Disability due to rheumatic diseases in the city of Junín, Argentina.

The aim of the study is to analyze the characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases applying for a Disability Certificate (DC). Every application for DC filed by patients of 16 years of age and older in the Health Secretariat of Junin, between 2012 and 2016, was analyzed regarding age, gender, rheumatic disease as the cause of disability, employment status, and health insurance coverage. Applications were examined as per two elements: inflammatory articular or systemic disease (IASD) versus degenerative diseases, regional or generalized pain syndromes (non-IASD). Based on the DCs accepted, a Disability Prevalence Rate (DPR) was estimated and the most common causes of disability were determined. Out of 400 applications, 68% belonged to women; applicants' median age was 61 years, only 27% were working, 42% were for DC renewal, and 46% were IASD. Overall, 83% of the applications submitted were accepted. Those patients with accepted DC applications were older (median age 62 vs 55; p < 0.001), had health insurance coverage (90% vs 65%; p <0.001), were applying for DC renewal (49% vs 12%; p < 0.001) and more frequently presented a IASD (52% vs 17%; p < 0.001). 48% of accepted DC applications had osteoarthritis (OA), 36% rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 6% psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 5% systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 2% ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The DPR was 0.5%. Overall, the accepted applications for DC belong to older patients with health insurance coverage, who were submitting an application for DC renewal and suffer from a IASD. OA, RA, PsA, SLE and AS were the five most common causes of disability.

A survey on the current evaluation and treatment of gout in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current management of gout in general practitioners and specialists in Buenos Aires city. MATERIAL AND METHODS: multiple choice, anonimous, survey, performed to 33 rheumatologists (REU), 52 Internal Medicine specialists (EMI) and 86 general practitioners (Otros). RESULTS: Gout is a very common or usual disease for 51.5% of REU vs 11.5% EMI and 8.1% Otros. At diagnosis, uric acid crystals are identified by 51.5% REU vs 28.8% EMI and 26.7% Otros and tophi observed by 60.6% REU vs 30.8% EMI and 30.2% Otros. REU and EMI should indicate colchicine for acute gout in 75.8% and 80.8% respectively vs 7.7% of Otros. REU measure patient's height/weight and waist circumference less frequently than EMI (66.7% vs 92.3% and 45.5% vs 75% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: REU usually examine patients with gout but in a chronic stage. The identification of crystals in synovial fluid is low. The use ofcolchicine is still high. REU should improve the evaluation of the metabolic syndrome.