Differentiated Effect of Smoking on Disease Activity and Quality of Life among Different Spondyloarthritis Phenotypes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of smoking on disease activity and quality of life (QoL) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is far from clear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between smoking and these outcomes in patients with axial SpA (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational multicenter study included 242 patients with axSpA and 90 with PsA. The association between conventional cardiovascular risk factors and disease activity as well as QoL, in both SpA phenotypes was evaluated. For this, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, as well as confirmatory meta-analyses. RESULTS: Regardless of age, sex, or disease duration, patients with axSpA showed significantly less association with obesity (OR 0.50 (0.26-0.96), p = 0.03) and hypertension (OR 0.33 (0.18-0.62), p = 0.0005). However, axSpA was significantly associated with smoking (OR 2.62 (1.36-5.04), p = 0.004). Patients with axSpA were more likely to be in a category of high disease activity compared with PsA (OR 2.86, p = 0.0006). Regardless of sex, age, disease duration, and education level, smoking was significantly associated with higher disease activity in axSpA (OR 1.88, p = 0.027). A fixed-effects model meta-analysis (OR 1.70, p = 0.038) confirmed the association between tobacco and disease activity. No relationship was found between smoking (or other cardiometabolic risk factors) and structural damage or worse QoL in either disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although the cardiometabolic risk profile is clearly different between both SpA phenotypes, the only clear link between these factors and increased disease activity was observed between smoking and axSpA. Our findings need further confirmation.

Biological Dose Tapering in Daily Clinical Practice: A 10 Year Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe practice patterns, long-term outcome, and related factors, in relation to biological therapies tapering in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a well-controlled real-world setting. METHODS: An observational longitudinal retrospective 10-year study was conducted in all RA patients receiving biological agents in an RA clinic from May 2003 to October 2013. Biological treatment of patients with sustained DAS28<3.2 or SDAI<11 was tapered (dose down-titrated or interval widen) or discontinued as per practice protocol. Primary outcome of tapering was relapse, defined as an increase in DAS28≥1.2. Descriptive, survival analysis, and logistic regression analysis with first relapse as dependent variable were carried out. RESULTS: Of 193 RA patients on biological treatment (mean age 54±14 years, 81% women), tapering was applied in 106 (55%) and discontinuation in 34 (17.6%). During follow-up 38 patients relapsed (62%). Rate of relapse was 10% at 6 months, 19% at 12 months, 33.2% at 2 years and 50% after 5 years. Mean time in dose reduction was 4.5 years [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.7-5.3]. Six patients (15.7%) did not respond after reinstatement of full dose of biologic. In the multivariate analysis, pain [OR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.43); P<.001] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.03); P=.011] at baseline were associated with relapse after tapering. CONCLUSIONS: Tapering may be considered a long-term option in RA patients on biologics and low disease activity, especially if low ESR and pain scores are present at baseline; treatment reinstatement could be considered a safe option in case of relapse.

Anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis mimicking psoriatic arthritis.

Dermatomyositis causes inflammation and damage of muscle and skin, and sometimes involves internal organs, especially lung parenchyma. Patients with dermatomyositis still represent a diagnostic challenge because of the rarity of this disease and the lack of specificity of some of its cutaneous manifestations. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with dermatomyositis, initially diagnosed as psoriatic arthritis, in which the performance of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies was decisive to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome. / Síndrome sarcoidosis-linfoma.

A 65 year-old female with a history of sarcoidosis with pulmonary and joint involvement, who after 5 years of diagnosis begins with central nervous system involvement manifesting as diplopia. She presents normal analysis results. In imaging results, a mass is identified in the right intraconal space; it depends of right optic nerve, and shows multiple lymph node involvement. Biopsy was performed diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma, an atypical form of tumor associated with sarcoidosis.

Anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis mimicking psoriatic arthritis / Dermatomiositis con anticuerpos anti-MDA5 simulando una artritis psoriásica

Dermatomyositis causes inflammation and damage of muscle and skin, and sometimes involves internal organs, especially lung parenchyma. Patients with dermatomyositis still represent a diagnostic challenge because of the rarity of this disease and the lack of specificity of some of its cutaneous manifestations. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with dermatomyositis, initially diagnosed as psoriatic arthritis, in which the performance of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies was decisive to establish a definitive diagnosis

La dermatomiositis causa inflamación y daño del músculo y la piel, y en ocasiones afecta a órganos internos, especialmente el parénquima pulmonar. Los pacientes con dermatomiositis representan todavía un reto diagnóstico debido a la rareza de esta enfermedad y la falta de especificidad de algunas de sus manifestaciones cutáneas. Describimos el caso de una paciente con dermatomiositis, inicialmente diagnosticada de artritis psoriásica, en la que la determinación de anticuerpos anti-MDA5 fue decisiva para establecer un diagnóstico definitivo

Enfermedad de Van Neck-Odelberg: una causa más de cojera en la infancia / Van Neck-Odelberg disease: a cause of limp in childhood

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Síndrome sarcoidosis-linfoma / Sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome

Mujer de 65 años de edad con antecedentes de sarcoidosis, con afectación pulmonar y articular, que tras 5 años del diagnóstico comienza con afectación del sistema nervioso central, manifestándose como diplopía. Presenta analíticas normales. En las pruebas de imagen se identifica masa intraconal derecha dependiente del nervio óptico derecho, así como múltiple afectación adenopática. Se realizó biopsia con diagnóstico de linfoma B de células grandes, forma atípica de tumor asociado a sarcoidosis (AU)

A 65 year-old female with a history of sarcoidosis with pulmonary and joint involvement, who after 5 years of diagnosis begins with central nervous system involvement manifesting as diplopia. She presents normal analysis results. In imaging results, a mass is identified in the right intraconal space; it depends of right optic nerve, and shows multiple lymph node involvement. Biopsy was performed diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma, an atypical form of tumor associated with sarcoidosis (AU)

Biological dose tapering in daily clinical practice: a 10 year follow-up study / Optimización de la dosis de biológicos en práctica clínica: experiencia de 10 años

OBJECTIVE: To describe practice patterns, long-term outcome, and related factors, in relation to biological therapies tapering in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a well-controlled real-world setting. METHODS: An observational longitudinal retrospective 10-year study was conducted in all RA patients receiving biological agents in an RA clinic from May 2003 to October 2013. Biological treatment of patients with sustained DAS28<3.2 or SDAI<11 was tapered (dose down-titrated or interval widen) or discontinued as per practice protocol. Primary outcome of tapering was relapse, defined as an increase in DAS28≥1.2. Descriptive, survival analysis, and logistic regression analysis with first relapse as dependent variable were carried out. RESULTS: Of 193 RA patients on biological treatment (mean age 54±14 years, 81% women), tapering was applied in 106 (55%) and discontinuation in 34 (17.6%). During follow-up 38 patients relapsed (62%). Rate of relapse was 10% at 6 months, 19% at 12 months, 33.2% at 2 years and 50% after 5 years. Mean time in dose reduction was 4.5 years [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.7-5.3]. Six patients (15.7%) did not respond after reinstatement of full dose of biologic. In the multivariate analysis, pain [OR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.43); P<.001] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.03); P=.011] at baseline were associated with relapse after tapering. CONCLUSIONS: Tapering may be considered a long-term option in RA patients on biologics and low disease activity, especially if low ESR and pain scores are present at baseline; treatment reinstatement could be considered a safe option in case of relapse

OBJETIVO: Describir los patrones de práctica clínica, los resultados a largo plazo y los factores relacionados en relación a la optimización de las terapias biológicas en pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) en un entorno de vida real bien controlado. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional longitudinal de 10 años que incluyó a todos los pacientes con AR que recibieron agentes biológicos en una consulta monográfica de AR entre mayo de 2003 y octubre de 2013. Se optimizó el tratamiento biológico (ajuste de dosis o ampliación de intervalo) en los pacientes con DAS28<3,2 o SDAI<11 de forma mantenida según un protocolo de práctica clínica. La variable principal fue la recaída, definida como un aumento en el DAS28≥1,2. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, de supervivencia y modelos de regresión logística con la primera recaída como variable dependiente. RESULTADOS: De 193 pacientes con AR en tratamiento biológico (edad media 54±14 años, 81% mujeres), se optimizó la dosis en 106 (55%) y se interrumpió el tratamiento en 34 (17,6%). Durante el seguimiento 38 pacientes recayeron (62%). La tasa de recaída fue del 10% a los 6 meses, del 19% a los 12 meses, del 33,2% a los 2 años y del 50% a los 5 años. El tiempo medio con dosis reducida fue de 4 años y medio (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%]: 3,7 a 5,3). Seis pacientes (15,7%) no respondieron después de restablecer la dosis completa de biológico. En el análisis multivariado, el dolor (OR=1,26 [IC 95%: 1,11 a 1,43]; p < 0,001) y la velocidad de sedimentación globular (VSG) (OR por mm/h=1,01 [IC 95%: 1,00 a 1,03]; p = 0,011) al inicio del estudio se asociaron a recaída tras la optimización. CONCLUSIONES: La optimización de la dosis se puede considerar una opción a largo plazo en pacientes con AR en tratamiento con agentes biológicos y baja actividad de la enfermedad, especialmente si la VSG y el dolor están en niveles bajos; la reinstauración del tratamiento podría considerarse una opción segura en caso de recaída en la mayoría de los pacientes