Longitudinal assessment of disease activity and muscle strength in juvenile dermatomyositis: a multicentre registry study.

OBJECTIVES: To define disease activity measures, muscle strength and functional assessments in new-onset juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients, at disease onset and follow up. METHODS: A registry was set up in 18 hospitals, enrolling patients over 3-years (2015-2018). Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after diagnosis. Disease Activity Score (DAS20), skin and musculoskeletal DAS sub-scales; Manual Muscle Test (MMT8); Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS); Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (CHAQ_DI 0-3) and 10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for overall wellbeing scores were compared by Poisson Model and Wald post-test for repeated measures. RESULTS: Ninety-six cases, being 61 (64%) females, median age 10 years had JDM diagnosis and 12 (13%) onset calcinosis. Mean ±SD scores at diagnosis and 6 months intervals for DAS20 (0-20) were 7.8±5, 6.3 ±4.8, 5±4, 4.9 ±5 and 0.5 ±2.3; with significant difference from baseline (p<0.01). Skin DAS subscales were 2.8±3.3, 1.8±2.9, 1,1±2.2, 0.6±1.8, 0.4±1.5. MMT (0-80) 62.6±20.4, 70.2±13.5, 73.3±11, 75.7±7.9 and 74.8±7.8, with significant difference from baseline up to 6 months (p=0.016); CMAS (0-53) 29.5±11.4, 33.1±8.3, 34.2±5.8, 34±6 and 33.3±5.4. CHAQ-DI (0-3) 1±0.9, 0.6±0.7, 0.8±0.8, 1±0.8 and 1±0.3; parents VAS 4.1±2.5, 2±2.1; 1.3±2.8, 4.1±3.1, 1.7±2.2. There was no significant difference for CMAS, CHAQ-DI and parents VAS from baseline up to 24-month assessment. CONCLUSIONS: DAS20 scores improved gradually during follow up, MMT8 improved significantly during the first 6 months and CMAS, CHAQ-DI and parents VAS scores had no significant improvement with persistent functional impairment over 2-years.

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in a patient with a new minimal deletion in the death domain of the FAS gene.

We present a case of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) caused by a previously undescribed minimal deletion in the death domain of the FAS gene. ALPS is an uncommon disease associated with an impaired Fas-mediated apoptosis. The patient presented with a history of splenomegaly since 4 months of age, associated with cervical lymphadenopathy, which improved with oral corticosteroid treatment. Relevant laboratory findings were the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and positive direct and indirect Coombs tests. He was not an offspring of consanguineous parents. Two cervical lymph node biopsies were performed, at 4 years and at 6 years of age. In both lymph nodes, there was marked paracortical expansion by lymphocytes in variable stages of immunoblastic transformation and a very high cell proliferating index. Some clear cells were also present, raising the suspicion of malignant lymphoma. In one of the lymph nodes, there was also a focus rich in large histiocytes with round nuclei and emperipolesis, consistent with focal Rosai-Dorfman disease. Immunostaining showed numerous CD3+ cells, many of which were double-negative (CD4- CD8-) and expressed CD57, especially around the follicles. Molecular studies of the lymph node biopsy showed a point deletion (4-base pair deletion) in exon 9 of the FAS gene (930del TGCT), which results in 3 missense amino acids.

Anencefalia: conhecimento e opinião dos médicos ginecologistas-obstetras e pediatras de Goiânia / Anencephaly: knowledge and opinion of gynecologists, obstetricians and pediatricians in Goiânia / La anencefalia: conocimiento y opinión de los ginecólogos, obstetras y pediatras en Goiânia

Objetivando analisar o grau de conhecimento e opinião dos médicos sobre anencefalia, foi realizado estudo transversal com 70 ginecologistas-obstetras e pediatras de dois hospitais de Goiânia. Os entrevistados responderam a questionário com 20 perguntas fechadas, com opções "verdadeiro" ou "falso", abrangendo cinco temas distribuídos em 31 afirmações com respostas em escala tipo Likert. A maioria dos entrevistados afirmou ter assistido a aula sobre anencefalia (70%), e a média de acertos foi de 13,17 questões. As afirmações com mais acertos versavam sobre a gestação do anencéfalo (80%) e que anencefalia não significa morte encefálica (72%). As questões com menor número de acertos abordavam doação de órgãos de anencéfalo nascido vivo (35%) e a legislação que permite a interrupção da gestação perante diagnóstico inequívoco de anencefalia (47,1%). Dos profissionais ouvidos, 30,41% concordaram que o anencéfalo tem vida. Conclui-se que a anencefalia ainda é tema polêmico e necessita ser mais conhecida entre médicos.

In order to analyze the knowledge and opinion of physicians about anencephaly, a cross-sectional study was performed, including 70 obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians of two hospitals in Goiania, Brazil. The interviewees answered a survey of 20 true or false closed questions. Their opinions were evaluated through a 5-subject questionnaire, with 31 affirmations with a Likert-type response scale. Most of the interviewees (70%) affirmed to have attended classes on anencephaly. The average of correct answers was 13.17. The assertive questions with the highest percentage of correct answers were on anencephalic pregnancy (80%) and the distinction between anencephaly and brain death (72%). The questions with the lowest number of correct answers were about the donation of anencephalic born alive babies' organs (35%) and about the legislation that permits pregnancy termination when anencephaly had been unequivocally diagnosed (47.1%). Among those heard, 30.41% agreed on the fact that anencephalic babies have life. In conclusion, anencephaly is still a controversial topic and physicians need to acquire more knowledge on the subject.

Con el objetivo de analizar el grado de conocimiento y opinión de los médicos sobre la anencefalia, fué hecho estudio transversal con 70 médicos ginecólogos/obstetras y pediatras de los hospitales de Goiânia, Brasil. Los entrevistados respondieron un cuestionario de 20 preguntas de verdadero o falso, y se evaluaron sus opiniones a través de un cuestionario con cinco preguntas que contenían 31 opciones de respuestas en escala tipo Likert. La mayoría (70%) participó en clases sobre anencefalia. El promedio de respuestas correctas fue del 13. 17 preguntas. Las afirmaciones con mayor número de respuestas correctas se registraron en relación a la gestación del anencéfalo (80%) y sobre que no existe en este caso muerte encefálica (72%). Las preguntas con menores números de respuestas correctas se relacionaron a la donación de órganos del anencéfalo nacido vivo (35%) y sobre la legislación que permite la interrupción de la gestación frente al diagnóstico inequívoco de anencefalia (47,1%). El 30,41% estuvo de acuerdo que el anencéfalo tiene vida. A la conclusión se verfiicó que la anencefalia es aún un tema polémico y necesita un mayor conocimiento entre los médicos.

Immunization consensus for children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases / Consenso de imunização para crianças e adolescentes com doenças reumatológicas

Crianças e adolescentes com doenças reumatológicas apresentam maior prevalência de doenças infecciosas quando comparados com a população em geral, em decorrência de atividade da doença, possível deficiência imunológica secundária à própria doença, ou uso de terapia imunossupressora. A vacinação é uma medida eficaz para a redução da morbidade e mortalidade nesses pacientes. O objetivo deste artigo foi realizar um consenso de eficácia e segurança das vacinas em crianças e adolescentes com doenças reumatológicas infantis baseadas em níveis de evidência científica. Imunização passiva para os pacientes e orientações para as pessoas que convivem com doentes imunodeprimidos também foram incluídas. Os 32 pediatras reumatologistas membros do Departamento de Reumatologia da Sociedade de Pediatria de São Paulo (SPSP) e/ou da Comissão de Reumatologia Pediátrica da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia elaboraram o consenso, sendo que alguns desses profissionais estão envolvidos em pesquisas e publicações científicas nesta área. A pesquisa dos termos eficácia e/ou segurança das diferentes vacinas em crianças e adolescentes com doenças reumatológicas foi realizada nas bases de Medline e Scielo, de 1966 até março de 2009, incluindo revisões, estudos controlados e relatos de casos. O grau de recomendação e o nível científico de evidências dos estudos foram classificados em quatro níveis para cada vacina. De um modo geral, as vacinas inativadas e de componentes são seguras nos pacientes com doenças reumatológicas, mesmo em uso de terapias imunossupressoras. Entretanto, vacinas com agentes vivos atenuados são, em geral, contraindicadas para os pacientes imunossuprimidos.

Incidence of infectious diseases is higher in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases than in the general population due to disease activity, possible immune deficiency secondary to the disease itself, or the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Vaccination is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in those patients. The objective of this study was to establish an evidence-based consensus on the efficacy and safety of vaccination in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases. Passive immunization of patients and guidelines for people who live with immunosuppressed patients were also included. The 32 pediatric rheumatologists of the Rheumatology Department of the Pediatrics Society of São Paulo, (SPSP, from the Portuguese), São Paulo, SP, Brazil, and/or the Commission on Pediatrics Rheumatology of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology are responsible for this consensus; some of those professionals are involved on research and scientific publications in this field. The words efficacy and/or safety of different vaccines in children and adolescents with rheumatologic diseases were searched in Medline and Scielo data bases from 1966 to March 2009, including reviews, controlled studies, and case reports. The degree of recommendation and the scientific evidence of the studies were classified in four levels for each vaccine. As a rule, inactive and protein components vaccines are safe for patients with rheumatologic diseases, even in the presence of immunosuppressive therapy. However, live attenuated vaccines are, in general, contraindicated for immunosuppressed patients.

Antropometria do pênis em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Penile anthropometry in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objetivo: Avaliar a antropometria do pênis em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) e controles. A possível influência da puberdade e dos fatores clínicos, hormonais e terapêuticos nas mediadas penianas em pacientes lúpicos. Métodos: Vinte e cinco pacientes consecutivos com LES foram avaliados através de exame urológico, ultrassonografia testicular com Doppler, dosagem hormonal [folículo estimulante (FSH), hormônio luteinizante (LH), prolactina, dosagem total de testosterona pela manhã e inibina B] e análise genética (síndrome Klinefelter e microdeleção do cromossomo Y). Comprimento do pênis foi medido como a distância linear ao longo do lado dorsal do pênis que se estende desde a junção da pele pubopeniana à ponta da glande no estado flácido, enquanto que a circunferência do pênis foi medida no ponto médio do eixo. As características clínicas, SLEDAI, SLICC / ACR-DI, e tratamento também foram avaliados. O grupo controle incluiu 25 homens de idade comparável e saudáveis. Resultados: Pacientes com LES tiveram o comprimento médio do pênis e da sua circunferência significantemente menor, em comparação aos controles [8 (7,5-10) vs. 10 (8-13) cm, p=0,0001; 8 (7-10) vs. 10 cm (11/07) , p=0,001; respectivamente], e mediana do volume testicular direito e esquerdo por Prader [15 (10-25) vs. 20 (12-25) cm, p=0,003; 15 (25/10) vs. 20 (12-25) cm, p=0,006, respectivamente], maior mediana de FSH [5,8 (2,1- 25) vs. 3,3 (1,9-9) UI/l, p=0,002] e menores níveis de testosterona total, dosados pela manhã (28% versus 0%, p = 0,009 ) quando comparados aos controles. Apesar desses achados, a disfunção erétil não foi observada nos pacientes ou controles. Outras análises revelaram que a mediana da circunferência do pênis foi menor nos pacientes com LES que tiveram o início da doença antes da primeira ejaculação [7,8 (7-10) vs. 9,0 (7,5-10) cm, p=0,026] em comparação com aqueles que começaram a doença após a primeira ejaculação...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate penile anthropometry in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with healthy controls and the possible relevant pubertal, clinical,hormonal and treatment factors that could influence penile dimensions. Methods: Twenty-five consecutive SLE patients were assessed by urological examination, sexual function, testicular ultrasound, hormones, sperm analysis, genetic analysis, clinical features and treatment. The control group included 25 age-matched healthy males. Results: SLE patients had a lower median penis length and circumference [8 (7.510) vs. 10 (813) cm, p=0.0001; 8 (710) vs. 10 (711) cm, p=0.001; respectively], lower median testicular volume by right and left Prader [15 (1025) vs. 20 (1225) ml, p=0.003; 15 (1025) vs. 20 (1225) ml, p=0.006; respectively], higher median of follicle-stimulating hormone [5.8 (2.125) vs. 3.3 (1.99) IU/l, p»0.002] and lower morning total testosterone levels (28% vs. 0%, p»0.009) compared with controls. In spite of that, erectile dysfunction was not observed in patients or controls. Analyses of lupus patients revealed that the median penis circumference was lower in patients with disease onset before first ejaculation compared with those with disease onset after first ejaculation [7.8 (710) vs. 9.0 (7.510) cm, p=0.026]. No differences were observed in the median penile anthropometry regarding sexual dysfunction (p=0.610), lower morning total testosterone levels (p=0.662), oligo/azoospermia (p=0.705), SLE Disease Activity Index 4 (p=0.562), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index 1 (p=0.478), prednisone cumulative dose (p=0.789) and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy (p=0.754)...