Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.7
4.6
Journals
Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Rheumatic Diseases: Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, Focus on Vascular and Pulmonary...
share announcement

Rheumatic Diseases: Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, Focus on Vascular and Pulmonary Manifestations 2023

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 3314

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Barbara Ruaro

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Pulmonology Unit, Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
Interests: interstitial lung disease; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; rheumatic diseases; pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rheumatic diseases represent a heterogeneous group of severe autoimmune disorders. Patients with rheumatic diseases may present with a number of different vascular and pulmonary manifestations. The present Special Issue intends to provide an overview of the diversity and complexity of vascular and pulmonary manifestations of rheumatologic diseases, in addition to the gaps in our knowledge of how to effectively manage them. Despite their significant morbidity and mortality, we have only a limited understanding of their pathogenesis. We wish to provide an overview of the pathophysiology and current management approach of these disorders, highlighting tools that assist with diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapy. Finally, the importance of a multidisciplinary team using the skills of clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists will be highlighted.

Dr. Barbara Ruaro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rheumatic diseases
  • pathophysiology
  • therapy
  • pulmonary fibrosis
  • pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • imaging techniques

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 726 KiB  
Article
Functional Progression after Dose Suspension or Discontinuation of Nintedanib in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Real-Life Multicentre Study
by Barbara Ruaro, Andrea Salotti, Nicolò Reccardini, Stefano Kette, Beatrice Da Re, Salvatore Nicolosi, Umberto Zuccon, Marco Confalonieri, Lucrezia Mondini, Riccardo Pozzan, Michael Hughes, Paola Confalonieri and Francesco Salton
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17010119 - 17 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 887
Abstract
Background. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with rapidly progressive evolution and an unfavorable outcome. Nintedanib (NTD) is an antifibrotic drug that has been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of the disease. The aim of [...] Read more.
Background. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with rapidly progressive evolution and an unfavorable outcome. Nintedanib (NTD) is an antifibrotic drug that has been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of the disease. The aim of our study was to examine the efficacy, especially in terms of the functional decline, and the safety profile of NTD in patients treated with the recommended dose and subjects who reduced or suspended the therapy due to the occurrence of adverse reactions. Methods. We conducted a real-life retrospective study based on the experience of NTD use in two centers between 2015 and 2022. Clinical data were evaluated at baseline, at 6 and 12 months after the NTD introduction in the whole population and in subgroups of patients who continued the full-dose treatment, at a reduced dosage, and at the discontinuation of treatment. The following data were recorded: the demographic features, IPF clinical features, NTD therapeutic dosage, tolerability and adverse events, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), the duration of treatment upon discontinuation, and the causes of interruption. Results. There were 54 IPF patients who were included (29.6% females, with a median (IQR) age at baseline of 75 (69.0–79.0) years). Twelve months after the introduction of the NTD therapy, 20 (37%) patients were still taking the full dose, 11 (20.4%) had reduced it to 200 mg daily, and 15 (27.8%) had stopped treatment. Gastrointestinal intolerance predominantly led to the dose reduction (13.0%) and treatment cessation (20.4%). There were two deaths within the initial 6 months (3.7%) and seven (13.0%) within 12 months. Compared to the baseline, the results of the PFTs remained stable at 6 and 12 months for the entire NTD-treated population, except for a significant decline in the DLCO (% predicted value) at both 6 (38.0 ± 17.8 vs. 43.0 ± 26.0; p = 0.041) and 12 months (41.5 ± 15.3 vs. 44.0 ± 26.8; p = 0.048). The patients who continued treatment at the full dose or a reduced dosage showed no significant differences in the FVC and the DLCO at 12 months. Conversely, those discontinuing the NTD exhibited a statistically significant decline in the FVC (% predicted value) at 12 months compared to the baseline (55.0 ± 13.5 vs. 70.0 ± 23.0; p = 0.035). Conclusions. This study highlights the functional decline of the FVC at 12 months after the NTD initiation among patients discontinuing therapy but not among those reducing their dosage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rheumatic Diseases: Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, Focus on Vascular and Pulmonary Manifestations 2023)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Can Pharmacological Conditioning as an Add-On Treatment Optimize Standard Pharmacological Treatment in Patients with Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Proof-of-Principle Randomized Clinical Trial
by Meriem Manaï, Henriët van Middendorp, Joy A. van der Pol, Cornelia F. Allaart, Elise Dusseldorp, Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen, Tom W. J. Huizinga and Andrea W. M. Evers
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17010110 - 13 Jan 2024
Viewed by 808
Abstract
Medication regimens using conditioning via variable reinforcement have shown similar or improved therapeutic effects as full pharmacological treatment, but evidence in patient populations is scarce. This proof-of-principle double-blind randomized clinical trial examined whether treatment effects in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be optimized [...] Read more.
Medication regimens using conditioning via variable reinforcement have shown similar or improved therapeutic effects as full pharmacological treatment, but evidence in patient populations is scarce. This proof-of-principle double-blind randomized clinical trial examined whether treatment effects in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be optimized through pharmacological conditioning. After four months of standardized treatment (n = 46), patients in clinical remission (n = 19) were randomized to the Control group (C), continuing standardized treatment (n = 8), or the Pharmacological Conditioning (PC) group, receiving variable treatment according to conditioning principles (n = 11). After eight months, treatment was tapered and discontinued linearly (C) or variably (PC). Standard treatment led to large improvements in disease activity and HRQoL in both groups. The groups did not differ in the percentage of drug-free clinical remission obtained after conditioning or continued standard treatment. The PC group did show a larger decrease in self-reported disease activity (Cohen’s d = 0.9) and a smaller increase in TNF-α levels (Cohen’s d = 0.7) than the C group. During all phases, more differences between groups were found for the patients who followed protocol than for the intention-to-treat sample. Although the results are not conclusive, pharmacological conditioning may have some advantages in terms of disease progression and stability, especially during the conditioning phase, compared with standard clinical treatment. The effects may be particularly beneficial for patients who show a good initial response to increased medication dosages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rheumatic Diseases: Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, Focus on Vascular and Pulmonary Manifestations 2023)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 506 KiB  
Review
Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome from Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine-Induced Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Review
by Philip Bucur, Marshall Weber, Rashi Agrawal, Adria Irina Madera-Acosta and Rachel E. Elam
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(6), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16060846 - 06 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1266
Abstract
Levamisole is an anti-helminthic drug with immunomodulatory properties that is added to cocaine to increase its potency and weight. Levamisole-adulterated cocaine (LAC) may cause an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic small vessel vasculitis (AAV). We aimed to characterize the phenotype of persons developing [...] Read more.
Levamisole is an anti-helminthic drug with immunomodulatory properties that is added to cocaine to increase its potency and weight. Levamisole-adulterated cocaine (LAC) may cause an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic small vessel vasculitis (AAV). We aimed to characterize the phenotype of persons developing pulmonary-renal syndrome (PRS) in LAC-induced AAV and summarize its treatment and outcomes. Pubmed and Web of Science were searched (until September 2022). Reports that described co-existing diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis in an adult (age ≥ 18) with confirmed or suspected LAC exposure were included. Reports, demographics, clinical and serologic features, treatment and outcome characteristics were extracted. Of the 280 records identified, eight met the inclusion criteria, including eight unique cases. Persons were aged 22–58 years, and 50% were women. Cutaneous involvement occurred in only half of the cases. Other associated vasculitis findings and serologies were heterogeneous. All patients received immunosuppression with steroids, with cyclophosphamide and rituximab commonly added. We concluded that PRS could occur from LAC-induced AAV. Distinguishing LAC-induced AAV from primary AAV is challenging as clinical and serologic presentations overlap. Asking about cocaine use is requisite in persons presenting with PRS to guide diagnosis and appropriately counsel on cocaine cessation in conjunction with immunosuppression as treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rheumatic Diseases: Pathophysiology, Targeted Therapy, Focus on Vascular and Pulmonary Manifestations 2023)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop