Predictors of renal damage in systemic lupus erythematous patients: data from a multiethnic, multinational Latin American lupus cohort (GLADEL).

AIM: A decrease in proteinuria has been considered protective from renal damage in lupus nephritis (LN), but a cut-off point has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of renal damage in patients with LN and to determine the best cut-off point for a decrease in proteinuria. METHODS: We included patients with LN defined clinically or histologically. Possible predictors of renal damage at the time of LN diagnosis were examined: proteinuria, low complement, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, red cell casts, creatinine level, hypertension, renal activity (assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)), prednisone dose, immunosuppressive drugs and antimalarial use. Sociodemographic variables were included at baseline. Proteinuria was assessed at baseline and at 12 months, to determine if early response (proteinuria <0.8 g/day within 12 months since LN diagnosis) is protective of renal damage occurrence. Renal damage was defined as an increase of one or more points in the renal domain of The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Damage Index (SDI). Cox regression models using a backward selection method were performed. RESULTS: Five hundred and two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus patients were included; 120 patients (23.9%) accrued renal damage during their follow-up. Early response to treatment (HR=0.58), antimalarial use (HR=0.54) and a high SES (HR=0.25) were protective of renal damage occurrence, whereas male gender (HR=1.83), hypertension (HR=1.86) and the renal component of the SLEDAI (HR=2.02) were risk factors for its occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Early response, antimalarial use and high SES were protective of renal damage, while male gender, hypertension and higher renal activity were risk factors for its occurrence in patients with LN.

Community-based study to estimate prevalence and burden of illness of rheumatic diseases in Cuba: a COPCORD study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, burden of illness, and help-seeking behavior of patients with musculoskeletal complaints and provide point prevalence estimates of osteoarthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and bone fractures not related to trauma among the adult population in a urban community in Havana City. METHODS: Home survey of adults validated against physical examination. Forty-eight trained family doctors and 3 rheumatologists supervised the interviews and confirmed diagnoses. Family doctors applied a validated Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases core questionnaire. A diagnosis using American College of Rheumatology criteria was established. Analysis was based on descriptive statistics and point prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of most common diseases and associated disability rate. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred thirty-eight men and 1917 women were included. Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was estimated in 43.9% (95% CI: 42.2-45.7). The knees were the most affected area (11.7%; 95% CI: 10.6-12) followed by low back pain (11.6%; 95% CI: 10.5-12.8). Point prevalence and 95% CI were as follows: osteoarthritis, 20.4% (95% CI: 19-21.8); gout, 0.38% (95% CI: 0.2-0.6); fibromyalgia, 0.22% (95% CI: 0.09-0.4); systemic lupus erythematosus, 0.06% (95% CI: 0.01-0.25); spondyloarthropathies, 0.19% (95% CI: 0.07-0.4); and rheumatoid arthritis,1.24% (95% CI: 0.8-1.7). Bone fractures not related to trauma were found in 1.14%, hip fracture being the most common (30.5%). Most patients were seen by the general practitioner (65.4%) and 6.2% described some disability. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in Cuba. Prevalence estimates are similar to those described in other surveys except for rheumatoid arthritis that seems more prevalent in Cuba and fibromyalgia less prevalent.

Síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos en Obstetricia en una serie de casos en Cuba / Obstetrical antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in a case series in Cuba

Introducción: el síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos es un estado protrombótico adquirido determinado por la presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos en pacientes con trombosis venosa o arterial y una morbilidad incrementada durante el embarazo. Objetivos: describir los principales aspectos epidemiológico-clínicos del síndrome durante el embarazo y los resultados perinatales. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y analítico de una serie de pacientes con síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos y embarazo en el Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas y el Centro Nacional de Reumatología, en La Habana, Cuba. La serie estudiada se constituyó con 188 mujeres. Se revisaron los expedientes clínicos de las gestantes internadas y de consultas externas de ambas instituciones, diagnosticadas como patología primaria o secundaria y se conformó una base de datos con variables epidemiológicas como: características del embarazo y desenlace materno fetal. Resultados: del total de pacientes estudiadas de la serie, 32 sufrieron trombosis con morbilidad obstétrica. Se diagnosticó síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos primario en seis pacientes y secundario en 26 (17,5 por ciento). La edad promedio fue de 27 años. Según el color de la piel; seis de cada 10 eran blancas y el resto, mestizas y negras. Entre estas pacientes hubo 81 embarazos; con una razón de 2,53 embarazos/paciente; 76 por ciento nacieron vivos, 18 por ciento tuvo un aborto espontáneo y hubo 5 por ciento de muertes fetales. De ellas, 16 por ciento tuvo parto pretérmino y 10 por ciento desarrolló preeclampsia. No hubo muertes maternas. Conclusiones: el embarazo en pacientes con síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos es de elevado riesgo, y se constató una elevada morbimortalidad materno fetal(AU)

Introduction: antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an acquired prothrombotic state characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with venous or arterial thrombosis and increased morbidity during pregnancy. Objectives: describe the main clinical and epidemiological features of the syndrome during pregnancy as well as its perinatal outcomes. Methods: a descriptive analytical study was conducted of a series of patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and pregnancy at the Center for Medical Surgical Research and the National Rheumatology Center in Havana, Cuba. The study series was composed of 188 women. Examination was performed of the medical records of pregnant women either hospitalized or attending outpatient consultation at the two institutions who had been diagnosed with the syndrome as a primary or a secondary condition. A database was developed with epidemiological variables such as characteristics of the pregnancy and maternal fetal outcome. Results: of the total patients studied in the series, 32 had thrombosis with obstetric morbidity. Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was diagnosed in six patients, whereas secondary APS was diagnosed in 26 (17.5 percent). Mean age was 27 years. With respect to skin color, six out of every ten patients were white, and the rest were either brown or black. There were 81 pregnancies in the series, i.e. 2.53 patients / pregnancy, with 76 percent live births, 18 percent spontaneous abortions and 5 percent fetal deaths. 16 percent had a preterm delivery and 10 percent developed preeclampsia. There were no maternal deaths. Conclusions: pregnancy in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is highly risky, with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality(AU)

Estudio analítico y actualización temática de una serie de pacientes en Cuba con Lupus y embarazo / Analytical study and subject matter updating of a Cuban group of patients presenting with Lupus and pregnancy

OBEJTIVOS: conocer el comportamiento epidemiológico clínico de pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES) que resultaron embarazadas, el desenlace materno fetal y el enfoque terapéutico actualmente propuesto. Analizar la frecuencia de factores como anticoagulante lúpico y otras manifestaciones clínicas asociadas al desarrollo de síndrome antifosfolípido secundario que complican el curso del lupus y al feto. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, analítico y ambispectivo de 160 pacientes con el diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), atendidos o ingresados en el Servicio Nacional de Reumatología (SNR) y CIMEQ, entre enero 1985 y febrero de 2009. El análisis estadístico se realizó utilizando las frecuencias relativas y porcentajes a partir de una base de datos en Excel. El nivel de significación se estableció en p<0,05. RESULTADOS: se produjeron 385 embarazos con una razón de 2,40 embarazos / paciente l, nacieron vivos y sanos 313 (81,29 por ciento); 72 (18,71 por ciento) pérdidas de la gestación, considerando entre ellas 64 abortos (16,6 por ciento). Desarrollaron partos preterimos 22 pacientes (13,7 por ciento), hipertensión asociada a la gestación 18 (11,25 por ciento) y pre-eclampsia 12 (7,53 por ciento) de las embarazadas. Se constataron manifestaciones clínicas de síndrome antifosfolípido asociado a lupus en el 10 por ciento de las embarazadas. CONCLUSIONES: la fertilidad no parece estar comprometida, el embarazo es de alto riesgo, y resultan frecuentes la ocurrencia de brotes de la enfermedad en la madre, abortos espontáneos, partos pretérmino y posibilidad de fetos muertos. Consideramos que esta constituye una valiosa información para el equipo multidisciplinario que enfrente el reto de llevar a feliz término el cuidado y atención de mujeres embarazadas con lupus eritematoso sistémico

OBJECTIVES: to know the clinical and epidemiological behavior of the pregnant patients presenting with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the maternal-fetal outcome, and the therapeutical approach presently proposed. To analyze the factor frequency e.g. lupus anticoagulant and other clinical manifestations associated with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome complicating the lupus course and the fetus. METHODS: a analytical, observational and ambispective study of 160 patients diagnosed with SLE, seen or admitted in National Service of Rheumatology (NSR) and in CIMEQ from January, 1985 and February, 2009. Statistical analysis was made using the relative frequencies and percentages from a Excel database. Significance level was established in p<0,05. RESULTS: there were 385 pregnancies with a ratio of 2,40 pregnancies/ patient I, life birth and healthy 313 (81,29 percent); 72 (18,71 percent) losses of pregnancy including 14 abortions (16,6 percent). There were preterm labors in 22 patients (13,7 percent), high blood pressure associated to pregnancy in 18 (11,25 percent), and preeclampsia in 12 (7,53 percent). We confirmed clinical manifestations of lupus-associated antiphospholipid syndrome in 10 percent of pregnants.] CONCLUSIONS: fertility was not compromised; it is a high risk pregnancy and is frequent the occurrence of mother disease outbreaks, spontaneous abortions, preterm labors and possibility of dead fetus. We considered that it is valuable information for the multidisciplinary staff facing the challenge to achieve the care of pregnants presenting SLE

Estudio de la masa ósea en población cubana: individuos de 20 a 70 años / Study of the bone mass in cuban population: individuals from 20 to 70 years

Se presentan los resultados preliminares de densidad de masa ósea en una población cubana sana de 20 a 70 años. La densidad mineral ósea fue medida en vertebras lumbares 2-4 y en triangulo de Ward en femur por absorciometría dual (Dexa Lunar). El pico de masa ósea en vertebras se presentan a los 26 años en las mujeres (1,208 g/cm²) y a los 29 años en los hombres (1,239 g/cm²). En el caso de la densidad mineral del femur el valor mas estable y mas alto se alcanzó para ambos sexos a la edad de 27 años, para las mujeres es de 1,7 g/cm² y 1,17 g/cm² para los hombres. La curva de densidad mineral de vertebra se mantiene de modo estable en esta población hasta los 49 años, declinando un 12 por ciento en el grupo de las mujeres mayores de 50 años con mas de 5 años de postmenopausia. Se discuten estos valores y su comportamiento comporandolo con otras poblaciones de referencia con especial consideración al papel de la etnicidad y de la actividad física en el nivel estable observado para la densidad mineral ósea de esa población cubana. Así mismo se estudia la importancia de la dieta (lacteos, café y consumo de alcohol)...