Changing trends in rheumatoid arthritis mortality in Mexico, from 1998 to 2017.

The aim was to analyze the distribution and trends of deaths reported for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Mexico in 1998-2017. We carried out a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from Dynamic Cubes, General Direction of Health Information, on deaths related to RA in Mexico. Seropositive RA was diagnosed using the International Classification of Diseases version 10. Variables were categorized by diagnosis, age, and gender. Time trends of age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were analyzed for RA, and the annual percent change (APC) was estimated using Joinpoint trend analysis. We found 714 deaths mentioned as RA and 9,749,956 non-RA deaths between 1998 and 2017. Overall RA mortality decreased from 0.14 in 2004 to 0.04 per 100 000 in 2017 (APC: - 10.3%; 95% CI - 16.5%, - 3.3%), while the non-RA ASMR remained stable. In females, there was an initial increase of 27.3% per year through 1998-2004 and a reduction of - 11.7% per year subsequently, while in males, the APC remained stable between 1998 and 2017. The trend for RA mortality resulted in a cumulative change in the ratio of RA ASMR to non-RA ASMR of - 20.6% in females and + 3.2% in males. Although mortality attributable to RA increased from 1998 to 2004 in Mexico, it began to improve after 2004, particularly in females. Prospective, population-based data could help to identify risk factors that could be altered to improve outcomes.

Usefulness of measuring common carotid intima-media thickness: ultrasound diagnosis of sub-clinical atherosclerosis in rheumatic diseases. A literature review / Medición del grosor de la íntima-media carotídea: utilidad y diagnóstico ecográfico de aterosclerosis subclínica en enfermedades reumáticas. Revisión de la literatura

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatic diseases have an increased cardiovascular risk due to systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which promotes accelerated atherosclerosis. One way to measure cardiovascular risk, is through the carotid intima-media thickness which is an inexpensive and non-invasive predictor of cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To examine the evidence to determine the usefulness of ultrasound in the diagnosis of sub-clinical atherosclerosis in rheumatic diseases assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed, using electronic databases of PubMed, for articles published from January 2005 to May 2015, with no lan-guage restriction. Observational cohort studies that assessed the prevalence of sub-clinical atherosclerosis using the IMT were included. RESULTS: A total of 56 studies were identified for analysis, with almost all (95.7%) reporting an increased IMT in relation to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatic diseases have an increased cardiovascular risk assessed using IMT. This measurement, assessed by carotid ultrasound, may help detect the risk of sub-clinical cardiovascular disease in these populations, allowing to establish a therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality in these patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas tienen un aumento del riesgo cardiovascular debido a inflamación sistémica y disfunción endotelial, lo que promueve una acelerada aterosclerosis. Una de las formas de medir el riesgo cardiovascular es a través del grosor de la íntima-media, evaluada por ultrasonido carotídeo, el cual es un predictor de acontecimientos cardiovasculares de bajo costo y naturaleza no invasiva. OBJETIVO: Revisar la evidencia que describe la utilidad y valor del diagnóstico ecográfico de aterosclerosis subclínica en enfermedades reumáticas, evaluadas mediante el grosor de la íntima-media carotídea (GIMc). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura de la base de datos electrónica PubMed. Se incluyeron artículos desde enero de 2005 a mayo de 2015, sin restricción de idioma. Se incluyeron estudios observacionales de cohorte que evaluaron la prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica mediante la medición del GIMc y estudios de meta-análisis. Se verificó la calidad metodológica de los artículos y se extrajo la información relevante de cada uno. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 56 artículos que cumplieron los requisitos. El 95,7% coincidió con el aumento del GIMc en relación con el grupo control, como marcador predictivo de aterosclerosis subclínica. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas tienen un aumento del riesgo cardiovascular medido a través del GIMc, como lo muestran varios estudios. Esta medición realizada por ultrasonido carotídeo podría ayudar a detectar el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular subclínica en estas poblaciones, lo que permitiría al clínico implementar medidas terapéuticas para reducir el riesgo de morbimortalidad en estos pacientes.

[Subclinical findings in the knees of taekwondo athletes: diagnostic ultrasound study]. / Hallazgos subclínicos en las rodillas de atletas de taekwondo: estudio ultrasonográfico.

UNLABELLED: Taekwondo is associated with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries such as tendinopathy, synovitis, chondropathy, and ligament and meniscus injuries that may have an asymptomatic course in their initial stages, especially those located in the knee. OBJECTIVE: To describe the presence of morphostructural abnormalities in asymptomatic taekwondo athletes' (TKD) knees through the use of diagnostic ultrasound (US). METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study. We evaluated 32 knees of 16 subjects (8 TKD and 8 recreational athletes). All subjects underwent sport-medical history and knee US. RESULTS: A variety of intra- and extra-articular morphostructural abnormalities were observed; the most frequent were synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and enthesopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of Taekwondo abnormalities associated with an increased risk of knee injuries that may go unnoticed in the early stages. The use of US as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of these injuries and/or advisable since it can define in detail the anatomical structures subject to overuse, biomechanical stress, or repetitive trauma, and contribute to early detection of asymptomatic morphostructural alterations that may ensure timely preventive and therapeutic interventions.

[Isokinetic evaluation of the muscular strength and balance of knee extensor and flexor apparatus of taekwondo athletes]. / Valoración isocinética de la fuerza y balance muscular del aparato extensor y flexor de la rodilla en taekwondoines.

UNLABELLED: Lower limb strength and muscular balance are important attributes in the practice of Taekwondo. OBJECTIVE: To assess through isokinetic dynamometry the muscular strength and balance of knee extensor and flexor apparatus of elite Taekwondo athletes and to compare with recreational-type athletes. METHODS: The maximum torque, the angle of maximum torque, maximum torque work, total work of the series, average power, and flexor and extensor muscle apparatus balance of the knees were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 32 knees were studied. Significantly higher values in peak torque and total work of the series were present in the group of TKD athletes in the extensor muscles, while the maximum torque angle of extensor and flexor muscles was higher in controls. We found a muscular imbalance due to flexor muscle strength deficit in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of muscular strength and an imbalance between the knee flexor and extensor muscle groups characterized the predominant motor gesture of TKD athletes. These results are useful in the design and implementation of training programs, to optimize the value of muscular strength and muscle balance in TKD athletes directed to promote optimal athletic performance and prevent sport-related injuries.

[Giant Baker's cyst treated with intralessional methotrexate]. / Quiste de Baker gigante tratado con metrotrexato intralesional.

INTRODUCTION: Synovial cyst is composed by a fibrous wall; lining by a thin layer of synovial cells containing synovial fluid, the prototype of these, in the knee is the Baker's cyst, which is located abnormally in the gastrocnemius semimembranous bursa. Baker's cyst prevalence ranges from 5 - 38%. Clinical diagnosis is supported by the presence of increased volume of soft tissues located in the popliteal region. CLINICAL CASE: A 74 year-old woman with longstanding active rheumatoid arthritis who developed a large, recurrent Baker's cyst. The Baker's cyst had two flare-ups of pain and soft tissue swelling which eventually limited knee movements; was treated with needle aspiration guided by ultrasound and synovectomy with methotrexate twice. At 18-months follow-up, the patient remains without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Local infiltration of methotrexate represents an alternative therapy for those refractory Baker's cyst with partial response to conventional treatment, where the surgical procedure carries a high risk.

Management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Latin America: a consensus position paper from Pan-American League of Associations of Rheumatology and Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio De Artritis Reumatoide.

OBJECTIVE: A consensus meeting of representatives of 18 Latin-American and Caribbean countries gathered in Reñaca, Chile, for 2 days to identify problems and provide recommendations for the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin America, a region where poverty and other health priorities make the efforts to provide effective and high quality care difficult. This report includes recommendations for health professionals, patients, and health authorities in Latin America, with an emphasis on education and therapeutic issues. METHODS: Fifty-one rheumatologists (list available only online on the JCR website) from 18 Latin-American and Caribbean countries with a special interest in RA participated in the consensus meeting. Participants were experts identified and appointed by the National Societies of Rheumatology affiliated with the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) and by the Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio de Artritis Reumatoide (GLADAR)-an independent group of Latin American rheumatologist researchers were also invited to the meeting. Eight topics were identified as priorities: patient, community and allied health professional education, health policy and decision making, programs for early detection and appropriate treatment of RA, role of classic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), role of biologic therapy, and drug safety surveillance. To reach consensus, a survey with questions relevant to the topic of interest was sent to all participants before the meeting. During a 2 day meeting, the answers of the survey were reviewed and discussed by each group, with final recommendations on action items. RESULTS: The specific topic of the survey was answered by 86% of the participants and 68% of them answered the entire survey. It was agreed that RA and rheumatic diseases which are currently not but should be public health priorities in Latin America, because of their prevalence and impact on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Strategic areas identified as priorities for our region included: early diagnosis and access to care by multidisciplinary teams, creation of databases to identify infections with the use of biologic agents in RA which are relevant to Latin America, and overall efforts to improve the care of RA patients in accordance with international standards. Implementation of educational programs aimed to improve self-management for patients with RA was also considered crucial.

[Clinical-ultrasonographic assessment in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair after 1-year follow-up]. / Evaluación clínico-ultrasonográfica en la reparación artroscópica del mango rotador a 1 año de seguimiento postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff have shown have shown encouraging clinical results. However, few authors have assessed integrity of repair with ultrasound. The presence of re-rupture by ultrasonography in a rotator cuff repair may not relate to the patient's functional status. OBJECTIVE: We used ultrasonography to assess the prevalence of re-rupture in rotator cuff repairs and its clinical relevance with minimum 1 year postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evidence level IV (Case series). We evaluated 27 shoulders that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clinical evaluation was performed using UCLA functional scale, visual analogue scale (UCLA, VAS). Post-operative ultrasound was performed at least 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 11.0 software. RESULTS: We examined 27 shoulders, mean age 56.4 (41-78), mean postoperative follow-up 19.6 (12 m-88 m). Clinical assessment with UCLA functional scale results were: good-excellent (77.4%); fair (22.2%). VAS results showed that 44.4% reported VAS of 0; in the range of 1-3 VAS was 55.5% of the patients. Ultrasound evaluation showed no injury in 37%; partial lesion 51.9%, and a total lesion 11.1%. Thirty-three % of the patients with VAS of 0 showed no injury when evaluated by ultrasonography, injury by ultrasound 33.3% with VAS (1-3) 22.2%. UCLA (good-excellent) without injury by ultrasound 33.3% with a 44.4% degree of injury, UCLA (Fair) without injury 3.7%, with some degree of lesion 18.5%. Results no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, we find that integrity of rotator cuff postoperative ultrasound, it has no effect on the functional status of patients with postoperative follow-up of at least 1 year, with UCLA and VAS.

[Treatment guidelines for ankylosing spondylitis and its effect on Mexican rheumatology]. / Fundamentos para el tratamiento de la espondilitis anquilosante y su efecto en la reumatología mexicana.

We describe the guidelines for the current treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with an emphasis on the role and outlook of the Mexican rheumatologic community. The topics we analyze include: epidemiological as well as professional, financial, health status, and quality of life aspects. We propose to acknowledge that axial spondyloarthritis is the earliest form of ankylosing spondylitis. Finally we carry out a review of the literature supporting current therapeutic recommendations. Regarding the latter, we approached the ASAS/EULAR recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and their level of agreement with Mexican and other countries' rheumatologists. Finally, we analyzed the recommendations to start tumor necrosis alpha blockers among patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Fundamentos para el tratamiento de la espondilitis anquilosante y su efecto en la reumatología mexicana / Treatment guidelines for ankylosing spondylitis and its effect on Mexican rheumatology

Esta revisión trata de los fundamentos sobre los que descansa el tratamiento actual de la espondilitis anquilosante, enfatizando la participación y la opinión de la comunidad reumatológica nacional. En la temática se incluye la repercusión de la enfermedad —aspectos epidemiológicos, laborales, económicos, estado de salud y calidad de vida—, propuestas para la identificación de la espondiloartritis axial como la forma más precoz de la espondilitis anquilosante y el análisis de la literatura que dio origen a las recomendaciones terapéuticas actuales. Con relación al último punto, se abordan las recomendaciones ASAS/EULAR para el tratamiento de la espondilitis anquilosante y el nivel de concordancia con la opinión del reumatólogo mexicano y de otros países. Finalmente, se analizan las recomendaciones para iniciar bloqueadores del factor de necrosis tumoral en pacientes con espondilitis anquilosante.

We describe the guidelines for the current treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with an emphasis on the role and outlook of the Mexican rheumatologic community. The topics we analyze include: epidemiological as well as professional, financial, health status, and quality of life aspects. We propose to acknowledge that axial spondyloarthritis is the earliest form of ankylosing spondylitis. Finally we carry out a review of the literature supporting current therapeutic recommendations. Regarding the latter, we approached the ASAS/EULAR recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and their level of agreement with Mexican and other countries' rheumatologists. Finally, we analyzed the recommendations to start tumor necrosis alpha blockers among patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

[Imaging techniques and electromyography in inflammatory myopathies]. / Estudios de imagen y electromiografía en las miopatías inflamatorias.

Different imaging techniques are used for the diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up of inflammatory myopathies; of these techniques, the ones that provide the largest amount of information are ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Electrodiagnosis in inflammatory myopathies is based mainly on electromyography (EMG), which shows different patterns according to the different disease presentations. In the acute phase, polyphasic potentials with diminished amplitude and duration are seen, whereas in its chronic phases, mixed neuropathic and myopathic patterns are found. After corticosteroid treatment, EMG tends to return to normal.

[Imaging: new techniques used in osteoarthritis]. / Imagenología: nuevas técnicas usadas en la osteoartritis.

Nowadays, one of the critical challenges for imaging techniques is the development of more sensitive methods to assess osteoarthritis. This review is focused on the main methods used to evaluate anatomical damage in osteoarthritis patients. Conventional radiography is the more accessible and well known method, but can not evaluate non-calcified tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging allows visualization of articular and extraarticular soft tissues, including the morphologic and biochemical characteristics of cartilage, but it is an expensive and less accessible method. Increasing interest has been shown in ultrasonography as a suitable, non expensive and accurate method which can evaluate articular (including cartilage) and extraarticular structures, with the disadvantage of a limited acoustic window and impossibility to evaluate joint space width.

Evaluación radiográfica del daño anatómico en la artritis reumatoide / Radiographic evaluation of anatomical damage in rheumatoid arthritis

En este artículo revisamos los diferentes métodos de evaluación radiográfica del daño anatómico producido por la artritis reumatoide; sus ventajas y limitaciones, así como las principales características.

In this article we reviewed the different radiologic methods of evaluation of the anatomical damage produced by rheumatoid arthritis; its advantages and limitations, as well as the main characteristics.

Echocardiometric evaluation of cardiovascular abnormalities in Marfan syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of connective tissue with manifestations in various organ-systems including cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the frequency of cardiovascular alterations by echocardiography in 2 age cohorts of Mexican patients with Marfan syndrome and their comparisons with control groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty six with Marfan syndrome and 33 control patients were evaluated by echocardiography. Segments of the aorta and pulmonary artery were measured at different levels, cardiac valves were examined for prolapse and the interatrial septum was assessed for septal aneurysm. Numeric values were corrected for the body surface area and compared with the control group. RESULTS: Mean significant values between group I (children) and Group II (adults) were as follows: aortic annulus 16.62 +/- 4.57 mm/m2 vs 12.81 +/- 1.95 (p < 0.001), aortic root 23.30 +/- 7.49 mm/m2 vs 18.36 +/- 2.97 (p < 0.001), sinuses of Valsalva 24.14 +/- 7.29 mm/m2 vs 19.84 +/- 3.59 (p < 0.001), ascending aorta 18.43 +/- 5.90 mm/m2 vs 17.02 +/- 4.79 (p < 0.001), aortic arch 16.12 +/- 4.73 mm/m2 vs 14.20 +/- 2.68 (p < 0.001). Pulmonary valve prolapse was seen in 10/22 (45.5%) vs 7/44 (15.9%), p < or = 0.03. Interatrial septal aneurysm was found in 3/22 (13.6%) vs 20/44 (45.5%), p < or = 0.03. There was a significative diference in the presence of atrial septal aneurysm between the adult group and control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities in our series is similar to that in the literature with the exception of the very high incidence of pulmonary valve prolapse vs control groups, then it suggests that the clinical manifestations of MFS are strikingly severe in the Mexican population. Also a high incidence of interatrial septal aneurysm (34.9%) in comparison to control groups (18.2%) was found.

Echocardiometric evaluation of cardiovascular abnormalities in Marfan syndrome / Valoración ecocardiométrica de las anomalías cardiovasculares en el síndrome de marfán

Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of connective tissue with manifestations in various organ-systems including cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the frequency of cardiovascular alterations by echocardiography in 2 age cohorts of Mexican patients with Marfan syndrome and their comparisons with control groups. Material and methods: Sixty six with Marfan syndrome and 33 control patients were evaluated by echocardiography. Segments of the aorta and pulmonary artery were measured at different levels, cardiac valves were examined for prolapse and the interatrial septum was assessed for septal aneurysm. Numeric values were corrected forthe body surface area and compared with the control group. Results: Mean significant values between group I (children) and Group II (adults) were as follows: aortic annulus 16.62 ± 4.57 mm/m² vs 12.81 ± 1.95 (p< 0.001), aortic root 23.30 ±7.49 mm/m²vs 18.36 ± 2.97 (p < 0.001), sinuses of Valsalva 24.14 ± 7.29 mm/m² vs 19.84 ± 3.59 (p < 0.001), ascending aorta 18.43 ± 5.90 mm/m² vs 17.02 ± 4.79 (p < 0.001), aortic arch 16.12 ± 4.73 mm/m² vs 14.20 ± 2.68 (p < 0.001). Pulmonary valve prolapse was seen in 10/22 (45.5%) vs 7/44 (15.9%), p < 0.03. Interatrial septal aneurysm was found in 3/22 (13.6%) vs 20/44 (45.5%), p < 0.03. There was a significative diference in the presence of atrial septal aneurysm between the adult group and control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities in our series is similar to that in the literature with the exception of the very high incidence of pulmonary valve prolapse vs control groups, then it suggests that the clinical manifestations of MFS are strikingly severe in the Mexican population. Also a high incidence of interatrial septal aneurysm (34.9%) in comparison to control groups (18.2%) was found.

El síndrome de Marfán es una enfermedad hereditaria del tejido conectivo con manifestaciones en varios órganos incluyendo el sistema cardiovascular. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar y determinar la frecuencia de las alteraciones cardiovasculares mediante ecocardiografía en 2 grupos de pacientes mexicanos con síndrome de Marfán en comparación con los grupos controles. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron mediante ecocardiografía a 66 pacientes con síndrome de Marfán y 33 pacientes del grupo control. Se midieron los segmentos de la aorta y de la arteria pulmonar a diferentes niveles, se valoró prolapso valvular y presencia de aneurisma del septum interatrial. Los valores numéricos fueron corregidos por área de superficie corporal y comparados con el grupo control. Resultados: Los variables con valor significativo entre el grupo I (niños) y el grupo II (adultos) fueron: Anillo aórtico: 16.62 ± 4.57 mm/m² vs 12.81 ± 1.95 (p< 0.001), raíz aórtica 23.30 ±7.49 mm/m²vs 18.36 ± 2.97 (p < 0.001), senos de Valsalva 24.14 ± 7.29 mm/m² vs 19.84 ± 3.59 (p < 0.001), aorta ascendente 18.43 ± 5.90 mm/m² vs 17.02 ± 4.79 (p < 0.001), arco aórtico 16.12 ± 4.73 mm/m² vs 14.20 ± 2.68 (p < 0.001). Se encontró prolapso valvular pulmonar en 10/22 (45.5%) vs 7/44 (15.9%), p < 0.03. Aneurisma del septum interatrial en 3/22 (13.6%) vs 20/44 (45.5%), p < 0.03. Hubo diferencia significativa para la presencia de aneurisma del septum interatrial entre el grupo de adultos y el grupo control (p < 0.001). Conclusiones: La incidencia de anormalidades cardiovasculares en nuestra serie es similar a la reportada en la literatura excepto la alta incidencia de prolapso valvular pulmonar en relación al grupo control, lo que sugiere que las manifestaciones clínicas cardiovasculares del síndrome de Marfán son más severas en la población mexicana. Se encontró también una alta incidencia de aneurisma del septum interatrial (34.9%) en comparación al grupo control (18.2%). (Arch Cardiol Mex 2005; 75: 133-140).