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Kronzer VL, Sparks JA, Raychaudhuri S, Cerhan JR. Low-frequency and rare genetic variants associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2024; 20:290-300. [PMID: 38538758 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an estimated heritability of nearly 50%, which is particularly high in seropositive RA. HLA alleles account for a large proportion of this heritability, in addition to many common single-nucleotide polymorphisms with smaller individual effects. Low-frequency and rare variants, such as those captured by next-generation sequencing, can also have a large role in heritability in some individuals. Rare variant discovery has informed the development of drugs such as inhibitors of PCSK9 and Janus kinases. Some 34 low-frequency and rare variants are currently associated with RA risk. One variant (19:10352442G>C in TYK2) was identified in five separate studies, and might therefore represent a promising therapeutic target. Following a set of best practices in future studies, including studying diverse populations, using large sample sizes, validating RA and serostatus, replicating findings, adjusting for other variants and performing functional assessment, could help to ensure the relevance of identified variants. Exciting opportunities are now on the horizon for genetics in RA, including larger datasets and consortia, whole-genome sequencing and direct applications of findings in the management, and especially treatment, of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey A Sparks
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soumya Raychaudhuri
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James R Cerhan
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Kronzer VL, Davis JM, Hanson AC, Sparks JA, Myasoedova E, Duarte-Garcia A, Hinze AM, Makol A, Koster MJ, Vassallo R, Warrington KJ, Wright K, Crowson CS. Association between sinusitis and incident rheumatic diseases: a population-based study. RMD Open 2024; 10:e003622. [PMID: 38388169 PMCID: PMC10895223 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether antecedent sinusitis is associated with incident rheumatic disease. METHODS This population-based case-control study included all individuals meeting classification criteria for rheumatic diseases between 1995 and 2014. We matched three controls to each case on age, sex and length of prior electronic health record history. The primary exposure was presence of sinusitis, ascertained by diagnosis codes (positive predictive value 96%). We fit logistic regression models to estimate ORs for incident rheumatic diseases and disease groups, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS We identified 1729 incident rheumatic disease cases and 5187 matched controls (mean age 63, 67% women, median 14 years electronic health record history). After adjustment, preceding sinusitis was associated with increased risk of several rheumatic diseases, including antiphospholipid syndrome (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.8 to 27), Sjögren's disease (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.3), vasculitis (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9) and polymyalgia rheumatica (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.0). Acute sinusitis was also associated with increased risk of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1). Sinusitis was most associated with any rheumatic disease in the 5-10 years before disease onset (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3). Individuals with seven or more codes for sinusitis had the highest risk for rheumatic disease (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.4). In addition, the association between sinusitis and incident rheumatic diseases showed the highest point estimates for never smokers (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2). CONCLUSIONS Preceding sinusitis is associated with increased incidence of rheumatic diseases, suggesting a possible role for sinus inflammation in their pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew C Hanson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Elena Myasoedova
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cynthia S Crowson
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kronzer VL, Sparks JA. Occupational inhalants, genetics and the respiratory mucosal paradigm for ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:303-305. [PMID: 36600176 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey A Sparks
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Epidemiologic Opportunities and Challenges in Studying Environmental Risk Factors for Rheumatic Diseases. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2022; 48:763-779. [PMID: 36332994 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Most rheumatic diseases have a stronger environmental than hereditary etiology. This article summarizes the key environmental risk factors for rheumatic diseases, the data sources that generated these findings, and the key pitfalls with existing research that every rheumatology clinician should know. Emerging research opportunities hold promise to revolutionize this field, and soon.
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Kowalski EN, Qian G, Vanni KMM, Sparks JA. A Roadmap for Investigating Preclinical Autoimmunity Using Patient-Oriented and Epidemiologic Study Designs: Example of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:890996. [PMID: 35693829 PMCID: PMC9175569 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.890996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototypic autoimmune disease causing inflammatory polyarthritis that affects nearly 1% of the population. RA can lead to joint destruction and disability along with increased morbidity and mortality. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, RA has distinct preclinical phases corresponding to genetic risk, lifestyle risk factors, autoantibody development, and non-specific symptoms prior to clinical diagnosis. This narrative review will detail observational studies for RA risk and clinical trials for RA prevention as a roadmap to investigating preclinical autoimmunity that could be applied to other diseases. Methods In this narrative review, we summarized previous and ongoing research studies investigating RA risk and prevention, categorizing them related to their design and preclinical phases. Results We detailed the following types of studies investigating RA risk and prevention: retrospective population-based and administrative datasets; prospective studies (case-control and cohort; some enrolling based on genetics, first-degree relative status, elevated biomarkers, or early symptoms/arthritis); and randomized clinical trials. These correspond to all preclinical RA phases (genetic, lifestyle, autoimmunity, early signs/symptoms). Previous and ongoing randomized controlled trials have enrolled individuals at very elevated risk for RA based on biomarkers, symptoms, imaging abnormalities, or early signs/symptoms. Conclusion We detailed the rich variety of study designs that is necessary to investigate distinct preclinical phases of an autoimmune disease such as RA. However, further progress is needed to fully elucidate the pathogenesis of RA that may ultimately lead to prevention or delay of disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Kowalski
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Grace Qian
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kathleen M M Vanni
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Sparks
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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