Clinical impact of various drain-fluid data for the postoperative complications after hepatectomy: criteria of prophylactic drain removal on postoperative day 1.

PURPOSE: Prophylactic drains reported to be useful to treat postoperative bile leakage (POBL) and reduce re-intervention after hepatectomy. However, prophylactic drains should remove in the early postoperative period. This study aimed to assess the association between postoperative complications and the drain-fluid data on postoperative day (POD) 1. METHODS: Medical records of 530 patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the drain-fluid data on POD 1, such as bilirubin (BIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and drain discharge volume. These variables were compared between patients with and without postoperative complications such as POBL and abdominal abscess not due to POBL. RESULTS: POBL was found in 44 patients (8.3%), PHLF was in 51 patients (9.6%), and abdominal abscess not due to POBL was in 21 patients (4.0%). Regarding POBL, drain-fluid BIL concentration and drain discharge volume was higher in the POBL group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, drain-fluid AST, ALT, and ALP concentrations were not different between two groups. As to the abdominal abscess not due to POBL, all drain-fluid data were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis for predicting POBL showed that the drain-fluid BIL concentration ≥ 2.68 mg/dL was an independent predictor (p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses according to the type of hepatectomy, the drain-fluid BIL concentration was an independent predictor for POBL after both non-anatomical and anatomical hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: The drain-fluid BIL concentration on POD 1 is useful in predicting POBL after hepatectomy.

A preliminary survey of rheumatologists on the management of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis in Japan.

Objectives We investigated the current perspectives regarding the management of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA) among rheumatologists in clinical practice. Methods This study was performed in October 2021, and included 65 rheumatologists certified by the Japan College of Rheumatology, who were administered questionnaires (including multiple choice and descriptive formulae) regarding the management of LORA. We aggregated and analyzed the responses. Results All 65 rheumatologists responded to the survey; 47 (72%) answered that >50% of newly diagnosed patients were aged ≥65 years, 42 (65%) answered that achievement of remission or low disease activity was the treatment goal, and 40 (62%) considered patient safety to be the highest priority. Most rheumatologists are concerned about the management of conditions other than RA, such as comorbidities, financial constraints, and life circumstances that interfere with standard or recommended treatment implementation. Conclusion This preliminary survey highlighted various rheumatologists' perspectives regarding the management of LORA.

Perineoplasty for anal incontinence after obstetric anal sphincter injury repair: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The rectal and vaginal walls are typically sutured if severe perineal lacerations with rectal mucosal damage occur during vaginal delivery. In case of anal incontinence after the repair, re-suturing of the anal sphincter muscle is standard procedure. However, this procedure may not result in sufficient improvement of function. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old woman underwent suture repair of the vaginal and rectal walls for fourth-degree perineal laceration at delivery. She was referred to our department after complaining of flatus and fecal incontinence. Her Wexner score was 15 points. Examination revealed decreased anal tonus and weak contractions on the ventral side. We diagnosed anal incontinence due to sphincter dysfunction after repair of a perineal laceration at delivery. We subsequently performed sphincter re-suturing with perineoplasty to restructure the perineal body by suturing the fascia located lateral to the perineal body and running in a ventral-dorsal direction, which filled the space between the anus and vagina and increased anal tonus. One month after surgery, the symptoms of anal incontinence disappeared (the Wexner score lowered to 0 points), and the anorectal manometry values increased compared to the preoperative values. According to recent reports on the anatomy of the female perineal region, bulbospongiosus muscle in women does not move toward the midline to attach to the perineal body, as has been previously believed. Instead, it attaches to the ipsilateral surface of the external anal sphincter. We consider the fascia lateral to the perineal body to be the fascia of the bulbospongiosus muscle. CONCLUSIONS: In a case of postpartum anal incontinence due to sphincter dysfunction after repair of severe perineal laceration, perineoplasty with re-suturing an anal sphincter muscle resulted in improvement in anal sphincter function. Compared to conventional simple suture repair of the rectal wall only, this surgical technique may improve sphincter function to a greater degree.

J_{eff}=1/2 Hyperoctagon Lattice in Cobalt Oxalate Metal-Organic Framework.

We report the magnetic properties of a cobalt oxalate metal-organic framework featuring the hyperoctagon lattice. Our thermodynamic measurements reveal the J_{eff}=1/2 state of the high-spin Co^{2+} (3d^{7}) ion and the two successive magnetic transitions at zero field with two-stage entropy release. ^{13}C-NMR measurements reveal the absence of an internal magnetic field in the intermediate temperature phase. Multiple field-induced phases are observed before full saturation at around 40 T. We argue the unique cobalt oxalate network gives rise to the Kitaev interaction and/or a bond frustration effect, providing an unconventional platform for frustrated magnetism on the hyperoctagon lattice.

Comparison of effectiveness of methotrexate in patients with late-onset versus younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis: Real-world data from an inception cohort in Japan (NICER-J).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) as initial therapy in patients with late-onset and younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA and YORA). METHODS: Of 114 patients with YORA and 96 patients with LORA, defined as RA occurring at ≥65 years of age, enrolled in a multicentre RA inception cohort study, 71 and 66 patients who had been followed up to 6 months after starting MTX treatment were included in this study. RESULTS: Proportions of patients on MTX treatment at 6 months were 96% and 92% in the YORA and LORA groups, respectively. Despite lower doses of MTX in the LORA group compared with the YORA group, no significant difference was observed in clinical disease activity index scores between the two groups throughout the follow-up period. The proportion of patients in clinical disease activity index remission at 6 months was 35% in both groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that knee joint involvement and high Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index were significant negative predictors of achieving clinical disease activity index remission at 6 months in the LORA group. CONCLUSION: Observations up to 6 months revealed that the effectiveness of MTX administered based on rheumatologist discretion in patients with LORA is comparable to that in patients with YORA in clinical settings.

Consensus statement on the management of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA), which has been increasing in recent years, lacks evidence for initial treatment. Japanese rheumatology experts recognized this gap and addressed it by developing consensus statements on the first clinical application of LORA. METHODS: These statements were created following an introductory discussion about treatment fundamentals, which included a review of existing literature and cohort data. The steering committee created a draft, which was refined using a modified Delphi method that involved panel members reaching a consensus. The panel made decisions based on input from geriatric experts, clinical epidemiologists, guideline developers, patient groups, and the LORA Research Subcommittee of the Japan College of Rheumatology. RESULTS: The consensus identified four established facts, three basic approaches, and six expert opinions for managing LORA. Methotrexate was recommended as the primary treatment, with molecular-targeted agents being considered if treatment goals cannot be achieved. An emphasis was placed on assessing the lives of older patients due to challenges in risk management and methotrexate accessibility caused by comorbidities or cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: The experts substantiated and refined 13 statements for the initial treatment of LORA. To validate these claims, the next is to conduct a registry study focusing on new LORA cases.

Localization of peptide hormones in the placentas of Bryde's (Balaenoptera brydei), sei (B. borealis), and common minke (B. acutorostrata) whales.

In this study, we examined the morphological features of the placentas from 3 species of rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae), namely Bryde's (Balaenoptera brydei), sei (B. borealis), and common minke (B. acutorostrata) whales, and verified the secretion of 2 placental-specific peptide hormones, placental lactogen (PL) and chorionic gonadotropin (CG). The placentas were collected in the second phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under a special permit in the North Pacific (JARPN II) between 2009 and 2010. For all three species of rorqual whales, as the fetus grew, the interdigitation between the maternal endometrial folds and chorionic villi became more complicated, and many blood capillaries of chorionic villi and endometrium became larger and infiltrated the trophoblast cells and endometrial epithelial cells, respectively. In the immunohistochemical examination, the trophoblast cells (except for areolar trophoblast cells) showed immunoreactivities for the PL and luteinizing hormone (LH) antibodies, and this phenomenon was similar in the placentas of all 3 rorqual whale species. Our results suggest that PL and LH-like CG play roles in regulating pregnancy in the placenta of cetacean.

Postoperative computed tomography findings predict re-drainage cases after early drain removal in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for re-drainage in patients with early drain removal after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 114 patients who underwent PD and prophylactic drain removal on postoperative day (POD) 4 between January 2012 and March 2021. We analyzed the risk factors for re-drainage according to various factors. Peri-pancreaticojejunostomic fluid collection (PFC) index and pancreatic cross-sectional area (CSA) were evaluated using computed tomography on POD 4. The PFC index was calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height at the maximum aspect. RESULTS: Among the 114 patients, 15 (13%) underwent re-drainage due to postoperative pancreatic fistula. Multivariate analysis identified a PFC index ≥ 8.16 cm3 on POD 4 (odds ratio [OR], 20.40, 95%CI 2.38-174.00; p = 0.006) and pancreatic CSA on POD 4 ≥ 3.65 cm2 (OR, 16.40, 95%CI 1.57-171.00; p = 0.020) as independent risk factors for re-drainage. CONCLUSION: A careful decision might be necessary for early drain removal in patients with a PFC index ≥ 8.16 cm3 and pancreatic CSA ≥ 3.65 cm2.

Signatures of a magnetic superstructure phase induced by ultrahigh magnetic fields in a breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet.

The mutual coupling of spin and lattice degrees of freedom is ubiquitous in magnetic materials and potentially creates exotic magnetic states in response to the external magnetic field. Particularly, geometrically frustrated magnets serve as a fertile playground for realizing magnetic superstructure phases. Here, we observe an unconventional two-step magnetostructural transition prior to a half-magnetization plateau in a breathing pyrochlore chromium spinel by means of state-of-the-art magnetization and magnetostriction measurements in ultrahigh magnetic fields available up to 600 T. Considering a microscopic magnetoelastic theory, the intermediate-field phase can be assigned to a magnetic superstructure with a three-dimensional periodic array of 3-up-1-down and canted 2-up-2-down spin molecules. We attribute the emergence of the magnetic superstructure to a unique combination of the strong spin-lattice coupling and large breathing anisotropy.

Fermi surface and light quasi particles in hourglass nodal chain metalß-ReO2.

Quantum oscillations (QOs) in magnetic torque and electrical resistivity were measured to investigate the electronic structure ofß-ReO2, a candidate hourglass nodal chain (NC) metal (Dirac loop chain metal). All the de Haas-van Alphen oscillation branches measured at 30 mK in magnetic fields of up to 17.5 T were consistent with first-principles calculations predicting four Fermi surfaces (FSs). The small-electron FS of the four FSs exhibited a very small cyclotron mass, 0.059 times that of the free electrons, which is likely related to the linear dispersion of the energy band. The consistency between the QO results and band calculations indicates the presence of the hourglass NC predicted forß-ReO2in the vicinity of the Fermi energy.

More than 10 years' follow-up of the Swanson metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty for the rheumatoid hand.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, advances in pharmacotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis have dramatically improved the control of disease activity. However, a significant number of patients still develop hand deformity and require surgical reconstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and drawbacks of the Swanson metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty for patients with rheumatoid arthritis over 10 years. METHODS: Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed for 87 joints of 29 hands in 27 patients who underwent metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty using the Swanson implant, and who were followed up for an average of 11.4 (10-14) years. RESULTS: The number of operated tender and swollen metacarpophalangeal joints decreased from 24 (27.6%) and 28 (32.2%) to 1 (1.1%) and 2 (2.3%), respectively. The patients' general health and disease activity score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate improved at the last survey. Mild recurrence of ulnar drift was observed, but the deformity was generally well-corrected. Implant fracture was noted in eight joints (9.2%), and revision surgery was performed in two joints (2.3%). The average active range of extension/flexion changed from -46.3°/65.9° to -32.3°/56.6°. While a significant change was not noted in grip or pinch strength, patients were satisfied with the operation especially in terms of pain relief and improved hand appearance. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results of Swanson metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty were good in pain relief and correction of deformity, but some problems remain with regard to implant durability and mobility.

Choice of and response to treatment in patients with early-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis: Real-world data from an inception cohort in Japan (NICER-J).

OBJECTIVE: Various guidelines recommend that patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) try to achieve clinical remission within 6 months, and early therapeutic intervention is important to this end. This study aimed to investigate short-term treatment outcomes of patients with early-diagnosed RA in clinical practice and to examine predictive factors for achieving remission. METHODS: Of the 210 patients enrolled in the multicenter RA inception cohort, 172 patients who were followed up to 6 months after treatment initiation (baseline) were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the impact of baseline characteristics on achievement of Boolean remission at 6 months. RESULTS: Participants (mean age, 62 years) initiated treatment after a mean of 19 days from RA diagnosis. At baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment initiation, proportions of patients using methotrexate (MTX) were 87.8%, 89.0%, and 88.3%, respectively, and rates of Boolean remission were 1.8%, 27.8%, and 34.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that physician global assessment (PhGA) (Odds ratio (OR): 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.99) and glucocorticoid use (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10-0.65) at baseline were independent factors that predicted Boolean remission at 6 months. CONCLUSION: After a diagnosis of RA, satisfactory therapeutic effects were achieved at 6 months after the initiation of treatment centered on MTX according to the treat to target strategy. PhGA and glucocorticoid use at treatment initiation are useful for predicting the achievement of treatment goals.

[Postoperative Chylothorax Following Gastric Tube Cancer Surgery Cured after Pneumonia and Empyema-A Case Report].

A 74-year-old man was under follow-up after esophageal cancer surgery and CRT for hypopharyngeal cancer. Follow-up endoscopy revealed an ulcerative lesion in the lower gastric tube, and biopsy showed group 5(tub1). Endoscopic resection was difficult, and surgery was decided. Gastric tube resection and subcutaneous jejunum reconstruction were performed. Postoperatively, chylothorax was observed. Enteral nutrition was discontinued, and the patient was managed with TPN, and continuous subcutaneous octreotide and continuous intravenous etyrefrine were started. Even after conservative treatment was started, the pleural effusion of about 2,000 mL/day was observed from the right thoracic drain. On postoperative day 14, lymphangiography was performed with lipiodol from the left inguinal lymph node. The pleural fluid was temporarily decreased to less than 500 mL/day, but it began to drain again at a rate of 1,000 mL/day. On postoperative day 30, the patient developed fever and elevated inflammatory findings due to pneumonia and empyema, and drain drainage gradually decreased. The drain was removed on postoperative day 41. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 72.

[Subtotal Stomach-Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Large Laterally Spreading Early Duodenal Cancer-A Case Report].

A 76-year-old man came to our hospital for a close examination after an abnormal finding during a medical checkup. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a circumferential flat lesion with irregularity in the second to third portions of the duodenum. Biopsy diagnosed papillary adenocarcinoma. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen showed no evidence of lymph node enlargement and distant metastasis. Endoscopic depth of the lesion was estimated to be intramucosal carcinoma, but it was approximately 60 mm in size, circumferential, and located near the papilla Vater. Therefore, endoscopic resection was deemed difficult. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed type 0-Ⅱa, tub1>pap, pTis, Ly0, V0, 80×50 mm, BD1, Ex0, Pn0, pPM0, pDM0, pN0, pStage 0. There has been no recurrence since then. Lateral spreading duodenal carcinoma is a rare disease, and endoscopic resection, local resection, and pancreaticoduodenectomy have been reported as treatment options. We report a case of resection of a large lateral spreading duodenal carcinoma with a review of the literature.

The Efficacy of Biological Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Sarcopenia in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength, which leads to frailty and mortality. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered to be a cause of sarcopenia. The present study assessed the effectiveness of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on sarcopenia. Methods This was a prospective cohort study including 48 patients [11 men, 37 women; 67.5 (57.0-74.8) years old] with RA who started bDMARDs in Niigata Rheumatic Center. We monitored the physical ability, nutritional status and body composition at the baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The physical activity was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and 10-m walking test (10MWT). The nutritional status was assessed by the controlling nutrition status (CONUT) score. Results Among the 48 patients who started bDMARDs, 21 were classified as having sarcopenia. The physical activity and nutritional status were significantly ameliorated after 12 months of bDMARDs. The body composition analysis showed a significant increase in the body weight but no significant increase in the skeletal muscle mass index. The proportion of patients diagnosed with sarcopenia decreased significantly after 12 months of bDMARDs (43.8% vs. 27.1%, p=0.039). Among the 21 patients who were diagnosed with sarcopenia when starting bDMARDs, the skeletal muscle index was significantly increased after 12 months of bDMARDs. [5.22 (4.76-5.43) kg/m2 vs. 5.44 (4.84-5.77), p=0.039]. Conclusion Biologics may be useful in the treatment of sarcopenia through mechanisms such as improving the disease activity, physical activity and nutritional status.

More than 20 years' follow-up of metatarsal neck shortening oblique osteotomy for rheumatoid forefoot deformity.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, advances in pharmacotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have dramatically improved the control of disease activity. However, a significant number of patients still develop forefoot deformity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of more than 20 years' follow-up of metatarsal neck shortening oblique osteotomy (SOO) for forefoot deformity in patients with RA. METHODS: The metatarsal neck SOO was performed on 163 feet in 108 patients between January 1985 and December 1996 in the authors' hospital. For the patients, who met the survey criteria, an observational study was performed clinically and radiologically at the baseline and at more than 20 years after surgery. RESULTS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 36 feet in 22 patients, all of whom were female, and the mean age at surgery was 45.6 (35.0-63.0) years old. The follow-up period was 25.1 (21.0-31.0) years. The presence of painful callosities in the surgically treated feet without revised surgeries decreased from 32 feet (100%) to 4 feet (12.5%) at the last follow-up with mild pain that did not cause any footwear problems. Re-osteotomy at the metatarsal of the lessor toe was performed on four feet in two patients. Radiologically, among 128 toes without revised surgeries, 85% were able to have the joint space preserved, and 89% maintained a pain-free condition without any recurrence of deformity. The mean total Japanese Society for Surgery for the Foot (JSSF) RA foot and ankle score was 64.0/100, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of overall satisfaction was 62 (0: dissatisfied, 100: highly satisfied). The overall satisfaction had a positive correlation with calcaneal pitch and negative correlation with joint space narrowing at the talocrural joint. CONCLUSIONS: Metatarsal neck SOO appeared to be effective for patients with RA. The deformity was corrected and retained for a long time.

Modified Boyes' procedure for the multiple finger extensor tendon ruptures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A report of two cases.

Multiple subcutaneous extensor tendon ruptures in more than the ulnar three fingers sometimes occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by wrist deformity. In these situations, the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of the middle finger (the FDS3 tendon) and that of the ring finger (the FDS4 tendon) are used for the transferred tendon (modified Boyes' procedure). Here, we treated two patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whose extensor tendons of more than three fingers were ruptured, using the modified Boyes' procedure. Case 1 had ruptures in four fingers (index through little), and Case 2 had ruptures in three fingers (middle through little). The FDS3 and FDS4 tendons were passed subcutaneously around the radial side of the wrist to the extensor sides and interlaced with the distal stump of the ruptured tendons. Switching of the finger movement was achieved smoothly in both cases. The post-operative evaluation showed an extension lag of -15° for the index finger 0° for the middle through the little fingers in Case 1, and 0° for the middle finger and -5° for the ring and little fingers in Case 2. The average post-operative extension lag was -3.5°. However, median nerve palsy occurred in both cases, and it gradually recovered. Stretching of the nerve by the correction of the wrist deformity and increased pressure in the carpal tunnel were supposed to be causes of this palsy. Modified Boyes' procedure is a useful method for more than three ulnar finger extensor tendon ruptures; however, post-operative median nerve palsy should be considered.

Risks of femoral localized periosteal thickening in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of femoral localized periosteal thickening (LPT), which can precede atypical femoral fracture (AFF), is not low (1-10%) in Japanese patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). We explored the associations between underlying AIRDs and the prevalence of LPT. METHODS: We conducted post hoc analyses of two cohorts that included a total of 280 Japanese women, 105 of whom had AIRDs and had been taking bisphosphonate (BP) and prednisolone (PSL) and 175 of whom had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RESULTS: LPT was detected in a total of 18 patients (6.4%) and 3 (1.1%) developed AFFs. RA was negatively correlated with LPT. A disease other than RA requiring glucocorticoid treatment, BP use ≥5 years, PSL use ≥7 years, and a PSL dose ≥5.5 mg/day were positively correlated with LPT. After adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, and BP duration or daily PSL dose, RA was no longer associated with LPT. CONCLUSIONS: LPT in Japanese patients with AIRDs was associated with BP and glucocorticoid treatment rather than underlying AIRDs. When PSL dose ≥5.5 mg/day is required long-term [typically combined with long-term BP treatment (≥5 years)], clinicians need to pay particular attention in cases LPT and AFF as well as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Periodontitis severity affects the clinical response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: A 1-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether periodontitis severity affects the clinical response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) for 1 year in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Data were collected from 50 RA patients who had received corticosteroids, conventional synthetic DMARDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before (baseline) and after 1 year of bDMARD therapy in a retrospective study. Rheumatologic conditions were compared between the two periodontitis severity groups according to the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) case definitions. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with no or mild periodontitis showed significantly greater decreases in changes in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and tender and swollen joint count in comparison to 22 patients with moderate and severe periodontitis (p = .02, p = .01, and p = .03). Both bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significantly positive association between the baseline CDC/AAP definitions and CDAI changes (p = .005 and p = .0038). However, rheumatologic conditions were comparable between 25 patients each in the low and high PISA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline periodontitis severity according to the CDC/AAP definitions is associated with the clinical response to bDMARDs for 1 year in RA patients.

The serum immunoglobulin G titres against Porphyromonas gingivalis as a predictor of clinical response to 1-year treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to evaluate the relevance of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titres against periodontopathic bacteria to predict the clinical response to 1-year treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Data were collected from 50 RA patients who had received conventional synthetic DMARDs, corticosteroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before (baseline) and after 1-year treatment with bDMARDs in a retrospective cohort study. Changes in rheumatologic conditions were compared between the two groups for low and high baseline IgG titres against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans according to their median measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with low anti-P. gingivalis IgG titres showed significantly greater decreases in changes in the Clinical Disease Activity Index and swollen joint count than 25 patients with high anti-P. gingivalis IgG titres (p = .04 for both). Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significantly positive association of baseline anti-P. gingivalis IgG titres with Clinical Disease Activity Index changes (p = .02 and p = .002). However, post-treatment rheumatologic conditions were comparable between 25 patients each in the low and high baseline anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans IgG titre groups. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline serum anti-P. gingivalis IgG titres are predictive of the clinical response to 1-year treatment with bDMARDs in RA patients.