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In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the induction of rheumatoid factors can be taken as an indicator of severe disease with a striking involvement of B cell activation. Very recent clinical trials using B cell depletion support the concept that humoral immunity, as evidenced by the production of rheumatoid factors, plays a significant role in the course of the disease.

Pain is a major burden for society and a great challenge for public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of socio-economic status (SES) with pain, and assess if there were socio-economic differences in the impairment due to pain, even when the same level of pain was reported. Data were sourced from the Austrian Health Interview Survey 2006-2007, a population based nation-wide survey with 15,474 respondents. SES, based on education, income and profession was inversely and gradually associated with the prevalence of severe pain, with the number of indicated painful body sites, the intensity of pain, and with the subjective level of feeling disabled through pain. In a stepwise logistic regression model, adjusted for age, gender, diseases, number of painful body sites and intensity of pain, people with lower SES gradually reported greater disability through pain. Even at the same intensity of pain and the same number of painful body sites, people in the lowest as compared to the highest socio-economic class were twice to three times more likely to feel disabled through pain. Adjusted odds ratios for the lowest group of SES was 2.80 (95% CI, 1.93-4.06) in terms of education, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.40-2.41) in terms of income and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.32-3.19) in terms of profession. This unexplained socio-economic gradient contributes to the confirmation of the social component in a bio-psycho-social model of pain.

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For the first time, data on the prevalence of NeP in Austria are available. Pain patterns in those affected are characteristic and impact on QOL as well as pain intensity are severe.

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The results of this systematic literature review and meta-regression confirm that IIF-ANAs have high sensitivity for SLE. ANAs at a titer of 1:80 have sufficiently high sensitivity to be considered as an entry criterion for SLE classification criteria, i.e., formally test other classification criteria for SLE only if ANAs of at least 1:80 have been found.

ObjectiveTo achieve consensus on a definition of remission in SLE (DORIS).BackgroundRemission is the stated goal for both patient and caregiver, but consensus on a definition of remission has been lacking. Previously, an international task force consisting of patient representatives and medical specialists published a framework for such a definition, without reaching a final recommendation.MethodsSeveral systematic literature reviews were performed and specific research questions examined in suitably chosen data sets. The findings were discussed, reformulated as recommendations and voted on.ResultsBased on data from the literature and several SLE-specific data sets, a set of recommendations was endorsed. Ultimately, the DORIS Task Force recommended a single definition of remission in SLE, based on clinical systemic lupus erythematosus disease activitiy index (SLEDAI)=0, Evaluator’s Global Assessment <0.5 (0–3), prednisolone 5 mg/day or less, and stable antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and biologics.ConclusionThe 2021 DORIS definition of remission in SLE is recommended for use in clinical care, education, and research including clinical trials and observational studies.