Subject(s)
Allergists , Drug Hypersensitivity , Anesthesiologists , Communication , Humans , Skin TestsABSTRACT
This second joint document, written by experts from the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) and Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) concerned with perioperative anaphylaxis, aims to review the pathophysiological reaction mechanisms, triggering agents (in adults and children), and the approach for diagnosis during and after an episode of anaphylaxis. As anaphylaxis assessment is extensive, the identification of medications, antiseptics and other substances used at each setting, the comprehensive data documentation, and the use of standardized nomenclature are key points for obtaining more consistent epidemiological information on perioperative anaphylaxis.
Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Perioperative Period , Adult , Allergy and Immunology , Anaphylaxis/physiopathology , Anesthesiology , Angioedema/chemically induced , Bradykinin/adverse effects , Brazil , Child , Drug Hypersensitivity/physiopathology , Humans , IgA Deficiency/complications , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , In Vitro Techniques , Mastocytosis/complications , Preoperative Care , Risk Factors , Skin Tests/methods , Societies, Medical , Symptom Assessment , Terminology as Topic , Vasodilator Agents/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Abstract This second joint document, written by experts from the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) and Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) concerned with perioperative anaphylaxis, aims to review the pathophysiological reaction mechanisms, triggering agents (in adults and children), and the approach for diagnosis during and after an episode of anaphylaxis. As anaphylaxis assessment is extensive, the identification of medications, antiseptics and other substances used at each setting, the comprehensive data documentation, and the use of standardized nomenclature are key points for obtaining more consistent epidemiological information on perioperative anaphylaxis.
Resumo Este segundo documento, escrito por especialistas da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI) e da Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia (SBA) interessados no tema anafilaxia perioperatória, tem por objetivo revisar os mecanismos fisiopatológicos, agentes desencadeantes (em adultos e crianças), assim como a abordagem diagnóstica durante e após o episódio. Por se tratar de uma avaliação abrangente, a identificação das medicações, antissépticos e outras substâncias usadas em cada região, registros detalhados, e nomenclatura padronizada são pontos fundamentais para a obtenção de dados epidemiológicos mais fidedignos sobre a anafilaxia perioperatória.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adult , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Perioperative Period , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Societies, Medical , Vasodilator Agents/adverse effects , In Vitro Techniques , Mastocytosis/complications , Brazil , Preoperative Care , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Bradykinin/adverse effects , Skin Tests/methods , Risk Factors , IgA Deficiency/complications , Drug Hypersensitivity/physiopathology , Allergy and Immunology , Symptom Assessment , Anaphylaxis/physiopathology , Anesthesiology , Angioedema/chemically induced , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
Experts from the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) and the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) interested in the issue of perioperative anaphylaxis, and aiming to strengthen the collaboration between the two societies, combined efforts to study the topic and to prepare a joint document to guide specialists in both areas. The purpose of the present series of two articles was to report the most recent evidence based on the collaborative assessment between both societies. This first article will consider the updated definitions, treatment and guidelines after a perioperative crisis. The following article will discuss the major etiologic agents, how to proceed with the investigation, and the appropriate tests.
Subject(s)
Anesthesiology , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Brazil , Humans , Perioperative PeriodABSTRACT
Abstract Experts from the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) and the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA) interested in the issue of perioperative anaphylaxis, and aiming to strengthen the collaboration between the two societies, combined efforts to study the topic and to prepare a joint document to guide specialists in both areas. The purpose of the present series of two articles was to report the most recent evidence based on the collaborative assessment between both societies. This first article will consider the updated definitions, treatment and guidelines after a perioperative crisis. The following article will discuss the major etiologic agents, how to proceed with the investigation, and the appropriate tests.
Resumo Especialistas da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI) e da Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia (SBA) interessados no tema anafilaxia perioperatória reuniram-se com o objetivo de intensificar a colaboração entre as duas sociedades no estudo desse tema e elaborar um documento conjunto que possa guiar os especialistas de ambas as áreas. O objetivo desta série de dois artigos foi mostrar as evidências mais recentes alicerçadas na visão colaborativa entre as sociedades. Este primeiro artigo versará sobre as definições mais atuais, formas de tratamento e as orientações após a crise no perioperatório. No próximo artigo serão discutidos os principais agentes causais e a condução da investigação com testes apropriados.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adult , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Perioperative Period , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Anaphylaxis/etiology , Societies, Medical , Vasodilator Agents/adverse effects , In Vitro Techniques , Mastocytosis/complications , Brazil , Preoperative Care , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Bradykinin/adverse effects , Skin Tests/methods , Risk Factors , IgA Deficiency/complications , Drug Hypersensitivity/physiopathology , Allergy and Immunology , Symptom Assessment , Anaphylaxis/physiopathology , Anesthesiology , Angioedema/chemically induced , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
A anafilaxia perioperatória é manifestação importante no contexto de eventos adversos relacionados à cirurgia. Embora frequentemente relacionada à indução anestésica, pode ocorrer por outros agentes administrados por outras vias. A anafilaxia pode se apresentar como colapso cardiovascular, obstrução da via aérea e/ou insuficiência respiratória com ou sem manifestação cutânea, com consequências fatais em muito casos. Apesar de considerada inevitável em alguns casos, a sua incidência poderia (e deveria) ser reduzida através da busca por fármacos mais seguros. A avaliação abrangente de um episódio é um dos elementos primordiais para tornar a exposição subsequente mais segura, com orientações derivadas dessa investigação. Entretanto, representa um desafio estatístico por ser reação rara, randômica e muitas vezes independente de exposições sucessivas dos pacientes a procedimentos de baixo risco. Neste documento são revisados os mecanismos fisiopatológicos, agentes desencadeantes (adultos e crianças), assim como a abordagem diagnóstica durante a crise e após o episódio. Uma avaliação abrangente, a identificação das medicações, antissépticos e outras substâncias usadas em cada região, registros detalhados e nomenclatura padronizada são pontos fundamentais para a obtenção de dados epidemiológicos mais fidedignos sobre a anafilaxia perioperatória.
Perioperative anaphylaxis is an important manifestation in the context of surgery-related adverse events. Although often related to anesthetic induction, it may be caused by other agents administered by other routes. Anaphylaxis may manifest as cardiovascular collapse, airway obstruction and/or respiratory failure with or without skin manifestation, resulting often in death. Although this reaction is considered inevitable in some cases, its incidence could (and should) be reduced by the search for safer drugs. Comprehensive assessment of an allergic reaction is a key element to make subsequent exposure safer, with guidance derived from this investigation. However, surveillance of perioperative anaphylaxis represents a statistical challenge because this is a rare, random reaction and often independent of successive patient exposures to low-risk procedures. This paper reviews pathophysiological mechanisms, triggering agents (adults and children), as well as therapeutic and diagnostic approach during and after an allergic reaction. Comprehensive assessment, identification of medications/antiseptics used in each region and detailed records with standardized terminology are key points for obtaining more reliable epidemiological data on perioperative anaphylaxis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Societies, Medical , Drug Hypersensitivity , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Perioperative Period , Anaphylaxis , Anesthetics , Patients , Respiratory Insufficiency , Skin Manifestations , Therapeutics , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Epinephrine , Risk , Diagnosis , Allergy and ImmunologySubject(s)
Humans , Societies, Medical , Diagnosis , Allergy and Immunology , Perioperative Period , HypersensitivityABSTRACT
A anafilaxia perioperatória é manifestação importante no contexto de eventos adversos relacionados à cirurgia. Embora frequentemente relacionada à indução anestésica, pode ocorrer por outros agentes administrados por outras vias. A anafilaxia pode se apresentar como colapso cardiovascular, obstrução da via aérea e/ou insuficiência respiratória com ou sem manifestação cutânea, com consequências fatais em muito casos. Apesar de considerada inevitável em alguns casos, a sua incidência poderia (e deveria) ser reduzida através da busca por fármacos mais seguros. A avaliação abrangente de um episódio é um dos elementos primordiais para tornar a exposição subsequente mais segura, com orientações derivadas dessa investigação. Entretanto, representa um desafio estatístico por ser reação rara, randômica e muitas vezes independente de exposições sucessivas dos pacientes a procedimentos de baixo risco. Neste documento são revisados os mecanismos fisiopatológicos, agentes desencadeantes (adultos e crianças), assim como a abordagem diagnóstica durante a crise e após o episódio. Uma avaliação abrangente, a identificação das medicações, antissépticos e outras substâncias usadas em cada região, registros detalhados e nomenclatura padronizada são pontos fundamentais para a obtenção de dados epidemiológicos mais fidedignos sobre a anafilaxia perioperatória.
Perioperative anaphylaxis is an important manifestation in the context of surgery-related adverse events. Although often related to anesthetic induction, it may be caused by other agents administered by other routes. Anaphylaxis may manifest as cardiovascular collapse, airway obstruction and/or respiratory failure with or without skin manifestation, resulting often in death. Although this reaction is considered inevitable in some cases, its incidence could (and should) be reduced by the search for safer drugs. Comprehensive assessment of an allergic reaction is a key element to make subsequent exposure safer, with guidance derived from this investigation. However, surveillance of perioperative anaphylaxis represents a statistical challenge because this is a rare, random reaction and often independent of successive patient exposures to low-risk procedures. This paper reviews pathophysiological mechanisms, triggering agents (adults and children), as well as therapeutic and diagnostic approach during and after an allergic reaction. Comprehensive assessment, identification of medications/antiseptics used in each region and detailed records with standardized terminology are key points for obtaining more reliable epidemiological data on perioperative anaphylaxis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Societies, Medical , Drug Hypersensitivity , Perioperative Period , Anaphylaxis , Anesthetics , Patients , Research , Respiratory Insufficiency , Therapeutics , Mastocytosis , Immunoglobulin E , Skin Tests , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Epinephrine , Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Allergy and Immunology , Tryptases , Hypersensitivity , AngioedemaABSTRACT
Especialistas da Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI) e da Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia (SBA), interessados no tema anafilaxia perioperatória, reuniram-se com o objetivo de intensificar a colaboração entre as duas sociedades no estudo desse tema e elaborar um documento conjunto que possa guiar ambos os especialistas. O objetivo desta série de dois artigos foi mostrar as evidências mais recentes alicerçadas na visão colaborativa entre as sociedades. Este primeiro artigo versará sobre as definições mais atuais, formas de tratamento e as orientações após a crise no perioperatório. No próximo artigo serão discutidos os principais agentes causais e a condução da investigação com testes apropriados.
Experts from the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI) and Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA), interested in the topic of perioperative anaphylaxis, have met to strengthen collaboration between the two societies in the study of this topic and to draft a joint document that can provide guidance to members of both societies. The purpose of this series of two articles is to provide the latest evidence based on the collaborative view of both societies. This first article will cover the most current definitions, treatment modalities, and guidelines for management after a perioperative event. The second article will discuss major causative agents and whether investigation has been conducted with proper tests.
Subject(s)
Humans , Societies, Medical , Perioperative Period , Hypersensitivity , Anaphylaxis , Orientation , Research , Therapeutics , Allergy and Immunology , AnesthesiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the circulating levels of PTX3 were related to the severity of various diseases, there are no studies investigating its role in patients with liver cirrhosis. We aimed to study PTX3 levels in patients with liver cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study included 130 patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis, 29 stable cirrhotic outpatients and 32 healthy controls evaluated in a tertiary hospital in Southern Brasil. RESULTS: The median PTX3 level was significantly higher in stable cirrhotic patients compared to controls (2.6 vs. 1.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001), hospitalized cirrhotic patients compared to controls (3.8 vs. 1.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001), and hospitalized cirrhotic patients compared to stable cirrhotic patients (3.8 vs. 2.6 ng/mL; p = 0.001). A positive correlation was found between PTX3 and serum creatinine (r = 0.220; p = 0.012), Chronic Liver Failure - Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (CLIF-SOFA) (r = 0.220; p = 0.010), MELD (r = 0.279; p = 0.001) and Child-Pugh score (r = 0.224; p = 0.010). Significantly higher levels of PTX3 were observed in patients on admission with ACLF (8.9 vs. 3.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001) and MELD score ≥ 20 (6.6 vs. 3.4 ng/mL; p = 0.002). Death within 90 days occurred in 30.8% of patients and was associated with higher levels of PTX3 (5.3 vs. 3.4 ng/mL; p = 0.009). The probability of Kaplan-Meier survival was 77.0% in patients with PTX-3 < 5.3 ng mL (upper tercile) and 53.5% in those with PTX3 ≥ 5.3 ng/mL (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: These results indicate the potential for use of PTX3 as an inflammatory biomarker for the prognosis of patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
Subject(s)
C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Inflammation Mediators/blood , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Serum Amyloid P-Component/analysis , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/blood , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/diagnosis , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/mortality , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Brazil , Case-Control Studies , Creatinine/blood , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis , Liver Cirrhosis/mortality , Male , Middle Aged , Organ Dysfunction Scores , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Tertiary Care Centers , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immune response has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional pattern recognition protein and an important component of the innate immune system that can be assessed in blood and induced sputum. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether PTX3 measured in induced sputum could discriminate patients with COPD from patients with asthma. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 68 participants (27 with COPD, 25 with asthma, and 16 healthy controls) was performed. At study inclusion sputum was collected and total and differential cell numbers and PTX3 levels were determined. RESULTS: Pentraxin 3 was detected in 89% of patients with COPD, 56% of patients with asthma, and 19% of controls (P = .001). It discriminated participants with COPD (24.6 ng/mL, 0-384 ng/mL) from controls (0 ng/mL, 0-36 ng/mL, P < .001) and from participants with asthma (1.2 ng/mL, 0-100 ng/mL, P = .01; area under the receiver operating curve 0.82 [0.71-0.94]). Regression analyses determined that sputum PTX3 and neutrophil counts were independently associated with COPD. In addition, PTX3 levels were independently associated with COPD severity. CONCLUSION: Pentraxin 3 sputum levels are increased in patients with COPD and has good power to discriminate these patients from patients with asthma and healthy individuals.
Subject(s)
Asthma/immunology , C-Reactive Protein/immunology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/immunology , Serum Amyloid P-Component/immunology , Sputum/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Asthma/physiopathology , Cell Count , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Severity of Illness Index , Sputum/cytology , Young AdultABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate serum levels of tumor markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their association with disease activity or the presence of cancer. METHOD: We performed an observational cohort study including 100 patients with RA and control subjects. Serum levels of tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen (CA) 125, CA 19-9 and CA 15-3 were evaluated along with clinical and laboratorial RA data. Association tests between tumor markers levels and RA disease activity parameters were performed. Patients with abnormal tests were submitted to further investigation, including chest X-ray, colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and mammography, depending on the type of tumor marker that was elevated. RESULTS: Patients with RA had high levels of CEA and CA 19-9 more frequently than controls (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between tumor markers and RA disease activity assessed by the Disease Activity Score 28. Two neoplasms were found, but only one was related to high tumor marker (an ovarian carcinoma with high CA 125 levels). CONCLUSION: High tumor markers were frequently found in RA patients, even with controlled disease and were not related to actual cancer. Therefore, small increases of these markers in RA cases probably do not warrant a search for an occult neoplasm.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Neoplasms/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/physiopathology , CA-19-9 Antigen/blood , Carcinoembryonic Antigen/blood , Cohort Studies , Female , Health Status , Humans , Joints/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Paget's disease of bone (PDB) exhibits a marked geographic variation. In Brazil, the prevalence of PDB is unknown and only a few clinical data are available. The aim is to determine clinical, laboratory, imaging and response to treatment data in a large PDB case series in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil. We have performed a retrospective study based on charts reviews of all patients with PDB followed at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina and at five different private rheumatology outpatient offices in Florianopolis, between 1995 and 2009. One hundred and thirty-four patients with PDB were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 63.2 ± 10.5 years, 67.2% were women, and 91.1% were Caucasian. Positive family history was reported in only 8.2%. Polyostotic disease was found in 75.0% of the cases, bone pain in 77.9%, and bone deformities in 15.9%. Higher levels of AP were significantly associated with polyostotic disease and skull involvement. Pelvic bones were the most frequently affected (53.7%). Complications included deafness in 8.2%, bone fractures in 3.0%, hydrocephalus in 2.2%, and cauda equina syndrome in 0.7% of the cases. Treatment with zoledronic acid achieved the best response with only 2.9% failing to respond adequately. According to literature data, PDB in South America seems to be characterized by an overall low prevalence, but with localized clusters with higher prevalence. The authors have described a cluster of PDB in Florianopolis, in Southern Brazil. Further properly designed studies are necessary to clarify the PDB epidemiology in South America.
Subject(s)
Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic/epidemiology , Osteitis Deformans/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use , Brazil/epidemiology , Cluster Analysis , Comorbidity , Deafness/epidemiology , Diphosphonates/therapeutic use , Female , Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic/diagnosis , Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic/drug therapy , Fractures, Bone/epidemiology , Humans , Hydrocephalus/epidemiology , Imidazoles/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Osteitis Deformans/diagnosis , Osteitis Deformans/drug therapy , Polyradiculopathy/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Zoledronic AcidABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Some studies have reported that adding leflunomide (LEF) to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who do not respond to methotrexate (MTX) improved efficacy but increased the risk of liver toxicity. This study aimed at assessing the incidence of liver toxicity in patients with active RA using the LEF and MTX combination therapy in comparison with that of patients on MTX monotherapy. METHODS: Between February and September 2009, 97 consecutive patients followed up at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil, were enrolled. RA patients on MTX alone or using the LEF and MTX combination had their medical records systematically reviewed. The alanine/aspartate aminotransferase enzymes were retrospectively analyzed since the beginning of treatment with MTX or MTX plus LEF. Hepatotoxicity was defined as an increase of at least two-fold the upper limits of normal of the liver enzymes. RESULTS: 71 RA patients were included in the study: 36.6% were using 20-25 mg/week of MTX alone and 63.4% were using 20-25 mg/week of MTX plus 20 mg/day of LEF. Of the patients on the combination therapy, 11.1% had abnormal levels of liver enzymes versus 11.5% of the patients on monotherapy (P = 1.0). Abnormal aminotransferase levels have been seen with both MTX and LEF monotherapies in patients with RA. In our study, no difference was found between the percentages of aminotransferase elevations of patients being treated with MTX alone or in combination with LEF. CONCLUSION: The combination of MTX and LEF in RA patients is generally safe and well tolerated.
Subject(s)
Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/epidemiology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Isoxazoles/therapeutic use , Methotrexate/adverse effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Incidence , Leflunomide , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: De acordo com alguns estudos, a associação de leflunomida (LEF) a pacientes portadores de artrite reumatoide não responsivos a metotrexato (MTX) aumentou a eficácia do tratamento, elevando, porém, o risco de toxicidade hepática. Este estudo objetiva avaliar a incidência de toxicidade hepática no tratamento da artrite reumatoide ativa usando terapia combinada de LEF e MTX em comparação com monoterapia com MTX. MÉTODOS: Entre fevereiro e setembro de 2009, foram arrolados 97 pacientes consecutivos acompanhados pelo Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Pacientes com artrite reumatoide em uso de MTX somente ou em combinação com LEF tiveram seus prontuários sistematicamente revisados. As enzimas alanino/aspartato aminotransferases foram analisadas retrospectivamente desde o tratamento com MTX ou MTX mais LEF. Hepatotoxicidade foi definida como um aumento das enzimas hepáticas acima de duas vezes o limite superior da normalidade. RESULTADOS: 71 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo: 36,6 por cento usavam 20-25 mg/semana de MTX e 63,4 por cento usavam 20-25 mg/semana de MTX associado a 20 mg/ dia de LEF. Dos pacientes em terapia combinada, 11,1 por cento tinham níveis anormais das enzimas hepáticas versus 11,5 por cento daqueles em monoterapia (P = 1,0). Níveis anormais de aminotransferases têm sido observados em pacientes com artrite reumatoide tanto em monoterapia com MTX quanto com LEF. Em nosso estudo, não encontramos diferença entre as percentagens de elevação das aminotransferases em pacientes tratados somente com MTX ou com terapia combinada. CONCLUSÃO: A combinação de MTX e LEF em pacientes com artrite reumatoide é geralmente segura e bem tolerada.
OBJECTIVE: Some studies have reported that adding leflunomide (LEF) to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who do not respond to methotrexate (MTX) improved efficacy but increased the risk of liver toxicity. This study aimed at assessing the incidence of liver toxicity in patients with active RA using the LEF and MTX combination therapy in comparison with that of patients on MTX monotherapy. METHODS: Between February and September 2009, 97 consecutive patients followed up at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil, were enrolled. RA patients on MTX alone or using the LEF and MTX combination had their medical records systematically reviewed. The alanine/aspartate aminotransferase enzymes were retrospectively analyzed since the beginning of treatment with MTX or MTX plus LEF. Hepatotoxicity was defined as an increase of at least two-fold the upper limits of normal of the liver enzymes. RESULTS: 71 RA patients were included in the study: 36.6 percent were using 20-25 mg/week of MTX alone and 63.4 percent were using 20-25 mg/week of MTX plus 20 mg/day of LEF. Of the patients on the combination therapy, 11.1 percent had abnormal levels of liver enzymes versus 11.5 percent of the patients on monotherapy (P = 1.0). Abnormal aminotransferase levels have been seen with both MTX and LEF monotherapies in patients with RA. In our study, no difference was found between the percentages of aminotransferase elevations of patients being treated with MTX alone or in combination with LEF. CONCLUSION: The combination of MTX and LEF in RA patients is generally safe and well tolerated.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antirheumatic Agents/adverse effects , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/epidemiology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Isoxazoles/therapeutic use , Methotrexate/adverse effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Therapy, Combination , IncidenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a humoral component of the innate immune system which has been studied as a marker of inflammatory, infections or cardiovascular pathologies. To investigate the association between serum levels of PTX3 and the hospital mortality of patients with severe TBI. METHODS: The independent association between serum PTX3 levels after severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale, GCS ≤ 8) and hospital mortality was analyzed in a prospective study of 83 consecutive patients by a multiple logistic regression analysis. The leukocyte count in the same sample was analyzed as another marker of inflammatory response. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 35 years and 85% were male. Serum PTX3 levels were determined 18.0 (SD ± 17.0) h after TBI. Patients who died showed a mean serum PTX3 level of 9.95 µg/ml (SD ± 6.42) in comparison to 5.46 µg/ml (SD ± 4.87) of the survivor group (P = 0.007). Elevated serum PTX3 levels remain significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.04) in the subset of patients with isolated TBI (n = 34). There were no differences in the leukocytes count measured in the same blood sample used for PTX3 determination in survivors and non-survivors (P = 0.56). The final multiple logistic regression model including age, pupillary examination, GCS, associated trauma, and PTX3 levels shows that serum levels of PTX3 which were higher than 10 µg/ml were independently associated with the patients mortality (adjusted OR 3.06, CI 95% 1.03-9.15, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Serum PTX3 levels after severe TBI are independently associated with higher hospital mortality and may be a useful marker of TBI and its prognosis.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers/blood , Brain Injuries/diagnosis , Brain Injuries/mortality , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Hospital Mortality , Serum Amyloid P-Component/metabolism , Adolescent , Adult , Brain Injuries/immunology , Female , Glasgow Coma Scale , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the lipoprotein profile of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and its association with laboratory tests, including markers of inflammation. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study among patients with pSS and healthy controls. We analyzed the lipoprotein profile of 73 pSS patients compared to 65 healthy individuals in the control group. We further evaluated possible associations between dyslipidemia in pSS patients and laboratory parameters including: hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies [antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-Ro, anti-La], and acute-phase reactants [C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)]. RESULTS: Patients and controls were comparable regarding the demographic variables. Lipoprotein profile was similar between pSS patients and controls: total cholesterol (204.0+/-43.39 versus 206.5+/-42.76 mg/mL, P=0.73), LDL fraction (131.6+/-37.38 versus 130.62+/-38.24 mg/dL, P=0.88) and HDL fraction (49.7+/-13.5 versus 51+/-11.5mg/dL, P=0.56), triglycerides (129.3+/-81.0 versus 116.8+/-53.5mg/dL, P=0.29). However, patients with pSS had a strong trend to present dyslipidemia when compared to healthy individuals (76.7% versus 61.5%, P=0.06). The presence of dyslipidemia in pSS was associated with increased ESR (44.05+/-28.07 versus 28.28+/-18.00, P=0.03), but not with other laboratory markers of the disease and inflammation. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: pSS patients frequently present abnormal lipid profile, which are associated with higher levels of ESR. Thus, similar to other systemic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lipid profile should be evaluated in pSS patients, with the aim of initiating specific therapeutic strategy for prevention of cardiovascular events.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers/blood , Dyslipidemias/immunology , Inflammation/immunology , Lipoproteins/blood , Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood , Blood Sedimentation , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dyslipidemias/blood , Female , Humans , Hypergammaglobulinemia/blood , Hypergammaglobulinemia/immunology , Inflammation/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Rheumatoid Factor/blood , Sjogren's Syndrome/bloodABSTRACT
To compare IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) of second (anti-CCP2) and third generations (anti-CCP3) for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an IgA CCP3 ELISA was also evaluated. Combinations of the use of the three tests were evaluated. Anti-CCP2 IgG, anti-CCP3 IgG, and anti-CCP3 IgA antibody levels were determined by ELISAs in the serum of 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 34 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 54 normal subjects. We evaluated the serum levels, diagnostic performance, and the use of a combination of tests for RA diagnosis. Statistical analyses include receiver operating curves (ROCs) and others. The serum levels were higher in RA patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio (LR), and negative LR were, respectively, 78.6%, 94.3%, 91.7%, 84.7%, 13.8, and 0.23 for anti- CCP2 IgG and 82.9%, 93.2%, 90.6%, 87.2%, 12.2, and 0.18 for anti-CCP3 IgG. These values were better than the same statistical tests for anti-CCP3 IgA. ROC analysis showed that anti-CCP2 IgG and anti-CCP3 IgG had good performance and similar areas. Measuring both IgG and IgA anti-CCP tests increases the specificity if both tests were positive and increases the sensitivity if either test were positive. In our population, anti-CCP2 IgG and anti-CCP3 IgG had good diagnostic performance. Anti-CCP3 IgG had 4.3% more sensitivity than the anti-CCP2 IgG test while sustaining high specificity. This and other studies suggest the development of a dual test--CCP3 IgG and IgA that may be a potential diagnostic tool.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Immunoglobulin A/blood , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Peptides, Cyclic/immunology , Adult , Aged , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , Brazil , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , ROC Curve , Sensitivity and SpecificitySubject(s)
Mice , Administration, Oral , Conditioning, Psychological , Immunization , Immunosuppression TherapyABSTRACT
Extending previous studies the present report analyses the pharmacological effects of tannic acid (TA) in several tests. TA prevented carragenin-induced edema when administered by i.p. but not p.o. route. Long term p.o. treatment with TA did not induce gastric lesions and showed inconsistent effects on glicemia in non-diabetic rats. Rats chronically exposed to TA during the fetal stage or following birth did not exhbit changes in gain of or organ weights, but adult male rats showed a lower fertility ratio. Urinary output was slightly increased by administration of a small dose of TA (3mg/kg, p.o.), but not by higher doses. The addition of TA "in vitro" to blood samples did not influence osmotic fragility but prevented clotting for at least 30 min. In isolated tissues, TA non competitively antagonized acetylcholineinduced contractions of the frog rectus-abdominal muscle and induced, depending of the dose, both positive and negative inotropic effects in the electrically-stimulated left rat atrium. These results confirm and extend our previous observations and suggest that a great number of non-specific effects detected in studies on the pharmacology of different folk medicinal plants may be related to the presence of tannins.
Estudos de nosso laboratório surgerem que o ácido tânico (AT) exerce diversos efeitos "in vitro" ou "in vivo", podendo ser responsável por várias ações inespecíficas freqüentemente observadas com extratos brutos de plantas medicinais. O presente trabalho amplia estes estudos em outos modelos biológicos. A administração crônica ou aguda, por vida oral (v.o.), de AT em ratos não produziu alterações gástricas ou no processo inflamatório. Em ratos não-diabéticos observou-se modificações variáveis na glicemia de acordo com a metodologia empregada. O AT, cronicamente (v.o.), não interferiu na reprodução de fêmeas, embora constatou-se redução do número de filhotes de machos tratados. O AT (3mg/kg, v.o.) provocou aumento da diurese, porém doses mais elevadas não modificaram o volume urinário. Os testes hematológicos demonstraram que o AT possui efeito anticoagulante "in vitro", sem modificar a fragilidade de hemácias ou na homeastase sanguínea "in vivo". No músculo esquelético, o AT reduziu a resposta contrátil à acetilcolina, enquanto no músculo cardíaco (átrio esquerdo) observou-se efeito inotrópico positivo ou negativo. Estes resultados estendem os estudos anteriores e reforçam a sugestão de que parte significativa dos efeitos inespecíficos observados com extratos brutos de plantas medicinais podem estar relacionados com a presença de taninos nos mesmos.
