Results of the tofacitinib-AS study are still pending. In this issue, a meta-analysis of adalimumab in AS by Wang et al. has reported higher efficacy as well as better quality of life without any major infection or serious adverse events[34]. GSK126 Prince et al. reported similar results with infliximab in a small Australian cohort[35]. Overall there are some excellent leads from pathogenic, genetic and functional studies in AS. The future

is bright and we can hope for newer and more effective drugs leaving behind the concept of ‘bamboo spine’ in oblivion. “
“To compare the prevalence of diverse histopathologic features among patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and controls, and to evaluate their relationship with age, a focus score (FS) ≥ 1 and some clinical and serological SS features. A blinded pathologist examined 63 SS and 11 control minor salivary gland biopsies. Focal lymphocytic sialadenitis (FLS) was defined as a focus score (FS) ≥ 1. We also evaluated lymphoepithelial lesions, germinal centers (GCs), epithelial metaplasia, dilatation

and hyperplasia in the main secretory duct, perivascular APO866 in vitro cell infiltrate, adipose infiltration, acinar atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and lymphocytes/plasma cells remote from the FLS. We registered demographics, anti-Ro/La status and clinical features. We used Kendall’s tau coefficients and logistic regression RVX-208 analysis. Sjögren’s syndrome patients had a higher frequency of FS ≥ 1 (92% vs. 27%), acinar atrophy (78% vs. 18%), lymphocytes and plasma cells external to the FSL (92% vs. 64%) and stromal fibrosis (68% vs. 36%). A FS ≥ 1 correlated

with the presence of GCs and acinar atrophy; whereas age correlated with duct dilation, duct epithelial hyperplasia, adipose infiltration and fibrosis. SS patients with hepatic involvement exhibited more frequent duct dilatation. After adjusting by age, anti-Ro/SSA (odds ratio [OR] 30.8, 95% CI 2.2–423.5, P = 0.01), a FS ≥ 1 (OR 54.3, 95% CI 4.8–612, P = 0.001) and fibrosis (OR 15.2, 95% CI 1.2–186.2, P = 0.03) were associated with SS. Other histologic findings coexist with FLS, but only GC formation and acinar atrophy correlated with a FS ≥ 1. Age is mostly correlated with the remaining histological features. However, the clinical relevance of these findings is unknown. “
“To describe Filipino patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) entered in the Rheumatoid arthritis database and registry (RADAR) of the Philippine General Hospital. Cases entered to RADAR from 2010–2012 were included. All fulfilled the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification of RA. Included cases gave written infomed consent. Data extracted were demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory tests, treatment and disease course.