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.

A longitudinal multiethnic study of biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus: Launching the GLADEL 2.0 Study Group.

Introduction: After more than 20 years of sustained work, the Latin American Group for the Study of Lupus (GLADEL) has made a significant number of contributions to the field of lupus, not only in the differential role that race/ethnicity plays in its course and outcome but also in several other studies including the beneficial effects of using antimalarials in lupus patients and the development of consensus guidelines for the treatment of lupus in our region. Methods: A new generation of "Lupus Investigators" in more than 40 centers throughout Latin America has been constituted in order to continue the legacy of the investigators of the original cohort and to launch a novel study of serum and urinary biomarkers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Results: So far, we have recruited 807 patients and 631 controls from 42 Latin-American centers including 339 patients with SLE without renal involvement, 202 patients with SLE with prevalent but inactive renal disease, 176 patients with prevalent and active renal disease and 90 patients with incident lupus nephritis. Conclusions: The different methodological aspects of the GLADEL 2.0 cohort are discussed in this manuscript, including the challenges and difficulties of conducting such an ambitious project.

The Impact of Osteoarthritis on the Functioning and Health Status of a Low-Income Population: An Example of a Disability Paradox.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the impact of osteoarthritis on the functioning and health status of individuals living in a low-income urban community in Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based study from December 2014 to November 2015, using the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases methodology to identify cases of musculoskeletal disease in a sample of adults older than 18 years in Pueblo Nuevo, Apodaca, Mexico. Two rheumatologists confirmed all cases of osteoarthritis (OA) using predefined criteria. Functioning was evaluated through (a) self-report of difficulty doing personal care, work, and leisure activities; (b) the modified Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; and (c) the Timed Up and Go test. Health status was evaluated using the EuroQoL 5 Dimensions. Statistical analyses were performed using χ tests and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-nine individuals with a mean age of 45.2 years were included, and 83 cases of OA were confirmed. The presence of OA was not significantly associated with having difficulties to do personal care, work, or leisure activities, but it was significantly associated with a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index score, longer time to complete the Timed Up and Go, and lower health status. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoarthritis is associated with having higher disability and worse health status in the community studied. A disability paradox was detected as some individuals perceived disability for doing standard activities but did not present disability performing their real-life activities. This underlies the importance of addressing the mental dimension during the management of this population.

Rheumatoid arthritis in Latin Americans enriched for Amerindian ancestry is associated with loci in chromosomes 1, 12, and 13, and the HLA class II region.

OBJECTIVE: To identify susceptibility loci for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Latin American individuals with admixed European and Amerindian genetic ancestry. METHODS: Genotyping was performed in 1,475 patients with RA and 1,213 control subjects, using a customized BeadArray containing 196,524 markers covering loci previously associated with various autoimmune diseases. Principal components analysis (EigenSoft package) and Structure software were used to identify outliers and define the population substructure. REAP software was used to define cryptic relatedness and duplicates, and genetic association analyses were conducted using Plink statistical software. RESULTS: A strong genetic association between RA and the major histocompatibility complex region was observed, localized within BTNL2/DRA-DQB1- DQA2 (P = 7.6 × 10(-10) ), with 3 independent effects. We identified an association in the PLCH2-HES5-TNFRSF14-MMEL1 region of chromosome 1 (P = 9.77 × 10(-6) ), which was previously reported in Europeans, Asians, and Native Canadians. We identified one novel putative association in ENOX1 on chromosome 13 (P = 3.24 × 10(-7) ). Previously reported associations were observed in the current study, including PTPN22, SPRED2, STAT4, IRF5, CCL21, and IL2RA, although the significance was relatively moderate. Adjustment for Amerindian ancestry improved the association of a novel locus in chromosome 12 at C12orf30 (NAA25) (P = 3.9 × 10(-6) ). Associations with the HLA region, SPRED2, and PTPN22 improved in individuals positive for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. CONCLUSION: Our data define, for the first time, the contribution of Amerindian ancestry to the genetic architecture of RA in an admixed Latin American population by confirming the role of the HLA region and supporting the association with a locus in chromosome 1. In addition, we provide data for novel putative loci in chromosomes 12 and 13.

Impact of genetic ancestry and sociodemographic status on the clinical expression of systemic lupus erythematosus in American Indian-European populations.

OBJECTIVE: American Indian-Europeans, Asians, and African Americans have an excess morbidity from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a higher prevalence of lupus nephritis than do Caucasians. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between genetic ancestry and sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features in a large cohort of American Indian-European SLE patients. METHODS: A total of 2,116 SLE patients of American Indian-European origin and 4,001 SLE patients of European descent for whom we had clinical data were included in the study. Genotyping of 253 continental ancestry-informative markers was performed on the Illumina platform. Structure and Admixture software were used to determine genetic ancestry proportions of each individual. Logistic regression was used to test the association between genetic ancestry and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: The average American Indian genetic ancestry of 2,116 SLE patients was 40.7%. American Indian genetic ancestry conferred increased risks of renal involvement (P < 0.0001, OR 3.50 [95% CI 2.63- 4.63]) and early age at onset (P < 0.0001). American Indian ancestry protected against photosensitivity (P < 0.0001, OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.44-0.76]), oral ulcers (P < 0.0001, OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.42-0.72]), and serositis (P < 0.0001, OR 0.56 [95% CI 0.41-0.75]) after adjustment for age, sex, and age at onset. However, age and sex had stronger effects than genetic ancestry on malar rash, discoid rash, arthritis, and neurologic involvement. CONCLUSION: In general, American Indian genetic ancestry correlates with lower sociodemographic status and increases the risk of developing renal involvement and SLE at an earlier age.

Impact of obesity and overweight on C-reactive protein concentrations and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This study aims to assess the association of obesity and CRP concentrations in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and its influence on measures of disease activity. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, from the time of their inception to November 2021. Observational studies that evaluated the association between CRP concentrations and obesity or overweight in patients with RA were considered eligible. Correlation coefficients were pooled using the inverse variance method, while effect sizes were pre-calculated for adjusted standardized regression coefficients (ß). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies, which comprised 4024 patients, were included in this systematic review. Individually, most studies report a significant association between CRP concentrations and a higher body mass index or other adiposity measures, but the statistical significance was not sustained when pooling their data together. Through the estimates provided in the present review, it is noted that CRP tends to be more elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. However, this association is not present in men. CONCLUSION: CRP tends to be elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. Further research is required to assess this possible sex-related difference and to aid shared decision-making in order to avoid over-treatment and increased burden in patients with obesity and RA. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022314580.

Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis in a multinational inception cohort of Latin American patients: the GLADAR experience.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved dramatically in the last decade. However, little is known about the way rheumatologists in Latin America treat their patients in clinical practice, outside the scope of clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns at disease onset in early RA with data from a large, multicenter, multinational inception cohort of Latin American patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with early RA (<1 year of disease duration as diagnosed by a rheumatologist) from 46 centers in 14 Latin American countries were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, laboratory assessments, and a detailed registry on type of prescriptions were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up. Hands and feet x-rays were obtained at baseline and at 12 and 24 months. All data were captured in Arthros 6.1 database. Continuous variables were expressed as means and SDs, and categorical variables were expressed as percentages and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Only therapeutic data at baseline are presented, corresponding to the period between disease onset and second visit (3 months). RESULTS: A total of 1093 patients were included. Eighty-five percent were female, and 76% had a positive rheumatoid factor. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.5 (SD, 14.2) years, and mean disease duration at the first visit was 5.8 (SD, 3.8) months. Between baseline and second visit (3 months), 75% of patients (95% CI, 72%-78%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methotrexate (MTX) alone or in combination was the most frequently used (60.5%), followed by antimalarials (chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, 32.1%), sulfasalazine (7.1%), and leflunomide (LEF, 4%). In 474 patients (43%), initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs was within the first month after the first visit. In addition, 290 patients (26%; 95% CI, 23%-29%) received combination therapy as initial treatment. The most frequently used combinations were MTX + chloroquine (45%), MTX + hydroxychloroquine (25%), and MTX + sulfasalazine (16%). Eleven patients (1%; 95% CI, 0.5%-1.8%) received biologics. Sixty-four percent (95% CI, 60%-66%) received corticosteroids. Of those, 80% (95% CI, 77%-84%) received 10 mg of oral prednisone or less. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of Latin American patients with early RA, most patients received MTX very early in their disease course. Combination therapy was used approximately in 1 of every 4 patients as initial therapy. Biologics were rarely used at this early stage, and low-dose prednisone was commonly used.

Value of body mass index in the diagnosis of obesity according to DEXA in well-controlled RA patients. / Desempeño del índice de masa corporal para el diagnóstico de obesidad por medio de absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA) en pacientes con artritis reumatoide.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an indirect effect on body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is not a valid predictor of body fat in RA patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of BMI in identifying obesity diagnosed according to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in well-controlled RA patients. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study. We used 3 different cutoffs for obesity as determined by DXA: >35% total fat, >40% total fat, and >35% central fat mass (central obesity). RESULTS: One hundred one patients were included. We found that 35% total fat corresponded to a BMI of 24kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 75% (area under the curve [AUC] 0.917); 40% total fat to a BMI of 25kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 39% (AUC 0.822); and 35% central fat mass to a BMI of 22kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 84% (AUC 0.951). CONCLUSION: Obesity according to DXA was underdiagnosed when the classic BMI cutoffs were used in well-controlled RA patients.

Effects of Amerindian Genetic Ancestry on Clinical Variables and Therapy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To define whether Amerindian genetic ancestry correlates with clinical and therapeutic variables in admixed individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from Latin America. METHODS: Patients with RA (n = 1347) and healthy controls (n = 1012) from Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Peru were included. Samples were genotyped for the Immunochip v1 using the Illumina platform. Clinical data were obtained through interviews or the clinical history. RESULTS: Percentage of Amerindian ancestry was comparable between cases and controls. Morning stiffness (p < 0.0001, OR 0.05), rheumatoid factor (RF; p < 0.0001, OR 0.22), radiographic changes (p < 0.0001, OR 0.05), and higher number of criteria were associated with lower Amerindian ancestry after Bonferroni correction. Higher Amerindian ancestry correlated only with weight loss (pBonferroni < 0.0001, OR 2.85). Increased Amerindian ancestry correlated with higher doses of azathioprine (p < 0.0001, OR 163.6) and sulfasalazine (p < 0.0001, OR 48.6), and inversely with methotrexate (p = 0.001, OR 0.35), leflunomide (p = 0.001, OR 0.16), and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (pBonferroni = 0.001, OR 0.37). Only the presence of RF and weight loss were modified after confounders adjustment. CONCLUSION: Amerindian ancestry protects against most major clinical criteria of RA, but regarding the association of RF with increased European ancestry, age, sex, and smoking are modifiers. Ancestry also correlates with the therapeutic profiles.

Transancestral mapping and genetic load in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (∼50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (P<5 × 10-8), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect. The risk allele count (genetic load) exhibits an accelerating pattern of SLE risk, leading us to posit a cumulative hit hypothesis for autoimmune disease. Comparing results across the three ancestries identifies both ancestry-dependent and ancestry-independent contributions to SLE risk. Our results are consistent with the unique and complex histories of the populations sampled, and collectively help clarify the genetic architecture and ethnic disparities in SLE.

Genome-Wide Association Study in an Amerindian Ancestry Population Reveals Novel Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Loci and the Role of European Admixture.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component. We undertook the present work to perform the first genome-wide association study on individuals from the Americas who are enriched for Native American heritage. METHODS: We analyzed 3,710 individuals from the US and 4 countries of Latin America who were diagnosed as having SLE, and healthy controls. Samples were genotyped with HumanOmni1 BeadChip. Data on out-of-study controls genotyped with HumanOmni2.5 were also included. Statistical analyses were performed using SNPtest and SNPGWA. Data were adjusted for genomic control and false discovery rate. Imputation was performed using Impute2 and, for classic HLA alleles, HiBag. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The IRF5-TNPO3 region showed the strongest association and largest OR for SLE (rs10488631: genomic control-adjusted P [Pgcadj ] = 2.61 × 10(-29), OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.88-2.39]), followed by HLA class II on the DQA2-DQB1 loci (rs9275572: Pgcadj = 1.11 × 10(-16), OR 1.62 [95% CI 1.46-1.80] and rs9271366: Pgcadj = 6.46 × 10(-12), OR 2.06 [95% CI 1.71-2.50]). Other known SLE loci found to be associated in this population were ITGAM, STAT4, TNIP1, NCF2, and IRAK1. We identified a novel locus on 10q24.33 (rs4917385: Pgcadj = 1.39 × 10(-8)) with an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) effect (Peqtl = 8.0 × 10(-37) at USMG5/miR1307), and several new suggestive loci. SLE risk loci previously identified in Europeans and Asians were corroborated. Local ancestry estimation showed that the HLA allele risk contribution is of European ancestral origin. Imputation of HLA alleles suggested that autochthonous Native American haplotypes provide protection against development of SLE. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that studying admixed populations provides new insights in the delineation of the genetic architecture that underlies autoimmune and complex diseases.

Reunión multidisciplinaria de expertos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la osteoartritis. Actualización basada en evidencias / Multidisciplinary meeting of experts for diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis. Up-to-date based on evidence

Resumen La osteoartritis es una enfermedad articular crónica degenerativa, es la afección articular observada con más frecuencia en la población adulta y una de las principales causas de discapacidad en todo el mundo, por lo que es de importancia el diagnóstico y tratamiento en las fases tempranas de la enfermedad. En la actualidad los nuevos tratamientos, además de aliviar el dolor, pueden disminuir la limitación funcional y modificar el curso de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este artículo es actualizar la evidencia acerca del diagnóstico y de las nuevas formas de tratamiento de la osteoartritis, así como evaluar los cambios en la evidencia que ha habido en relación con la guía anterior. Para la elaboración de la guía motivo de esta reunión, se contó con la participación de especialistas en Medicina Interna, Reumatología, Ortopedia y Rehabilitación física, un bibliotecario y un experto en metodología; se realizó una búsqueda extensa en PubMed y en otros sitios web especializados. Se estableció una serie de recomendaciones y niveles de evidencia basados en la bibliografía consultada. Se concluye que la osteoartritis es una enfermead compleja que implica múltiples factores de riesgo, por lo que es importante tomar en cuenta que el tratamiento es multidisciplinario y consta de un enfoque no farmacológico y uno farmacológico; sin embargo, es necesario crear una cultura preventiva de la osteoartritis en los médicos tratantes, en la que se eduque y se dé información al paciente para evitar que la enfermedad progrese.

Abstract Osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative joint disease, is the joint condition most frequently observed in the adult population; is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Therefore, it is important the diagnosis and treatment in the early stages of the disease. Currently new therapies, in addition to relieving pain, can reduce functional limitation and modify the course of the disease. The objective of this article is to update the evidence on diagnosis and new forms of osteoarthritis treatment, as well as to evaluate the changes in the evidence that has been in relation to the previous guide. For the elaboration of the guide, there was participation of specialists (Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Orthopedics and Physical Rehabilitation), a librarian and an expert in methodology; an extensive search was carried out in PubMed and other specialized websites. A series of recommendations and levels of evidence were established based on the bibliography consulted. Concluding that osteoarthritis is a complex pathology involving multiple risk factors, it is important to consider that the treatment is multidisciplinary and consists of a non-pharmacological approach and a pharmacological treatment; however, it is necessary to create a preventive culture on osteoarthritis in treating doctors, in which the patient is educated and given information to prevent the disease from progressing.

Desempeño del índice de masa corporal para el diagnóstico de obesidad por medio de absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA) en pacientes con artritis reumatoide / Value of body mass index in the diagnosis of obesity according to DEXA in well-controlled RA patients

Introducción. La artritis reumatoide (AR) tiene un efecto indirecto en la composición corporal. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) no se considera un predictor válido de la grasa corporal en pacientes con AR. Objetivo. Evaluar el IMC para identificar la obesidad mediante absorciometría dual por rayos X (DEXA) en pacientes con AR bien controlados. Métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal, descriptivo y analítico. Se utilizaron 3 definiciones de obesidad por DEXA:>35% de grasa total, >40% de grasa total y obesidad central>35%. Resultados. Se incluyó a 101 pacientes. Se encontró un IMC de 24kg/m2 para obesidad >35% con una sensibilidad del 90% y una especificidad del 75% (área bajo la curva [AUC] 0,917), un IMC de 25kg/m2 para obesidad >40% con una sensibilidad del 86% y una especificidad del 39% (AUC 0,822) y un IMC de 22kg/m2 para 35% de la grasa central con una sensibilidad de 97% y una especificidad del 84% (AUC 0,951). Conclusión. Existe un subdiagnóstico de obesidad con el uso de los valores de tradicionales de IMC en pacientes con AR bien controlados (AU)

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an indirect effect on body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is not a valid predictor of body fat in RA patients. Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of BMI in identifying obesity diagnosed according to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in well-controlled RA patients. Methods. An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study. We used 3 different cutoffs for obesity as determined by DXA: >35% total fat, >40% total fat, and >35% central fat mass (central obesity). Results. One hundred one patients were included. We found that 35% total fat corresponded to a BMI of 24kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 75% (area under the curve [AUC] 0.917); 40% total fat to a BMI of 25kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 39% (AUC 0.822); and 35% central fat mass to a BMI of 22kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 84% (AUC 0.951). Conclusion. Obesity according to DXA was underdiagnosed when the classic BMI cutoffs were used in well-controlled RA patients (AU)