Prevalence and incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Tucumán, Argentina.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Tucumán, Argentina. METHODS: The study included inpatient and outpatient charts from four public hospitals and private practice rheumatology clinics, all of them members of the Tucumán Rheumatology Society. Patients older than 16 years with diagnosis of SLE between January 2005 and December 2012 were included. Prevalence and annual incidence were calculated as the number of cases per 100.000 inhabitants during the period 2005 to 2012. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-three patients were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 30.5 ± 11.7 years, 93.5% women, 83% mestizos. Prevalence was 24.3 cases/100.000 inhabitants (CI 95% 22.6-28.8) and age-adjusted (≥16 years) of 34.9 cases/100.000 inhabitants (CI 95% 32.8-41.1). The annual incidence in 2005 was 1.8 cases/100.000 inhabitants (95% CI 1-2.9) and 2012 of 4.2 cases/100.000 inhabitants (95% CI 2.9-5.8). Mortality was 9.1%, with infections being the most frequent cause (14/32). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SLE in the province of Tucumán was 34.9 cases/100.000 inhabitants.

Nivel de estrés, medido a través de la Escala de Estrés Percibido (EEP-10), y su asociación con la actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea / Stress level, measured through Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and it's association with disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

El estrés es un factor de riesgo en la patogénesis de las enfermedades reumáticas autoinmunes. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre la actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea y estrés. Secundarios: Evaluar la asociación de los niveles de estrés percibido con otros índices de actividad, así como también con discapacidad, ansiedad y depresión y calidad de vida. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos, mayores de 18 años, con diagnóstico de AR (ACR 1987 y/o ACR/EULAR 2010). Se consignaron datos sociodemográficos, características de la enfermedad, parámetros de laboratorio y tratamiento actual. Resultados: Se incluyeron 45 pacientes, edad 48 (DE 11) años. Factor reumatoide + 96%, ACPA + 90%. El 26% de los pacientes presentó Remisión/Baja actividad (R/BA) por RAPID3 (2.6±2) VS 74% con moderada/alta actividad (MA/AA) (15±4). Análisis comparativo entre ambos grupos según nivel de estrés percibido: EEP-10 13±6 (RAPID3 R/BA) VS EEP-10 18±6 (RAPID3 MA/AA) (p=0.02). La EEP-10 presentó correlación con ansiedad (HAD-A) (r=0.7, p<0.001), depresión (HAD-D) (r=0.7, p<0.001), con calidad de vida (EQ5D) (r=-0.36, p=0.02) y con discapacidad funcional (HAQ-A) (r=0.55, p=0.001). Conclusión: Los pacientes con AR con elevada actividad de la enfermedad evaluados por RAPID3, DAS28 e IAS presentaron mayores niveles de estrés percibido con respecto a los pacientes con remisión o baja actividad.

Stress is a risk factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Objective: To evaluate the association between disease activity in patients with RA. Secondary: To evaluate the association of perceived stress levels with other activity indexes (SDAI, CDAI, DAS28 and IAS) as well as with disability, anxiety and depression and quality of life. Material and methods: Patients consecutive, older than 18 years, with diagnosis of RA (ACR 1987 and / or ACR / EULAR 2010) were included. Sociodemographic data, characteristics of the disease, laboratory parameters and current treatment were recorded. The patients completed: SSP-10, HAQ-A, HAD, EQ-5D, RAPID3, VAS Pain and PGA, the physicians calculated DAS28, IAS, CDAI, SDAI and completed PGA. Results: Forty-five patients with an average age of 48 (SD 11) years were included. Rheumatoid factor + 96%, ACPA + 90%. Twenty six percent of the patients had Remission/Low activity (R/LA) by RAPID3 (2.6 ± 2) VS 74% with Moderate / High Activity (MA/HA) (15 ± 4).Comparative analysis between both groups according to perceived stress scale: PSS-10 13±6 (RAPID3 R/LA) Vs PSS-1018±6 (RAPID3 MA/HA) (p=0.02). The same happened when comparing DAS28 and IAS, where there was a significant difference according to PSS-10. The PSS-10 presented correlation with anxiety (HAD-A) (r=0.7, p<0.001), depression (HAD-D) (r=0.7, p<0.001), with quality of life (EQ5D) (r=- 0.36, p=0.02) and with functional disability (HAQ-A) (r=0.55, p=0.001). Conclusion: Patients with RA with high disease activity evaluated by RAPID3, DAS28 and IAS presented higher levels of perceived stress with respect to patients with remission or low activity