Top 5 Most-Read Autoimmune Pieces of 2023

The top 5 most-read autoimmune pieces on AJMC.com this year included data bolstering evidence associating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with cardiovascular comorbidities, the potential of patient reports for monitoring, the value of psychological care in disease management, as well as links between autoimmune disease and dementia.

Here are the top 5 autoimmune pieces of 2023.

5. Patients With RA are at Increased Risk for Aortic Stenosis, Study Suggests

In cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with RA, aortic stenosis is the largest contributor to valve replacement and patient mortality. As prior research has established the association between CVD and RA, this retrospective cohort study expanded on this literature and found that RA may contribute to higher risks for developing valvular heart disease, aortic stenosis, and experiencing valvular heart disease-related mortality.

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4. Rheumatoid Arthritis Is a Risk Factor for Aortic Stenosis, Study Finds

Patients with RA carry an increased risk for valvular heart disease-related mortality of 75%. In this retrospective study, researchers gathered evidence suggesting that the inflammatory factors of RA are linked to the higher risks these patients have for forms of valvular heart disease, including aortic stenosis.

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3. Perceived Necessity vs Implementation of Psychological Support for Patients With RA in Japan

The importance of patient-centered care and psychological support has been acknowledged in the treatment of RA. While applying these forms of therapy can contribute to improved patient outcomes, a survey on nurse perspectives and implementation of these methods revealed that the practice of these types of treatment is low compared with their recognized value.

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2. ePROM Monitoring of Patients With Inflammatory Arthritides May Be Beneficial, Review Suggests

Disease monitoring is recommended for the management of patients with RA enduring active disease; however, increasing numbers of patients have placed a progressing amount of burden on clinics seeking to address their needs. In this study, the potential of remote monitoring of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMSs) was assessed and researchers found that utilizing these sources could reduce the use of health care resources without negatively impacting patient outcomes.

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1. Infections, Rather Than Inflammation or Autoimmune Disease, Associated With Dementia Development

Types of infection and autoimmune disease-related inflammation have both been linked to late-onset dementia; however, no previous research in this area could produce conclusive evidence. This nationwide Danish study explored these associations further and found a stronger correlation between infection exposure and the likelihood of developing dementia. Yet, there is still potential to investigate the role of autoimmune diseases in this area in future studies.

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