Sexual dysfunction and self-perceived sexual health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a cross-sectional survey.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) has been associated with worse quality of life and higher disease activity in patients with rheumatic diseases, yet it is still not regularly addressed during routine rheumatologic evaluations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluate their perception of their sexual health. We performed a retrospective study in an outpatient rheumatology clinic to evaluate patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of RA or SLE through the Spanish version of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the Sexual Health Perception Survey (SHEPS), a questionnaire of 6 items designed in our clinic. Additionally, we applied the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F version 4) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A total of 567 patients were evaluated with SHEPS, most of whom were women with a median age of 50 years (IQR: 34) and a median disease duration of 5 years (IQR: 9). Through the ASEX, we found that 67% of the patients with RA and 60% of the patients with SLE experienced SD. Patients reported the level of sex drive, arousal, and the ability to achieve orgasms as the areas with the most difficulties. Most patients did not know their disease could affect their sexuality and had never addressed these issues with their rheumatologists, but almost all of them were willing to. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing sexual health issues regularly during rheumatologic evaluations.

Update of the guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the Mexican College of Rheumatology 2023.

OBJECTIVE: To develop updated guidelines for the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A group of experts representative of different geographical regions and various medical services catering to the Mexican population with RA was formed. Questions based on Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) were developed, deemed clinically relevant. These questions were answered based on the results of a recent systematic literature review (SLR), and the evidence's validity was assessed using the GRADE system, considered a standard for these purposes. Subsequently, the expert group reached consensus on the direction and strength of recommendations through a multi-stage voting process. RESULTS: The updated guidelines for RA treatment stratify various therapeutic options, including different classes of DMARDs (conventional, biologicals, and JAK inhibitors), as well as NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, and analgesics. By consensus, it establishes the use of these in different subpopulations of interest among RA patients and addresses aspects related to vaccination, COVID-19, surgery, pregnancy and lactation, and others. CONCLUSIONS: This update of the Mexican guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of RA provides reference points for evidence-based decision-making, recommending patient participation in joint decision-making to achieve the greatest benefit for our patients. It also establishes recommendations for managing a variety of relevant conditions affecting our patients.

Silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases: How does current evidence add to the no-association consensus? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the current state of the evidence regarding the association of silicone breast implantation with the onset of connective tissue diseases, constitutional symptoms, and rheumatic serological profile in adult women. A comprehensive search was carried out using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus, from inception to September 2, 2020. Cohort studies assessing the clinical and serological profile of women with cosmetic breast implants were included. Meta-analyses were conducted using risk ratios. A total of 10 cohorts with overall moderate quality of evidence were included in this systematic review. Exposure to silicone breast implants was slightly associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis [RR: 1.35; (95% CI 1.08 to 1.68); P = .008; I2 = 0%]. However, no significant differences were exhibited between the breast implant-exposed population and controls regarding the rest of the outcomes. In adult women, exposure to silicone breast implantation is not associated with the onset of constitutional symptoms and most connective tissue diseases. A marginal association with rheumatoid arthritis was exhibited, but the certainty of this result is jeopardized by the significant amount of self-reported data for this outcome. Further research is required to adequately explore the clinical significance of these results.

Bone erosions by MRI in first-degree relatives of patients with RA: an exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: First-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of RA diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a useful tool to detect subclinical synovitis and bone abnormalities as predictors of progression to RA. The presence of grade ≥ 2 bone erosions in RA MRI scoring system (RAMRIS) was reported to be RA-specific. We aim to describe the prevalence and characteristics of MRI findings in RA patients and FDR. METHODS: A cross-sectional and exploratory study of 60 individuals was performed in 38 RA patients and 22 FDR with hand arthralgia without clinical arthritis and positive rheumatoid factor or anticitrullinated protein antibodies. All patients underwent an MRI and were evaluated for synovitis, bone erosion, and bone marrow edema. We evaluated second to fifth metacarpophalangeal joints of the dominant hand according to RAMRIS. RESULTS: Among the total population, eighteen (30%) subjects had grade ≥ 2 bone erosions, and 42 (70%) had at least one erosion of any grade. In patients with grade ≥ 2 bone erosions, 12 (31.6%) were from RA patients and 6 (27.2%) from FDR (p = 0.72). In patients with erosions of any grade, 26 (68.4%) were from RA patients and 15 (68.2%) were from FDR (p = 0.98). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of bone erosions was found in RA patients' FDR who had symptoms without clinical arthritis and positive serology. MRI might be helpful in this population for an early detection of RA-specific erosions. The prognosis and the treatment decisions in these subjects should be elucidated. KEY POINTS: • First-degree relatives (FDR) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with positive serology and joint symptoms constitute a select subpopulation of individuals with an increased risk of developing RA. • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of FDR shows a high prevalence of bone erosions of any grade, grade ≥ 2 erosions, and synovitis. • MRI might be helpful in FDR of RA patients to screen for the presence of RA-specific erosions or clinically undetectable synovitis.

Cutaneous manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic disorder in which autoantibodies are produced against a variety of phospholipids and phospholipid-binding proteins. The purpose of this article is to review cutaneous findings in patients with APS diagnosis. An overview regarding prevalence, description, pathogenesis and histopathology, are described for cutaneous manifestations of APS.

Does current evidence on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for psoriatic arthritis reinforce an effect on radiographic progression? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to estimate the effect of synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on radiographic progression and quality of life in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis. A comprehensive search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT). Clinical trials comparing DMARDs with placebo for ≥ 12 weeks were included. The meta-analysis was conducted with a random-effects model using mean differences (MD). A total of 16 trials with overall moderate quality of evidence were included. Exposure to a biologic agent reduced radiographic progression at 24 weeks of treatment (MD: - 0.66; [95% CI - 0.97 to - 0.34]; P < .00001; I2 = 100%). The reduction of the baseline score was more than two times higher for TNF blockers compared with IL-17 and IL-12/IL-23 inhibitors (MD: - 0.94 vs - 0.41). Improvement in health-related quality of life scores was observed in biologic-treated populations (MD: - 0.21; [95% CI - 0.25 to - 0.18]; P < .00001; I2 = 97%). No sufficient data were available regarding conventional synthetic agents. Our data analyses suggest a better control of radiological damage with bDMARDs, as compared to placebo, after 24 weeks of treatment. However, the accuracy of these results in real life are jeopardized by the exceedingly high level of heterogeneity exhibited within and across included studies, and the true intervention effect cannot be determined with confidence. Further research is required to assess long-term outcomes and to control heterogeneity in the evaluation of treatments for psoriatic arthritis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019122223. Key Points • Radiographic progression is not the primary outcome for most efficacy studies in psoriatic arthritis; hence, baseline data are substantially diverse in major clinical trials. • The best available evidence on this particular outcome is currently at a moderate risk of bias. • Existing reports of the effect of DMARDs on structural damage must be taken with caution. • Further research is required to assess long-term outcomes and to control heterogeneity between studies.

Vaccination in rheumatic disease patients: results of a pilot quality improvement program.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) are at increased risk of infections. Vaccination is recognized as a successful public health measure and is recommended for RD patients. The aim of this study was to describe the strategies implemented in an academic rheumatology outpatient clinic as part of a fellow-in-training-led vaccination quality improvement (QI) program and to explore the vaccination uptake before and one year after the implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The program's objective is the promotion of vaccination among patients and rheumatology fellows (by educational interventions, development of vaccination charts and orders, and modifications to electronic medical records to register vaccination dates and generate reminders). As part of the continuous evaluation of the QI program, a descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate vaccine uptake pre- and post-interventions and vaccination barriers one year after implementation. Consecutive patients with RD answered a self-administered questionnaire. Results are shown as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Before the program started 73 patients were surveyed and 102 patients one year after. The vaccination uptake rates for influenza pre- and post-interventions were 43% and 55%; for pneumococcal vaccination they were 26% and 30%; for herpes zoster they were 0% and 4%; for human papillomavirus they were 4% and 10%; for hepatitis B (HBV) they were 19% and 25% respectively. Eighty percent of patients reported some barriers to receiving any of the previous vaccines. The three main reasons for not receiving a vaccine were the lack of recommendation, the lack of availability, and the belief that vaccines do not work. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a pilot vaccination QI program led by rheumatology fellows-in-training showed promising preliminary benefits in the vaccination uptake among RD patients and helps to evaluate the barriers to surpass.

Cognitive dysfunction in Sjögren's syndrome using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire and the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To describe the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the most affected cognitive domains, employing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) of a Latin American primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) cohort, and compare these patients to secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS) subjects and controls. METHODS: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of patients with a diagnosis of pSS who fulfilled the American-European Consensus Group 2002 criteria and/or American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2016 criteria; clinical information was evaluated prior to cognitive evaluation, which consisted of a single session in which the MoCA and ANAM were applied. RESULTS: A total of 122 subjects were included in the analysis (51 pSS, 20 sSS and 51 controls); mean age of pSS was 56 years (SD 10.4), of which 47 (92.15%) were women. Moderate-severe cognitive impairment by MoCA was 17% in pSS, 5% in sSS, and 15% in controls, and by ANAM were 29% in pSS and 10% in sSS (P > .05). Visuospatial/executive subdomain in the MoCA was different between the pSS and the control group (P = .005). We encountered a statistically significant difference between pSS patients and control scores from the program in 6 of the 7 domains tested by the ANAM. CONCLUSION: No difference was found in the prevalence of cognitive impairment between pSS subjects and controls by MoCA. Several subdomain scores differed between groups in both scales. Evaluation of cognitive disorders in patients with SS, even in early stages of the disease, seems advisable but the best strategy is yet to be elucidated.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in a patient with Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome is an uncommon constellation of radiological and clinical findings. Few reports describe co-occurring psychiatric manifestations. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic disease with vascular, neurologic, and psychiatric involvement. To the best of our knowledge, no case reports have been made associating these entities. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 21-year-old Mexican mestizo woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed at 4 years of age, who developed focal impaired awareness seizures when she was 8-years old, which became treatment-resistant at age 15. Two years prior to our evaluation, she developed deep vein thrombosis; clinical and laboratory criteria were met to diagnose secondary antiphospholipid syndrome. After being treated with anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressants with only a partial response, she developed a severe major depressive episode 1 year prior to our assessment, including two suicide attempts. She was referred to the out-patient clinic of our department for evaluation; intellectual disability, depressive symptoms, and behavioral symptoms were documented. Imaging studies revealed structural abnormalities in the left cerebral hemisphere: cortical atrophy, enlargement of sulci and cisternal spaces, and hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinus. Treatment with an antidepressant was initiated and maintained for 1 year, added to anticonvulsants and immunosuppressants. Depressive and behavioral symptoms diminished and no suicidal ideation has been noted at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome was diagnosed, accompanied by clinical symptoms previously reported as epilepsy and intellectual disability. This case report illustrates the complexity of syndrome presentation in an adult female, constituting a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This constellation of symptoms and structural brain abnormalities should be kept in mind in patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations and systemic diseases with central nervous system involvement, especially when diagnosed at a young age.