Expected impact of immunomodulatory agents during pregnancy: A newborn's perspective.

The neonatal immune ontogeny begins during pregnancy to ensure that the neonate is well-suited for perinatal life. It prioritizes Th2/M2 and regulatory responses over Th/M1 activity to avoid excessive inflammatory responses and to ensure immune tolerance and homeostasis. Newborns also present increased Th17/Th22 responses providing effective anti-fungal immunity and mucosal protection. Intrauterine exposure to immune modulatory drugs with the placental transfer may influence the natural course of the fetal immune development. The vertical transfer of both biological therapy and small molecules begins during the first trimester through neonatal Fc receptor or placental diffusion, respectively, reaching its maximum transfer potential during the third trimester of pregnancy. Most of the biological therapy have a prolonged half-life in newborn's blood, being detectable in infants up to 12 months after birth (usually 6-9 months). The use of immunomodulators during pregnancy is gaining global interest. Current evidence mainly reports birth-related outcomes without exhaustive analysis of the on-target side effect on the perinatal immune system ontogeny, the infection risk, or the immune dysregulation. The present review will focus on: (1) the main characteristics of the perinatal immune system to understand its specific features and vulnerabilities to immune modulation; (2) the mechanisms of placental transfer of immunomodulators; and (3) the immune changes reported to date in newborns exposed to immunomodulators with emphasis on the current concerns and gaps in knowledge.

Association Between Vitamin D Status and Schizophrenia: A First Psychotic Episode Study.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with schizophrenia. We aimed to determine whether patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) had lower vitamin D levels compared with controls considering their final diagnosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study determining 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood levels. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were considered optimum at 20 ng/mL or greater. A group of 45 adult patients with FEP and a group of 22 healthy controls matched for age were recruited. The patient group was subdivided in two final diagnosis groups (schizophrenia versus other psychoses) after a 6-month follow-up. Average vitamin D values were deficient for FEP patients, especially those 22 with a final diagnosis of schizophrenia. These results relating vitamin D and schizophrenia generate interest to further examine this association.

Development of a care protocol in pregnancy and chronic inflammatory arthritis, in a multidisciplinary work group.

OBJECTIVE: To design a care protocol in Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis during the pre-conceptional period, pregnancy, postpartum and lactation. This protocol aims to be practical and applicable in consultations where patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatological diseases are treated, thus helping to better control these patients. Likewise, recommendations are offered on when patients could be consulted/referred to a specialized center by the physician. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of expert physicians from different specialties identified the key points, analyzed the scientific evidence, and met to develop the care protocol. RESULTS: The recommendations prepared have been divided into three blocks: rheumatology, gynecology and pediatrics. The first block has been divided into pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum visits. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol tries to homogenize the follow-up of the patients from the moment of the gestational desire until the year of life of the infants. It is important to perform tests in patients of childbearing age and use drugs compatible with pregnancy. If appropriate, the patient should be referred to specialized units. Multidisciplinarity (rheumatology, gynecology and pediatrics) is essential to improve the control and monitoring of these patients and their offspring.

A systematic review of SAPHO syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease association.

BACKGROUND: The association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome (SAPHO syndrome) was first reported in 1992. To date, only case reports and short series have been published. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to report new cases and systematically review the literature on this association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with concomitant diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome and IBD were identified from the databases of the rheumatology and gastroenterology departments of our institution. In addition, we systematically searched for published full articles in Medlars Online International Literature via PubMed. Relevant information of each positive match was collected and all authors were contacted for additional clinical data. RESULTS: Three patients sharing both SAPHO syndrome and IBD were identified among the 62 patients with SAPHO syndrome (4.8 % of the SAPHO cohort) and the 1,309 patients with IBD (0.2 % of the IBD cohort) from our hospital database. After a systematic review, a total of 39 reported patients with concomitant diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome and IBD were identified. There was a female predominance and most had Crohn's disease with colonic involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The association of SAPHO syndrome and IBD seems to be rare among IBD patients but not so among SAPHO patients. SAPHO could be underdiagnosed because of the similarity of its clinical manifestations and some more common extraintestinal manifestations or drug-related side effects in IBD.

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture. METHODS: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded. We analyzed associations with risk factors for fracture in both populations and with disease-related variables in RA patients. RESULTS: Median age of RA patients was 64 years; median RA duration was eight years. Sixty-nine percent were in remission or on low activity. Eighty-five percent had received glucocorticoids (GCs); 85 %, methotrexate; and 40 %, ≥1 biologic DMARD. Fifty-four patients and 47 controls had ≥1 major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Incidence of MOFs was 3.55 per 100 patient-year in patients and 0.72 in controls (HR: 2.6). Risk factors for MOFs in RA patients were age, previous fracture, parental hip fracture, years since menopause, BMD, erosions, disease activity and disability, and cumulative dose of GCs. Previous fracture in RA patients was a strong risk for MOFs (HR: 10.37). CONCLUSION: Of every 100 postmenopausal Spanish women with RA, 3-4 have a MOF per year. This is more than double that of the general population. A previous fracture poses a high risk for a new fracture. Other classic risk factors for fracture, RA disease activity and disability, and the cumulative dose of GCs are associated with fracture development.

Multidisciplinary models for pregnancy care in patients with rheumatic diseases: Clinical experiences and experts opinion.

OBJECTIVES: To describe different models of multidisciplinary pregnancy care for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and the steps to follow concerning their implementation. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted including: (1) a comprehensive literature search in PUBMED focused on multidisciplinary care models; (2) structured interviews with seven rheumatologists from multidisciplinary pregnancy clinics for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Data were collected related to the hospitals, medical departments, populations cared for, and multidisciplinary care models (type, material, and human resources, professional requirements, objectives, referral criteria, agendas, protocols, responsibilities, decision-making, research and educational activities, multidisciplinary clinical sessions, initiation/start, planning, advantages/disadvantages, and barriers/facilitators for implementation); (3) a nominal meeting group in which the results of searches and interviews were analyzed and the recommendations for the implementation of the multidisciplinary care models defined. RESULTS: We analyzed seven models of multidisciplinary care in pregnancy, implemented 3-10 years ago, which can all be summarized by two different subtypes: parallel (patients are assessed the same day in the involved medical services) and preferential (patients are assessed on different days in the involved medical services) circuits. The implementation of a specific model results rather from an adaptation to the hospital's and professionals' circumstances. Correct planning and good harmony among professionals are key points to implementing a model. CONCLUSION: Different multidisciplinary care models have been implemented for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases during pregnancy. They pretend to improve care, system efficiency, and collaboration among specialists and should be carefully implemented.

Rheumatology assistance care in Catalonia (Spain): year 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current state of Rheumatology in Catalonia (Spain) and to update information regarding previous studies STUDY DESIGN: observational, descriptive and transversal. SAMPLE: Physicians practicing rheumatology in the public system of Catalonia. An epidemiological questionnaire was sent to all rheumatologists. The results were compared with previously published studies. RESULTS: Information was obtained on 130 rheumatologists (62 men/68 women, mean age 47±9 years). Seventy five (57.7%) physicians worked at a hospital, 5 (3.8%) in primary care and 50 (38.5%) in both. Seven (11.9%) hospitals had no rheumatologist. Eight hospitals were accredited by the National Commission to develop a training program in Rheumatology. The number of residents accredited by each hospital was variable. CONCLUSIONS: The number of rheumatologists in the public health sector in Catalonia has increased 4.8% during the last seven years, unlike the 2005 study in which there was an increase of 40% over the previous eight years. There were 7 hospitals without a rheumatologist.

Dermatosis neutrofílica de las manos (Sweet de las manos) asociada a artritis reumatoide / Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands (Sweet syndrome of the hands) associated with rheumatoid arthritis

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Premenopausal osteoporosis: how to treat?

There is no agreement in defining osteoporosis in premenopausal women and diagnosis must be done carefully and not based on densitometric parameters. One must take into account the presence of other risk factors and history of fragility fractures, diseases or drugs that cause bone loss. Over 50% of premenopausal women with osteoporosis will have a secondary cause, with the remainder diagnosed with idiopathic osteoporosis. Therapeutic considerations are limited by a few studies in this group of patients, especially in regard to the risk of fractures. On the other hand, the FRAX index cannot be applied to premenopausal women. This article will review the measures to apply depending on the type of premenopausal osteoporosis, based on current scientific evidence.

[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener). Description of 15 cases]. / Granulomatosis con poliangeítis (Wegener). Descripción de 15 casos.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GP) is a necrotizing vasculitis of unknown etiology that involves small and medium caliber vessels. It is associated with anti neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA). It most often affects the respiratory tract and the kidneys and its most important pathologic feature is the presence of necrotizing granulomas. OBJECTIVES: To detail the features of 15 patients with GP diagnosed in a university referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study: between 1984 and 2009, 15 patients with GP were diagnosed in our center. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory test as well as pathologic studies and treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Biopsy diagnosis of GP was considered as an inclusion criterion. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were diagnosed: 12 men and 3 women. Mean age at diagnosis: 52.2 years (14-78). 12 patients had a history of smoking. A biopsy was diagnostic in all patients. ANCA were positive in 11 cases, 6 had a cytoplasmic c-ANCA pattern. All patients had pulmonary involvement and seven (40%) had renal involvement. All patients received intravenous glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide as induction therapy. During the disease progression 5 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of this series do not differ from those described by other authors. However, a history of smoking is more common than expected. Frequently used drugs were glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide (oral and pulse therapy). The course was usually unfavorable, with outbreaks or complications due to immunosuppression, except for those with limited forms. Immunosuppressive therapy should be maintained indefinitely in most cases.

Encuesta de satisfacción de tratamientos biológicos en un hospital comarcal / Survey of satisfaction of biological treatments in a regional hospital

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Asistencia reumatológica en el sector sanitario público de Cataluña: año 2012 / Rheumatology assistance care in Catalonia (Spain): Year 2012

Objetivo: Determinar el estado actual de la reumatología en Cataluña, actualizando la información respecto los estudios previos. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. La muestra incluye a todos los médicos que ejercen actividad asistencial reumatológica en Cataluña. Se elaboró un cuestionario específico para el estudio y se remitió a todos los participantes. Los resultados se compararon con los resultados obtenidos en los estudios previos. Resultados: Se obtuvo información acerca de 130 reumatólogos (62 varones/68 mujeres; edad media: 47 + 9 años). La asistencia en reumatología se ejercía de la siguiente manera: 75 (57,7%) médicos trabajaban en el ámbito hospitalario, 5 (3,8%) en la atención primaria y 50 (38,5%) en ambos. En 7 (11,9%) hospitales no había reumatólogo. Ocho hospitales estaban acreditados por la Comisión Nacional de la Especialidad de Reumatología para la formación de reumatólogos mediante el programa MIR. Conclusiones: El número de reumatólogos en el sector sanitario público de Cataluña solo ha aumentado un 4,8% en los últimos 7 años, a diferencia del estudio realizado en 2005, en el que se incrementó un 40% respecto a los 8 años previos. Actualmente, aún hay un hospital universitario sin reumatólogo (AU)

Objective: To determine the current state of Rheumatology in Catalonia (Spain) and to update information regarding previous studies Methods: Study design: observational, descriptive and transversal. Sample: Physicians practicing rheumatology in the public system of Catalonia. An epidemiological questionnaire was sent to all rheumatologists. The results were compared with previously published studies. Results: Information was obtained on 130 rheumatologists (62 men/68 women, mean age 47 ± 9 years). Seventy five (57.7%) physicians worked at a hospital, 5 (3.8%) in primary care and 50 (38.5%) in both. Seven (11.9%) hospitals had no rheumatologist. Eight hospitals were accredited by the National Commission to develop a training program in Rheumatology. The number of residents accredited by each hospital was variable. Conclusions: The number of rheumatologists in the public health sector in Catalonia has increased 4.8% during the last seven years, unlike the 2005 study in which there was an increase of 40% over the previous eight years. There were 7 hospitals without a rheumatologist (AU)

Mejorando la atención del paciente mayor ingresado por fractura de cadera. ¿Hemos de avanzar? / Improving the care of the elderly patient admitted for hip fracture. Should we move forward?

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