Valentin Lacombe

VEXAS syndrome is characterized by high glucocorticoid (GC) requirements and frequent relapses during tapering, yet dose–response relationships remain poorly defined. We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of granular longitudinal treatment-line reconstruction and to explore GC dose–response patterns associated with disease activity and flare risk. In this retrospective single-center study, we reconstructed detailed treatment trajectories of patients with VEXAS syndrome. Disease courses were segmented into treatment-line periods defined by any therapeutic modification, including GC dose changes. For each period, GC dose, concomitant therapies, and clinical activity were recorded. Associations between GC dose and disease activity were analyzed using multivariable models adjusting for concomitant treatments. Twelve patients were included, representing 315 treatment-line periods over a mean follow-up of 45 months. Mean annual GC exposure was 3.27 ± 2.26 g per patient. Higher GC dose (continuous variable) was independently associated with lower odds of clinical activity (aOR 0.91 per mg increase [95% CI 0.88–0.94], p < 0.001). Exploratory threshold analyses suggested increased flare risk below approximately 15 mg/day (or 0.2 mg/kg/day), with a lower-risk plateau above 20 mg/day. The increased flare risk below 15 mg/day remained significant after adjustment for concomitant therapies (HR 0.24 [95% CI 0.11–0.54], p = 0.001). Organ-specific analyses suggested heterogeneous glucocorticoid sensitivity, with higher doses appearing required for lung involvement and lower doses appearing sufficient for fever, skin, and joint manifestations. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of detailed treatment-line reconstruction in VEXAS syndrome and identifies GC dose–response trends. These preliminary findings provide planning parameters for a future adequately powered study aimed at validating dose thresholds and refining tapering strategies in VEXAS.

Background: Post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is the cardinal feature of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is also reported in a proportion of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Our objective was to identify determinants that may be linked to the emergence of PEM in PCS patients. Methods: Patients fulfilling the World Health Organization definition for PCS who attended the post-COVID unit of the Internal Medicine Department of Angers University Hospital, France, between June 2020 and December 2023 were included retrospectively. Their medical records were reviewed to extract information on COVID-19 infection history, characteristics of post-exertional malaise (PEM), fatigue severity, and relevant epidemiological variables. Results: The study included 220 patients, grouped according to whether post-exertional malaise was present (PCS/PEM+) or absent (PCS/PEM–). PEM was observed in 26.4% of patients and was significantly linked to earlier COVID onset in 2020/2021 (OR 5.68 (95% CI: 1.66–19.45), p = 0.006), as well as higher fatigue levels (OR 2.07 (95% CI: 1.22–3.50), p = 0.007). Conclusions: Patients who contracted COVID-19 during the pre-Omicron period reported PEM more frequently than those infected in later waves. This observation could reflect differences in viral characteristics following the emergence of the Omicron variant; however, alternative explanations—such as increasing vaccination coverage, accumulating post-infectious immunity, or other unmeasured factors—cannot be ruled out. Based on the observed link between PEM and symptom severity, PCS patients should be systematically assessed for the presence of PEM.

Background: VEXAS syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic UBA1 mutations on the X chromosome, predominantly affecting men.Objective: To characterize VEXAS syndrome in women and to compare the features of VEXAS syndrome between sexes.Methods: We conducted an international, multicenter study, including 12 women and 301 men with genetically confirmed VEXAS syndrome. Data were collected using a standardized case report form. Bone marrow analyses and molecular investigations were performed locally.Results: Clinical features, age at onset, UBA1 mutation type, variant allele frequency, and mortality were comparable between sexes. Acquired X monosomy was found in 6/8 tested women. Additional clonal mutations were present in 3/5 tested women. Three additional UBA1‐mutated women without typical inflammation are described separately.Conclusion: VEXAS syndrome affects women with clinical features similar to men, supporting the need for UBA1 testing in women with compatible presentations. X monosomy is common but not universal, suggesting alternative pathogenic mechanisms.

Objectives: Pernicious anemia (PA) is a common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and requires a robust diagnosis to guide lifelong treatment. Anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA) are frequently used as a diagnostic marker, but their poor specificity raises concerns about overdiagnosis, particularly in patients lacking the more specific but less sensitive anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (IFA). We compared the diagnostic performance of two APCA detection methods: indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and immunodot assay. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with B12 deficiency and APCA positivity without IFA. PA diagnosis was adjudicated by blinded expert based on histology and response to oral B12. Patients were classified as true PA (APCA-PA), false positive (APCA-FP), or undetermined. Only APCA-PA and APCA-FP cases were analyzed. Results: Among 56 included patients, 19 were classified as APCA-PA and compared to 24 APCA-FP. APCA immunodot assay was positive in 19/19 APCA-PA vs. 23/24 APCA-FP (p>0.99), while APCA IIF was positive in 13/19 APCA-PA vs. 2/24 APCA-FP (p<0.001), with higher IIF titers among APCA-PA (p<0.001). Only IIF positivity was significantly associated with PA (68.4 % vs. 8.3 %, p<0.001), with 92 % specificity. This association was confirmed in multivariate analysis (OR 37.1 [95 % CI: 6.1–439.4]). APCA IIF titer was also associated with PA diagnosis (AUC 0.82 [95 % CI: 0.68–0.96]), and titer ≥1:80 further improved specificity to 96 %. Conclusions: IIF is more specific than immunodot for PA diagnosis, and its result should prevail over immunodot when deciding whether to perform EGD, when EGD is not feasible, and when establishing the diagnosis if biopsies are inconclusive.