Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. / Endocardite trombótica não bacteriana.

An 83-year-old woman with a 10-year history of rheumatoid arthritis was admitted for urinary tract infection with exacerbation of chronic kidney disease and decompensated heart failure of unknown etiology. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a vegetation involving the posterior mitral valve leaflet, and a hypothesis of infective endocarditis was proposed. Empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated. TEE was repeated after antibiotic therapy, and showed persistence of the original vegetation and revealed the presence of another, smaller vegetation. Clinical investigation revealed no infectious process, and so a diagnosis of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) was established. Anticoagulant therapy was started immediately. The NBTE lesion had disappeared on the follow-up echocardiogram two months after anticoagulant therapy.

Comparison between 200 mg generic celecoxib hard capsules and Celebra®: bioequivalence study in healthy male and female subjects under fasting conditions after a single dose / Comparação entre celecoxibe genérico de 200 mg em cápsulas duras e Celebra®: estudo de bioequivalência em indivíduos saudáveis do sexo masculino e feminino, em jejum, após uma dose única

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the bioequivalence between two 200 mg celecoxib hard capsule formulations administered to healthy male and female participants under fasting conditions with the aim of providing an alternative pharmaceutical product to the reference drug, Celebra®. METHODS: A randomized, open label, single dose, 2x2 crossover trial was conducted with 60 adult healthy subjects under fasting conditions comparing single doses of two celecoxib hard capsules formulation. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated following the determination of drugs concentrations in human plasma using a validated liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometer detector method (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: Statistical analysis provided geometric mean of test/reference ratio, confidence intervals, intra-subject variation coefficient and power of the test to the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞. Confidence intervals for the geometric mean (90% CI) of the test/reference drugs for celecoxib were 98.26 to 122.75% for Cmax, 100.27% to 110.78% for AUC0-t, and 96.87% to 110.29% for AUC0-∞. The power of the test found was 95.09% for Cmax, 100.00% for AUC0-t, and 99.99% for AUC0-∞. CONCLUSION: The formulations met the Brazilian standards for interchangeability, as the confidence intervals for Cmax and AUC0-t ratios are within the range of 80% to 125%, thus meeting the requirements of the legislation during market registration. The researched product was approved by the regulatory authorities and became a commercially competitive option to the reference product for the Brazilian population.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a bioequivalência entre duas formulações de cápsulas duras de celecoxibe de 200 mg administradas a participantes saudáveis do sexo masculino e feminino em condições de jejum com o objetivo de fornecer um produto farmacêutico alternativo ao fármaco de referência, Celebra®. MÉTODOS: Estudo randomizado, aberto, de dose única e cruzado 2x2. Foi conduzido com 60 indivíduos adultos saudáveis em condições de jejum, comparando doses únicas de duas formulações de cápsulas duras de celecoxibe. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos foram calculados após a determinação das concentrações dos fármacos no plasma humano usando uma cromatografia líquida validada com um método detector de espectrômetro de massa em tandem (LC-MS/MS). RESULTADOS: A análise estatística forneceu a média geométrica da razão teste/referência, os intervalos de confiança, o coeficiente de variação intra-sujeito e o poder do teste para os parâmetros farmacocinéticos Cmáx, AUC0-t e AUC0-∞. Os intervalos de confiança para a média geométrica (IC 90%) dos fármacos teste/referência para o celecoxibe foram 98,26 a 122,75% para Cmáx, 100,27% a 110,78% para AUC0-t e 96,87% a 110,29% para AUC0-∞. O poder do teste encontrado foi de 95,09% para Cmáx, 100,00% para AUC0-t e 99,99% para AUC0-∞. CONCLUSÃO: As formulações atenderam aos padrões brasileiros de intercambialidade, pois os intervalos de confiança para as razões Cmáx e AUC0-t estão dentro da faixa de 80% a 125%, atendendo, assim, às exigências da legislação para o registro no mercado. O produto pesquisado foi aprovado pelas autoridades regulatórias e tornou-se uma opção comercialmente competitiva ao produto de referência para a população brasileira.

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease / Doença pulmonar intersticial associada a doença do tecido conjuntivo

ABSTRACT Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) represents a group of systemic autoimmune disorders characterized by immune-mediated organ dysfunction. Systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, and Sjögren's syndrome are the most common CTDs that present with pulmonary involvement, as well as with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. The frequency of CTD-ILD varies according to the type of CTD, but the overall incidence is 15%, causing an important impact on morbidity and mortality. The decision of which CTD patient should be investigated for ILD is unclear for many CTDs. Besides that, the clinical spectrum can range from asymptomatic findings on imaging to respiratory failure and death. A significant proportion of patients will present with a more severe and progressive disease, and, for those, immunosuppression with corticosteroids and cytotoxic medications are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment. In this review, we summarized the approach to diagnosis and treatment of CTD-ILD, highlighting recent advances in therapeutics for the various forms of CTD.

RESUMO Doença pulmonar intersticial associada à doença do tecido conjuntivo (DPI-DTC) representa um grupo de distúrbios autoimunes sistêmicos caracterizados por disfunção de órgãos imunomediada. Esclerose sistêmica, artrite reumatoide, miosite inflamatória idiopática e síndrome de Sjögren são as DTC mais comuns que apresentam acometimento pulmonar, bem como pneumonia intersticial com achados autoimunes. A frequência de DPI-DTC varia de acordo com o tipo de DTC, mas a incidência total é de 15%, causando um impacto importante na morbidade e mortalidade. A decisão sobre qual paciente com DTC deve ser investigado para DPI não é clara para muitas DTC. Além disso, o espectro clínico pode variar desde achados assintomáticos em exames de imagem até insuficiência respiratória e morte. Parte significativa dos pacientes apresentará doença mais grave e progressiva, e, para esses pacientes, imunossupressão com corticosteroides e medicamentos citotóxicos são a base do tratamento farmacológico. Nesta revisão, resumimos a abordagem do diagnóstico e tratamento de DPI-DTC, destacando os recentes avanços na terapêutica para as diversas formas de DTC.

Análise preliminar do uso de biológicos no tratamento da artrite reumatoide / Preliminary analysis for the use of biologicals in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Introdução: A artrite reumatoide é tratada com drogas modificadoras da doença convencionais e biológicas. Objetivos: Comparar a sobrevida de medicamentos biológicos utilizados para o tratamento de pacientes com artrite reumatoide. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de prontuários de pacientes que utilizaram medicamento biológico para tratamento de artrite reumatoide de janeiro de 2020 a janeiro de 2022 e este foi suspenso. Dados acerca das causas de retirada, tempo de uso, dados epidemiológicos, clínicos e de comorbidades foram coletados. Resultados: O principal motivo da descontinuidade foi a falha seguida por efeitos colaterais. Infliximabe e adalimumabe foram os que apresentaram maior sobrevida. Índice de massa corporal e o tabagismo, sexo e idade não mostraram interferência nesta sobrevida Conclusão: Falha é a causa mais comum de descontinuidade dos biológicos. Dentre os fatores estudados (fumo, indice de massa corporal, idade e sexo) não foi possível identificar variável que se associasse com falha.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with conventional and biological disease-modifying drugs. Objectives: To compare the survival of biological drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods: Retrospective study of medical records of patients who used biological medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis from January 2020 to January 2022 and this was suspended. Data on the causes of withdrawal, duration of use, epidemiological, clinical and comorbid data were collected. Results: The main reason for discontinuity was failure followed by side effects. Infliximab and adalimumab had the highest survival. Body mass index and smoking, sex and age did not interfere in this survival. Conclusion: Failure is the most common cause of biological discontinuity. Among the factors studied (smoking, body mass index, age and gender) it was not possible to identify a variable that was associated with failure.

Hipogamaglobulinemia e rituximabe: relato de casos / Hypogammaglobulinemia and rituximab: case reports

Secondary immunodeficiency can result from neoplasms, infections, or immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab (RTX) is an anti-CD20 antibody that depletes B lymphocytes and can induce symptomatic hypogammaglobulinemia. We report 3 cases of symptomatic hypogammaglobulinemia associated with the use of RTX. In patient 1 with rheumatoid arthritis, RTX induced low levels of immunoglobulins and recurrent airway infections. RTX discontinuation led to a normalization of the humoral immune response. Patients 2 and 3, treated with RTX for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively, developed persistent secondary hypogammaglobulinemia requiring immunoglobulin replacement therapy for years. After RTX discontinuation, patients may experience rapid recovery of humoral function or remain with low serum immunoglobulin levels for extended periods. With the increasing use of therapies targeting components of the immune system, a high degree of clinical suspicion for the development of secondary immunodeficiency may minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with these therapies.

As imunodeficiências secundárias podem ser uma consequência de neoplasias, infecções ou tratamentos imunossupressores. O rituximabe (RTX) é um anticorpo anti-CD20 que depleta os linfócitos B e pode induzir uma hipogamaglobulinemia sintomática. Aqui, relatamos três casos de hipogamaglobulinemia sintomática associada ao uso de RTX. Na primeira paciente com artrite reumatoide, o RTX induziu a baixos níveis de imunoglobulinas associadas a infecções de vias aéreas de repetição. Após a suspensão do RTX, houve normalização da resposta imune humoral. Os outros dois casos, com o uso de RTX para tratamento de linfoma não-Hodgkin e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, respectivamente, as pacientes evoluíram com hipogamaglobulinemia secundária persistente, com necessidade de reposição de imunoglobulina por vários anos. Pacientes tratados com RTX podem apresentar, após a sua suspensão, uma recuperação rápida da função humoral ou permanecerem com baixos níveis séricos de imunoglobulinas por longos períodos. Com o crescente uso dos tratamentos direcionados para componentes do sistema imunológico, um alto grau de suspeição clínica para o aparecimento de imunodeficiências secundárias pode minimizar a morbimortalidade associada a estes tratamentos.

Medicamentos para artrite reumatoide fornecidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde em 2019 no Brasil: estudo de coorte / Drugs for rheumatoid arthritis provided by the Unified Health System in 2019 in Brazil: a cohort study

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar características do fornecimento e fatores associados ao tratamento da artrite reumatoide no Brasil, com foco nos medicamentos biológicos modificadores do curso da doença (MMCDbio). Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo com dados secundários do Sistema de Informação Ambulatorial do Sistema Único de Saúde. Foram incluídos pacientes com 16 anos ou mais, atendidos nos doze meses do ano de 2019. As análises foram feitas com fatores de exposição em relação aos desfechos: uso de MMCDbio e porte populacional. O estudo incluiu 155.679 pacientes, sendo 84,6% mulheres. Observou-se maior troca de MMCDbio e maior provisão de médicos reumatologistas nos municípios de maior porte (mais de 500 mil habitantes). Quase 40% dos pacientes utilizaram MMCDbio e estes apresentaram maior adesão ao tratamento (57,0% versus 64%, p=0,001). A dispensação de MMCDbio ocorreu para mais de um terço dos pacientes tratados para AR no Brasil e esteve associada ao maior percentual de disponibilidade de médicos reumatologistas e ao maior porte populacional dos municípios.

Abstract This study analyzes supply characteristics and factors associated with the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Brazil, with a focus on disease course-modifying biological drugs (bioDMARDs). A retrospective study was conducted with secondary data from the Outpatient Information System of the Unified Health System. Patients aged 16 years or older who were treated in 2019 were eligible. The analyses were performed with exposure factors in relation to the outcomes: bioDMARD use and population size. The study included 155,679 patients, 84.6% of whom were women. There was a greater exchange of bioDMARDs and a greater supply of rheumatologists in the larger municipalities (more than 500,000 inhabitants). Almost 40% of the patients used bioDMARDs, and they showed greater adherence to treatment (57.0% versus 64%, p=0.001). The dispensing of bioDMARDs occurred in more than one-third of the patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Brazil and was associated with a higher percentage of availability of rheumatologists and larger population size.

Higher pain intensity is associated with less resilience in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / Maior intensidade de dor está associada com menor resiliência em pacientes com artrite reumatoide

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, chronic and autoimmune disease that causes joint damage and can lead to physical disability. Patients with chronic and debilitating diseases such as arthritis need to adapt to the new reality. These changes may have less impact on patients with greater self-efficacy and resilience. Psychosocial factors influence the quality of life (QoL) of these patients, so the aim of this study was to assess resilience in this population and its relationship with pain, functional capacity and disease activity. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with patients at a medical specialties clinic, using a sociodemographic, a clinical-laboratory, a health assessment, a disease activity score questionnaires and the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale. The data was analyzed using Fisher's Exact, Chi-square, Student's t and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: 120 patients participated in the study, 89.2% female, mean age 56.9 ± 10.7 years. Pain was classified as severe by 40.8%, 65.8% had disease in remission and 50.8% had mild disability. The resilience of 49.2% was high. There was an association between lower resilience and: presence of painful joints (p=0.004) and greater pain intensity (p=0.014). There was a lower average of resilience (130.95) in participants with severe disability. CONCLUSION: Patients with less resilient rheumatoid arthritis had greater functional disability, painful joints and greater pain intensity. In addition, from the moment additional measures are adopted, such as educational actions and behavioral strategies, with an emphasis on resilience, which help in the control and clinical outcome of the disease, there will certainly be a positive impact on the quality of life of these patients.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A artrite reumatoide é uma doença inflamatória, crônica e autoimune, que acarreta lesão articular e pode ocasionar incapacidade física. Pacientes com doenças crônicas e debilitantes como a artrite necessitam se adaptar à nova realidade. Essas mudanças podem ser menos impactantes em pacientes com maior autoeficácia e resiliência. Os fatores psicossociais exercem influência na qualidade de vida (QV) desses pacientes, portanto o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resiliência nessa população e sua relação com dor, capacidade funcional e atividade da doença. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal, realizada com pacientes de uma clínica de especialidades médicas, através dos questionários sociodemográfico, clínico-laboratorial, de avaliação da saúde, de escore da atividade da doença,e avaliação da saúde, de escore da atividade da doença, e da escala de Resiliência de Wagnild e Young. A análise dos dados foi feita através dos testes Exato de Fisher, Qui-quadrado, t de Student e ANOVA. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 120 pacientes, sendo 89,2% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 56,9±10,7 anos. A dor foi classificada como intensa por 40,8%; 65,8% dos pacientes estavam com doença em remissão e 50,8% com incapacidade leve. A resiliência de 49,2% foi elevada. Foi verificada uma associação entre menor resiliência e: presença de articulações dolorosas (p=0,004) e maior intensidade de dor (p=0,014). Foi verificada menor média de resiliência (130,95) nos participantes com incapacidade grave. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com artrite reumatoide menos resilientes apresentaram maior incapacidade funcional, articulações dolorosas e maior intensidade de dor. Além disso, a partir do momento em que se adota medidas adicionais, tais como ações educativas e estratégias comportamentais, com ênfase na resiliência, que auxiliem no controle e no desfecho clínico da doença, certamente haverá impacto positivo na QV dos pacientes.

Manifestações clínicas de ceratite ulcerativa periférica com ceratite neurotrófica: desafio terapêutico / Clinical manifestations of peripheral ulcerative keratitis together with neurotrophic keratitis: therapeutic challenge

RESUMO A ceratite ulcerativa periférica é uma infiltração corneana imunomediana associada a doenças autoimunes e inflamatórias sistêmicas. Comumente associada à artrite reumatoide, ela também pode estar associada a outras doenças reumatológicas, inflamatórias e doenças infecciosas. A ceratite ulcerativa periférica é geralmente unilateral e periférica, devido à proximidade com a vasculatura conjuntival. Há tipicamente um defeito epitelial sobrejacente ao infiltrado e afinamento do estromal associado. O objetivo deste relato de caso foi abordar uma das possíveis etiologias de ceratite ulcerativa periférica associada a quadro de ceratite neurotrófica por herpes simplex, apresentar sua apresentação clínica aguda e alertar sobre as implicações do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is an immune-mediated corneal infiltration associated with autoimmune diseases and systemic inflammation. Commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, it may also be associated with other rheumatologic, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. PUK is usually unilateral and peripheral, due to its proximity to the conjunctival vasculature. There is usually an epithelial defect overlying the infiltrate and the associated stromal thinning. The objective of this case report is to address one of the possible etiologies of PUK associated with a picture of neurotrophic keratitis due to Herpes Simplex and its acute clinical presentation, and to warn about possible suggestions for treatment.

Estudo comparativo da qualidade de vida de doentes com lúpus, artrite reumatoide e fibromialgia / Comparative study of quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia

Introdução: Doenças reumatológicas são enfermidades que acometem o sistema locomotor e afetam a qualidade de vida dos portadores. Objetivos: Comparar a qualidade de vida naqueles com lúpus, artrite reumatoide e fibromialgia. Métodos: Estudo observacional no qual foi aplicado o Questionário de Qualidade de Vida SF-36 em 136 pacientes diagnosticados com lúpus, artrite reumatóide e fibromialgia. Resultados: Os com lúpus apresentaram menor limitação funcional e os artrite reumatóide apresentaram mais dor. A avaliação do estado geral de saúde (p=0,26), da vitalidade (p=0,09), da aspectos sociais (p=0,44), saúde emocional (p=0,82) não demonstraram relevância estatística. Conclusão: As 3 doenças reumáticas apresentam diminuição da QoL, mas os com mais dor foram os com artrite reumatóide, e os com menor limitação funcional os de lúpus.

Background: Rheumatologic illnesses are diseases that affect the locomotor system and decrease patient's quality of life. Objective: To compare quality of life in patients diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Methods: Cross-sectional study with application of the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire to 136 patients diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Results: Patients with lupus had lower functional limitation and those with rheumatoid arthritis presented more pain. The assessment of general health status (p=0.26), vitality (p=0.09), social aspects (p=0.44), emotional health (p=0.82) did not show statistical relevance. Conclusion: The 3 rheumatic diseases showed a decrease in quality of life, but the one with the most pain was rheumatoid arthritis, and the lowest functional limitation was found in lupus.

Tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis: a pictorial essay / Manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas na artrite reumatoide: ensaio pictórico

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory and heterogeneous disease that affects several systems, especially the joints. Among the extra-articular manifestations of RA, pleuropulmonary involvement occurs frequently, with different presentations, potentially in all anatomic thoracic compartments, and may determine high morbidity and mortality. The most common pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA include interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleural disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, rheumatoid lung nodules, airway disease (bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis), and lymphadenopathy. Pulmonary hypertension and ILD are the manifestations with the greatest negative impact in prognosis. HRCT of the chest is essential in the evaluation of patients with RA with respiratory symptoms, especially those with higher risk factors for ILD, such as male gender, smoking, older age, high levels of rheumatoid factor, or positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody results. Additionally, other etiologies that may determine tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA are infections, neoplasms, and drug-induced lung disease. In these scenarios, clinical presentation is heterogeneous, varying from being asymptomatic to having progressive respiratory failure. Knowledge on the potential etiologies causing tomographic pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with RA coupled with proper clinical reasoning is crucial to diagnose and treat these patients.

RESUMO A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória autoimune e heterogênea que afeta vários sistemas, principalmente as articulações. Dentre as manifestações extra-articulares da AR, o acometimento pleuropulmonar ocorre com frequência, com diferentes apresentações, potencialmente em todos os compartimentos anatômicos do tórax e pode determinar alta morbidade e mortalidade. As manifestações pleuropulmonares mais comuns em pacientes com AR incluem doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI), doença pleural, hipertensão arterial pulmonar, nódulos pulmonares reumatoides, doença das vias aéreas (bronquiectasia e bronquiolite) e linfadenopatia. A hipertensão pulmonar e a DPI são as manifestações com maior impacto negativo no prognóstico. A TCAR de tórax é essencial na avaliação de pacientes com AR sintomáticos respiratórios, principalmente aqueles com fatores de risco maiores para DPI, como sexo masculino, tabagismo, idade mais avançada, níveis elevados de fator reumatoide ou anticorpos antipeptídeos citrulinados cíclicos positivos. Além disso, outras etiologias que podem determinar manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas em pacientes com AR são infecções, neoplasias e doença pulmonar induzida por drogas. Nesses cenários, a apresentação clínica é heterogênea, variando de ausência de sintomas a insuficiência respiratória progressiva. O conhecimento das possíveis etiologias causadoras de manifestações pleuropulmonares tomográficas em pacientes com AR, aliado a um raciocínio clínico adequado, é fundamental para o diagnóstico e tratamento desses pacientes.

Measuring fatigue with multiple instruments in a Brazilian cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of fatigue in a Brazilian population with early rheumatoid arthritis using multiple instruments, and the predictors of these instruments by differents independent variables. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with direct interview and medical records review. Fatigue, dependent variable, was assessed using eight instruments: Profile of Mood States (POMS), Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ), Numerical Rating Scales (BRAF-NRS), Short-form Survey 36 (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) and Visual Analogic Scale for Fatigue (VASf). INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: sociodemographic, clinical and serological, were measured using medical records and direct interview. Disability and disease activity were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and disease activity assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28 joints (DAS28). The scores of scales demonstrated the level of fatigue and multiple linear regression method used in statistical analysis to demonstrate prediction models. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients was assessed, and 57 reported clinically relevant fatigue (VASf>2), representing 71.25% prevalence point (51 women [89.5%], mean age 48.35±15 years, and mean disease duration of 4.92±3.8 years). Eight predictive models showed statistical significance, one for each fatigue instrument. The highest coefficient of determination (R2) was 56% for SF-36 and the lowest (R2=21%) for FSS. The HAQ was the only independent variable to predict fatigue on all instruments. CONCLUSION: Clinically relevant fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom and is mostly predicted by disability and age in the population assessed.

Perfil clínico e epidemiológico e comorbidades dos pacientes com artrite reumatoide atendidos no centro de especialidades médicas do centro universitário do Pará / Clinical and epidemiological and comorbidities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis assisted at the medical specialties center of Centro Universitário do Pará

Objetivos: Descrever as características clínico e epidemiológicas e a prevalência das comorbidades que acometem os pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR) atendidos no ambulatório de reumatologia do Centro de Especialidades Médicas do Cesupa (CEMEC). Métodos: Estudo descritivo, observacional e retrospectivo realizado por meio da coleta de dados de prontuários médicos, no período de janeiro a novembro de 2020, de pacientes com artrite reumatoide, atendidos no Centro de Especialidades Médicas do Cesupa no período de 2012 a 2020. Resultados: Foram analisados 122 prontuários. A maioria dos pacientes foi do sexo feminino (88,52%). A raça predominante foi a não branca (90,88%) e a idade média dos participantes foi 54,09 anos (DP± 11,33). A maioria dos pacientes apresentavam fatores reumatoides positivo (56,55%). O tempo médio de doença foi de 9,7 anos (±8,57). As principais comorbidades não infecciosas encontradas foram: hipertensão arterial (40,16%), osteoporose (23,77%), dislipidemia (19,67%), diabetes (12,29%), obesidade (8,19%), depressão (4,09%), neoplasias (2,45%) e osteopenia (1,63%). Os medicamentos utilizados foram metotrexato (59,83%), prednisona (55,73%), leflunomida (36,06%), tocilizumabe (7,37%), anti-TNF (7,37%), anti-inflamatórios não hormonais (6,55%), tofacitinibe (2,45%), abatacepte (2,45%) e rituximabe (0%). Conclusão: As principais comorbidades que atingiram estes pacientes foram a hipertensão, osteoporose e dislipidemia. Assim, verifica-se a necessidade do controle de fatores de risco modificáveis dessas comorbidades assim como prezar pelo uso de doses baixas e pelo menor tempo possível, a fim de, apenas enquanto as drogas modificadoras de doença reumática (DMARDs) não estão fazendo efeito, reduzir a prevalência dessas comorbidades nestes pacientes.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the prevalence of the main non ­ infectious comorbidities that affect patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Centro de Especialidades Médicas do Cesupa (CEMEC). Methods: This is a descriptive, observational and retrospective study carried out by collecting data from medical records, from January to November 2020, of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, treated a Centro de Especialidades Médicas from 2012 to 2020. Results: In total, 122 medical records were analyzed, most of which corresponded to female patients (88.52%). The predominant race was non-white (90.88%) and the mean age of the participants was 54.09 years, with a standard deviation of 11.33 years. Regarding the rheumatoid factor, most of the sample is positive (56.55%). The mean disease duration was 9.7 years, with a standard deviation of 8.57 years. The main non-infectious comorbidities found were: arterial hypertension (40.16%), osteoporosis (23.77%), dyslipidemia (19.67%), diabetes (12.29%), obesity (8.19%) depression (4,09%), neoplasms (2.45%) and osteopenia (1.63%). The drugs used were methotrexate (59.83%), prednisone (55.73%), leflunomide (36.06%), tocilizumab (7.37%), anti-TNF (7.37%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. hormonal agents (6.55%), tofacitinib (2.45%), abatacept (2.45%) and rituximab (0%). Conclusion: The main comorbidities that affected these patients were hypertension, osteoporosis and dyslipidemia; and the most used drugs were prednisone, methotrexate and leflunomide, which are also related to the emergence of these pathologies. Thus, there is a need to encourage the practice of physical activity, as well as to value the use of low doses of corticosteroids, only while disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are ineffective, in order to reduce the prevalence of these Comorbidities in these patient

Incidence of tuberculosis among patients with rheumatoid arthritis using TNF blockers in Brazil: data from the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas - BiobadaBrasil).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of tuberculosis and to screen for latent tuberculosis infection among Brazilians with rheumatoid arthritis using biologics in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cohort study used data from the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (Registro Brasileiro de Monitoração de Terapias Biológicas - BiobadaBrasil), from 01/2009 to 05/2013, encompassing 1552 treatments, including 415 with only synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, 942 synthetic DMARDs combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) and 195 synthetic DMARDs combined with other biologics (abatacept, rituximab and tocilizumab). The occurrence of tuberculosis and the drug exposure time were assessed, and screening for tuberculosis was performed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Unpaired t-test and Fisher's two-tailed test; p<0.05. RESULTS: The exposure times were 981 patient-years in the controls, 1744 patient-years in the anti-TNF group (adalimumab=676, infliximab=547 and etanercept=521 patient-years) and 336 patient-years in the other biologics group. The incidence rates of tuberculosis were 1.01/1000 patient-years in the controls and 2.87 patient-years among anti-TNF users (adalimumab=4.43/1000 patient-years; etanercept=1.92/1000 patient-years and infliximab=1.82/1000 patient-years). No cases of tuberculosis occurred in the other biologics group. The mean drug exposure time until the occurrence of tuberculosis was 27(11) months for the anti-TNF group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of tuberculosis was higher among users of synthetic DMARDs and anti-TNF than among users of synthetic DMARDs and synthetic DMARDs and non-anti-TNF biologics and also occurred later, suggesting infection during treatment and no screening failure.

Socioeconomic and therapy factor influence on self-reported fatigue, anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue, anxiety and depression are very frequent symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). GOALS: In this study we evaluated the influence of socioeconomic characteristics, therapy and comorbidities on the self-reported high fatigue, anxiety and depression in patients with RA. METHOD: Multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 22 health institutions in Serbia during the period from April-August 2014 in population of older RA patients. Self-reported patients health status was measured by: Fatigue Assessment Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Treatment modalities were defined as: (1) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or analgesics and/or corticosteroids; (2) synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs and (3) any RA treatment which includes biologic DMARDs. RESULTS: There were significant predictors of high depression: synthetic DMARDs therapy in combination with corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs, physiotherapist self-payment, frequent taxi use, alternative treatment and employment status. The need for another person's assistance, supplemental calcium therapy and professional qualifications were the predictors of a high fatigue, whereas the age above 65 years had the protective effect on it. Anxiety was an independent high fatigue predictor. The predictors of a high anxiety were: gastroprotection with proton-pump inhibitors and patient occupation. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic predictors of self-reported high depression, anxiety or fatigue are different for each of the mentioned outcomes, while accompanied with the basic RA treatment they exclusively explain a high depression. The anxiety, jointed with the socioeconomic variables and supplemental therapy, is a significant fatigue predictor in RA patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis seems to have DMARD treatment decision influenced by fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare DMARD use in patients with and without FM over time, including overtreatment and undertreatment rates in both groups. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with patients attending an RA outpatient clinic was conducted. Participants were consecutively recruited between March 2006 and June 2007 and were followed through December 2013. Data on DMARD use (prevalences, doses and escalation rates), DAS28, HAQ and radiographic progression were compared among RA patients with FM and without FM. Mistreatment clinical scenarios were allegedly identified and compared between groups. RESULTS: 256 RA patients (32 with FM) were followed for 6.2±2.0 (mean±SD) years comprising 2986 visits. At baseline, RA duration was 11.1±7.4 years. DAS28 and HAQ were greater in RA with FM group, and were closer to RA without FM group towards the end. RA patients with FM used higher doses of tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide and prednisone, and lower doses of methotrexate. When compared to RA patients without FM, participants with RA and FM used more often tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide, prednisone, continuous analgesics and less often methotrexate. Groups presented similar 7-year biologic-free survival, and radiographic progression-free survival in Cox regression. RA patients with FM had greater proportions of visits in mistreatment scenarios when compared to RA patients without FM (28.4 vs. 19.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients with FM used more leflunomide and prednisone, and RA mistreatment was more frequent in FM patients. Certainly, RA patients with FM will benefit from a personalized T2T strategy, including ultrasound (when suitable) and proper FM treatment.

Intestinal parasites infection: protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a progressive course, characterized by chronic synovitis that may evolve with deformities and functional disability, and whose early treatment minimizes joint damage. Its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated but comprises immunologic responses mediated by T helper cells (Th1). An apparent minor severity of RA in patients from regions with lower income could be associated with a higher prevalence of gut parasites, especially helminths. Strictly, a shift in the immune response toward the predominance of T helper cells (Th2), due to the chronic exposure to helminths, could modulate negatively the inflammation in RA patients, resulting in lower severity/joint injury. The interaction between the immunological responses of parasitic helminths in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the purpose of this paper.

Determinantes psicológicos da qualidade-de-vida em pessoas com artrite reumatóide / Determinantes psicológicos de la calidad de vida en personas con artritis reumatoide / Psychological determinants of quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o estado emocional, nas dimensões ansiedade e depressão, e a qualidade de vida, em pessoas com artrite reumatóide. Métodos Estudo primário, descritivo e transversal, desenvolvido na região norte de Portugal, com uma amostra de 139 pessoas com artrite reumatóide (79,86% mulheres) e com média de idades de 63.05 anos. Foram aplicados: um questionário sociodemográfico, a escala "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" e o questionário "EQ-5D - Avaliação de Ganhos em Saúde". Na análise de dados, por meio do programa IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 24 , recorreu-se à estatística inferencial, considerando-se estatisticamente significativo um p < 0,05. Resultados Os achados sobre o estado emocional mostraram níveis de ansiedade severos em 45,3%, ansiedade moderada em 36,7%, ansiedade leve em 10,1% e apenas 7,9% dos participantes pontuaram sem ansiedade. A maioria não apresenta sintomatologia depressiva (71,9%) e 13,7% manifestou depressão leve. Os baixos níveis de depressão foram associados a uma melhor qualidade-de-vida, contrariamente aos níveis de ansiedade, onde uma diminuição dos mesmos diminui a qualidade-de-vida (p=0,000). Conclusão Observou-se que a ansiedade e a depressão emergiram como preditores da QDV em pessoas com AR. Para proteger e melhorar a saúde dos pacientes, destaca-se a necessidade de implementar intervenções de enfermagem direcionadas ao controle dos fatores que induzem comportamentos ansiogênicos e depressivos.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar el estado emocional, en las dimensiones ansiedad y depresión, y la calidad de vida, en personas con artritis reumatoide. Métodos Estudio primario, descriptivo y transversal, desarrollado en la región norte de Portugal, con una muestra de 139 personas con artritis reumatoide (79,86 % mujeres) con un promedio de edad de 63.05 años. Se aplicaron: un cuestionario sociodemográfico, la escala "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" y el cuestionario "EQ-5D - Avaliação de Ganhos em Saúde". En el análisis de datos, por medio del programa IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 24 , se recorrió a la estadística inferencial, y se consideró estadísticamente significante un p < 0,05. Resultados Los hallazgos sobre el estado emocional mostraron niveles de ansiedad severos en 45,3 %, ansiedad moderada en 36,7 %, ansiedad leve en 10,1 % y apenas el 7,9 % de los participantes puntuaron sin ansiedad. La mayoría no presenta sintomatología depresiva (71,9 %) y el 13,7 % manifestó depresión leve. Los bajos niveles de depresión estuvieron asociados a una mejor calidad de vida, contrariamente a los niveles de ansiedad, en la que una disminución en ellos disminuyó la calidad de vida (p=0,000). Conclusión Se observó que la ansiedad y la depresión emergieron como predictores de la CDV en personas con AR. Para proteger y mejorar la salud de los pacientes, se destaca la necesidad de implementar intervenciones de enfermería direccionadas al control de los factores que inducen a comportamientos ansiogénicos y depresivos.

Abstract Objective To assess the emotional states of the anxiety and depression dimensions and the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A primary, descriptive, and cross-sectional study conducted in the northern region of Portugal, using a sample of 139 people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (79.86% of whom were women) with a mean age of 63.05 years. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" and the "EQ-5D - Health Gains questionnaire were administered. Inferential statistics were used to conduct data analysis. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 24 program was the instrument of choice and p < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results Findings on emotional state showed severe/extreme anxiety levels in 45.3% of the respondents, moderate anxiety in 36.7% of them, mild anxiety in 10.1% and only 7.9% of participants showed no sign of anxiety. Most of the participants did not present any sort of depressive symptoms (71.9%) and 13.7% of them were diagnosed with mild depression. Low levels of depression were associated with a better quality of life. On the other hand, low levels of anxiety see to lead to poorer quality of life (p=0.000). Conclusion Evidence shows that anxiety and depression are predictors of QOL in patients with RA. That way, nursing interventions aimed at controlling the factors that trigger anxiogenic and depressive behaviours must be implemented to protect and improve patients' health.

Avaliação de fatores de risco em pacientes com doença pulmonar intersticial associada à artrite reumatoide / Assessment of risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os fatores de risco para doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI) em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR), bem como a associação com uso de metotrexate e com a atividade da doença articular. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo, transversal, realizado entre março e dezembro de 2019 em um centro de saúde terciário, no seguimento de pacientes com AR submetidos a provas de função pulmonar (PFP) e tomografia computadorizada de tórax. Avaliamos as características tomográficas, como a presença de DPI e sua extensão, bem como a atividade da doença articular. Medidas funcionais, como capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e a medida de difusão de monóxido de carbono (DCO) também foram avaliadas. Em seguida, aplicou-se uma análise de regressão logística multivariada para identificar os fatores de risco associados à DPI. Resultados Foram avaliados 1.233 pacientes, dos quais 134 foram elegíveis para este estudo. A maioria era do sexo feminino (89,6%), com idade média de 61 anos e fator reumatoide positivo (86,2%). A DPI associada à AR (DPI-AR) foi detectada em 49 pacientes (36,6%). Encontramos associação de DPI-AR com idade ≥ 62 anos, sexo masculino, história de tabagismo,crepitações finas na ausculta pulmonar e diminuição da DCO. Idade ≥ 62 anos e atividade articular moderada ou alta da AR foram fatores independentes associados à DPI-AR, com odds ratio de 4,36 e 3,03, respectivamente. O uso de metotrexato não foi associado à maior prevalência de DPI. Conclusão A idade e a atividade da doença da AR são importantes fatores de risco associados à DPI-AR. O metotrexato não foi associado ao desenvolvimento de DPI-AR no presente estudo.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the association of ILD with the use of methotrexate as well as with joint disease activity. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted between March and December 2019 at a tertiary healthcare center, in a follow-up of RA patients who had undergone pulmonary function tests (PFT) and chest computed tomography. We evaluated the tomographic characteristics, such as the presence of ILD and its extension, as well as joint disease activity. Functional measurements, such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), were also assessed. After this, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied in order to identify risk factors associated with ILD. Results We evaluated 1.233 patients, of which 134 were eligible for this study. The majority were female (89.6%), with a mean age of 61 years old and with a positive rheumatoid factor (86.2%). RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD) was detected in 49 patients (36.6%). We found an association of RA-ILD with age ≥= 62 year, male sex, smoking history and fine crackles in lung auscultation and a decreased DLCO. The indicators of being aged ≥ 62 years old and having moderate or high RA disease activity were both independent factors associated with RA-ILD, with an odds ratio of 4.36 and 3.03, respectively. The use of methotrexate was not associated with a higher prevalence of ILD. Conclusion Age and RA disease activity are important risk factors associated with RA-ILD. Methotrexate was not associated with the development of RA-ILD in the present study.

Prevalence of ischemic heart disease and associated factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and associated factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria in order to select patients seen at primary or secondary health care units in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2014. The presence of ischemic heart disease was defined as an acute myocardial infarction with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery that has occurred after diagnosis. Fischer's exact test, Wald's linear trend test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to test the associations. RESULTS: Among 296 patients (83.1% female) with a mean age of 56.6 years and a mean rheumatoid arthritis duration of 11.3 years, 13 reported having acute myocardial infarction requiring a percutaneous or surgical reperfusion procedure, a prevalence of 4.4% (95% CI 2.0-6.7). Diabetes Mellitus (odds ratio [OR] 4.9 [95% CI 1.6-13.8]) and disease duration >10 years (OR 8.2 [95% CI 1.8-39.7]) were the only factors associated with an ischemic disease that remained in the final model, after the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of acute myocardial infarction was similar to that observed in other studies. Among the traditional risk factors, Diabetes Mellitus, and among the factors related to rheumatoid arthritis, disease duration, were the variables associated with comorbidity.

Correlation between cellular expression of complement regulatory proteins with depletion and repopulation of B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the basal expression of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) CD55, CD59, CD35, and CD46 in B-lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of a cohort of 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating treatment with rituximab (RTX) with depletion and time repopulation of such cells. METHODS: Ten patients with RA received two infusions of 1g of RTX with an interval of 14 days. Immunophenotypic analysis for the detection of CD55, CD59, CD35, and CD46 on B-lymphocytes was carried out immediately before the first infusion. The population of B-lymphocytes was analyzed by means of basal CD19 expression and after 1, 2, and 6 months after the infusion of RTX, and then quarterly until clinical relapse. Depletion of B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood was defined as a CD19 expression <0.005×109/L. RESULTS: Ten women with a median of 49 years and a baseline DAS28=5.6 were evaluated; 9 were seropositive for rheumatoid factor. Five patients showed a repopulation of B-lymphocytes after 2 months, and the other five after 6 months. There was a correlation between the basal expression of CD46 and the time of repopulation (correlation coefficient=-0.733, p=0.0016). A similar trend was observed with CD35, but without statistical significance (correction coefficient=-0.522, p=0.12). CONCLUSION: The increased CD46 expression was predictive of a faster repopulation of B-lymphocytes in patients treated with RTX. Studies involving a larger number of patients will be needed to confirm the utility of basal expression of CRPs as a predictor of clinical response.