Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Historically, spondyloarthritis (SpA) was divided into several subcategories, namely, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, reactive arthritis and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. Given the possible overlap between these different entities, it is now preferred to use a phenotypic classification, […]

Article highlights Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis remains a challenge, and new interleukin (IL) 6 inhibitors deserve special attention. IL-6 provides pleiotropic effects not only on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis but also on its comorbidities. The humanized monoclonal antibody olokizumab has a special mode of action by directly suppressing IL-6 (site III). The safety and efficacy of olokizumab were confirmed in large international randomized trials both in biologically naïve patients […]

Many environmental factors have been associated with the development of autoimmunity.1 Infections, for example, can cause reactive arthritis by triggering a (genetically) predisposed immune system.2 Smoking, in a similar, but arguably different, way, can trigger the production of autoantibodies by inducing citrullination of proteins.3,4 Exposure to silica dust, which is a crystalline derivate of quartz commonly found in construction materials and mining activities, has been shown to cause […]

Welcome to the latest issue of touchREVIEWS in RMD, which aims to provide healthcare professionals with a wide range of topical articles in the field of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders. We begin with an expert interview in which Victoria Furer describes a study on the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination […]