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Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the incidence and clinical characteristics of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in patients diagnosed before and after the onset of the pandemic. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 67 patients diagnosed with GPA between 2012 and 2023, categorized into pre-pandemic (n=35) and post-pandemic (n=32) cohorts. Data on sociodemographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics were collected and statistically analysed. Results: The incidence of GPA increased from approximately 0.58 to 1.07 cases per 100,000 person-years post-pandemic. No statistically significant differences were observed in most clinical parameters, although a notable rise in alkaline phosphatase levels was identified (p=0.016). The demographic analysis revealed a higher prevalence of male patients in the post-pandemic group (p=0.020). Despite the increased incidence, mortality rates and clinical features remained stable between the two periods. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased incidence of GPA, potentially linked to immune dysregulation triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. While the clinical management of GPA has remained effective, the need for heightened awareness of autoimmune conditions in the context of COVID-19 is emphasized, warranting further investigation into the long-term implications of viral infections on autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Behçet's disease (BD) is characterized by the presence of skin and mucosal lesions, systemic inflammation, and vasculitis. The objective of this study was to examine changes in urotensin II (UII) and sclerostin levels in patients with BD and to assess their correlation with atherosclerosis. Material and Methods: The study population comprised 32 patients with BD, 39 with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 30 healthy controls. A series of clinical examinations were conducted, and blood samples were obtained to analyze UII and sclerostin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was evaluated using Doppler ultrasonography. Results: UII levels were significantly elevated in the BD group compared with the other groups (p<0.001). Conversely, sclerostin levels were markedly diminished in the BD group (p<0.001). In the BD group, UII levels were positively correlated with cIMT (r=0.513, p<0.001), whereas sclerostin levels were negatively correlated with cIMT (r=-0.270, p=0.020). Conclusion: Elevated UII and reduced sclerostin levels are crucial biomarkers of atherosclerosis risk in individuals with BD. These findings help to elucidate the cardiovascular complications associated with BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Thrombotic pathologies develop at an increasing rate in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Understanding the pathologies that cause thrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection is important for developing prophylaxis strategies for the development of thrombosis and regulating treatment in cases of thrombosis. For all these reasons, we aimed to evaluate the levels of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a Thrombospondin Type-1 Motif Member 13 (ADAMTS13), in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Material and Methods: The data of patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit due to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) with lung involvement, who received respiratory support and pulse steroid therapy, and those who were followed up as outpatients without lung involvement were analyzed. Demographic data, laboratory results, and serum ADAMTS13 levels were recorded. These results were compared with those of the control group. Results: ADAMTS13 levels were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group without lung involvement than in the control group (p=0.037). ADAMTS13 levels were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group with lung involvement than in the control group (p=0.016). There was no difference in ADAMTS13 levels between COVID-19 patients with and without lung involvement (p=0.797). There was no significant difference in ADAMTS13 levels between patients with and without chronic diseases in the COVID-19 group (p=0.40 for those without lung involvement; p=0.573 for those with lung involvement). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 caused a decrease in ADAMTS13 levels. ADAMTS13 levels were decreased more in patients with lung involvement than in those without lung involvement. Decreased ADAMTS13 levels in COVID-19 may be a cause of the prothrombotic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are used in patients resistant to conventional treatments for rheumatologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Agents used for treating rheumatic diseases affect hematological parameters. In this study, we evaluated hematological parameters in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who started anti-TNF treatment at our center. Material and Methods: A total of 109 patients diagnosed with RA, SpA without psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and PsA who applied to the İnönü University Rheumatology Clinic and started TNF inhibitor treatment were included in the study. The patients' diagnoses, demographic data such as age and gender, and laboratory parameters (white blood cell, eosinophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil counts, hemoglobin, platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio and eosinophil/lymphocyte ratio) at the beginning of treatment and at the first month of treatment were recorded. Results: The rheumatic inflammatory patients included in our study comprised 29 RA, 16 PsA, and 64 spondyloarthritis without PsA patients. Seventy-seven patients were female (70.6%), and 32 were male (29.4%), with a mean age of 46 (18-78). When all patients were evaluated together, a statistically significant decrease in white blood cell, neutrophil, and PLT counts, a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts, and a statistically significant decrease in neutrophil to lymphocyte and monocyte to lymphocyte ratios with an increase in MPV and mean platelet volume to platelet count were observed at the 1st month of treatment. No complications related to laboratory changes were observed, and no patient discontinued treatment. Conclusion: Although there were changes in hematological parameters in patients receiving TNF inhibitor treatment in our study, we believe that regular hemogram monitoring should be performed at regular intervals in patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment, despite the absence of any complications in our study, as cases of severe cytopenia and eosinophilia have been reported in the literature following TNF inhibitor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]