Prof. Gheita

Cairo University | CU · Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Objectives We aimed to investigate gender-based differences in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), with a particular focus on patient-reported outcomes, utilizing data obtained through the international COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD) e-survey. Methods Patient-reported outcomes including fatigue, pain, and physical functi...

This study aimed to assess the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of breakthrough infection (BI) following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a risk group associated with an immune-suppressed state and high cardiopulmonary disease burden. Cross-sectional data from fully vaccinated respondents with...

Objectives: We investigated COVID-19 vaccine safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women with autoimmune diseases (AID) in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study. Methods: Delayed-onset (>7 days) vaccine-related adverse events (AE), disease flares (DF), and AID-related treatment modifications were analyzed upon diagnosis of...

Syphilis can have varied presentations, including rheumatological and ocular. Early recognition and treatment are necessary to prevent permanent complications. A 34-year-old married male presented with symmetric seronegative arthritis, diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, and not responding initially to corticosteroids and Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheu...

Background: What baseline predictors would be involved in mortality in people with primary Sjögren syndrome (SjS) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the baseline characteristics collected at the time of diagnosis of SjS associated with mortality and to identify mortality risk factors for all-cause death and deaths related to system...

Limited evidence on long-term COVID-19 vaccine safety in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) continues to contribute to vaccine hesitancy. We studied delayed-onset vaccine adverse events (AEs) in patients with IIMs, other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the seco...

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that exhibits a variety of clinical symptoms in many organs. Lymphadenopathy is a frequent and usually nonspecific feature of SLE. Some patients have lymphadenopathy at diagnosis or at follow-up. Objective: to present a rare case of lymphadenopathy presenting as the initial present...

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) confer a significant risk of disability and poor quality of life, though fatigue, an important contributing factor, remains under-reported in these individuals. We aimed to compare and analyze differences in visual analog scale (VAS) scores (0–10 cm) for fatigue (VAS-F) in patients with IIMs, non-IIM system...

Background Comprehensive and large-scale assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) worldwide is lacking. The second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) study [1] is an international, multicentre, self-reported e-survey assessing several aspects of COVID-19 infection and...

Background Post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is an emerging cause of morbidity and poor quality of life in COVID-19 survivors [1, 2]. Objectives We aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, and association with disease flares of PCS in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) and non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs), both...

Objectives We aimed to explore current practice and interregional differences in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We triangulated these observations considering countries' gross national income (GNI), disease subtypes, and symptoms using patient-reported information. Methods A cross-sectional ancillary analysis of the ‘C...

Objectives: Disease flares in the post COVID-19 vaccination period represent a prominent concern, though risk factors are poorly understood. We studied these flares among patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). Methods: The COVAD-1 and -2 global surveys were circulated in early 202...

The safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines is understudied in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We compared short-term adverse events (AEs) 7 days following vaccination in patients with SSc vs other rheumatic (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs). The COVID-19 Vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) s...

Objective: Flares of autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRDs) following COVID-19 vaccination are an outstanding concern in vaccine-hesitant individuals. Therefore, we investigated the incidence, predictors and patterns of flares following vaccination in individuals living with AIRDs using global COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) surv...

Objectives: To compare pain intensity among individuals with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), and without rheumatic disease (wAIDs). Methods: Data were collected from the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study, an international cross-sectional online survey, from...

Background Eye lesions, occur in nearly half of patients with Behçet’s Disease (BD), can lead to irreversible damage and vision loss; however, limited studies are available on identifying risk factors for the development of vision-threatening BD (VTBD). Using an Egyptian college of rheumatology (ECR)-BD, a national cohort of BD patients, we examine...

Objective: COVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), however hesitancy continues to persist among these patients.Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors, and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheuma...

Objective COVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), however hesitancy continues to persist among these patients. Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors, and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheumat...

To depict the spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egypt in relation to other universal studies to provide broad-based characteristics to this particular population. This work included 10,364 adult RA patients from 26 specialized Egyptian rheumatology centers representing 22 major cities all over the country. The demographic and clinical featur...

Objectives: To explore current management practices for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by general practitioners (GPs) and rheumatologists including implications for clinical trial recruitment. Methods: An English language questionnaire was constructed by a working group of rheumatologists and GPs from 6 countries. The questionnaire focused on: 1:...

To depict the spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egypt in relation to other universal studies to provide broad-based characteristics to this particular population. This work included 10,364 adult RA patients from 26 specialized Egyptian rheumatology centers representing 22 major cities all over the country. The demographic and clinical featur...

Objectives We aimed to compare the spectrum and severity of COVID-19 and vaccine breakthrough infections (BIs) among patients with IIMs, other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (SAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs). Methods This is a cross-sectional study with data from the COVAD study, a self-reported online global survey that collected...

Objectives We aimed to compare the spectrum and severity of COVID-19 and vaccine breakthrough infections (BIs) among patients with IIMs, other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (SAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs). Methods This is a cross-sectional study with data from the COVAD study, a self-reported online global survey that collected...

The current P.P.P. is based and adapted from the original article entitled; " Coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19) an emerging trigger for primary fibromyalgia syndrome: A tale of three cases POST COVID-19." Int. J. Clin. Rheummatol. 2021; 16(4): 123- 135.

Objective We investigated prolonged COVID-19 symptom duration, defined as lasting 28 days or longer, among people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Methods We analysed data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey (2 April 2021–15 October 2021) to identify people with SARDs reporting test-confirmed COVID-19....

Vaccine hesitancy is considered a major barrier to achieving herd immunity against COVID-19. While multiple alternative and synergistic approaches including heterologous vaccination, booster doses, and antiviral drugs have been developed, equitable vaccine uptake remains the foremost strategy to manage pandemic. Although none of the currently appro...

Objectives The assessment of physical function is fundamental in the management of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We aimed to investigate the physical function of patients with IIMs compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) utilizing Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROM...

Introduction/aims: We studied COVID-19 vaccination-related adverse events (ADEs) 7-days post-vaccination in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs). Methods: 7-day vaccine ADEs were collected in an international patient self-reported e-survey. Descriptive statistics...

Objectives COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe in the healthy population. However, gaps remain in the evidence of their safety in patients with systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs). COVID-19 vaccination related adverse events (ADEs) in patients with SAIDs and healthy controls (HC) seven days post-vaccination were assesse...

Objectives COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe in the healthy population. However, gaps remain in the evidence of their safety in patients with systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs). COVID-19 vaccination related adverse events (ADEs) in patients with SAIDs and healthy controls (HC) seven days post-vaccination were assesse...

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure/sugar, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Whether MetS and its components affect the development of Behçet's Disease (BD) remains unclear. Aims The aim was to determine the frequency of MetS among BD patients and to study its relation to the disease characteri...

The study aimed to explore the experience of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccine adverse events (AEs) among rheumatologists. A validated questionnaire was distributed as a Google form to rheumatologists across the country via social networking sites from late December 2021 till early January 2022. The questionnaire included qu...

Background: Evaluation of physical function is fundamental in the management of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a National Institute of Health initiative established in 2004 to develop patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with improved validity and efficacy. PROMIS...

Background Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is diagnosed and treated by both general practitioners (GP) and rheumatologists. How rheumatologists around the world manage the referral process of patients with PMR from GP’s has not been described. EULAR/ACR guidelines recommend initial prednisolone doses between 12.5 and 25 mg, but it is unknown if guidel...

Background Significant gaps are present in the evidence of the spectrum and severity of COVID-19 infection in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). IIM patients typically require immunosuppressive therapy, may have multiple disease sequelae, and frequent comorbidities, and thus may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection and complicati...

Objectives: To investigate the safety and efficacy of SARS-Cov-2 vaccination in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) due to scarcity of data in this population. Methods: By the first week of May 2021, all Big Data SS Consortium centres patients who had received at least one dose of any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were included in the study. The i...

Background COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in the healthy population at large. However, significant gaps remain in the evidence of their safety in patients with systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (SAIDs). Patients and rheumatologists have expressed concerns regarding vaccination triggered allergic reactions,...

Background Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a rare, multisystem, heterogeneous diseases, and contribute to high psychological burden. The patients’ perception of physical health, deteriorating independence and social and environmental relationships may not always be a direct function of disease activity. To face with these aspects, seve...

Background Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of heterogeneous autoimmune disorders with limited standardization of treatment protocols. Objectives To evaluate frequency and patterns of various treatments used for IIM based on disease subtype, world region, and organ involvement. Methods Cross-sectional data from the internation...

Background Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) is a reliable technique for assessing the salivary glands in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS); however, the role of SGUS for diagnosis of secondary SS (sSS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was not examined. Objective To assess the diagnostic value of SGUS for sSS in patie...

Objective To examine the frequency of, and risk factors for, disease flare following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with systemic rheumatic disease (SRD). Methods An international study was conducted from April 2 to August 16, 2021, using an online survey of 5619 adults with SRD for adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination, including flares...

FULL TEXT: https://doi.org/10.2147/OARRR.S355140 Imaging has long been taking its place in the diagnosis, monitor, and prognosis of rheumatic diseases. It plays a vital role in the appraisal of treatment. Key progress in the clinical practice of rheumatology is the innovation of advanced imaging modalities; such as musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS)...

Objective To characterize 414 patients with primary SS who developed hematological malignancies and to analyze how the main SS- and lymphoma-related features can modify the presentation patterns and outcomes. Methods By January 2021, the Big Data Sjögren Project Consortium database included 11 966 patients fulfilling the 2002/2016 classification c...

Bone mineral density, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms ( VDR), FRAX, and TBS in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Purpose To assess vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density and to investigate the possible risk factors of osteoporosis and fracture in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 97 RA patients and 45 matched controls were enrolled. Serum vitamin D level, VDR genotyping, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan,...

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a cause of unprecedented global morbidity and mortality. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination has emerged as the only tangible solution to reducing poor clinical outcomes, vaccine hesitancy continues to be an obstacle to achieving high levels of vaccine uptake. This represents particular risk...

Background: Rheumatoid arthtritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by irreversible joint damage and deformity. The aim of this study is to investigate THRIL and HOTAIR serum expression and their target genes in Egyptian RA patients and to evaluate their relationship to the clinico-pathological data. Methods...

Our generation has seen unprecedented advances in electromagnetic wave technology. This is considered to be a known reflection to life progression. Thus, the issue is raised to shed light on the effects of non-ionizing radiation of the electromagnetic field (EMF) on the human body, health, rheumatic diseases, and immune system. Is there a possible...

Abstract Background Vasculitis damage index (VDI) is a validated damage index for systemic vasculitis, and as Behçet’s disease is considered one of systemic vascular disease we aimed to study the relationship of the vasculitis damage index to clinical manifestations and comorbidity in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) to determine if VDI could be...

Background/Purpose: Numerous Covid-19 vaccines have demonstrated efficacy and safety against SARS-CoV-2 in general population. Despite favorable adverse effect (ADRs) profile of vaccines, there have been concerns regarding activation of aberrant immune responses. Moreover, vaccine safety data in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and other sy...

Objective The aim of the work was to delineate the computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) findings in Behçet’s disease (BD) patients with and without chest manifestations.Patients and methodsThe study included 122 BD adults recruited from 5 Teaching University Hospitals in Egypt of those who agreed to perform a CTPA. The Arabic version of...

Objective To examine the potential therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for experimental scleroderma. Materials and methods Fifty-four mice six-week-old (30-35 g) were studied. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) induced scleroderma was considered. Mice were divided into 3 groups: (I) Control: Six mice did not receive any treatment and were sa...

Background We describe the early experiences of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods From 2 April to 30 April 2021, we conducted an online, international survey of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received COVID-19 vaccination. We collected patient-reported data on clinician communication, bel...

Objectives: This study aims to present the manifestations of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) across Egypt, to focus on age at onset and gender-driven influence on disease characteristics, and to compare findings to other countries. Methods: The study included 404 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting to o...

Objectives The aim of the present work was to explore the perspectives of Egyptian Rheumatology staff members as regards the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine. Methods The survey is composed of 25 questions. Some questions were adapted from the global rheumatology alliance COVID-19 survey for patients. Results 187 rheumatology staff membe...

Background We describe the early experiences of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods From 2 April to 30 April 2021, we conducted an online, international survey of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received COVID-19 vaccination. We collected patient-reported data on clinician communication, bel...

Objectives This study aims to present the manifestations of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) across Egypt, to focus on age at onset and gender-driven influence on disease characteristics, and to compare findings to other countries. Methods The study included 404 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting to on...