Identification of serum interleukin-13 and interleukin-13 receptor subunit expressions: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

AIM OF THE WORK: To identify the role of serum IL-13, and its receptor subunit expressions as a serologic marker of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated ILD (RA-ILD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty RA patients with ILD and 50 RA patients without ILD were examined, in addition to 50 controls. Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS-28), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and medication history were evaluated. ESR, CRP, RF, Anti-CCP, Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels, Interleukin 13 and its receptors (IL-13 Rα1 and L-13 Rα2), and mRNA relative expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores were used with all RA patients with interstitial lung disease. RESULTS: Mean age, percent of male affection, duration of the disease, DAS28 and MHAQ were significantly higher in the RA-ILD group than in the RA-no ILD group. ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, serum KL-6, SP-D, IL-13 levels, IL-13 Rα1and IL-13 Rα2 mRNA expressions were significantly increased in RA patients compared to controls; in addition, their levels were significantly higher in the RA-ILD group than in the RA-no ILD group. Serum IL-13 levels and IL-13 Rα1and IL-13 Rα2 were positively correlated with RF, Anti-CCP, KL-6, SP-D, and the HRCT score (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IL-13 and its receptor subunit expressions are useful biomarkers which can be used in detecting severity of the interstitial lung disease in RA patients.

Correction to: In shoulder adhesive capsulitis, ultrasound-guided anterior hydrodilatation in rotator interval is more effective than posterior approach: a randomized controlled study.

The authors of the original version of the above article requested to add the name of the instrument that was used in the Intervention section.

In shoulder adhesive capsulitis, ultrasound-guided anterior hydrodilatation in rotator interval is more effective than posterior approach: a randomized controlled study.

Shoulder adhesive capsulitis, also called frozen shoulder, is a musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain and functional disability. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of shoulder ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with corticosteroid, via rotator interval (RI) anteriorly, versus posterior approach, in adhesive capsulitis patients. All patients received exercise program following injection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study among 60 consecutive adhesive capsulitis patients was randomized into two equal groups. Group I received ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation with corticosteroid, saline, and local anesthetic via posterior intra-articular approach; group II received the same ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation via anterior rotator interval approach. Both groups received guided stretching exercises for 3 months after injection. Baseline and 3 months evaluation of pain by visual analogue scale (VAS), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and range of motion (ROM) had been recorded for all patients. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement 3 months after hydrodilatation regarding VAS pain, external rotation, and SPADI. Only in group II (RI anterior approach) improvement was observed regarding flexion and abduction. There was no improvement regarding extension or internal rotation in either group. When comparing the improvement in both groups after hydrodilatation, group II (anterior approach) showed a statistically significant higher level of improvement regarding VAS pain (p = 0.003), SPADI, flexion, abduction, and external rotation, compared to group I (p < 0.001). Extension, internal rotation, and adduction were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided anterior rotator interval hydrodilatation for adhesive capsulitis, followed by guided exercise, is clinically and functionally more effective than the conventional posterior approach.

Role of Interleukin 37 as a Novel Proangiogenic Factor in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate interleukin 37 (IL-37) levels in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), its expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and correlation with disease activity and angiogenesis. METHODS: Seventy JIA patients and 50 control subjects were examined. The Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 27 joints (JADAS-27) was calculated. Immunoassays were used to measure the serum and synovial fluid levels of IL-37, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGF-R1), and sVEGF-R2. Relative expression of IL-37 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the power Doppler ultrasound score of the affected joint were measured. RESULTS: Patients with JIA were subdivided as 20 systemic-onset, 20 polyarticular, and 30 oligoarticular (10 persistent, 20 extended) cases. Serum levels of IL-37, VEGF, VEGF-R1, and VEGF-R2 and relative IL-37 mRNA expression were significantly higher in JIA patients when compared with the control subjects (p < 0.001). These concentrations were significantly higher in systemic-onset JIA compared with those in polyarticular and oligoarticular JIA, and in polyarticular JIA when compared with oligoarticular JIA (p < 0.001). Serum, synovial, and mRNA expression levels of IL-37 were positively correlated with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 27 joints, power Doppler ultrasound score (p < 0.001), and the serum and synovial VEGF and VEGF-RI and -R2 levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that IL-37 levels and mRNA expression were significantly increased in JIA patients, and their levels were positively correlated with disease activity and markers of angiogenesis (VEGF and VEGF receptors), suggesting that IL-37 may be correlated with angiogenesis.