Tofacitinib treatment of rheumatoid arthritis increases senescent T cell frequency in patients and limits T cell function in vitro.

Unraveling the immune signatures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving various treatment regimens can aid in comprehending the immune mechanisms' role in treatment efficacy and side effects. Given the critical role of cellular immunity in RA pathogenesis, we sought to identify T-cell profiles characterizing RA patients under specific treatments. We compared 75 immunophenotypic and biochemical variables in healthy donors (HD) and RA patients, including those receiving different treatments as well as treatment-free patients. Additionally, we conducted in vitro experiments to evaluate the direct effect of tofacitinib on purified naïve and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Multivariate analysis revealed that tofacitinib-treated patients segregated from HD at the expense of T-cell activation, differentiation, and effector function-related variables. Additionally, tofacitinib led to an accumulation of peripheral senescent memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In vitro, tofacitinib impaired the activation, proliferation, and effector molecules expression and triggered senescence pathways in T-cell subsets upon TCR-engagement, with the most significant impact on memory CD8+ T cells. Our findings suggest that tofacitinib may activate immunosenescence pathways while simultaneously inhibiting effector functions in T cells, both effects likely contributing to the high clinical success and reported side effects of this JAK inhibitor in RA.

Dynamics of circulating follicular helper T cell subsets and follicular regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients according to HLA-DRB1 locus.

B cells, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are part of a circuit that may play a role in the development or progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). With the aim of providing further insight into this topic, here we evaluated the frequency of different subsets of Tfh and Tfr in untreated and long-term treated RA patients from a cohort of Argentina, and their potential association with particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-II variants and disease activity. We observed that the frequency of total Tfh cells as well as of particular Tfh subsets and Tfr cells were increased in seropositive untreated RA patients. Interestingly, when analyzing paired samples, the frequency of Tfh cells was reduced in synovial fluid compared to peripheral blood, while Tfr cells levels were similar in both biological fluids. After treatment, a decrease in the CCR7loPD1hi Tfh subset and an increase in the frequency of Tfr cells was observed in blood. In comparison to healthy donors, seropositive patients with moderate and high disease activity exhibited higher frequency of Tfh cells while seropositive patients with low disease activity presented higher Tfr cell frequency. Finally, we observed that HLA-DRB1*09 presence correlated with higher frequency of Tfh and Tfr cells, while HLA-DRB1*04 was associated with increased Tfr cell frequency. Together, our results increase our knowledge about the dynamics of Tfh and Tfr cell subsets in RA, showing that this is altered after treatment.

Los niveles séricos de Interleucina 22 e Interleucina 6 disminuyen luego del tratamiento en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Interleukin 22 and Interleukin 6 Serum Levels Decrease After Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Introducción: La artritis reumatoidea se caracteriza por inflamación de la membrana sinovial debido al infiltrado de células inmunitarias que secretan citocinas relacionadas a perfil Th17 como IL-22 e IL-6. La dinámica de estas citocinas durante el tratamiento permanece incomprendida. El objetivo fue evaluar los niveles séricos y en líquido sinovial (LS) de IL-22 e IL-6, correlacionarlos con diferentes parámetros bioquímicos y clínicos y medir sus cambios post-tratamiento. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 77 pacientes con AR y 30 controles. A 30 pacientes se los evaluó nuevamente luego de 3 meses de tratamiento y a 12 se les extrajo LS. Se midió VSG, PCR, FR, anti-CCPhs, IL-22 e IL-6. Se evaluó la actividad con DAS28 y respuesta al tratamiento con criterios EULAR. Resultados: IL-22 e IL-6 fueron similares entre pacientes y controles. Sus niveles disminuyeron luego del tratamiento, principalmente en pacientes respondedores. IL-22 fue menor e IL-6 mayor en LS que en sangre. IL-6 correlacionó positivamente con PCR y anti-CCPhs. Los niveles de VSG, PCR y DAS28 fueron mayores en pacientes con valores dosables de IL-6 que en no dosables. Conclusión: En pacientes con valores basales dosables de IL-22 e IL-6, los niveles de estas citocinas podrían utilizarse como marcador adicional de respuesta al tratamiento.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by synovium inflammation due to the infiltration of immune cells that secrete Th17 cytokines like IL-22 and IL-6. The dynamics of these cytokines during the treatment remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of IL-22 and IL-6 serum and synovial fluid (SF) in correlation with different biochemical and clinical parameters and treatment-associated changes. Material and methods: Seventy-seven RA patients and 30 controls were recruited. Thirty patients were evaluated after 3 months of treatment and SF was collected of 12 patients. ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP hs, IL-22 e IL-6 were measured. DAS28 was used to assess disease activity and response to treatment followed EULAR criteria. Results: There were not differences in serum IL-22 and IL-6 levels between patients and controls. Cytokine levels decreased after treatment, mainly in responder patients. IL-22 was decreased and IL-6 was increased in SF compared to serum. IL-6 correlated positively with CRP and anti-CCPhs. ESR, CRP and DAS28 were increased in patients with detectable IL-6 compared to those with undetectable IL-6. Conclusion: In patients with detectable serum IL-22 and IL-6 levels before treatment initiation, follow-up of cytokine levels could be an useful additional tool to evaluate treatment response.

Lupus eritematoso sistémico: datos sociodemográficos y su correlación clínico-analítica en un hospital universitario / Systemic Lupus Erythemathosus: sociodemographic data and clinical correlation at an university hospital

Objetivos: Analizar las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES) del Servicio de Reumatología de un Hospital Universitario de Córdoba. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y analítico de 303 pacientes adultos con LES asistidos entre 1987-2017, que cumplían con los criterios ACR1982. Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos, de laboratorio, internaciones, óbitos y los tratamientos. Los datos fueron analizados con Excel, Infostat y SPSS 11.5 para Windows. Resultados: El 92% eran mujeres, 44% de ellas y 61% de los hombres eran mestizos. La edad promedio al diagnóstico fue de 32 años y el tiempo medio de evolución de la enfermedad de 11 años. Un tercio terminó la escuela primaria y la mayoría pertenecía al nivel socieconómico medio. Las manifestaciones del aparato locomotor y dermatológicas fueron las más frecuentes como presentación y evolución de la enfermedad. El 60% mostró compromiso renal, siendo la glomerulonefritis tipo 4 el hallazgo histopatológico prevalente. Las causas de óbito fueron septicemia y hemorragia alveolar principalmente, asociados a SLICC más alto, anti-DNA (+), leucopenia, nivel socioeconómico medio y bajo y raza mestiza como marcadores de mal pronóstico. Conclusiones: En esta serie predominaron sexo femenino, raza mestiza, nivel socioeconómico medio y nivel de instrucción primario. Los síntomas de presentación fueron osteoarticulares y dérmicos. Las causas de muerte fueron infecciones o hemorragia alveolar. Fueron factores de mal pronóstico: anti-DNA, leucopenia, etnia mestiza y bajo nivel socioeconómico

Objective: to analyze demographic and clinical characteristics in SLE patients from a university hospital in Córdoba. Patients and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively 303 adult SLE patients assisted between 1987 and 2017 who met ACR1982 SLE criteria. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data and causes of death, hospitalization and treatments were analyzed with excel, infostat and SPSS for Windows. Results: 92% were women (race: women 44% mestizo; men 61% mestizo; mean age at diagnosis: 32 years, mean time of evolution 11 years). 1/3 of them finished primary school and most of them had medium socioeconomic status. Musculoskeletal and skin involvement was most frequent as presentation symptom and during the evolution of disease. 60% had renal involvement being type 4 glomerulonephritis the most prevalent histopathological finding. Causes of death were septicemia and alveolar hemorrhage, associated with higher SLICC, anti-DNA (+), leucopenia, low socioeconomic status and mestizo race as markers of poor prognosis. Conclusion: Female gender, mestizo race, medium socioeconomic status and primary level of education predominated in this series. Presentation symptoms were musculoskeletal and skin involvement. Causes of death were infections or alveolar hemorrhage. Anti-DNA (+), leucopenia, low socioeconomic status and mestizo race were markers of poor prognosis

PD-L1+ Regulatory B Cells Are Significantly Decreased in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Increase After Successful Treatment.

Background: B cells play an important role in the development and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although IL-10-producing B cells represent a major subset of regulatory B cells (Bregs) able to suppress autoimmune and inflammatory responses, recent reports showed that B cell-mediated immune suppression may also occur independent of IL-10. For instance, B cells can modulate T cell immune responses through the expression of regulatory molecules such as PD-L1. So far, PD-L1-expressing B cells have not been analyzed in RA patients. Objective: To analyze the frequency of PD-L1-expressing B cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients compared to healthy controls (HC) matched for sex and age, their function on T cell response and their changes in response to therapy. Methods: Fresh peripheral blood B cells from RA patients and HC were characterized by flow cytometry and their functionality assessed in a co-culture system with autologous T cells. Results: The frequencies of CD19+PD-L1+ B cells, CD24hiCD38-PD-L1+ and CD24hiCD38hiPD-L1+ B cells were significantly lower in untreated RA patients than in HC. In a follow-up study, the frequencies of PD-L1+ B cells (CD19+PD-L1+ B cells, CD24hiCD38-PD-L1+ and CD24hiCD38hiPD-L1+ B cells) increased significantly after treatment in good responder patients, although the frequency of total CD24hiCD38hi B cells decreased. CD19+ B cells from untreated RA patients and HC upregulated PD-L1 expression similarly upon stimulation with CpG plus IL-2 and were able to suppress, in vitro, CD8+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production in a PD-L1-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results show that PD-L1+ B cells exhibiting T cell suppressive capacity are significantly decreased in untreated RA patients but increase in response to successful treatment. PD-L1 expression on B cells from RA patients can be modulated in vitro and PD-L1+ B cells could thus provide new perspectives for future treatment strategies.

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.

Inhibitory Receptor Expression on T Cells as a Marker of Disease Activity and Target to Regulate Effector Cellular Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Inhibitory receptors are essential for the regulation of effector immune responses and may play critical roles in autoimmune diseases. We evaluated whether inhibitory receptor expression on T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were correlated with immune activation, disease activity, and response to treatment, as well as whether inhibitory receptor-mediated pathways were functional. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, we performed extensive phenotypic and functional evaluation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from the blood and synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients ex vivo and after culture. The relationship of each parameter with the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and response to treatment was examined. RESULTS: In RA patients with low levels of T cell activation, inhibitory receptor expression showed an inverse relationship with the DAS28-ESR. The frequency of T cells expressing multiple inhibitory receptors was reduced in untreated RA patients but returned to normal levels in treated patients. RA patients who responded to treatment showed an augmented frequency of inhibitory receptor-expressing T cells that correlated with reduced inflammatory cytokine production in comparison to nonresponders. Higher frequencies of effector and memory T cells that expressed multiple inhibitory receptors were seen in SF than in peripheral blood. Notably, inhibitory pathways were operative in blood and synovial T cells from all RA patients, although cells from nonresponder patients were less sensitive to inhibition. CONCLUSION: Inhibitory receptor expression on T cells from RA patients is inversely correlated with effector T cell function and disease activity and may predict response to treatment. Furthermore, different inhibitory pathways are functional and cooperatively suppress synovial T cells, providing a rationale for new treatment strategies to regulate acute local inflammation.

Follicular helper T cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. / Células T helper foliculares en sangre periférica de pacientes con artritis reumatoide.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by the presence of different autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. CD4T cells expressing CXCR5, referred as follicular helper T cells (Tfh), collaborate with B cells to produce antibodies. Differential expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 within CD4+CXCR5+ T cells defines three mayor subsets: CXCR3+CCR6- (Tfh1), CXCR3-CCR6- (Tfh2) and CXCR3-CCR6+ (Tfh17). The aim of the study was to assess whether there is an association between the percentage of these cells and RA and whether there is a correlation with disease activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four RA patients, 22 healthy controls (HC) and 16 undifferentiated arthritis (UA) patients were included. Percentage of CD4+CXCR5+ T cells and their subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: No differences were found in the percentages of CD4+CXCR5+ T cells in the comparison of RA vs HC or RA vs UA patients. Tfh1, Tfh2 and Tfh17 subsets showed no differences either. There was no correlation between CD4+CXCR5+T cells, Tfh1, Tfh2 and Tfh17, and Disease Activity Score in twenty-eight joints (DAS28) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Surprisingly, there was a positive correlation between Tfh17 cells and C-reactive protein. Finally, there was no correlation between CD4+CXCR5+ T cells, or their subsets, and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin, or between the cells and RF. CONCLUSION: There were no differences between the percentages of CD4+CXCR5+ T cells and their subsets in peripheral blood of RA patients and the percentages of cells in the control groups. This finding does not rule out a pathogenic role of these cells in the development and activity of RA.

Linfoma T cutáneo en paciente con artritis reumatoidea / Cutaneous T cel lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoidea incrementa el riesgo de muerte en pacientes que la padecen, ya sea por las comorbilidades como enfermedades cardiovasculares y las infecciones, como así también por una mayor frecuencia de desórdenes linfoproliferativos asociados a la enfermedad de base. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 74 años de edad, con artritis reumatoidea poliarticular y nodular de larga data. Tratado con DMARs, etanercept y abatacept con poca eficacia, por lo que inició rituximab con excelente respuesta, recibiendo luego como mantenimiento tofacitinib 5 mg/día. En abril de este año presenta lesiones nodulares y eritematosas en ambos miembros inferiores que luego se necrotizan y esfacelan. Se suspende tratamiento inmunosupresor. Se indica biopsia de piel que muestra linfoma T cutáneo con compromiso dérmico e hipodérmico. Se inició quimioterapia CHOP pero luego del segundo ciclo el paciente presenta aplasia medular y fallece

Reacción dermatológica fatal después de infiximab / Fatal skin reaction alter infliximb

El uso de agentes biológicos es cada vez más frecuente en todos los grupos etarios y aún se desconoce en su totalidad el abanico de efectos adversos a corto y largo plazo que estas drogas pueden causar. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 73 años con una reacción severa a terapia biológica con anti-TNF (infliximab) que lleva a complicaciones graves y posteriormente a la muerte.(AU)

Estratificación de riesgo cardiovascular en enfermedades autoinmunes en un hospital universitario / Cardiovascular risk stratification in autoimmune diseases in a university hospital

Introducción: las enfermedades autoinmunes (EAI) han sido consideradas como no fatales; sin embargo, la mayoría de éstas tienen una historia natural de mortalidad prematura. Algunas como el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), artritis reumatoidea (AR), esclerosis sistémica (ES), polimiositis, vasculitis y otras, están asociadas a una mortalidad temprana comparable a las enfermedades cardiovasculares y neoplásicas. Objetivos: 1- identificar las EAI con mayor riesgo cardiovascular previamente diagnosticadas en pacientes que sean atendidos en un servicio de reumatología de un hospital universitario. 2- comparar el riesgo cardiovascular calculado según la escala de Framingham y el modelo SCORE en pacientes con diagnóstico previo de enfermedad autoinmune. Material y métodos: estudio analítico de corte transversal, en un servicio de reumatología de un hospital universitario donde se reclutaron 129 historias clínicas de pacientes que acudieron espontáneamente entre el 1 de noviembre de 2010 y el 31 de mayo de 2011. Se elaboraron tablas de cruces de variables y su posterior cálculo con Chi Cuadrado y coeficiente de Pearson. Resultados: las EAI con mayor riesgo cardiovascular fueron AR, vasculitis y EASN. La escala de Framingham mostró solo un paciente con AR que tenía RCV muy elevado. Las vasculitis encabezó el RCV elevado con el 16,7%, pero esto corresponde solo a un paciente. El segundo lugar estaba representado por AR (10.7%), luego EASN (10%) y LES (4,5%). El modelo SCORE demostró que el 3,1% de las enfermedades tenía muy elevado RCV, porcentaje que estaba comprendido por 3 pacientes con AR y 1 con vasculitis. El RCV elevado estuvo representado sólo por AR en un 13.3%. Al comparar ambas escalas de riesgo cardiovascular, el 70,5% de 129 pacientes presentaron bajo RCV. Sólo un paciente (0,8%) con bajo RCV en la escala de Framingham tenía muy elevado RCV en el SCORE.(AU)

Introduction :Autoimmune diseases (AID) have been considered asnon-fatal; however, most of these have a natural history of premature mortality. Some such as lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthri-tis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SS), polymyositis, vasculitis and others are associated with early mortality comparable to cardiovascular and neo-plastic diseases. Objectives: 1- Identify autoimmune diseases with increased cardiovascular risk in previously diagnosed patients who are treated at a rheumatology service of an university hospital. 2- To compare the cardiovascular risk calculated according to the Framingham and the SCORE modelin patients with a previous diagnosis of autoimmune disease treated ata rheumatology service of a public hospital. (AU)

Estratificación de riesgo cardiovascular en enfermedades autoinmunes en un hospital universitario / Cardiovascular risk stratification in autoimmune diseases in a university hospital

Introducción: las enfermedades autoinmunes (EAI) han sido consideradas como no fatales; sin embargo, la mayoría de éstas tienen una historia natural de mortalidad prematura. Algunas como el lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), artritis reumatoidea (AR), esclerosis sistémica (ES), polimiositis, vasculitis y otras, están asociadas a una mortalidad temprana comparable a las enfermedades cardiovasculares y neoplásicas. Objetivos: 1- identificar las EAI con mayor riesgo cardiovascular previamente diagnosticadas en pacientes que sean atendidos en un servicio de reumatología de un hospital universitario. 2- comparar el riesgo cardiovascular calculado según la escala de Framingham y el modelo SCORE en pacientes con diagnóstico previo de enfermedad autoinmune. Material y métodos: estudio analítico de corte transversal, en un servicio de reumatología de un hospital universitario donde se reclutaron 129 historias clínicas de pacientes que acudieron espontáneamente entre el 1 de noviembre de 2010 y el 31 de mayo de 2011. Se elaboraron tablas de cruces de variables y su posterior cálculo con Chi Cuadrado y coeficiente de Pearson. Resultados: las EAI con mayor riesgo cardiovascular fueron AR, vasculitis y EASN. La escala de Framingham mostró solo un paciente con AR que tenía RCV muy elevado. Las vasculitis encabezó el RCV elevado con el 16,7%, pero esto corresponde solo a un paciente. El segundo lugar estaba representado por AR (10.7%), luego EASN (10%) y LES (4,5%). El modelo SCORE demostró que el 3,1% de las enfermedades tenía muy elevado RCV, porcentaje que estaba comprendido por 3 pacientes con AR y 1 con vasculitis. El RCV elevado estuvo representado sólo por AR en un 13.3%. Al comparar ambas escalas de riesgo cardiovascular, el 70,5% de 129 pacientes presentaron bajo RCV. Sólo un paciente (0,8%) con bajo RCV en la escala de Framingham tenía muy elevado RCV en el SCORE.

Introduction :Autoimmune diseases (AID) have been considered asnon-fatal; however, most of these have a natural history of premature mortality. Some such as lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthri-tis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SS), polymyositis, vasculitis and others are associated with early mortality comparable to cardiovascular and neo-plastic diseases. Objectives: 1- Identify autoimmune diseases with increased cardiovascular risk in previously diagnosed patients who are treated at a rheumatology service of an university hospital. 2- To compare the cardiovascular risk calculated according to the Framingham and the SCORE modelin patients with a previous diagnosis of autoimmune disease treated ata rheumatology service of a public hospital.

Reacción dermatológica fatal después de infiximab / Fatal skin reaction alter infliximb

El uso de agentes biológicos es cada vez más frecuente en todos los grupos etarios y aún se desconoce en su totalidad el abanico de efectos adversos a corto y largo plazo que estas drogas pueden causar. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 73 años con una reacción severa a terapia biológica con anti-TNF (infliximab) que lleva a complicaciones graves y posteriormente a la muerte.

[Use of intravenous humana immunoglobulin in rheumatic diseases]. / Uso de inmunogtlobulina G humana endovenosa(IGEV) en enfermedades reumáticas.

INTRODUCTION: Preparations of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are used as treatment in different diseases such primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases, systemic inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases and allergic diseases among others. OBJECTIVE: to present 13 of our cases with the use of IVIG in different rheumatic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we retrospectively studied 13 patients (10 women and 3 men), mean age 29 years with different rheumatic diseases, that underwent conventional treatments without positive response. They received IVIG pulses, trying to improve or induce remission of their previous clinical situation. 6/13 patients met criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2/13 had primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APL)one had polydermatomyositis (PDM), 1 juvenile arthritis, 1 panarteritis nodosa (cutaneous PAN), one Evans syndrome, and one with autoimmune uveitis. RESULTS: 7 of them had a positive response to therapy with IGEV evaluated by clinical and biochemical parameters. They remained with conventional treatments. One patient received a new IG EV pulse after 24 months, because of panniculitis reactivation. Clinical and biochemical response was poor in 4 of them, and 2 patients died. CONCLUSION: IVIg may be usefull in autoimmune rheumatic diseases when conventional therapies have failed. The therapeutic success is also limited. Only the 55 percent of our patients had a positive clinical response.

[Hyperhomocysteine like thrombocytic risk factor in patient with systemic lupus erythematous with antiphospholipid syndrome]. / Hiperhomocisteinemia como factor de riesgo trombótico en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico y síndrome antifosfolípido.

OBJECTIVES: to detect the prevalence of hyperhcy in SLE patients with and without antiphospholipid syndrom; to compare the Hcy levels between those patients and healthy controls and to determine the correlation between hyperhcy and antiphospholipid antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we studied 44 SLE patients: 17 had antiphospholipid syndrom and 27 didn't have it, and we compared them to 24 healthy controls. All of them where checked clinically and with laboratory tests like anticardiolypin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and Hcy. Hcy > 9 was considered abnormal. Patient who had hyperhcy were treated with folic acid+vitB6+vitB12 a month along. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: cualytative variables: chi square or Fischer's; cuantitative variables: Student's T test or Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: there were 35 trombotic manifestations in 44 patients. Hyperhcy was present in 27 SLE patients (61,4%), 12 of them had antiphospholipid syndrom. Hcy concentrations patients vs.controls was statisticaly different (p=0,002). There was also stastisticaly different the hcy concentration from SLE patients with SAF vs controls (p=0,003) and without SAF vs controls (p= 0,015). From 33 SLE patients, 20 (33%) were aCL(+). 15(75%) of them had hiperhcy.

[Hyperhomocystinemia as a thrombotic risk factor in patients suffering from systemic lupus erithematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome]. / Hiperhomocisteinemia como factor de riesgo trombótico en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico y síndrome antifosfolípido.

OBJECTIVES: to detect the prevalence of hyperhcy in SLE patients with and without antiphospholipid syndrom; to compare the Hcy levels between those patients and healthy controls and to determine the correlation between hyperhcy and antiphospholipid antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we studied 44 SLE patients: 17 had antiphospholipid syndrom and 27 didn't have it, and we compared them to 24 healthy controls. All of them where checked clinically and with laboratory tests like anticardiolypin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and Hcy. Hcy > 9 was considered abnormal. Patient who had hyperhcy were treated with folic acid+vitB6+vitB12 a month along. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: cualytative variables: chi square or Fischer's; cuantitative variables: Student's T test or Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: there were 35 trombotic manifestations in 44 patients. Hyperhcy was present in 27 SLE patients (61,4%), 12 of them had antiphospholipid syndrom. Hcy concentrations patients vs.controls was statisticaly different (p= 0,002). There was also stastisticaly different the hcy concentration from SLE patients with SAF vs controls (p=0,003) and without SAF vs controls (p= 0,015). From 33 SLE patients, 20 (33%) were aCL(+). 15(75%) of them had hiperhcy.

Hiperhomocisteinemia como factor de riesgo trombótico en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico y síndrome antifosfolípido. / [Hyperhomocysteine like thrombocytic risk factor in patient with systemic lupus erythematous with antiphospholipid syndrome]

OBJECTIVES: to detect the prevalence of hyperhcy in SLE patients with and without antiphospholipid syndrom; to compare the Hcy levels between those patients and healthy controls and to determine the correlation between hyperhcy and antiphospholipid antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we studied 44 SLE patients: 17 had antiphospholipid syndrom and 27 didnt have it, and we compared them to 24 healthy controls. All of them where checked clinically and with laboratory tests like anticardiolypin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and Hcy. Hcy > 9 was considered abnormal. Patient who had hyperhcy were treated with folic acid+vitB6+vitB12 a month along. Statistical analysis: cualytative variables: chi square or Fischers; cuantitative variables: Students T test or Mann-Whitneys test. RESULTS AND CONCLUTIONS: there were 35 trombotic manifestations in 44 patients. Hyperhcy was present in 27 SLE patients (61,4

), 12 of them had antiphospholipid syndrom. Hcy concentrations patients vs.controls was statisticaly different (p=0,002). There was also stastisticaly different the hcy concentration from SLE patients with SAF vs controls (p=0,003) and without SAF vs controls (p= 0,015). From 33 SLE patients, 20 (33

) were aCL(+). 15(75

) of them had hiperhcy.

Hiperhomocisteinemia como factor de riesgo trombótico en pacientes con Lupus Erimatoso Sistémico y Síndrome Antifosfolipido / Hyperhomocystinemia as a thrombotic risk factor in patients suffering from systemic lupus erithematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de hiperhomocisteinemia (hiperhcy) en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) con y sin síndrome antifosfolípido (SAF); comparar los niveles de homocisteína (Hcy) entre pacientes con LES (con y sin SAF asociado) y un grupo de controles sanos y determinar la correlación entre hiperhcy y la presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron 44 ptes con LES, portadores o no de SAF. Se los dividió en 2 grupos: 17 con LES y SAF y 27 con LES sin SAF y se compararon con 24 controles sanos. A todos se les realizó interrogatorio, examen físico y pruebas de laboratorio: anticuerpos anticardiolipinas (aCL), anticoagulante lúpico y Hcy. Se consideró hiperhcy a valores superiores a 9. A los ptes con hiperhcy se los trató con ácido fólico + B6 + B 12 durante un mes. Análisis estadístico: variables cualitativas: Chi cuadrado o Exacta de Fischer y cuantitativas: test T de Student o MannWhitney test. Resultados y conclusiones: Hubo 35 manifestaciones trombóticas en los 44 pacientes. Se encontró Hiperhcy en 27 ptes con LES (61,4%), de los cuales 12 tenían SAF. La diferencia entre los valores de Hcy de los pacientes con o sin SAF no fue significativa (p=0,42). Comparando las concentraciones de Hcy entre pacientes y controles, la diferencia fue muy significativa (p=0,002).También tuvo significación estadística la diferencia entre las concentraciones de Hcy de los pacientes con LES sin SAF vs. controles (p=0,015) y LES con SAF vs. controles (p=0,003). A 33 ptes se les dosó aCL: 20 (60,6%) fueron (+). De estos, 15 (75%) tenían hiperhcy. De los 27 pacientes con LES que tenían hiperhcy, sólo 18 cumplieron con el mes de tratamiento con a.fólico+B6+B12. 16 de 18 (88,8%) normalizaron o disminuyeron la Hcy.(AU)

Objectives: to detect the prevalence of hyperhcy in SLE patients with and without antiphospholipid syndrome; to compare the Hcy levels between those patients and healthy controls and to determine the correlation between hyperhcy and antiphospholipid antibodies. Patients and methods: we studied 44 SLE patients: 17 had antiphospholipid syndrome and 27 didnt have it, and we compared tbem to 24 healthy controls. All of them where checked clinically and with laboratory tests like anticardiolypin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and Hcy. Hcy > 9 was considered abnormal. Patient who had hyperhcy were treated with folic acid+vitB6+vitBI2 a month along. Statistical analysis: qualitative variables: chi square or Fischers; quantitative variables: Students T test or Mann-Whitneys test. Results and conclusions: there were 35 trombotic manifestations in 44 patients. Hyperhcy was present in 27 SLE patients (61,4%), 12 of them had antiphospholipid syndrome. Hcy concentrations patients vs. controls was statisticaly different (p=0,002). There was also statistically different the hcy concentration from SLE patients with SAF vs controls (p=0,003) and without SAF vs controls (p= 0,015). From 33 SLE patients, 20 (33%) were aCL( +). 15(75%) of them had hiperhcy.(AU)