Joann Gillis - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Joann Gillis
Arthritis Care & Research, 2010
Respiratory Medicine, 2009
Objectives: To describe the clinical features of patients presenting with ''idiopathic'' intersti... more Objectives: To describe the clinical features of patients presenting with ''idiopathic'' interstitial pneumonia that were diagnosed with anti-synthetase syndrome based on clinical features and positive anti-PL-7 or PL-12 antibodies. Methods: Over a 24-month period, we evaluated 37 patients who presented with clinical features of anti-synthetase (AS) syndrome, negative anti-Jo-1 antibodies, and who were assessed for other anti-tRNA synthetase (anti-tRS) antibodies. All data were abstracted from the medical record. Results: Nine (24%) were confirmed to have non-anti-Jo-1 positive AS syndrome based on clinical features and the presence of other anti-tRS antibodies (seven with anti-PL-7, two with anti-PL-12 antibodies). All presented with dyspnea as the initial symptom and with ILD as the first manifestation. Elevated CPK was identified in three patients but only two had muscle weakness. Pulmonary physiology revealed restriction (forced vital capacity 60% of predicted) and impaired gas transfer (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide 40% of predicted). All had similar findings on thoracic HRCT scans, with basilar predominance of abnormalities and patterns suggestive of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and organizing pneumonia. Immunomodulatory therapies were used to treat the ILDdresponses were variable, but some subjects clearly improved. a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / r m e d Respiratory Medicine (2009) 103, 1719e1724
CHEST Journal, 2008
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all SSc patients who had been referred for further evaluat... more Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all SSc patients who had been referred for further evaluation of ILD and had undergone surgical lung biopsy. Clinical data were abstracted by review of the medical record, and lung biopsy specimens were reviewed and classified according to current pathologic criteria. Results: All patients presented with significant respiratory symptoms. Twenty-two of 27 subjects had surgical lung biopsy-proven ILD, and 5 subjects had miscellaneous non-ILD patterns. Of those subjects with ILD, 64% (14 of 22 subjects) had a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pathologic pattern (fibrotic NSIP, 13 subjects; cellular NSIP, 1 subject), and 36% (8 of 22 subjects) had the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. Subjects with NSIP were younger (median age, 42 vs 58 years, respectively; p ؍ 0.003), but no differences were noted in pulmonary physiology (FVC: NSIP group, 52% predicted; UIP group, 65% predicted; p ؍ 0.22; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: NSIP group, 40% predicted; UIP group, 42% predicted; p ؍ 1.0). All patients had limited skin involvement. The Scl-70 antibody was absent among those assessed (NSIP group, 0 of 10 subjects; UIP group, 0 of 7 subjects). All patients were treated with cytotoxic therapy. The median survival time for those with NSIP was 15.3 years (5,596 days) compared with 3 years (1,084 days) for those with UIP (p ؍ 0.07 [log-rank test]). Conclusions: In SSc patients with limited cutaneous disease and clinically significant ILD, fibrotic NSIP and UIP are the predominant pathologic patterns. Those with the UIP pattern of disease had a trend toward shorter survival time.
CHEST Journal, 2008
and services can be found online on the World Wide Web at:
Chest, 2009
Purpose: To describe a cohort of patients who presented with interstitial lung disease (ILD) of u... more Purpose: To describe a cohort of patients who presented with interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown cause, features of primary Sjö gren syndrome (pSS), and a positive minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB). Methods: Thirty-eight patients with ILD evaluated at our center underwent an MSGB to confirm a diagnosis of pSS. All of the samples were reviewed by pathologists experienced in the evaluation of salivary gland histology. We defined a positive MSGB finding as a lymphocyte focus score of >1. Results: At presentation, all patients had ILD, and symptoms of cough and dyspnea. None had a definable connective tissue disease (CTD) or known cause for their ILD. Thirteen patients (34%) had positive MSGB findings. Of these, the median age was 61 years (age range, 33 to 75 years); 7 patients (54%) were women; 8 patients (62%) had a smoking history; and 10 patients (77%) had sicca symptoms.
Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2010
Introduction: Cancer and infections are leading causes of mortality in systemic lupus erythematos... more Introduction: Cancer and infections are leading causes of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after diseases of the circulatory system, and therefore preventing these complications is important. In this study, we examined two categories of preventive services in SLE: cancer surveillance (cervical, breast, and colon) and immunizations (influenza and pneumococcal). We compared the receipt of these services in SLE to the general population, and identified subgroups of patients who were less likely to receive these services.
Arthritis Care & Research, 2010
Methods. Data for this study were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus ... more Methods. Data for this study were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus Outcomes Study, a large cohort of persons with SLE who undergo annual structured interviews. Participants were categorized into 1 of 3 levels of emergency department utilization: nonusers (no visits in the preceding year), occasional users, (1-2 visits), and frequent users (>3 visits). We compared characteristics of the 3 groups and determined predictors of frequent emergency department use (>3 visits) using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for a variety of potential confounding covariates.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2006
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2009
Methods-We used a validated process that combined available scientific evidence and expert consen... more Methods-We used a validated process that combined available scientific evidence and expert consensus to develop a QI set for SLE. First, we extracted 20 candidate indicators from a systematic literature review of clinical practice guidelines pertaining to SLE. An advisory panel revised and augmented these candidate indicators, and through two rounds of voting, arrived at 25 QIs. These QIs advanced to the next phase of the project, in which we employed a modification of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. A systematic review of the literature was performed for each QI, linking the proposed process of care to potential improved health outcomes. After reviewing this scientific evidence, a second interdisciplinary expert panel convened to discuss the evidence and provide final ratings on the validity and feasibility of each QI.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2008
Objective-To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity am... more Objective-To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the US.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To compare health care utilization in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in... more Objective-To compare health care utilization in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and fee-for-service (FFS).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To assess the specific contribution of memory impairment to employment status in person... more Objective-To assess the specific contribution of memory impairment to employment status in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To evaluate the associations between Medicaid insurance and distance traveled by patien... more Objective-To evaluate the associations between Medicaid insurance and distance traveled by patients to treating physicians and health care utilization for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Biernat E, Tomaszewski P. Association of socio-economic and demographic factors with physical act... more Biernat E, Tomaszewski P. Association of socio-economic and demographic factors with physical activity of males and females aged 20-69 years. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015; 22(1): 124-129.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To track changes in the proportion of persons ages 18-64 with systemic lupus erythemato... more Objective-To track changes in the proportion of persons ages 18-64 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were employed from diagnosis through 2004, to estimate changes in annual work hours during this time, and to describe risk factors for work loss among those employed at diagnosis.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Clinical outcome. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Five of the 6 patients showed... more Clinical outcome. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Five of the 6 patients showed improve-
Arthritis Care & Research, 2010
Respiratory Medicine, 2009
Objectives: To describe the clinical features of patients presenting with ''idiopathic'' intersti... more Objectives: To describe the clinical features of patients presenting with ''idiopathic'' interstitial pneumonia that were diagnosed with anti-synthetase syndrome based on clinical features and positive anti-PL-7 or PL-12 antibodies. Methods: Over a 24-month period, we evaluated 37 patients who presented with clinical features of anti-synthetase (AS) syndrome, negative anti-Jo-1 antibodies, and who were assessed for other anti-tRNA synthetase (anti-tRS) antibodies. All data were abstracted from the medical record. Results: Nine (24%) were confirmed to have non-anti-Jo-1 positive AS syndrome based on clinical features and the presence of other anti-tRS antibodies (seven with anti-PL-7, two with anti-PL-12 antibodies). All presented with dyspnea as the initial symptom and with ILD as the first manifestation. Elevated CPK was identified in three patients but only two had muscle weakness. Pulmonary physiology revealed restriction (forced vital capacity 60% of predicted) and impaired gas transfer (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide 40% of predicted). All had similar findings on thoracic HRCT scans, with basilar predominance of abnormalities and patterns suggestive of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and organizing pneumonia. Immunomodulatory therapies were used to treat the ILDdresponses were variable, but some subjects clearly improved. a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . c o m / l o c a t e / r m e d Respiratory Medicine (2009) 103, 1719e1724
CHEST Journal, 2008
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all SSc patients who had been referred for further evaluat... more Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all SSc patients who had been referred for further evaluation of ILD and had undergone surgical lung biopsy. Clinical data were abstracted by review of the medical record, and lung biopsy specimens were reviewed and classified according to current pathologic criteria. Results: All patients presented with significant respiratory symptoms. Twenty-two of 27 subjects had surgical lung biopsy-proven ILD, and 5 subjects had miscellaneous non-ILD patterns. Of those subjects with ILD, 64% (14 of 22 subjects) had a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pathologic pattern (fibrotic NSIP, 13 subjects; cellular NSIP, 1 subject), and 36% (8 of 22 subjects) had the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. Subjects with NSIP were younger (median age, 42 vs 58 years, respectively; p ؍ 0.003), but no differences were noted in pulmonary physiology (FVC: NSIP group, 52% predicted; UIP group, 65% predicted; p ؍ 0.22; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: NSIP group, 40% predicted; UIP group, 42% predicted; p ؍ 1.0). All patients had limited skin involvement. The Scl-70 antibody was absent among those assessed (NSIP group, 0 of 10 subjects; UIP group, 0 of 7 subjects). All patients were treated with cytotoxic therapy. The median survival time for those with NSIP was 15.3 years (5,596 days) compared with 3 years (1,084 days) for those with UIP (p ؍ 0.07 [log-rank test]). Conclusions: In SSc patients with limited cutaneous disease and clinically significant ILD, fibrotic NSIP and UIP are the predominant pathologic patterns. Those with the UIP pattern of disease had a trend toward shorter survival time.
CHEST Journal, 2008
and services can be found online on the World Wide Web at:
Chest, 2009
Purpose: To describe a cohort of patients who presented with interstitial lung disease (ILD) of u... more Purpose: To describe a cohort of patients who presented with interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown cause, features of primary Sjö gren syndrome (pSS), and a positive minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB). Methods: Thirty-eight patients with ILD evaluated at our center underwent an MSGB to confirm a diagnosis of pSS. All of the samples were reviewed by pathologists experienced in the evaluation of salivary gland histology. We defined a positive MSGB finding as a lymphocyte focus score of >1. Results: At presentation, all patients had ILD, and symptoms of cough and dyspnea. None had a definable connective tissue disease (CTD) or known cause for their ILD. Thirteen patients (34%) had positive MSGB findings. Of these, the median age was 61 years (age range, 33 to 75 years); 7 patients (54%) were women; 8 patients (62%) had a smoking history; and 10 patients (77%) had sicca symptoms.
Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2010
Introduction: Cancer and infections are leading causes of mortality in systemic lupus erythematos... more Introduction: Cancer and infections are leading causes of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after diseases of the circulatory system, and therefore preventing these complications is important. In this study, we examined two categories of preventive services in SLE: cancer surveillance (cervical, breast, and colon) and immunizations (influenza and pneumococcal). We compared the receipt of these services in SLE to the general population, and identified subgroups of patients who were less likely to receive these services.
Arthritis Care & Research, 2010
Methods. Data for this study were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus ... more Methods. Data for this study were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus Outcomes Study, a large cohort of persons with SLE who undergo annual structured interviews. Participants were categorized into 1 of 3 levels of emergency department utilization: nonusers (no visits in the preceding year), occasional users, (1-2 visits), and frequent users (>3 visits). We compared characteristics of the 3 groups and determined predictors of frequent emergency department use (>3 visits) using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for a variety of potential confounding covariates.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2006
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2009
Methods-We used a validated process that combined available scientific evidence and expert consen... more Methods-We used a validated process that combined available scientific evidence and expert consensus to develop a QI set for SLE. First, we extracted 20 candidate indicators from a systematic literature review of clinical practice guidelines pertaining to SLE. An advisory panel revised and augmented these candidate indicators, and through two rounds of voting, arrived at 25 QIs. These QIs advanced to the next phase of the project, in which we employed a modification of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. A systematic review of the literature was performed for each QI, linking the proposed process of care to potential improved health outcomes. After reviewing this scientific evidence, a second interdisciplinary expert panel convened to discuss the evidence and provide final ratings on the validity and feasibility of each QI.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2008
Objective-To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity am... more Objective-To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the US.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To compare health care utilization in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in... more Objective-To compare health care utilization in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and fee-for-service (FFS).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To assess the specific contribution of memory impairment to employment status in person... more Objective-To assess the specific contribution of memory impairment to employment status in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To evaluate the associations between Medicaid insurance and distance traveled by patien... more Objective-To evaluate the associations between Medicaid insurance and distance traveled by patients to treating physicians and health care utilization for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Biernat E, Tomaszewski P. Association of socio-economic and demographic factors with physical act... more Biernat E, Tomaszewski P. Association of socio-economic and demographic factors with physical activity of males and females aged 20-69 years. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015; 22(1): 124-129.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Objective-To track changes in the proportion of persons ages 18-64 with systemic lupus erythemato... more Objective-To track changes in the proportion of persons ages 18-64 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were employed from diagnosis through 2004, to estimate changes in annual work hours during this time, and to describe risk factors for work loss among those employed at diagnosis.
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2007
Clinical outcome. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Five of the 6 patients showed... more Clinical outcome. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. Five of the 6 patients showed improve-