Impact of intimate partner violence on quality of life and disease activity in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Stress and trauma are psychosocial factors with an impact on the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The influence of violence on SLE has not been entirely explored, even though women (including patients with rheumatic diseases) are a vulnerable population to any form of violence. This study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on health-related quality of life in women with SLE. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted at a rheumatology clinic of a university hospital from September 2022 and September 2023. We evaluated the presence of IPV in 85 women with SLE with the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with Harm and Screamed at (HITS) questionnaire and the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), and quality of life with LupusQoL. RESULTS: The prevalence by HITS score of past-year IPV was 24.4% and of lifetime IPV was 36.5%. Past-year non-physical violence was present in 17.1% of patients by ISA, and 27.1% were victims in their lifetime. While in physical violence, 7.3% were victims in the previous year and 21.2% in their lifetime. The total quality of life and the emotional domain by LupusQoL were diminished in victims of past-year IPV, compared to those who weren't exposed (p = .018 and p = .036, respectively). Past-year HITS score correlated with the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) (rho = 0.301, p = .006), while lifetime HITS score correlated with PGA (rho = 0.329, p = .002) and SLEDAI-2K (rho = 0.277, p = .010). CONCLUSION: We found that one in four women suffered IPV in the previous year, and those who were exposed had diminished quality of life. Also, the severity of the abuse correlated with disease activity. Our findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive care for patients with SLE.

Quality indicators and satisfaction with care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Grading the quality of care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and determining its relationship with care satisfaction may recognize gaps that could lead to better clinical practice. Eighteen quality indicators (QIs) were recently developed and validated for patients with SLE based on the 2019 EULAR management recommendations. Few studies have analyzed the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction in patients with lupus. This was a cross-sectional study. We included patients at least 18 years old who met the EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria for SLE. We interviewed patients and retrieved data from medical records to assess their compliance with a set of 18 EULAR-based QIs. We calculated each QI fulfillment as the proportion of fulfilled QI divided by the number of eligible patients for each indicator. Care satisfaction was evaluated with the satisfaction domain of LupusPRO version 1.7. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction. Seventy patients with a median age of 33 (IQR 23-48) were included, 90% were women. Overall adherence was 62.29%. The median care satisfaction was 100. Global adherence to the 18-QIs and the care satisfaction score revealed no correlation (r = 0.064, p = 0.599). Higher QI fulfillment was found in the group with remission versus the moderate-high activity group (p = 0.008). In our study, SLE patients in remission had higher fulfillment of quality indicators. We found no correlation between the quality of care and satisfaction with care.

Adverse events of six COVID-19 vaccines in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study.

Data regarding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and adverse events (AE) in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) have been published recently although these mostly include the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca). This research aimed to study the prevalence of AE presented with six different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines {ChadOX1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222), Ad5-nCoV2, Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, and CoronaVac} in Mexican patients with AIIRD. We performed a cross-sectional study about vaccine history. Two hundred and twenty five consecutive patients were recruited, mean age was 50.7 years and the majority (n = 213; 94.6%) were females. One hundred and seven (47.5%) received BNT162b2 mRNA, 34 (15.1%) Ad5-nCoV, 29 (12.8%) mRNA-1273, 28 (12.4%) ChAdOX1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222), 22 (9.7%) CoronaVac and 5 (2.2%) Ad26.COV2.S. The vaccines that had the most AE proportionally to the number of patients vaccinated were Janssen (5; 100%) followed by Pfizer-BioNTEch (86; 80%) and CanSinoBIO (27; 79.4%). Localized pain was the most frequent (158; 70.2%) AE. Fatigue (78; 34.7%), headache (69; 30.6%) and muscle ache (66; 29.3%) were the most common systemic symptoms. No serious AE that required medical attention or hospitalization were reported. The current results support the safety of different COVID-19 vaccines in patients with AIIRD. This information can help fight vaccine hesitancy in this population.

Round opacity as a presentation of pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in an HIV-infected patient.

We present the case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient who arrived at our emergency department with fever, headache and exertional dyspnea. Throughout their stay, a chest x-ray was taken and a rounded opacity in his left lung was observed. CT images showed same abnormality and also ground glass opacities were seen. Symptoms and images strongly suggested a pulmonary infection due to pneumocystis jirovecii, however a presence of a round lesion should always lead to neoplasia being suspected. We empirically started treatment based on trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Once available, flexible bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and stained preparations from his respiratory specimens confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystis infection. Finally, after 4 days of antibiotic therapy, an important clinical improvement was documented; a new chest x-ray was performed and the previous rounded opacity was absent. This finding strongly suggested a case of round pneumonia.

Association of soluble cell adhesion molecules and lipid levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and lipid levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with and without carotid plaque (CP). METHODS: Cross-sectional study nested of a RA cohort. RA patients without a previous cardiovascular event or statins' therapy, aged 40-75 years were recruited at an outpatient cardio-rheumatology clinic. Carotid ultrasound was performed in all study subjects. RA patients with CP were included and matched to RA patients without CP by age, gender, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Blood samples were drawn at the time of recruitment to measure sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid levels. Correlations between cell adhesion molecules, disease activity indexes, ESR and CRP with lipid levels were assessed with Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs). RESULTS: We included 71 RA patients, 37 with CP and 34 without CP. RA (n = 71) patients had a moderate negative correlation of sVCAM-1 with total cholesterol (TC) (rs = - 0.366, p = 0.002) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (rs = - 0.316, p = 0.007), and a small negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein (rs = - 0.250, p = 0.036). ESR showed a small negative correlation with LDL (rs = - 0.247, p = 0.038). Patients with CP had a moderate negative correlation between sVCAM and TC (rs = - 0.405, p = 0.013). Patients without CP showed a moderate negative correlation between sVCAM with TC (rs = - 0.364, p = 0.034) and LDL (rs = - 0.352, p = 0.041), and sICAM with VLDL (rs = - 0.343, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients showed an inverse association of sVCAM-1 and lipid levels. More studies are needed to define the precise role of sVCAM-1 in the lipid paradox of RA.

Cardiovascular risk reclassification according to six cardiovascular risk algorithms and carotid ultrasound in psoriatic arthritis patients.

The objective was to compare the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk (CVR) reclassification using six CVR algorithms and a carotid ultrasound in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and controls. The method was cross-sectional study. A total of 81 patients aged 40-75 years, who fulfilled the 2006 CASPAR criteria and 81 controls matched by age, gender, and comorbidities were recruited. CVR was evaluated according to six CVR algorithms, including Framingham Risk Score (FRS)-lipids, FRS-body mass index (BMI), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Algorithm, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), QRISK3, and Reynolds Risk Score (RRS). A carotid ultrasound was performed to identify the presence of carotid plaque (CP) defined as a carotid intima media thickness ≥ 1.2 mm or a focal narrowing of the surrounding lumen ≥ 0.5mm. Patients with presence of CP, classified in the low-moderate risk by the CVR algorithms, were reclassified to a higher risk category. CP was more prevalent in PsA patients (44.4% vs 24.7%, p = 0.008), as was subclinical atherosclerosis (51.9% vs 33.3%, p = 0.017). When comparing the CVR reclassification to a higher risk category, a difference was found in the six CVR algorithms. The reclassification was more prevalent in PsA patients: 30.8% vs 12.3%, p = 0.004 with FRS-lipids; 28.4% vs 9.9%, p = 0.003 with FRS-BMI; 40.7% vs 19.8%, p = 0.003 with SCORE; 30.9% vs 16.0%, p = 0.026 with ASCVD algorithm; 37.0% vs 19.8%, p = 0.015 with RRS; and 33.3% vs 16.0%, p = 0.011 with QRISK3. The CVR algorithms underestimate the actual CVR of PsA patients. A carotid ultrasound should be considered as part of the CVR evaluation of PsA patients. KEY POINTS: • Subclinical atherosclerosis was more prevalent in psoriatic arthritis patients than controls. • Cardiovascular risk reclassification, through a carotid ultrasound, according to traditional cardiovascular risk algorithms was more common in psoriatic arthritis patients. • The cardiovascular risk algorithm that showed the lowest reclassification rate in psoriatic arthritis patients was the FRS-BMI. • All cardiovascular risk algorithms underestimate the actual risk of psoriatic arthritis patients, preventing the initiation of an adequate cardiovascular treatment.

Clinical stage I synchronous bilateral testicular germ cell tumor with different histopathology: a case report.

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors (BTGCT) occur in 1 to 4% of patients with testicular cancer and of these, 10-15% are synchronous. Overall, BTGCT represents less than 0.5% of all new cases of testicular cancer. There are few reports in the literature of synchronous BTGCT with different histology. We present the case of a 30-year-old man who presented to our genitourinary tumor unit with a bilateral increase of testicular volume. After initial assessment, a testicular ultrasound showed the presence of solid tumors in both testes. Staging studies were negative for metastatic disease. The patient was referred to the fertility clinic for sperm banking and later underwent a bilateral radical orchiectomy. The histopathology evaluation revealed a 5.5 cm right-sided mixed germ cell tumor and a 1.5 cm left-sided testicular seminoma. Because patient's poor compliance for surveillance was identified as a risk factor for relapse and poor outcome, adjuvant chemotherapy was favored. The patient underwent one cycle of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP). After four years of follow up, the patient shows no evidence of relapse, either clinically or radiologically. In men unlikely to carry out successful surveillance; active treatment is the preferred option for preventing disease recurrence, even in patients with no risk factors. The physician must consider all available therapeutic measures in this scenario to achieve the best possible therapeutic result.

Revisiting the complete blood count and clinical findings at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: 10-year experience at a single center.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity regarding clinical and laboratory findings at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia exists. The frequency of complete blood count abnormalities and its combinations, symptoms and physical findings were investigated in Hispanic children from an open population at the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METHODS: The patient charts and electronic records of under 16-year-old children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia over 10 years at a regional hematology center of a university hospital were analyzed to retrieve data concerning the complete blood count at first evaluation. Type and distribution of abnormal data, frequency of symptoms and physical findings at presentation were documented. RESULTS: The records of 203 children aged 0-15 years diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 2006 to 2016 were revisited. The results of the blood workup showed a median white blood cell count of 7120 × 109/L (range: 450-600,000 × 109/L), and a median hemoglobin concentration of 7.5 g/dL (range: 2.4-15.3 g/dL), whereas the median platelet count was 47,400 × 109/L (range: 4000-544,000 × 109/L). Leukocytosis and leukopenia were present in 36.6% and 36.1% of cases, respectively; anemia was diagnosed in 82.9% children. The order of frequency for major clinical symptoms was fatigue 62%, fever 60%, bone and joint pain 39%, hyporexia 33% and weight loss 21%, while main physical findings were hepatomegaly 78%, splenomegaly 63%, lymphadenopathy 57%, pallor 48%, and purpura 30%. CONCLUSION: Data differing from those classically expected at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children were documented in a cohort of Hispanic children over one decade with a wide spectrum of complete blood count abnormalities, forms of presentation and frequency of physical findings.

Results of Treating Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Low-middle Income Country: 10 Year Experience in Northeast Mexico.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In high-income countries, treatment protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children lead to a 5-year overall survival (OS) approaching 90%. There is scarce information on protocols and results of therapy from low-middle income countries (LMIC). We documented the results of treating children with ALL with two protocols in consecutive 5-year periods at a reference center in northeast Mexico. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children ≤16 years of age diagnosed with ALL treated with two protocols were studied. Each protocol was used for 5 years; 246 children, 112 in protocol 1 and 134 in protocol 2, were included. Protocols were BFM-inspired and adapted from several regimens; protocol 2 was intended to decrease toxicity and need for hospitalization. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In protocol 1, 103 patients (91.96%) achieved complete remission compared to 106 (79.10%) in protocol 2 (p = 0.001). The 5-year OS was 67.1% for protocol 1 vs. 55.5% for protocol 2, whereas EFS was 58.2% vs. 36.9%, respectively. Relapse occurred in 45 patients (40.17%) in protocol 1 vs. 42 (31.34%) in protocol 2 (p = 0.181). OS 1 year after relapse was 52.4% vs. 57.1%, respectively. No difference in relapse rate was documented. CONCLUSIONS: No improvement in survival rates of children with ALL from a low-income group living in a LMIC was achieved over a decade. Implementation of contemporary protocols with a high success rate is mandatory.

Evaluation of hemoglobin performance in the assessment of iron stores in feto-maternal pairs in a high-risk population: receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

OBJECTIVE: By applying receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the objective of this study was to see whether hemoglobin levels reflect body iron stores in a group of pregnant women at term who, by using serum ferritin as the reference test, had a high pre-test probability of having iron deficiency anemia. Likewise, we evaluated the ability of hemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin levels to predict iron deficiency anemia in newborns. METHODS: Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured in 187 pregnant women at term belonging to a group with a high pre-test probability of iron deficiency anemia and their newborns. Women with Hb <11.0g/dL and newborns with cord Hb <13.0g/dL were classified as anemic. A serum ferritin <12.0µg/L in women and a cord blood serum ferritin <35.0µg/L were considered to reflect empty iron stores. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to select the cut-off points that better reflected iron stores. RESULTS: The Hb cut-off point selected by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in women was <11.5g/dL (sensitivity: 60.82, specificity: 53.33%, Youden Index: 0.450). Most of the newborns had normal Hb which precluded this analysis. Maternal Hb <11.0g/dL was the cut-off point that best reflected iron deficiency anemia in newborns (sensitivity: 55.88%, specificity: 57.24%, Youden Index: 0.217). The best cut-off point of maternal serum ferritin to reflect empty iron stores in newborns was <6.0µg/L (sensitivity: 76.47%, specificity: 31.58%, Youden Index: 0.200). CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin concentration performed poorly to detect iron deficiency anemia in women at term with high risk for iron deficiency and their newborns.

Revisiting the complete blood count and clinical findings at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: 10-year experience at a single center

Abstract Background Heterogeneity regarding clinical and laboratory findings at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia exists. The frequency of complete blood count abnormalities and its combinations, symptoms and physical findings were investigated in Hispanic children from an open population at the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods The patient charts and electronic records of under 16-year-old children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia over 10 years at a regional hematology center of a university hospital were analyzed to retrieve data concerning the complete blood count at first evaluation. Type and distribution of abnormal data, frequency of symptoms and physical findings at presentation were documented. Results The records of 203 children aged 0-15 years diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 2006 to 2016 were revisited. The results of the blood workup showed a median white blood cell count of 7120 × 109/L (range: 450-600,000 × 109/L), and a median hemoglobin concentration of 7.5 g/dL (range: 2.4-15.3 g/dL), whereas the median platelet count was 47,400 × 109/L (range: 4000-544,000 × 109/L). Leukocytosis and leukopenia were present in 36.6% and 36.1% of cases, respectively; anemia was diagnosed in 82.9% children. The order of frequency for major clinical symptoms was fatigue 62%, fever 60%, bone and joint pain 39%, hyporexia 33% and weight loss 21%, while main physical findings were hepatomegaly 78%, splenomegaly 63%, lymphadenopathy 57%, pallor 48%, and purpura 30%. Conclusion Data differing from those classically expected at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children were documented in a cohort of Hispanic children over one decade with a wide spectrum of complete blood count abnormalities, forms of presentation and frequency of physical findings.

Evaluation of hemoglobin performance in the assessment of iron stores in feto-maternal pairs in a high-risk population: receiver operating characteristic curve analysis

By applying receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the objective of this study was to see whether hemoglobin levels reflect body iron stores in a group of pregnant women at term who, by using serum ferritin as the reference test, had a high pre-test prob- ability of having iron deficiency anemia. Likewise, we evaluated the ability of hemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin levels to predict iron deficiency anemia in newborns. Methods: Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured in 187 pregnant women at term belonging to a group with a high pre-test probability of iron deficiency anemia and their newborns. Women with Hb <11.0 g/dL and newborns with cord Hb <13.0 g/dL were classified as anemic. A serum ferritin <12.0 µg/L in women and a cord blood serum ferritin <35.0 µg/L were considered to reflect empty iron stores. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to select the cut-off points that better reflected iron stores. Results: The Hb cut-off point selected by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in women was <11.5 g/dL (sensitivity: 60.82, specificity: 53.33%, Youden Index: 0.450). Most of the newborns had normal Hb which precluded this analysis. Maternal Hb <11.0 g/dL was the cut-off point that best reflected iron deficiency anemia in newborns (sensitivity: 55.88%, specificity: 57.24%, Youden Index: 0.217). The best cut-off point of maternal serum ferritin to reflect empty iron stores in newborns was <6.0 µg/L (sensitivity: 76.47%, specificity: 31.58%, Youden Index: 0.200). Conclusion: Hemoglobin concentration performed poorly to detect iron deficiency anemia in women at term with high risk for iron deficiency and their newborns.