Reumatologia Clinica最新文献

The Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) brings together the majority of rheumatology specialists in Spain. One of the many services it offers its members is a Research Unit (RU-SER) that provides methodological support to SER members in clinical and epidemiological research, coordinates and carries out research projects, designs and maintains large patient databases, develops qualitative research projects and produces evidence-based medicine (EBM) documents. Through the latter activity, the RU-SER produces clinical practice guidelines and recommendations on topics relevant to rheumatology that meet the highest methodological standards. The aim of this article is to describe the management process and methodology used by the RU-SER to identify topics for EBM documents and how they are developed.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to examine how gene mutation diversity and disease severity affect physical capacity and quality of life in children/adolescents with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).

Methods

Eighty children/adolescents (42 female, 38 male) diagnosed with FMF according to Tell-Hashomer diagnostic criteria were included in this study. Disease severity score (PRAS), running speed and agility and strength subtests of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition Short Form (BOT-2 SF), Physical Activity Questionnaire, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Arthritis Module (PedsQL) was used for evaluation. Participants were divided into 2 groups as M694V and other mutations according to MEFV gene mutation and were divided into 3 groups as mild, moderate and severe according to PRAS.

Results

When the data were compared between groups; in terms of gene mutation, a significant difference was observed in treatment subtest of PedsQL-parent form in favor of the M694V gene mutation group (p < 0.05). In terms of PRAS, significant difference was seen in the pain, treatment subtests and total score of the PedsQL-child form, and in the pain, treatment, worry subtests and total score of the PedsQL-parent form in favor of the mild group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

MEFV gene mutations in children and adolescents with FMF did not differ on physical capacity and quality of life. PRAS was not effective on physical parameters, but quality of life decreased as the severity score increased. Encouraging children/adolescents with FMF to participate in physical activity and to support them psychosocially can be important to improve their quality of life.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of systemic and organ-specific autoimmunity among individuals with human inborn errors of immunity (IEI).

Methods

Retrospective study. We recorded demographic variables, type of immunodeficiency, and systemic and organ specific autoimmunity.

Results

We included 48 patients (54.1% men) with mean age of 32.1 years. The most common IEIs included combined immunodeficiency with syndromic features (31.2%) and predominantly antibody deficiency (20.1%). We observed autoimmunity in 15 patients (31.2%): 12 organ-specific autoimmunity and 5 systemic autoimmunity, not mutually exclusive groups. Organ-specific autoimmunity preceded the onset of IEI in 5 patients, was concurrent in one patient, and developed after the diagnosis of IEI in 6 cases. From the systemic autoimmunity group, we observed polyarteritis nodosa (n = 2), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (n = 2), and overlap of limited systemic sclerosis/APS/Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1), and in all cases, this occurred after the IEI diagnosis.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the coexistence of autoimmunity and IEI. This overlap may be attributed to B and T cell disorders, as well as potential alterations in the microbiota in these patients.

Aim

To describe the impact of the COVID-19 on the psychosocial health of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Design

Longitudinal observational study of a series of patients with rheumatic disease.

Methods

The main outcome measure was impairment of the ability to participate in social activities, as measured using the PROMIS-APS instrument Short Form-8a. We evaluated social activities in various settings and performed a multivariate analysis to study the association between worsening of social participation during the COVID-19 pandemic and implicated factors.

Results

One hundred and twenty-five patients had completed the prospective follow-up: 40 with AR (32%), 42 with SpA (33.6%), and 43 with SLE (34.4%). Overall, poorer mean PROMIS scores were recorded after the COVID-19 pandemic for: satisfaction with social roles (p = 0.029), depression (p = 0.039), and ability to participate in social activities (p = 0.024). The factors associated with ability to participate in social activities after the COVID-19 pandemic were older age (β = −0.215; p = 0.012), diagnosis of SLE (β = −0.203; p = 0.015), depression (β = −0.295; p = 0.003) and satisfaction with social roles (β = 0.211; p = 0.037).

Conclusion

The ability to participate in social activities after the COVID-19 pandemic is affected in patients with rheumatic disease, especially in SLE.

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is the first-line treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, there is heterogeneity in its clinical use. This consensus aims to bridge the gap in SLE treatment by providing practical and valuable recommendations for health professionals.

Methods

The methodology used is based on a systematic literature review and a nominal group technique (NGT). A ten-member scientific committee formulated eight clinically relevant questions. First, a systematic review was conducted to identify the available evidence, which the scientific committee evaluated to developed recommendations based on their expertise, achieving consensus through NGT.

Results

1673 titles and abstracts were screened, and 43 studies were included for meeting the inclusion criteria. The scientific committee established 11 recommendations for HCQ use in initiation, maintenance, and monitoring, considering benefits and potential adverse effects of HCQ. Unanimous agreement was achieved on all recommendations.

Conclusions

The available evidence supports HCQ's effectiveness and safety for SLE. Individualized assessment of the initial HCQ dose is important, especially in situations requiring dose reduction or discontinuation. This risk–benefit assessment, specifically focusing on the balance between retinal toxicity and the risk of SLE relapse, should guide decisions regarding medication withdrawal, considering disease activity, risk factors, and HCQ potential benefits. Close monitoring is essential for optimal disease management and minimize potential risks, such as QT prolongation or retinal toxicity.

Objectives

A subset of gout patients developed persistent joint pain after flares. Analysis of this clinical phenomenon may shed further light on the factors related to worsening gout and even provide clues to its pathogenesis.

Methods

We analyzed the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound data of gout patients to explore the associations of these data with persistent joint pain after gout flares.

Results

A total of 1029 gout patients were included: 182 (17.7%) patients with persistent joint pain and 847 (82.3%) patients with nonpersistent joint pain. Patients with persistent joint pain had more total involved joints, more gout flares in the past year, and more joints with simultaneous gout flares (P < 0.01). Among the ultrasound-detected lesions, patients with persistent joint pain had a higher incidence of tophus (36.4% vs. 21.1%) and bone erosion (18.6% vs. 8.6%) (P < 0.05). Higher UA and lower TBil were found in patients with persistent joint pain (P < 0.001). Hypertension (54.9% vs. 38.7%) and metabolic syndrome (58.8% vs. 46.4%) were both more frequent in patients with persistent joint pain (P < 0.05). TBil was negatively correlated with the incidence of persistent joint pain (P < 0.001, r = −0.190), UA values (P < 0.001, r = −0.125), and metabolic syndrome scores (P < 0.001, r = −0.192). A correlation curve was fitted using LOESS (locally weighted region).

Conclusion

Persistent joint pain after gout flares is a marker of increased disease burden in gout. The significance of the level of total bilirubin for the exacerbation of gout deserves further study.

Introduction

Many patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) report relief of symptoms after consuming certain foods. Diet plays a vital role in rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation regulation. This study investigates the relationship between dietary inflammation index (DII) scores and RA disease activity.

Materials and methods

Forty-one RA patients were enrolled in the study. The general inflammatory index of the diet was analyzed by recording the 24-h food consumption of the patients, and the nutrients were analyzed using the Nutrition Information Systems Package Program. Dietary inflammatory indices were calculated for each patient using the patients’ macro and micronutrient intake levels. RA disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28).

Results

The DAS-28 score was lower in the anti-inflammatory diet group compared to the pro-inflammatory diet group (p = 0.163). A weak but significant relationship was found between diet inflammation index score and DAS-28 (r = 0.3468, p = 0.0263). The effect of the dietary inflammatory index on the DAS-28 was 12.02%. Dietary iron, vitamin C, niacin, and magnesium intakes were statistically significantly higher in the quartile group that received an anti-inflammatory diet than in the quartile group that received a pro-inflammatory diet. The intake of some micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and folic acid, was significantly lower than the recommended values in all RA quartile groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that reducing inflammation through the diet may have a weak but significant effect in controlling disease activity in RA patients.

Introduction and objectives

The Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología (CMR) is a corporation whose brand has two elements—image and identity—that differentiate it from other corporations. We evaluated aspects of CMR's corporate image and identity.

Subjects and methods

To assess corporate image, we designed a survey using proof-of-concept and discrete-choice-experiments approaches. It assessed which definition (orthopedist, rheumatologist, or rehabilitator) was most meaningful in four pain scenarios in healthy adults from the country's Western region.

We used discourse analysis and five readability indices of the CMR website to assess corporate identity.

Results

In total, 700 respondents were included. For every rheumatologist chosen in the hand scenario, respondents chose 1.13 orthopedists and 0.70 rehabilitators. For every rheumatologist chosen in the knee scenario, respondents chose 2.36 orthopedists and 0.64 rehabilitators, whereas 0.85 orthopedists and 0.58 rehabilitators were chosen in the arthritis scenario. Only 38% of the respondents preferred the CMR's definition of a rheumatologist to describe a rheumatologist.

The younger age group preferred orthopedists to rheumatologists (50% vs. 31%, p < 0.001). In the arthritis scenario, the choice of rheumatologist increased from 27% in the elementary school group to 49% in the university group (p < 0.001). Mother was the most influential in healthcare seeking.

The discursive analysis revealed that the CMR is positioned as a “we” restricted to “colleagues;” the patient did not have agentive representation. The semiotic structure of the CMR's mission/vision was deemed imprecise and lacking in statements of value and purpose; the readability scores indicated that the text was challenging and dry.

Conclusions

The CMR's corporate image does not differentiate it from other health providers. CMR's identity seems ambiguous with restricted directionality. It seems pertinent to redefine the CMR.

Introduction

Interstitial lung disease is a leading cause of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding screening, rescreening, diagnosis, and follow-up practices in interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) in Colombia.

Methods

A structured survey focused on clinical practices in patients with SSc-ILD was conducted. Members of the Asociación Colombiana de Neumología y Cirugía de Tórax (Asoneumocito) and the Asociación Colombiana de Reumatología (Asoreuma) were invited to participate from March 2023 to May 2023.

Results

We surveyed 51 pulmonologists and 44 rheumatologists. Overall, 51.6% reported having access to multidisciplinary team discussion in ILD. Among the 95 participants, 78.9% would routinely perform a high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest once a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis was established. This practice is more frequent among rheumatologists (84.1%) than among pulmonologists (74.5%). Approximately half of the participants would rescreen patients annually with computed tomography scan (56.8%) if baseline images were negative.

Spirometry (81.1%), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (80.0%), and 6-min walk test (55.8%) were the most frequently performed tests upon diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. During follow-up, participants would consider repeating pulmonary function tests mostly every 6 months.

Conclusions

Screening of SSc-ILD is high among pulmonologists and rheumatologists. Decision-making on diagnosis and follow-up is similar between specialties, but there are variations in their frequency and indications. Further research is needed to evaluate how to adapt recommendations for assessing SSc-ILD in different settings.

Introduction and objectives

In this study, we aimed to evaluate LIF levels and its possible relationship with disease activity in patients with Takayasu's (TAK) and Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients.

Materials and methods

23 Takayasu's arteritis, 9 Giant cell arteritis patients and 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum LIF levels were measured ELISA.

Results

The mean age of Giant cell arteritis patients was statistically significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.001). The rate of women was found to be higher in Takayasu's arteritis (p = 0.021). When healthy control, patients with GCA and Takayasu arteritis were compared, there was a difference in LIF values (p = 0.018). In subgroup analyzes, LIF values were found to be higher in GCA patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between LIF and CRP (Rho = −0.038, p = 0.778), ESR (Rho = 0.114, p = 0.399) and ITAS (Rho = −0.357, p = 0.094). While CRP was statistically significantly higher in patients with disease activity (p = 0.003), there was no statistically significant difference between patients in terms of ESR and LIF values. While there was a statistically significant relationship between CRP (OR = 1.19 [1.03–1.37], p = 0.018) and disease activity in univariate analyses, no statistically significant variable was found in multivariable analyses.

Conclusions

LIF values were significantly higher in patients with Giant cell arteritis compared to healthy controls.