Publications

Abstract UNLABELLED We describe the collection of cohorts together with the analysis plan for an update of the fracture risk prediction tool FRAX with respect to current and novel risk factors. The resource comprises 2,138,428 participants with a follow-up of approximately 20 million person-years and 116,117 documented incident major osteoporotic fractures. INTRODUCTION The availability of […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the pain subscale of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) are commonly used measuring tools of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. OBJECTIVES The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between single-question VAS pain and the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing domains of WOMAC pain. METHODS […]

Abstract Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a treatment for neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Renal impairment is a known side effect due to kidney fibrosis. We investigated the association between novel specific fibrosis markers and kidney function following PRRT. We included 38 patients who had all finished PRRT. In serum and urine, we analysed levels of […]

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a hard-to-treat cancer due to the collagen-rich (fibrotic) and immune-suppressed microenvironment. A major driver of this phenomenon is transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). TGF-β is produced in an inactive complex with a latency-associated protein (LAP) that can be cleaved by plasma kallikrein (PLK), hereby releasing active TGF-β. The aim […]

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Endoscopy and the use of faecal calprotectin [faecal CP] are among the least-favoured methods for assessing disease activity by inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients; the handling/processing of faecal samples is also impractical. Therefore, we sought to develop a novel neo-epitope serum calprotectin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], CPa9-HNE, with the aim of […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Osteoarthritis (OA) is heterogeneous disease, for which drug development has proven to be challenging, both facilitated and hampered by changing guidelines. This is evident by the current lack of approved treatments, which improve joint function and delay joint failure. There is a need to bring together key stakeholders to discuss, align and enhance […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE The purpose of this overview of osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers is to provide the non-specialist with a toolbox, based on experience acquired by biomarker researchers over many years, to understand biomarkers in general and their use in the OA field. METHODS We provide an update on this subject since the OARSI Primer on osteoarthritis […]

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Clot formation and resolution secondary to systemic inflammation may be a part of the explanation. The aim was to determine whether biomarkers of clot formation (products of von Willebrand Factor formation and activation) and clot resolution (product of fibrin degeneration) during COPD […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and remodelling is important in the disease pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). We characterised neoepitope biomarkers released by ECM turnover in lung tissue from bleomycin-treated rats and patients with PF and analysed the effects of two antifibrotic drugs: nintedanib and pirfenidone. METHODS Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) were prepared […]

Abstract INTRODUCTION Guselkumab, a novel interleukin-23p19 subunit monoclonal antibody, has been shown to effectively improve the diverse manifestations of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in two phase 3 trials (DISCOVER-1, DISCOVER-2). Serum concentrations of extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers at baseline and following treatment with guselkumab were evaluated in patients with active PsA, and the relationship of […]