Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America.

The objective of our study was to describe knowledge, attitudes and practices of Latin-American rheumatology patients regarding management and follow-up of their disease during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a digital anonymous survey. Rheumatic patients ≥ 18 years from non-English-speaking PANLAR countries were included. Our survey included 3502 rheumatic patients living in more than 19 Latin-American countries. Median age of patients was 45.8(36-55) years and the majority (88.9%) was female. Most frequently self-reported disease was rheumatoid arthritis (48.4%). At least one anti-rheumatic treatment was suspended by 23.4% of patients. Fear of contracting SARS-Cov2 (27.7%) and economic issues (25%) were the most common reasons for drug discontinuation. Self-rated disease activity increased from 30 (7-50) to 45 (10-70) points during the pandemic. Communication with their rheumatologist during the pandemic was required by 55.6% of patients, mainly by telephone calls (50.2%) and social network messages (47.8%). An adequate knowledge about COVID-19 was observed in 43% of patients. Patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in self-rated disease activity, a reduction in medication adherence, and hurdles for medical follow-up were reported. Teleconsultation was perceived as a valid alternative to in-person visits during the pandemic.

Rheumatology Training in Latin America: A Collaborative Study by the Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Demand for rheumatology care has steadily increased in recent years. The number of specialists in this field, however, seems insufficient. No recent studies have diagnosed the attributes of rheumatology training in Latin America. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We obtained data on each country through local rheumatologists of the Pan-American League Against Rheumatism, who acted as principal investigators for participating countries. Our sample was analyzed and described through means and standard deviations or through frequencies and percentages, depending on the variable. RESULTS: Countries with the most rheumatology-training programs were Brazil (n = 50), Argentina (n = 18), and Mexico (n = 15). Ecuador, Honduras, and Nicaragua do not have rheumatology-training programs. The countries with the most available slots for rheumatology residents were Brazil (n = 126) and Argentina (n = 36). To be admitted into rheumatology training, candidates were required to have completed graduate studies in internal medicine in 42.1% of the programs. In 8 countries (42.1%), residents are not required to pay tuition; the median cost of tuition in the remaining countries is US $528 (interquartile range, US $2153). CONCLUSIONS: Conditions associated with rheumatology training in Latin America vary. Significant differences exist in income and tuition fees for residents, for example, and 4 countries in Latin America do not currently offer programs. Information collected in this study will be useful when comparing the status of rheumatology services offered in Latin America with those in other countries. Most countries require a wider offering of rheumatology-training programs, as well as more available slots.

An analysis of 372 patients with anterior uveitis in a large Ibero-American cohort of spondyloarthritis: the RESPONDIA Group.

OBJECTIVES: This study analysed the frequency of anterior uveitis (AU) and its correlations in a large cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). METHODS: A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 2012 SpA patients in 85 centres from 10 Ibero-American countries. Clinical and demographic variables and disease indexes were investigated. Categorical variables were compared by χ2 and Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were compared by ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: AU was referred by 372 SpA patients (18.5%). AU was statistically associated with inflammatory low back pain (p<0.001), radiographic sacroiliitis (p<0.001), enthesopathies (p=0.004), urethritis/acute diarrhoea (p<0.001), balanitis (p=0.002), hip involvement (p=0.002), HLA-B27 (p=0.003), and higher C-reactive protein (p=0.001), whilst it was negatively associated with the number of painful (p=0.03) and swollen (p=0.005) peripheral joints, psoriatic arthritis (p<0.001), psoriasis (p<0.001), nail involvement (p<0.001), and dactilitis (p=0.062; trend). No association with gender, race, and indices (disease activity, functionality and quality of life) was observed. Logistic regression showed that ankylosing spondylitis (p=0.001) and HLA-B27 (p=0.083; trend) was significantly associated with AU, while extra-articular manifestations (predominantly psoriasis) were negatively associated (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior uveitis is a frequent extra-articular manifestation in SpA patients, positively associated with axial involvement and HLA-B27 and negatively associated with peripheral involvement and psoriatic arthritis.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Rheumatology Practice in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Latin American rheumatologists from a professional, economic, and occupational point of view. METHODS: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey sent to rheumatologists of each non-English-speaking country member of the Pan American League of Rheumatology Associations (PANLAR). A specific questionnaire was developed. RESULTS: Our survey included 1097 rheumatologists from 19 Latin American countries. Median (IQR) age of respondents was 48 (40-59) years and 618 (56.3%) were female. Duration of practice since graduation as a rheumatologist was 17 years, and 585 (53.3%) were aged < 50 years. Most rheumatologists worked in private practice (81.8%) and almost half worked in institutional outpatient centers (55%) and inpatient care (49.9%). The median number of weekly hours (IQR) of face-to-face practice before the pandemic was 27 (15-40) hours, but was reduced to 10 (5-20) hours during the pandemic. Telehealth was used by 866 (78.9%) respondents during the pandemic. Most common methods of communication were video calls (555; 50.6%), telephone calls (499; 45.5%), and WhatsApp voice calls (423; 38.6%). A reduction in monthly wages was reported by 946 (86.2%) respondents. Consultation fees also were reduced and 88 (8%) rheumatologists stated they had lost their jobs. A reduction in patient adherence to medication was reported by nearly 50% of respondents. Eighty-one (7.4%) rheumatologists received a COVID-19 diagnosis and 7 (8.6%) of them were hospitalized. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped rheumatology practice in Latin America and has had a profound effect on rheumatologists' behaviors and clinical practice.

Current status of the rheumatologists' workforce in Latin America: a PANLAR collaborative study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies conducted by various scientific societies have shown that the demand for specialized rheumatology care is greater than the projected growth of the workforce. Our research aims to assess the current status of the rheumatology workforce in Latin America. METHOD: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. A survey was created on the RedCap platform. Data were analyzed with STATA 15® Software. We present descriptive analyses. The rate of inhabitants per rheumatologist was calculated using the number of rheumatologists practicing in each country and the inhabitants for year 2020. RESULTS: Our sample was composed by 19 PANLAR member countries in Latin America. Latin America has one rheumatologist per 106,838 inhabitants. The highest rate of rheumatologist per inhabitants was found in Uruguay (1 per 27,426 inhabitants), and the lowest was found in Nicaragua (1 per 640,648 inhabitants). Mean age was 51.59 (SD12.70), ranging between 28 and 96 years of age. Mean monthly compensation was USD $2382.6 (SD$1462.5). The country with lowest salary was Venezuela ($197), whereas the highest was Costa Rica ($4500). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high variability in rheumatologists' workforce characteristics in Latin America. These results could lead to policies aiming to increase the availability and income of rheumatologists, in order to increase opportunity and quality of care of patients living with rheumatic diseases. Key Points • The rheumatologists' workforce varies significantly among Latin American countries. • The supply of rheumatologists is insufficient for meeting the increasing need for specialists in this field.

Safety and Survival Associated with Biologic Therapies: First Report of the Biobadaguay on the Paraguayan-Uruguayan Registry of Adverse Events with Biologic Therapies. / Seguridad y supervivencia de las terapias biológicas: primer informe del registro paraguayo-uruguayo de acontecimientos adversos con terapias biológicas Biobadaguay.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze adverse events (AE) and survival associated with biologic therapies (BT) in the Biobadaguay, the Paraguayan Uruguayan registry of adverse events. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of undetermined duration. Patients on BT at initiation and controls were included. Clinical, biological and treatment variables were registered. RESULTS: A total of 826 registers were entered (650 BT and 176 controls); 70.9% were women and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most frequent diagnosis (63.2%). The BT most often used was adalimumab and the main cause of discontinuation was loss of efficacy (42.1%). The incidence of AE of patients on BT was 143.9 (128.8-160.8) per 1000 patients/year. In the comparative study of AE related to diagnosis, juvenile idiopathic arthrosis (JIA) was associated with a higher overall number of AE (RTI = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.6-3.4; P = 4.27 ×10-6), whereas RA was associated with a higher number of serious AE (RTI = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1; P =1.17 ×10-2). On the other hand, treatment with tocilizumab was associated with a higher rate of AE (RTI = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.9-3.82; P = 3.13 ×10-8). In JIA, treatment with corticosteroids and number of previous BT was associated with a decrease in BT survival. CONCLUSION: In this first report of the Biobadaguay registry, the main cause of BT discontinuation was loss of efficacy. In terms of the diagnosis involved, RA and JIA were associated with a higher risk of AE. In this registry, variables related to a shorter survival of BT were identified.

Utilidad del Trabecular Bone Score combinado con la densitometría ósea en la valoración de una serie 194 pacientes / Usefulness of Trabecular Bone Score in combination with bone densitometry to assess a series of 194 patients / Utilidade do Trabecular Bone Score combinado com densitometria óssea na avaliação de uma série de 194 pacientes

Resumen: Introducción: la mayoría de las fracturas por fragilidad ocurren en rango densitométrico de osteopenia, la escala ósea trabecular (TBS) permite valorar aspectos de la microarquitectura que influyen en la resistencia ósea. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas y los hallazgos de la microarquitectura ósea aplicando TBS combinado con densitometría ósea (DXA) en un grupo de pacientes. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo, de recolección retrospectiva. Se incluyen los pacientes a los que se les realizó DXA con TBS en el INRU en julio y agosto de 2020. Resultados: se analizaron 194 pacientes, 173 (89%) de sexo femenino y 21 (11%) de sexo masculino. El 36,1% (70 pacientes) en rango de osteopenia, 36,1 (70 pacientes) en rango de osteoporosis. El 32,9% (23 pacientes) con osteopenia y el 47,1% (33 pacientes) con osteoporosis tenían microarquitectura degradada. 76,9% de los pacientes con artritis reumatoidea y 45,8% de los que tenían espondiloartritis presentaban microarquitectura alterada. Conclusiones: el TBS permitió reestratificar el riesgo de fractura en un número importante de pacientes, mostrándose como una herramienta muy útil en la valoración complementaria de la salud ósea.

Summary: Introduction: most fractures that result from bone fragility occur in the osteopenia range The trabecular bone score (TBS) enables the assessment of microarchitecture aspects that impact bone resistance. Objective: to describe the clinical characteristics and findings of bone microarchitecture, by applying TBS and bone densitometry in a group of patients. Method: descriptive study of retrospective collection. Patients who were included in the study underwent a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) with TBS at the National Rheumatology Service between July and August, 2020. Results: 94 patients were analysed, 173 (89%) were female and 21 (11%) were male. 36.1% (70 patients) lay in the osteopenia range, 36.1 (70 patients) in the osteoporotic range. 32.9% (23 patients) with osteopenia and 47.1% (33 patients) with osteoporosis evidenced a degraded bone microarchitecture. 76.9 % of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 45.8 % of patients with spondyloarthritis respectively evidenced altered bone microarchitecture. Conclusions: TBS allowed stratification of fracture risk in a significant number of patients, which may suggest it is a useful tool for complementary assessment of bone health.

Resumo: Introdução: a maioria das fraturas por fragilidade ocorre na faixa densitométrica da osteopenia; o escore de osso trabecular (TBS) permite avaliar aspectos da microarquitetura que influenciam a resistência óssea. Objetivo: descrever as características clínicas e os achados da microarquitetura óssea aplicando TBS combinado com densitometria óssea (DMO) em um grupo de pacientes. Material e métodos: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, incluindo pacientes que realizaram DXA (absorciometria de raios-X de dupla energia) com TBS no INRU em julho e agosto de 2020. Resultados: foram analisados 194 pacientes, 173 (89%) mulheres e 21 (11%) homens. 36,1% (70 pacientes) na faixa de osteopenia, 36,1 (70 pacientes) na faixa de osteoporose. 32,9% (23 pacientes) com osteopenia e 47,1% (33 pacientes) com osteoporose tinham microarquitetura degradada. Nos pacientes com artrite reumatoide 76,9% e nas espondiloartrite 45,8% apresentaram microarquitetura alterada, respectivamente. Conclusões: a TBS permitiu fazer uma nova estratificação do risco de fratura em um número significativo de pacientes, mostrando-se uma ferramenta muito útil na avaliação complementar da saúde óssea.

Gender differences among patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitis associated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease in an iberoamerican spondyloarthritis cohort.

The aim of the study was to compare clinical manifestations, disease activity, functional capacity, spinal mobility, and radiological findings between men and women from a multicenter, multiethnic Ibero-American cohort of patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA).This observational cross-section study included 1264 consecutive SpA patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were evaluated. Categorical data were compared by X or Fisher's exact tests and continuous variables by ANOVA with post-hoc tests.Primary AS was diagnosed in 1072 patients, psoriatic spondylitis in 147, and spondylitis associated to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 45 patients. Overall, male patients were significantly younger, had longer diagnostic delay, lower disease activity, worse spinal mobility, better quality of life, and more severe radiologic damage. Dactylitis and enthesitis, as well as swollen joint count, were significantly more common among women. In primary AS, there was a marked male predominance (76.2%). Among patients with psoriatic spondylitis, male predominance was lower (57.8%), but was also associated with worse spinal mobility and more severe radiologic damage. In the total population, male patients with primary AS referred higher permanent work disability (13.2% vs 6.9%; P < 0.05), although no difference was observed in psoriatic or IBD spondylitis according to the gender.Among Ibero-American SpA patients, there are some differences in clinical and radiological manifestations, men showing more structural damage, whereas women more active disease. These data suggest that the phenotype of SpA differs between genders. This can influence the subsequent diagnostic approach and therapeutic decisions.

Comparison of the clinical expression of patients with ankylosing spondylitis from Europe and Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical, demographic, and serologic characteristics and the treatment of patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from Europe (EU) and Latin America (LA). METHODS: We included 3439 patients from national registries: the Spanish Registry of Spondyloarthritis (REGISPONSER), the Belgian registry (ASPECT), and the Latin American Registry of Spondyloarthropathies (RESPONDIA). We selected patients with diagnosis of AS who met the modified New York classification criteria. Demographic, clinical, disease activity, functional, and metrological measurement data were recorded. Current treatment was recorded. The population was classified into 2 groups: patients with disease duration < 10 years and those with disease duration ≥ 10 years. A descriptive and comparative analysis of variables of both groups was carried out. RESULTS: There were 2356 patients in EU group and 1083 in LA group. Prevalence of HLA-B27 was 71% in LA group and 83% in EU group (p < 0.001). We found a greater frequency of peripheral arthritis and enthesitis (p < 0.001) in the LA population; prevalence of arthritis was 57% in LA and 42% in EU, and for enthesitis, 54% and 38%. Except for treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF), the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), and the association of anti-TNF and methotrexate use showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the 2 populations. CONCLUSION: The principal differences in the clinical manifestations of patients with AS from EU and LA were the greater frequency of peripheral arthritis and enthesitis in LA group, the higher percentage of HLA-B27 in EU group, and the form of treatment, with a greater use of NSAID, steroids, and DMARD in the LA group.

Differential features between primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitis associated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe differential characteristics of axial involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as compared with that seen in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a cohort of Ibero-American patients. METHODS: This study included 2044 consecutive patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA; ESSG criteria). Demographic, clinical, disease activity, functional ability, quality of life, work status, radiologic, and therapeutic data were evaluated and collected by RESPONDIA members from different Ibero-American countries between June and December 2006. Patients selected for analysis met modified New York criteria (mNY) for AS. RESULTS: A total of 1264 patients met the New York criteria for AS: 1072 had primary AS, 147 had psoriatic, and 45 had IBD-associated spondylitis. Median disease duration was comparable among the 3 patient groups. Patients with primary AS were significantly younger (p = 0.01) and presented a higher frequency of males (p = 0.01) than the other 2 groups. Axial manifestations such as inflammatory back pain and sacroiliac pain were significantly more frequent in patients with primary AS (p = 0.05) versus other groups, whereas frequency of dactylitis, enthesitis, and peripheral arthritis was more common in patients with psoriatic spondylitis (p = 0.05). Spinal mobility was significantly more limited in patients with primary AS versus the other 2 groups (p = 0.0001). Radiologic changes according to BASRI total score were equally significant in primary AS. Disease activity (BASDAI), functional ability (BASFI), and quality of life (ASQoL) scores were comparable in the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary AS had more severe axial involvement than those with spondylitis associated with psoriasis or IBD. Functional capacity, disease activity, and quality of life were comparable among the groups studied.