Time to diagnosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Associated factors and its impact on damage accrual and mortality. Data from a multi-ethnic, multinational Latin American lupus cohort.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often mimics symptoms of other diseases, and the interval between symptom onset and diagnosis may be long in some of these patients. Aims: To describe the characteristics associated with the time to SLE diagnosis and its impact on damage accrual and mortality in patients with SLE from a Latin American inception cohort. METHODS: Patients were from a multi-ethnic, multi-national Latin-American SLE inception cohort. All participating centers had specialized lupus clinics. Socio-demographic, clinical/laboratory, disease activity, damage, and mortality between those with a longer and a shorter time to diagnosis were compared using descriptive statistical tests. Multivariable Cox regression models with damage accrual and mortality as the end points were performed, adjusting for age at SLE diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, level of education, and highest dose of prednisone for damage accrual, plus highest dose of prednisone, baseline SLEDAI, and baseline SDI for mortality. RESULTS: Of the 1437 included in these analyses, the median time to diagnosis was 6.0 months (Q1-Q3 2.4-16.2); in 721 (50.2%) the time to diagnosis was longer than 6 months. Patients whose diagnosis took longer than 6 months were more frequently female, older at diagnosis, of Mestizo ethnicity, not having medical insurance, and having "non-classic" SLE symptoms. Longer time to diagnosis had no impact on either damage accrual (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.93-1.28, p = 0.300) or mortality (HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.88-2.12, p = 0.200). CONCLUSIONS: In this inception cohort, a maximum time of 24 months with a median of 6 months to SLE diagnosis had no apparent negative impact on disease outcomes (damage accrual and mortality).

Factors associated with neuropsychiatric involvement in Latin American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: Factors related to presentation of neuropsychiatric (NP) SLE manifestations, early in the course of the disease, and during follow up have not been clearly established. PURPOSE: To identify disease and non-disease related factors associated with NP manifestations in early SLE. METHODS: We included 1193 patients from the GLADEL inception cohort free of NP involvement at cohort entry. We evaluated the association of demographic, clinical and laboratory data with NP involvement during follow-up. STATISTICAL METHODS: Independent factors associated with NP involvement were identified using a multivariable Cox regression model. RESULTS: Factors independently associated with NP manifestations were: mestizo ethnicity (HR 1.701, 95% CI 1.282-2.258, p = 0.0002), myalgias/myositis (HR 1.832, 95% CI 1.335-2.515, p = 0.0002), pneumonitis (HR 2.476, 95% CI 1.085-5.648, p = 0.0312), shrinking lung (HR 2.428, 95% CI 1.074-5.493, p = 0.0331) and hemolytic anemia (HR 1.629, 95% CI 1.130-2.347, p = 0.0089). Longer disease duration at cohort entry (13 to 24 months) was associated with a lower risk of developing NP manifestations (HR 0.642, 95% CI 0.441-0.934, p = 0.0206). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with myalgias/myositis, pneumonitis, shrinking lung and hemolytic anemia are at higher risk of NP involvement, whereas longer disease duration at cohort entry is associated with a lower risk of developing NP involvement.

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.

Estrategias en el manejo y actualización de las enfermedades autoinmunes y reumáticas en la epidemia por SARSCoV-2 y la COVID-19 Sociedad Cubana de Reumatología y su Grupo Nacional / Strategies in its Management and Updating of the Autoimmune-rheumatic Diseases in the SARSCoV-2 Pandemic and COVID-19 Cuban Rheumatology Society and its National Group

Al igual que en las enfermedades autoinmunes y reumáticas, las infecciones por virus pueden ser disparadores de mecanismos inmunopatogénicos. El SARSCoV-2 puede causar la liberación de citocinas y provocar un daño tisular grave, sobre todo pulmonar, con peligro para la vida. Se suma a ello el riesgo del uso de medicamentos inmunosupresores, empleados en los protocolos de tratamiento de las afecciones autoinmunes y también contra la infección viral de COVID-19. Hoy no contamos con conocimientos y evidencias científicas suficientemente sólidas para el enfrentamiento a la COVID-19, y cómo puede impactar entre los pacientes inmunodeprimidos por afecciones reumáticas. El Grupo Nacional de Atención y Enfrentamiento a la COVID-19 de la Sociedad Cubana de Reumatología se propuso elaborar un documento científico actualizado con las bases teórico-prácticas que permita acceder al conocimiento acerca de la infección por SARSCoV-2 y la COVID-19, y su repercusión sobre los pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes y reumáticas para esbozar una estrategia de trabajo y ofrecer recomendaciones para los reumatólogos y pacientes cubanos. Se realizó un estudio de revisión y actualización acerca de la asociación entre las enfermedades reumáticas y autoinmunes y la COVID-19. Se emplearon las palabras clave enfermedades reumáticas, lupus eritematoso sistémico, artritis reumatoide, virus SARSCoV-2 y COVID-19. Se realizó una amplia búsqueda en MEDLINE y LILACS, y se revisaron más de 150 artículos, boletines de actualización de los sitios Web, páginas de salud de Cuba, resúmenes seleccionados por su calidad metodológica, revisiones y metaanálisis sobre el tema. A partir de la información recogida, se estableció una discusión y análisis considerando las principales experiencias internacionales, criterios de expertos, experiencias previas con otros virus en el Sistema de Salud de Cuba, con la participación de su red de científicos liderados por la Sociedad Cubana de Reumatología y su Grupo Nacional y el apoyo de la comunidad de reumatólogos(AU)

The outbreak of the infection by the new coronavirus SARSCoV-2, COVID-19, in December in Wuhan Province of China, has become a pandemic and health emergency given the deficiency of antiviral therapy for the acute respiratory syndrome that generates danger to life. The debut of the epidemic was in China, then the epicenter developed in Europe, northern Italy that suffered a severe blow. Worldwide, more than 10 million people are infected with the virus that has impacted on health systems until it practically collapsed, resulting in thousands of deaths. Today the epicenter of the pandemic has shifted to the Americas. Alarming figures highlight the United States of North America with some 2,737,600 infected and more than 128,471 deaths, followed by the South American giant Brazil with 1.3 million infections and 57,659 deaths. The Caribbean has a better setting. In Cuba, by the end of June, 2,340 cases of patients infected with deaths from COVID-19 were reported. We conducted a review, analysis and evaluation study of more than 150 articles from international journals, update bulletins of the WEB sites, health pages of the MINSAP of Cuba, and summaries selected for their methodological quality, and reviews, on the subject COVID-19 and autoimmune-rheumatic diseases by MEDLINE: database prepared by the National Library of Medicine of The USA contains bibliographic references and abstracts from more than 4,000 biomedical journals published in the United States and in 70 other countries, We also use Latin American and Caribbean Center for Information on Health Sciences: System, in Latin America and the Caribbean, since 1982. Our objective and results achieved have been to develop the theoretical-practical bases in an updated scientific document that allow access in an essential and summarized way to current knowledge about the infection by SACOV-2, COVID-19, and its repercussion and impact on patients suffering from rheumatic autoimmune diseases, and thus outline a coping and action strategy with recommendations for the Cuban rheumatologists in their health care work, and for patients as a guideline, given their well-founded concerns and fears given their underlying condition and the immunosuppressive drugs prescribed in an unfavorable context of a pandemic. The information is based on international experiences with the most published scientific evidence and those treasured national experiences in the face of similar situations of epidemics, faced by the vast health system and achievements of Cuban science(AU)

Osteonecrosis de la cabeza femoral e infección de VIH/sida en la epidemia de Cuba / Osteonecrosis of the femoral head and HIV/AIDS infection in the Cuban epidemic

Introducción: La osteonecrosis es un trastorno asociado al déficit de riego sanguíneo con isquemia en los vasos nutricios de los huesos interesados, causa dolor crónico y discapacidad funcional. Con el desarrollo de la epidemia de VIH, se aprecia un marcado incremento de esta afección. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia y caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a los pacientes cubanos con VIH/sida que desarrollaron osteonecrosis. Métodos: Estudio analítico prospectivo de pilotaje en una serie de 285 pacientes adultos, con infección por HIV/sida atendidos en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí en la era posterior a la terapia antirretroviral (TARVAE), años 2003-2018. Los pacientes ofrecieron su consentimiento informado. Se evaluaron variables epidemiológicas consideradas factores de riesgo (estatus procoagulante, alcoholismo, tabaquismo, hipercolesterolemia e hiperlipidemia, consumo de esteroides, conteo de células T, CD4+ y drogas antirretrovirales). Resultados: La edad promedio de la serie fue de 41 años, con una supervivencia de 12 años, marcado predominio del sexo masculino y piel blanca. El modo de adquisición del VIH prevaleciente fue la vía sexual y de hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (67,3 por ciento). Tres pacientes desarrollaron osteonecrosis (1,05 por ciento), necrosis avascular de caderas (2 casos en la derecha y uno bilateral), con cambios radiográficos por esta afección. Entre los factores asociados, un paciente tenía hiperlipidemia, dos eran fumadores, uno consumía alcohol, y los tres tenían conteo de células T CD4+ de más de 200. Todos tenían instaurada la TARVAE con inhibidores de proteasas y de la transcriptasa inversa, incluido tenofovir. Conclusiones: En esta serie de 285 pacientes con VIH, hubo una baja frecuencia de osteonecrosis. No se establecieron relaciones causales entre los factores de riesgo reconocidos en la literatura, la TARVAE y la aparición de osteonecrosis. Queda por definir el papel desempeñado por la infección VIH per se en el desarrollo de esta complicación, o develar si existen otras variables no exploradas en este estudio(AU)

Introduction: Avascular Necrosis or Osteonecrosis (ON) is a process associated with the blood supply deficit with ischemia in the nutritional vessels of the interested bones determining chronic pain, functional disability. In recent years with the growing development of the HIV epidemic, a marked increase in this condition has been observed. Objective: To determine an characterize in the clinical and epidemiological order the Cuban HIV + patients, who developed ON in the context of the HIV epidemic in a series of 285 HIV + cases with highly effective ARV therapy including tenofovir. Methods: Prospective analytical pilot study in a series of 285 patients, with HIV-AIDS infection adults treated in the IPK of Cuba in the later era (years 2003-17) to high-efficiency ARV therapy (TARVAE). Patients diagnosed with HIV / AIDS who offered their informed consent to participate in the study were included, and the research was approved by the IPK Ethics Committee. Results: Average age 41 (15-71) years (p <0.05). Survival 12 years by studies of Kaplan and Maier. Marked male predominance with 230 (81 percent), 55 (19.2 percent) women, white skin color, and 50-59 age group with 146 (51.2 percent) (p <0.05); data similar to the rest of the Cuban population according to other COPCORD Epidemiological studies. (18) Sexual and HIVH prevalent HIV acquisition mode with 192 (67.3 percent). 154 (54 percent) had an undetectable viral load. We found 3 (1.05 percent) patients who developed ON, with an average age of 52 (40-61a), 2 patients in right hip, and one bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips, all with radiological changes of this condition. As associated FR, one patient had hyperlipidemia, another 2 smoker, and 1 alcohol, all 3 with CD4 + T cell count <200 And high viral load. All cases had TARVAE with protease inhibitors, and reverse transcriptase, including Tenofovir. Conclusions: Our report is aimed at showing a low frequency of ON in our series of 285 patients studied in the Cuban HIV epidemic. The hips were the sites of ON, with 1 patients bilateral involvement. Hyperlipidemia, tabaquism and alcohol were the principal risk factors presented and low level of CD4 + T cels, and high viral load. We were unable to establish causal relationships between the recognized risk factors reported in the literature, HAART and the appearance of ON, all of which leave the role played by HIV infection per se in the development of this complication, or the effects of other variables that we have not explored in this preliminary study(AU)

Clinical features, damage accrual, and survival in patients with familial systemic lupus erythematosus: data from a multi-ethnic, multinational Latin American lupus cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the clinical features, damage accrual, and survival of patients with familial and sporadic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A multi-ethnic, multinational Latin American SLE cohort was studied. Familial lupus was defined as patients with a first-degree SLE relative; these relatives were interviewed in person or by telephone. Clinical variables, disease activity, damage, and mortality were compared. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard adjusted for potential confounders for time to damage and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 66 (5.6%) patients had familial lupus, and 1110 (94.4%) had sporadic lupus. Both groups were predominantly female, of comparable age, and of similar ethnic distribution. Discoid lupus (OR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.08-3.60) and neurologic disorder (OR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.00-2.73) were significantly associated with familial SLE; pericarditis was negatively associated (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.14-0.87). The SLE Disease Activity Index and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) were similar in both groups, although the neuropsychiatric (45.4% vs. 33.5%; p = 0.04) and musculoskeletal (6.1% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.02) domains of the SDI were more frequent in familial lupus. They were not retained in the Cox models (by domains). Familial lupus was not significantly associated with damage accrual (HR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.30-1.55) or mortality (HR = 1.23; 95% CI 0.26-4.81). CONCLUSION: Familial SLE is not characterized by a more severe form of disease than sporadic lupus. We also observed that familial SLE has a higher frequency of discoid lupus and neurologic manifestations and a lower frequency of pericarditis.

Correction to: Clinical predictors of remission and low disease activity in Latin American early rheumatoid arthritis: data from the GLADAR cohort.

The original version of this article, unfortunately, contained an error. The first and family name of Loreto Massardo was interchanged and is now presented correctly in this article.

Clinical predictors of remission and low disease activity in Latin American early rheumatoid arthritis: data from the GLADAR cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To identify baseline predictors of remission and low disease activity (LDA) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the GLADAR (Grupo Latino Americano De estudio de la Artritis Reumatoide) cohort. METHODS: Patients with 1- and 2-year follow-up visits were included. Remission and LDA were defined by DAS28-ESR (< 2.6 and ≤ 3.2, respectively). Baseline predictors examined were gender, ethnicity, age at diagnosis, socioeconomic status, symptoms' duration, DMARDs, RF, thrombocytosis, anemia, morning stiffness, DAS28-ESR (and its components), HAQ-DI, DMARDs and corticosteroid use, and Sharp-VDH score. Multivariable binary logistic regression models (excluding DAS28-ESR components to avoid over adjustment) were derived using a backward selection method (α-level set at 0.05). RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-eight patients were included. Remission and LDA/remission were met by 19.3% and 32.5% at the 1-year visit, respectively. For the 280 patients followed for 2 years, these outcomes were met by 24.3% and 38.9%, respectively. Predictors of remission at 1 year were a lower DAS28-ESR (OR 1.17; CI 1.07-1.27; p = 0.001) and HAQ-DI (OR 1.48; CI 1.04-2.10; p = 0.028). At 2 years, only DAS28-ESR (OR 1.40; CI 1.17-1.6; p < 0.001) was a predictor. Predictors of LDA/remission at 1 year were DAS28-ESR (OR 1.42; CI 1.26-1.61; p < 0.001), non-use of corticosteroid (OR 1.74; CI 1.11-2.44; p = 0.008), and male gender (OR 1.77; CI 1.2-2.63; p = 0.036). A lower baseline DAS28-ESR (OR 1.45; CI 1.23-1.70; p < 0.001) was the only predictor of LDA/remission at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: A lower disease activity consistently predicted remission and LDA/remission at 1 and 2 years of follow-up in early RA patients from the GLADAR cohort. Key Points • In patients with early RA, a lower disease activity at first visit is a strong clinical predictor of achieving remission and LDA subsequently. • Other clinical predictors of remission and LDA to keep in mind in these patients are male gender, non-use of corticosteroids and low disability at baseline. • Not using corticosteroids at first visit is associated with a lower disease activity and predicts LDA/remission at 1 year in these patients.

Enfermedades reumáticas y complicaciones metabólicas en pacientes con VIH-SIDA con tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficiencia / Rheumatic Diseases and Metabolic Complications in HIV/AIDS Patients with Highly Efficient Antiretroviral Treatment

Introducción: La infección por VIH/SIDA constituye uno de los principales problemas de salud en el mundo con elevadas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad demostradas. En diferentes estudios epidemiológicos ha quedado confirmado que 36,3 millones de personas vivían con el VIH hasta el año 2015 en todo el mundo. Hasta este momento 78 millones han sido infectados desde 1981, año en que comenzó la epidemia, y el 25 por ciento de los pacientes desconocen que están infectados, lo cual propicia el contagio. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica relacionada con la infección por el VIH/SIDA, sus complicaciones en las enfermedades reumáticas y metabólicas y su respuesta al tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficiencia. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en bases de datos nacionales e internacionales y en diferentes fuentes de información para recuperar los artículos relacionados con el tema sobre el VIH-SIDA, las complicaciones reumáticas y metabólicas y su respuesta al tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficiencia, tema escogido para este trabajo. Resultados: Se recuperaron 78 artículos y nueve textos que trataban temas relacionados con la infección por VIH-SIDA; de ellos fueron útiles para nuestros objetivos 55 documentos que forman parte de nuestras referencias bibliográficas, los cuales agrupamos de acuerdo con los diferentes temas planteados para este estudio y se llegó a conclusiones útiles para nuestra comunidad científica. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades reumáticas y autoinmunes han sido diagnosticadas con mucha frecuencia en los pacientes infectados con el VIH-SIDA en Cuba y en el mundo antes del tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficiencia, mediante el cual ha aumentado la expectativa de supervivencia de estos enfermos y disminuido la aparición de síntomas clínicos y afecciones, así como infecciones oportunistas, después de su inclusión en el enfoque terapéutico(AU)

Introduction: HIV/AIDS infection is one of the main health problems worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. Different epidemiological studies have confirmed that 36.3 million people worldwide were living with HIV until 2015. So far, 78 million have been infected since 1981, the year in which the epidemic began, and 25 percent of patients do not know they are infected, which spreads infection. Objective: To carry out a literature review about HIV/AIDS infection, its complications in rheumatic metabolic manifestations, and its response to highly efficient antiretroviral treatment. Method: A literature search was carried out in the databases PudMed/MEDLINE, Cumed and Lilac, as well as in the regional information sources SciELO and ScienceDirect, using the key phrases manifestaciones reumáticas y VIH-SIDA [rheumatic manifestations and HIV-AIDS], complicaciones metabólicas y VIH-SIDA [metabolic complications and HIV-AIDS], tratamiento antirretroviral de alta eficiencia y VIH-SIDA [high-efficiency antiretroviral treatment and HIV-AIDS], in order to recover the articles about HIV-AIDS and rheumatic and metabolic complications and their response to highly efficient antiretroviral treatment. Results: 78 articles and nine texts dealing about the aforementioned topics were recovered; of them, 55 documents that are part of our bibliographical references were useful for our purposes, which were grouped according to the different topics proposed for this study. We reached useful conclusions for our scientific community. Conclusions: Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases have been diagnosed very frequently in patients infected with HIV/AIDS in Cuba and worldwide during the era prior to highly efficient antiretroviral treatment. Its incorporation into the therapeutic approach has increased the survival expectations of these patients, in addition to the substantial decrease in the appearance of clinical symptoms and conditions, especially the inflammatory arthritic conditions, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, psoriasis and opportunistic infections(AU)

Efecto de los antimaláricos sobre los diferentes dominios del índice de daño SLICC en pacientes de la cohorte GLADEL / Effect of antimalarials on the different domains of the SLICC damage index in patients of the GLADEL cohort

Objetivos: Estimar el efecto de los antimaláricos (AM) sobre los diferentes dominios del índice de daño SLICC (SDI). Métodos: Se estudiaron pacientes con diagnóstico clínico reciente (≤2 años) de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) de la cohorte GLADEL. Variable de estudio: aumento en los dominios del SDI desde el ingreso a la cohorte. Variables independientes: características sociodemográficas, clínicas, laboratorio y tratamientos. El efecto de los AM, como variable dependiente del tiempo, sobre los dominios más frecuentes del SDI (ajustado por factores de confusión) fue examinado con un modelo de regresión de Cox multivariado. Resultados: De 1466 pacientes estudiados, 1049 (72%) recibieron AM con un tiempo medio de exposición de 30 meses (Q1-Q3: 11-57) y 665 pacientes (45%) presentaron daño durante un seguimiento medio de 24 meses (Q1-Q3: 8-55); 301 eventos fueron cutáneos, 208 renales, 149 neuropsiquiátricos, 98 musculoesqueléticos, 88 cardiovasculares y 230 otros. Después de ajustar por factores de confusión, el uso de AM se asoció a un menor riesgo de daño renal (HR 0,652; IC 95%: 0,472-0,901) y en el límite de la significancia estadística (HR 0,701, IC 95%: 0,481-1,024) para el dominio neuropsiquiátrico. Conclusión: En GLADEL, el uso de AM se asoció independientemente a un menor riesgo de daño acumulado renal.

Objective: To assess the effects of antimalarials (AM) over the items of the SLICC Damage Index (SDI). Methods: Patients with recent (≤2 years) diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the GLADEL cohort were studied. End-point: increase in items SDI since cohort entry. Independent variables (socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment) were included. The effect of AM as a time dependent variable on most frequent SDI items (adjusting for potential confounders) was examined with a multivariable Cox regression model. Results: Of the 1466 patients included in this analysis, 1049 (72%) received AM with a median exposure time of 30 months (Q1-Q3: 11-57). Damage occurred in 665 (45%) patients during a median follow-up time of 24 months (Q1-Q3: 8-55). There were 301 integument, 208 renal, 149 neuropsychiatric, 98 musculoskeletal, 88 cardiovascular and 230 others less frequently represented damages. After adjusting for potential confounders at any time during follow-up, a lower risk of renal damage (HR 0.652; 95% CI: 0.472-0.901) and borderline for neuropsychiatric damage (HR 0.701, 95% CI: 0.481-1.024) was found. Conclusion: In the GLADEL cohort, after adjustment for possible confounding factors, AM were independently associated with a reduced risk of renal damage accrual.

Remission and Low Disease Activity Status (LDAS) protect lupus patients from damage occurrence: data from a multiethnic, multinational Latin American Lupus Cohort (GLADEL).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate disease activity statuses' (DAS') impact on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four DAS were defined: remission off-therapy: SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)=0, no prednisone or immunosuppressive drugs (IS); remission on-therapy: SLEDAI=0, prednisone ≤5 mg/day and/or IS (maintenance); low (L) DAS: SLEDAI ≤4, prednisone ≤7.5 mg/day and/or IS (maintenance); non-optimally controlled: SLEDAI >4 and/or prednisone >7.5 mg/day and/or IS (induction). Antimalarials were allowed in all. Predefined outcomes were mortality, new damage (increase of at least one Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI) point) and severe new damage (increase of at least 3 SDI points). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were performed to define the impact of DAS, as time-dependent variable, on these outcomes. RESULTS: 1350 patients were included, 79 died during follow-up, 606 presented new and 177 severe new damage. In multivariable analyses, remission (on/off-therapy) was associated with a lower risk of new (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.85), and of severe new damage (HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.68); low disease activity status (LDAS) was associated with a lower risk of new damage (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.93) compared with non-optimally controlled. No significant effect on mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Remission was associated with a lower risk of new and severe new damage; LDAS with a lower risk of new damage after adjusting for other damage confounders.

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)

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)

The number of flares patients experience impacts on damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus: data from a multiethnic Latin American cohort.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between the number of flares systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients experience and damage accrual, independently of other known risk factors. METHODS: SLE patients (34 centres, nine Latin American countries) with a recent diagnosis (≤2 years) and ≥3 evaluations were studied. Disease activity was ascertained with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and damage with the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). Flare was defined as an increase ≥4 points in the SLEDAI between two study visits. An ambidirectional case- crossover design was used to determine the association between the number of flares and damage accrual. RESULTS: 901 patients were eligible for the study; 500 of them (55.5%) experienced at least one flare, being the mean number of flares 0.9 (SD: 1.0). 574 intervals from 251 patients were included in the case-crossover design since they have case and control intervals, whereas, the remaining patients did not. Their mean age at diagnosis was 27.9 years (SD: 11.1), 213 (84.9%) were women. The mean baseline SDI and SLEDAI were 1.3 (1.3) and 13.6 (8.1), respectively. Other features were comparable to those of the entire sample. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, the number of flares, regardless of their severity, was associated with damage accrual (SDI) OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.94, p<0.001 (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.31 to 5.24, p=0.006 for severe and OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.83, p=0.001 for mild-moderate). CONCLUSIONS: The number of flares patients experience, regardless of their severity, increases the risk of damage accrual, independently of other known risk factors.

Primary cardiac disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: protective and risk factors--data from a multi-ethnic Latin American cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the cumulative incidence, risk and protective factors and impact on mortality of primary cardiac disease in SLE patients (disease duration ≤2 years) from a multi-ethnic, international, longitudinal inception cohort (34 centres, 9 Latin American countries). METHODS: Risk and protective factors of primary cardiac disease (pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, arrhythmias and/or valvular abnormalities) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1437 patients, 202 (14.1%) developed one or more manifestations: 164 pericarditis, 35 valvulopathy, 23 arrhythmias, 7 myocarditis and 1 endocarditis at follow-up; 77 of these patients also had an episode of primary cardiac disease at or before recruitment. In the multivariable parsimonious model, African/Latin American ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.13, 2.86], primary cardiac disease at or before recruitment (OR 6.56, 95% CI 4.56, 9.43) and first SLICC/ACR Damage Index for SLE assessment (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.14, 1.50) were risk factors for the subsequent occurrence of primary cardiac disease. CNS involvement (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25, 0.75) and antimalarial treatment (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44, 0.89) at or before recruitment were negatively associated with the occurrence of primary cardiac disease risk. Primary cardiac disease was not independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Primary cardiac disease occurred in 14.1% of SLE patients of the Grupo Latino Americano de Estudio de Lupus cohort and pericarditis was its most frequent manifestation. African origin and lupus damage were found to be risk factors, while CNS involvement at or before recruitment and antimalarial treatment were protective. Primary cardiac disease had no impact on mortality.

Anti-malarials exert a protective effect while Mestizo patients are at increased risk of developing SLE renal disease: data from a Latin-American cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of ethnicity and the use of anti-malarials (protective) on lupus renal disease. METHODS: A nested case-control study (1:2 proportion, n = 265 and 530) within GLADEL's (Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio de Lupus) longitudinal inception cohort was carried out. The end-point was ACR renal criterion development after diagnosis. Cases and controls were matched for follow-up time (end-point or a comparable time, respectively). Renal disease predictors were examined by univariable and multivariable analyses. Additional analyses were done to determine if the protective effect of anti-malarials persisted after adjusting for intake-associated confounders. RESULTS: Of the cases, 233 (87.9%) were women; their mean (s.d.) age at diagnosis was 28.0 (11.9) years and their median (Q3-Q1 interquartile range) follow-up time for cases and controls was 8.3 months (Q3-Q1: 23.5); 56.6% of the cases and 74.3% of the controls were anti-malarial users. Mestizo ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) 1.72, 95% CI 1.19, 2.48] and hypertension (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.38, 3.70) were independently associated with a higher risk of renal disease, whereas anti-malarial use (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.26, 0.58), older age at disease onset (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96, 0.99) and female gender (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32, 0.99) were negatively associated with such occurrence. After adjusting for variables associated with their intake, the protective effect of anti-malarials on renal disease occurrence persisted (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.25, 0.58). CONCLUSION: Mestizo patients are at increased risk of developing renal disease, whereas anti-malarial use protects patients from such an occurrence.

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 (AU)

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 (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

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.