MBL2 gene polymorphisms and its relation to infection in Brazilian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A 10-years follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial disease and MBL2 genetic variants, which are associated to differential peripheral MBL levels, potentially affect its etiology and increase infection risk in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential association of MBL2 polymorphisms of the coding and promoter gene region and haplotypes on hospitalization, number of admission and days of admission for major infection causes in Brazilian SLE patients. Methods: 325 SLE patients from a southern Brazilian outpatient SLE clinic were genotyped in 2006 for MBL2 gene polymorphisms from coding and promoter region (rs1800450, rs1800451, rs5030737, rs11003125, and rs7096206) and followed until 2016. Clinical and laboratory data from each patient were obtained and information regarding the need for hospitalization, the number of admissions and number of days admitted for infection treatment were compiled and compared with MBL2 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes. A linear regression analysis was constructed considering the variables of bivariate which demonstrated an association (p<0.05) and variables which had a theoretical basement. RESULTS: No difference was found in polymorphism prevalence when comparing the group that was admitted for infection treatment and the group who did not. Allele C, and haplotypes LY and HY correlated with more infection hospitalizations [wild-type homozygosis for C: 2 (IQR 1-3), heterozygosis for C: 3 (IQR 2-6) p=0.038; LY 2 (IQR 1-3) p=0.049; HY 2 (IQR 1-3) p=0.005] and haplotype HY carriers stayed fewer days in hospital for infection treatment: 18 (IQR 10-38) p=0.041. When linear regression was applied HY associated with shorter admission time for infections (-18.11 days, p=0.021) and HY (-1.52 admission, p 0.001) carriers with older age at diagnosis had less admissions for infection (HY regression model: -0.42, p=0.006; LY regression model -0.04, p=0.010; -0.04, p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The presence of the HY promoter haplotype associated to fewer in hospital care for infection treatment probably due to higher MBL plasma levels. Also, HY haplotype and older age at SLE diagnosis is related to less admissions for infection. This factor should be taken into consideration, since infection is a very import cause of mortality in SLE patients being also related to aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.

Correlation of enthesitis indices with disease activity and function in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis: a cross-sectional study comparing MASES, SPARCC and LEI.

BACKGROUND: The presence of enthesitis is associated with higher disease activity, more disability and incapacity to work and a poorer quality of life in spondyloarthritis (SpA). There is currently no consensus on which clinical score should be used to assess enthesitis in SpA. The objective of the present work was to compare the correlation of three enthesitis indices (MASES, SPARCC and LEI) with measures of disease activity and function in a heterogeneous population of patients with axial and peripheral SpA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Brazilian public university hospitals; patients fulfilling ASAS classification criteria for peripheral or axial SpA were recruited and measures of disease activity and function were collected and correlated to three enthesitis indices: MASES, SPARCC and LEI using Spearman's Correlation index. ROC curves were used to determine if the the enthesitis indices were useful to discriminate patients with active disease from those with inactive disease. RESULTS: Two hundred four patients were included, 71.1% (N = 145) fulfilled ASAS criteria for axial SpA and 28.9% (N = 59) for peripheral SpA. In axial SpA, MASES performed better than LEI (p = 0.018) and equal to SPARCC (p = 0.212) regarding correlation with disease activity (BASDAI) and function (BASFI). In peripheral SpA, only MASES had a weak but statistical significant correlation with DAS28-ESR (rs 0.310 p = 0.05) and MASES had better correlation with functional measures (HAQ) than SPARCC (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In this sample composed of SpA patients with high coexistence of axial and peripheral features, MASES showed statistical significant correlation with measures of disease activity and function in both axial and peripheral SpA.

Correlation of enthesitis indices with disease activity and function in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis: a crosssectional study comparing MASES, SPARCC and LEI

Abstract Background: The presence of enthesitis is associated with higher disease activity, more disability and incapacity to work and a poorer quality of life in spondyloarthritis (SpA). There is currently no consensus on which clinical score should be used to assess enthesitis in SpA. The objective of the present work was to compare the correlation of three enthesitis indices (MASES, SPARCC and LEI) with measures of disease activity and function in a heterogeneous population of patients with axial and peripheral SpA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Brazilian public university hospitals; patients fulfilling ASAS classification criteria for peripheral or axial SpA were recruited and measures of disease activity and function were collected and correlated to three enthesitis indices: MASES, SPARCC and LEI using Spearman's Correlation index. ROC curves were used to determine if the the enthesitis indices were useful to discriminate patients with active disease from those with inactive disease. Results: Two hundred four patients were included, 71.1% (N = 145) fulfilled ASAS criteria for axial SpA and 28.9% (N = 59) for peripheral SpA. In axial SpA, MASES performed better than LEI (p = 0.018) and equal to SPARCC (p = 0.212) regarding correlation with disease activity (BASDAI) and function (BASFI). In peripheral SpA, only MASES had a weak but statistical significant correlation with DAS28-ESR (rs 0.310 p = 0.05) and MASES had better correlation with functional measures (HAQ) than SPARCC (p = 0.034). Conclusion: In this sample composed of SpA patients with high coexistence of axial and peripheral features, MASES showed statistical significant correlation with measures of disease activity and function in both axial and peripheral SpA.(AU)

Survival analysis of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatments progress over the years. However, the mortality remains higher than in the general population. Few studies have examined SLE patients' survival in Brazil. This study aims to identify the main characteristics and risk factors to predict mortality and recognize the main causes of death in Brazilian patients with SLE. We retrospectively assessed clinical, demographic, and serological characteristics from 600 patients followed since 2001 in SLE outpatient clinic from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Risk factors for mortality were examined by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. There were 527 survivors (87.83%). The main causes of death were cardiovascular disease (17%), infection (17%), and infection and SLE activity (17%). Risk factors for death were age at diagnosis (HR 1.065, CI 95% 1.039-10.092), SLICC damage index (HR 1.299, CI 95% 1.076-1569), antiphospholip syndrome (HR 3.021, CI 95% 1.307-6.985), and metilprednisolone pulse (HR 2.628, CI 95% 1.283-5.383). Antimalarials was a protective factor for death (HR 0.191, CI 95% 0.064-0.570). Cardiovascular disease, infection, and SLE activity associated with infection were the main known causes of deaths in our SLE patients. Secondary antiphospolipid syndrome, highest score in SLICC damage index, advanced age at diagnosis, and high dose of corticosteroids were risk factors for mortality. Antimalarials was an important protective factor.

Fatores de risco cardiovasculares e comorbidades em ambulatórios de cardiologia da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS / Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in cardiology outpatientin the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, RS

As doenças cardiovasculares desempenham um importante papel na saúde pública atual, visto que representam a principal causa de morbimortalidade mundial e os mais altos custos em assistência médica. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever os fatores de riscos cardiovasculares e as comorbidades dos pacientes atendidos em ambulatórios de cardiologia na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS. Métodos: Estudo transversal de pacientes adultos do ambulatório de cardiologia geral de atenção secundária à saúde, mantido pela Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA). Entre setembro de 2009 e outubro de 2010, o estudo foi primeiramente realizado no posto de saúde da vila do IAPI, em Porto Alegre, e, posteriormente, no Hospital Universitário (HU), em Canoas. Foi utilizado um formulário padrão para a coleta de dados do prontuário médico. A análise estatística possibilitou descrever uma amostra única. Resultados: Foram analisados 204 pacientes no total. A maioria da população em estudo era composta de idosos (66%), mulheres (70,1%), brancos (83,3%), hipertensos (83,8%), sedentários (67%), com excesso de peso (85,6%) e obesidade visceral (92,1%). Quanto ao tabagismo, 12% eram ativos e 42% ex-tabagistas. A combinação de fatores de risco foi importante e identificada através da síndrome metabólica (85,0%). O cálculo do escore de risco de Framingham para um evento coronariano em 10 anos foi > 10% em 36,5% dos indivíduos. Conclusões: Foi identificada uma alta prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovasculares, suas combinações e comorbidades na população em estudo.

Cardiovascular diseases play an important role in public health today as the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and the highest costs in medical care. The aim of this study was to describe the cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities of patients seen in cardiology clinics in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre RS. Methods: Cross-sectional study of adult patients from the general cardiology outpatient clinic of secondary care, run by the Medical School of Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA). Between Sep 2009 and Oct 2010, the study was first conducted at the Health Center of IAPI, a district in Porto Alegre, and afterwards at the School Hospital in Canoas. We used a standard form to collect data from medical records. The statistical analysis allowed to describe a unique sample. Results: We analyzed 204 patients in total. Most of the study population consisted of elderly (66%), females (70.1%), whites (83.3%), hypertensive (83.8%), sedentary (67%), overweight (85, 6%) and with visceral obesity (92.1%). As for smoking, 12% were active and 42% former smokers. The combination of risk factors was important and identified through the metabolic syndrome (85.0%). The calculation of Framingham risk score for a coronary event in 10 years was > 10% in 36.5% of individuals. Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, their combinations and comorbidities in the studied population.