Predictors and prognostic factors influencing outcomes of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review update.

BACKGROUND: Anti-C20 monoclonal antibodies (MAb), such as rituximab, are commonly used for the treatment of patients with severe or refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but clinical outcomes are highly variable. We aimed to provide an update of a systematic review of predictive and prognostic factors of anti-CD20 MAb treatment in SLE. METHODS: A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify predictive and prognostic factors of clinical response following treatment with anti-CD20 therapies in SLE patients. Studies examining rituximab published prior to 2015 were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the Cochrane Collaboration (RoB2) tool for RCTs and the Quality In Prognosis Studies Tool (QUIPS) for cohort studies. A narrative synthesis of the evidence was undertaken and quality of evidence (QoE) was assessed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: From 850 studies identified, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. A further 8 studies were identified and included through search updates. There were two post-hoc analyses of RCTs of rituximab, one RCT of ocrelizumab and one of obinutuzumab; and 16 cohort studies examining rituximab treatment. The overall QoE was low or very low. There was wide heterogeneity in definitions of clinical disease activity and outcome measures, non-standardized laboratory cut-offs, failure to account for confounders and multiple subgroup analyses of differing outcomes. B cell depletion as well as novel biomarkers, such as S100 proteins, FCGR genotype, anti-vimentin and anti-drug antibodies showed some evidence of prognostic value but QoE was limited due to moderate to high risk of bias, early phase of investigation and imprecision of results. CONCLUSION: There has been no validation of previously identified prognostic factors to guide outcome in anti-CD20 treated lupus patients. Hypothesis-driven studies of several novel markers however, demonstrate prognostic value and require replication and validation to support their use in routine clinical practice. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020220339.

Human mesenchymal stem cells for the management of systemic sclerosis. Systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Sistemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with a high rate of progression and therapeutic failure, and treatment is a challenge, new therapeutic proposals being needed, being mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) considered as alternative therapy for SSc for its immunomodulatory capacity. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of human MSC (hMSC) in patients with SSc through a systematic literature review (SLR). METHODS: SLR (PRISMA guideline) on MEDLINE/OVID, LILACS, EMBASE, and Cochrane/OVID bases (until July 2020, without limits). All types of clinical studies were considered: patients ≥18 years old with SSc and treatment with hMSC. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: animal models, autologous/allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplants, narrative reviews, letters to the editor. MeSH and "Key word" terms were used. The level of evidence and the quality rating were rated [Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) lists]. Registration in PROSPERO repository (ID CRD42020185245) The Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline was followed. RESULTS: We initially identified 508 articles, of which 11 were finally included (8 case series and 3 case reports). The 11 articles included 101 patients (85 female, age range 18-75 years). The level of evidence was mostly 4 (JBI); the quality of evidence was met (≥50% of JBI items). SWiM showed that vascular skin involvement (digital ulcers, necrosis, and gangrene) and associated pain were the predominant outcomes, while improvements were found in almost all cases. One patient died in the first month, and the frequency of complications was low. Expanded hMSCs were used in 24 patients and other cell sources in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: There is too little reported data to reach definite conclusions about the use of hMSC in SSc. Further studies with better epidemiological designs are needed to evaluate the benefit of hMSCs in SSc patients.

Comparing cytology, colposcopy and human papillomavirus cervical intraepithelial lesion screening methods in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of cytology, colposcopy and human papillomavirus in detecting cervical intraepithelial lesions in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Papanicolaou smears (normal, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), colposcopy findings, human papillomavirus and co-testing (Papanicolaou smear + human papillomavirus) were compared with cervical biopsy findings in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Sensitivity, specificity, false-positive and false-negative rates, positive and negative predictive values and likelihood ratios of cytologic smears, colposcopy findings, human papillomavirus and co-testing were determined. RESULTS: Cytology and colposcopy were performed in 170 systemic lupus erythematosus women (mean age and disease duration of 43.7±12.1 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively) and biopsies were performed in 55 patients (38.2% normal, 60.0% low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and 1.8% high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of cytology were 14.7% (95% confidence interval 5.5-31.8%), 95.2% (95% confidence interval 74.1-99.7%), 83.3% (95% confidence interval 36.4-99.1%) and 40.8% (95% confidence interval 27.3-55.7%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of colposcopy findings were 100.0% (95% confidence interval 87.3-100.0%), 0.0% (95% confidence interval 0.0-19.2%) and 61.8% (95% confidence interval 47.7-74.2%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of co-testing were 8.0% (95% confidence interval 1.3-27.5%) and 100.0% (95% confidence interval 71.6-100.0%). The positive predictive value and negative predictive values were 100.0% (95% confidence interval 19.7-100.0%) and 36.1% (95% confidence interval 33.5-38.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In systemic lupus erythematosus patients, colposcopy impressions were more sensitive than cytology and co-testing. However, cytology and co-testing were the most specific tests. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, endothelial progenitor cells and intracellular Ca2+ signaling: A novel approach for an old disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystem disease featured by an increased cardiovascular risk that may lead to premature patient's death. It has been demonstrated that SLE patients suffer from early onset endothelial dysfunction which is due to the impairment of endogenous vascular repair mechanisms. Vascular integrity and homeostasis are maintained by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are mobilized in response to endothelial injury to replace damaged endothelial cells. Two main EPCs subpopulations exist in peripheral blood: endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), which represent truly endothelial precursors and can physically engraft within neovessels, and myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs), which sustain angiogenesis in a paracrine manner. Emerging evidence indicates that ECFCs/MACs are down-regulated and display compromised angiogenic activity in SLE, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of this disease. Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular integrity by stimulating migration, proliferation and tube formation in both ECFCs and MACs. Herein, we illustrate the evidences that support the role played by EPCs dysfunction in SLE. Subsequently, we discuss about the hypothesis that the Ca2+ handling machinery is compromised in SLE-derived ECFCs and MACs, thereby resulting in their reduced pro-angiogenic activity. Finally, we speculate about the proposal to exploit intracellular Ca2+ signaling to improve ECFCs' reparative phenotype and suggest this strategy as a new approach to treat SLE patients.

Vitamin D in systemic lupus erythematosus with and without lupus nephritis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las concentraciones séricas subóptimas de vitamina D se presentan en múltiples enfermedades crónicas, como las enfermedades autoinmunitarias. Los objetivos del estudio fueron: 1) comparar las concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD3) en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) con y sin nefritis lúpica (NL), y 2) evaluar la asociación de las concentraciones séricas de 25OHD3 con la actividad de la enfermedad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio comparativo, transversal, que incluyó 48 mujeres con LES, con y sin NL. Se excluyeron aquellas con enfermedad renal crónica en estadio IV, cáncer, hiperparatiroidismo, embarazo o lactancia. La actividad fue evaluada con el instrumento SLEDAI-2K. La concentración sérica de 25OHD3 se determinó mediante inmunoanálisis quimioluminiscente. RESULTADOS: La media de edad de las pacientes con y sin NL fue de 36.3 ± 8.6 años y 42.7 ± 7.6 años, respectivamente. Se observó una elevada prevalencia de valores subóptimos de 25OHD3 en todas las pacientes (93%). Las concentraciones séricas de 25OHD3 fueron diferentes entre pacientes con y sin NL: 21.5 ± 6.8 ng/ml frente a 19.2 ± 7.1 ng/ml (p = 0.362). No se encontró correlación entre la concentración sérica de 25OHD3 y la actividad de la enfermedad (r = -045, p = 0.761). CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con LES, las concentraciones séricas de 25OHD3 fueran diferentes entre pacientes con y sin NL; sin embargo, esta diferencia no fue significativa. Además, no se encontró correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de 25OHD3 y la actividad de la enfermedad evaluada por SLEDAI-2K. BACKGROUND: Sub-optimal serum vitamin D levels occur in multiple chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases. The objectives of this study were: 1) compare the serum concentration of 25-hidroxivitamin D (25OHD3) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without lupus nephritis (LN), and 2) evaluate the association of serum concentration of 25OHD3 with the activity of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted, including 48 women with SLE, with and without clinical diagnosis of LN, according to the score of renal activity evaluated by SLEDAI-2K. Patients with stage IV chronic kidney disease, cancer, hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy and lactation were excluded. The activity was evaluated by the SLEDAI-2K instrument. The serum concentration of 25OHD3 was assessed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with and without LN was 36.3 ± 8.6 and 42.7 ± 7.6 years, respectively. High prevalence of suboptimal 25OHD3 levels was observed (93%). 25OHD3 concentrations were different between patients with and without LN, 21.5 ± 6.8 ng/mL vs. 19.2 ± 7.1 ng/mL (p = 0.362). No correlation was found between serum 25OHD3 concentration (r = −045, p = 0.761). CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences found in serum concentrations of 25OHD3 in patients with or without NL. Moreover, no correlation was found between serum 25OHD3 levels and the activity of the disease evaluated by SLEDAI-2K.

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroduodenal lesions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori in SLE patients and to compare clinical characteristics and gastroduodenal lesions in patients with and without H. pylori infection. METHODS: Adult SLE patients were selected and subjected to endoscopy. Gastroduodenal lesions were examined by endoscopy and biopsy (antrum and corpus). Biopsies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa staining. Immunochromatographic membrane-based assay using amplification was used to test for H. pylori antigen (coproantigen) in stool samples in all participants. Clinical characteristics and gastroduodenal lesions were compared between patients with and without H. pylori infection. RESULTS: A total of 118 SLE patients were included (mean age 44.7 ± 11.7 years, mean disease duration 11.6 ± 6.0 years), of whom 101 (85.6%) were receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The coproantigen test was positive in 32 (27.1%) patients. H. pylori was present in twenty six patients (22.0%) in the gastric biopsy. The frequency of gastric erosions and gastric ulcers were 55.1% and 0.8%, respectively. Gastric erosions were less frequent in SLE patients with H. pylori infection than those without H. pylori (43.5.7% vs. 62.5%; p = 0.04). The age, disease duration, disease activity, chronic damage, gastroprotective drugs, and immunosuppressive therapy did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high frequency of H. pylori infection in SLE patients. The severity of SLE and reception of gastroprotective therapy do not seem to be related to H. pylori infection. Immunosuppressive therapy may not be protective against H. pylori infection in SLE patients.Key Points• In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection was 39% and gastric erosions were frequent.• Disease activity, chronic damage, gastroprotective drugs, and immunosuppressive therapy may not affect the prevalence of H. pylori infection in SLE patients.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and risk of metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus women.

OBJECTIVE: A protective function of vitamin D in metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been described. The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and MetS in non-diabetic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) women. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of the relationship between concentrations of 25(OH)D, MetS, and its components were made in 160 non-diabetic SLE women. MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were categorized into quartiles (<16.6, 16.6-21.1, 21.2-26.3, ≥26.4 ng/mL). RESULTS: A total of 79 (49.3%) SLE women had MetS. Without adjusting for body mass index (BMI) or smoking, the odds of having MetS decreased according to increasing quartiles of 25(OH)D concentrations (P for trend = .03). The odds ratio (OR) of having MetS was 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.2-0.9, P = .04) for the highest vs the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D concentrations when adjusted by age. The crude OR of having elevated hypertriglyceridemia decreased according to increasing quartiles of 25(OH)D concentrations (P for trend = .036). However, further adjustments for BMI and smoking removed the inverse association between 25(OH)D concentrations and MetS and its individual components. CONCLUSION: In non-diabetic SLE women with mild activity, 25(OH)D concentrations are not associated with MetS and its components.

Prevalence of cervical HPV infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this systematic review and meta-regression were: 1) to compare the prevalence of cervical HPV infection between SLE patients and healthy controls and 2) to evaluate the relationship between cervical HPV infection and traditional and SLE-related risk factors for cervical HPV infection in these patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Virtual Health Library and SciELO databases) following PRISMA guidelines and using meta-regression to investigate the pooled prevalence of cervical HPV infection in adult women with SLE. The articles included were independently evaluated by two investigators who extracted information on study characteristics, defined outcomes, risk of bias and summarized strength of evidence [Quality of evidence using the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine (EBM) Levels of Evidence]. Using meta-regression, we further analyzed whether factors such as multiple sexual partners and immunosuppressive therapy were associated with HPV prevalence. We evaluated the quality of evidence included using the Oxford Centre for EBM levels of evidence. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for studies providing data on HPV prevalence in women with SLE and in healthy controls. RESULTS: A total of 687 articles were identified; 9 full-text articles examining the prevalence of cervical HPV infection in SLE women were included, comprising 751 SLE women. Eight studies employed PCR using general primers. The HPV prevalence varied from 3.1% to 80.7%. In the random effects meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of cervical HPV infection in SLE vs. controls was 34.15% (95% CI: 19.6%-52.5%) vs. 15.3% (95% CI 0.79-27.8%), OR = 2.87 (95% CI: 2.20-3.76) p < .0001, with large between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 95.4%). When only SLE women were evaluated, meta-regression showed no significant differences between patients with and without a background of multiple sexual partners and any immunosuppressive therapy. In addition, the prevalence of cervical HPV infection did not significantly differ between SLE patients on azathioprine or cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of cervical HPV infection is higher in SLE women than in healthy controls. However, multiple sexual partners and any immunosuppressive therapy or specific immunosuppressive treatment (azathioprine and cyclophosphamide) were not associated with the prevalence of cervical HPV infection.

Inflammation and atherosclerosis: Cardiovascular evaluation in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Evidence now indicates that inflammation contributes considerably to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and active inflammatory processes may trigger plaque rupture and enhance the risk of coronary thrombosis leading to a clinical ischemic event. Interest in characterizing inflammatory markers that predict clinical events have dominated clinical investigation. Such markers include C-reactive protein, Fibrinogen and a number of interleukins. Human macrophages avidly phagocytize cholesterol crystals. These cholesterol crystals induce a dose-dependent secretion of mature Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1ß) from human monocytes and macrophages (an NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pathway). Since IL-1ß production leads to increased levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein, this could be a mechanistic link between early deposition of cholesterol crystals within the vessel wall to the macrophage-monocyte interactions that initiate fatty streaks and promote local atherosclerotic progression. We have entered a time where a pure anti-inflammatory drug without significant effects on lipids or any other traditional cardiovascular risk factor decreased cardiovascular events. Patients with autoimmune diseases are at increase cardiovascular risk. In this review we describe the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis. Furthermore we explore the data regarding primary prevention, cardiac imaging for risk stratification and the implications of targeting inflammation in patients with autoimmune disease.

Vitamin D and Sjögren syndrome.

The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D have been extensively studied in the context of autoimmunity. Multiple studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune diseases. Recently, a possible protective role of vitamin D in autoimmunity has been described; however, this function remains controversial. Few studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS). In this review, we compiled the main features of SS pathogenesis, the vitamin D immunomodulatory effects and the possible interaction between both. Data suggests that vitamin D may play a role in the SS pathogenesis. In addition, vitamin D low levels have been found in SS patients, which are associated with extra-glandular manifestations, such as lymphoma or neuropathy, suggesting a possible benefit effect of vitamin D in SS.

Can we identify who gets benefit or harm from mycophenolate mofetil in systemic lupus erythematosus? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to summarize the evidence examining factors that predict differential response to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Systematic searches of randomized clinical trials (RCT) to identify predictors of the effects of MMF (moderators), and cohort studies to explore prognostic factors associated with MMF outcomes (response, relapse, or adverse events) were performed. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of RCTs using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool and cohort studies using the QUality In Prognosis Studies tool. The quality of subgroup analysis, providing evidence for moderation, was evaluated. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation working group approach summarized the quality of evidence (QoE), considering the risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency, indirectness, and publication bias. RESULTS: From 26 studies (13 from 7 RCTs and 13 cohort studies) we found low QoE evidence for Black/Hispanic race/ethnicity predicting better renal responses to MMF in lupus nephritis (LN) from one RCT. There was low QoE evidence from cohort studies that a higher baseline creatinine and membranous features on renal biopsy were associated with poorer responses in LN. There was very low QoE for other moderators or prognostic factors associated with MMF treatment outcomes. QoE from RCTs was affected by exploratory or insufficient evidence from subgroup analysis and in both study types high risk of bias, indirectness and imprecision also affected QoE. CONCLUSIONS: In SLE, evidence for predictors of response to MMF is limited and none can be recommended for use in routine clinical practice. Specific studies of predictors measured at baseline and during treatment are needed with a priori hypotheses based on preliminary evidence to date and with sufficient power to determine which factors can be employed in clinical decision making.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and relationship with disease activity. / Insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en pacientes mexicanas con lupus eritematoso sistémico: prevalencia y relación con actividad de la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a comparative, observational, cross-sectional, prospective study of 137 women with SLE according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. Patients with chronic kidney disease, cancer, hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy, and lactation were excluded. Disease activity was assessed using the MEX-SLEDAI score: a score of ≥3 was considered as disease activity. Data were collected on diabetes mellitus, the use of corticosteroids, chloroquine, and immunosuppressants, photoprotection and vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay: insufficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <30ng/ml and deficiency as <10ng/ml. RESULTS: 137 women with SLE (mean age 45.9±11.6 years, disease duration 7.7±3.4 years) were evaluated. Mean disease activity was 2 (0-8): 106 patients had no disease activity and 31 had active disease (77.4% versus 22.6%). Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was found in 122(89.0%) and 4 (2.9%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with and without active disease (19.3±4.5 versus 19.7±6.8; P=.75). No correlation between the MEX-SLEDAI score (P=.21), photosensitivity, photoprotection, prednisone or chloroquine use and vitamin D supplementation was found. CONCLUSIONS: Women with SLE had a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficient. No association between vitamin D levels and disease activity was found.

Efficiency in bracket bonding with the use of pretreatment methods to tooth enamel before acid etching: sodium hypochlorite vs. hydrogen peroxide techniques

Bond failures are produced by the existence of biofilm on the tooth surface. Because biofilm is impermeable, it prevents contact in many areas, reducing the etching effect which selectively dissolves calcified tissues but does not seem to eliminate biofilm from the tooth surface, and thus the bond between the tooth and the bracket is not strong enough. The aim of this study is to compare bracket bonding efficiency with two dental surface pretreatments: sodium hypochlorite vs. hydrogen peroxide techniques. This was a cross-sectional, comparative, in vitro study. Seventy-five premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were evaluated. They were divided into three groups of 25 teeth and assigned randomly toone of the pretreatment techniques (5.25%sodium hypochlorite or 3.5% hydrogen peroxide) or to a control group. The most efficient pretreatment technique for bonding to brackets was sodium hypochlorite, with an average of 17.15 (kg/F). Significant differences were observed between groups (p=0.0001). The post hoc bond strength test showed statistically significant differences between the sodium hypochlorite technique and the control group (p=0.0001). The sodium hypochlorite technique improves bracket adhesion to tooth enamel.

Las fallas de adhesion se producen por la existencia de la biopelicula en la superficie del organo dental, ya que es impermeable y no permite el contacto en muchas areas, de manera que disminuye el efecto del grabado acido; el cual tiene la capacidad de disolver selectivamente los tejidos calcificados, pero no parece eliminar la biopelicula en la superficie dental, por lo tanto, no se lleva a cabo la suficiente fuerza de adhesion en la interfase diente-bracket. El objetivo es comparar la eficiencia en la adhesion de los brackets con el empleo de dos metodos de pre-tratamientos de la superficie del esmalte, el hipoclorito de sodio vs. peroxido de hidrogeno. Estudio comparativo, transversal, in vitro. Se evaluaron 75 premolares extraidos con fines ortodoncicos, tres grupos de 25 dientes, asignados aleatoriamente con alguna de las dos tecnicas de pre-tratamiento al esmalte, hipoclorito de sodio al 5.25%, peroxido de hidrogeno al 3.5% y un grupo control. La tecnica de pre-tratamiento al esmalte mas eficiente para la fuerza de adhesion a los brackets fue el hipoclorito de sodio, con una media de 17.15 (Kg/F), se observaron diferencias significativas inter-grupos (p= 0.001). Las pruebas post hoc para las fuerzas de adhesion mostraron diferencia estadistica - mente significativa para la tecnica de hipoclorito de sodio/ grupo control (p=.001). La utilizacion de hipoclorito de sodio ayuda a mejorar la adhesion de los brackets en la superficie del esmalte.

The impact of glucocorticoids and anti-cd20 therapy on cervical human papillomavirus infection risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease risk factors, including conventional and biologic therapies. A gynecological evaluation and cervical cytology screen were performed. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were undertaken by PCR and linear array assay. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, with a mean age and disease duration of 42.5±11.8 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively. The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions was 6.8%. The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 29%, with human papillomavirus subtype 59 being the most frequent. Patients with human papillomavirus were younger than those without the infection (38.2±11.2 vs. 44.2±11.5 years, respectively; p = 0.05), and patients with the virus had higher daily prednisone doses (12.8±6.8 vs. 9.7±6.7 mg, respectively; p = 0.01) and cumulative glucocorticoid doses (14.2±9.8 vs. 9.7±7.3 g, respectively; p = 0.005) compared with patients without. Patients with human papillomavirus infection more frequently received rituximab than those without (20.9% vs. 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, only the cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative glucocorticoid dose may increase the risk of human papillomavirus infection. Although rituximab administration was more frequent in patients with human papillomavirus infection, no association was found. Screening for human papillomavirus infection is recommended in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. .

The impact of glucocorticoids and anti-cd20 therapy on cervical human papillomavirus infection risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease risk factors, including conventional and biologic therapies. A gynecological evaluation and cervical cytology screen were performed. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were undertaken by PCR and linear array assay. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, with a mean age and disease duration of 42.5±11.8 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively. The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions was 6.8%. The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 29%, with human papillomavirus subtype 59 being the most frequent. Patients with human papillomavirus were younger than those without the infection (38.2±11.2 vs. 44.2±11.5 years, respectively; p = 0.05), and patients with the virus had higher daily prednisone doses (12.8±6.8 vs. 9.7±6.7 mg, respectively; p = 0.01) and cumulative glucocorticoid doses (14.2±9.8 vs. 9.7±7.3 g, respectively; p = 0.005) compared with patients without. Patients with human papillomavirus infection more frequently received rituximab than those without (20.9% vs. 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, only the cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative glucocorticoid dose may increase the risk of human papillomavirus infection. Although rituximab administration was more frequent in patients with human papillomavirus infection, no association was found. Screening for human papillomavirus infection is recommended in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Serologic features of primary Sjögren's syndrome: clinical and prognostic correlation.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory systemic autoimmune disease. The disease spectrum extends from sicca syndrome to systemic involvement and extraglandular manifestations, and SS may be associated with malignancies, especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients with SS present a broad spectrum of serologic features. Certain serological findings are highly correlated with specific clinical features, and can be used as prognostic markers.

Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention without on-site cardiac surgery for stable coronary disease and myocardial infarction: preliminary report and initial experience in 174 patients.

BACKGROUND: On-site cardiac surgery is not widely available in developing countries despite a high prevalence of coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the safety, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention without on-site cardiac surgery in a community hospital in a developing country. METHODS: Of the 174 patients who underwent PCI for the first time in our center, we analyzed two groups: stable coronary disease and acute myocardial infarction. The primary endpoint was the rate of complications during the first 24 hours after PCI. We also analyzed the length of hospital stay and the rate of hospital readmission in the first week after PCI, and compared costs between the radial and femoral approaches. RESULTS: The study group comprised 131 patients with stable coronary disease and 43 with acute MI. Among the patients with stable coronary disease 8 (6.1%) had pulse loss, 12 (9.16%) had on-site hematoma, and 3 (2.29%) had bleeding at the site of the puncture. Among the patients with acute MI, 3 (6.98) had pulse loss and 5 (11.63%) had bleeding at the site of the puncture. There were no cases of atriovenous fistula or nerve damage. In the stable coronary disease group, 130 patients (99%) were discharged on the same day (2.4 +/- 2 hours). In the acute MI group, the length of stay was 6.6 +/- 2.5 days with at least 24 hours in the intensive care unit. There were no hospital readmissions in the first week after the procedure. The total cost, which includes equipment related to the specific approach and recovery room stay, was significantly lower with the radial approach compared to the femoral approach (US$ 500 saving per intervention). CONCLUSIONS: The transradial approach was safe and feasible in a community hospital in a developing country without on-site cardiac surgery backup. The radial artery approach is clearly more cost-effective than the femoral approach.

Etiopathogenesis of Behcet's disease.

Bechet's disease (BD) is an inflammatory, multi systemic disease with spontaneous remissions and relapses similar to various autoimmune diseases. BD leads to organ damage, including the eyes, skin, joints, etc., which produces various clinical manifestations. The central histopathologic characteristic is systemic vasculitis with perivascular inflammatory infiltrates. The etiopathogenesis is unknown, although immunological abnormalities, possibly induced by susceptible microbiological pathogens, have been postulated.