Design of a Rheumatology Transition Clinic for a Resource-Constrained Setting.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the design process of a medical care program for adolescents with pediatric onset rheumatic diseases (PRD) during the transition from pediatric to adult care in a resource-constrained hospital. METHODS: The model of attention was developed in three steps: 1) the selection of a multidisciplinary team, 2) the evaluation of the state of readiness of patients and caregivers for the transition, and 3) the design of a strategy of attention according to local needs. The results of the first two steps were used in order to develop the strategy of attention. RESULTS: The transition process was structured in three stages: pretransition (at pediatric rheumatology clinic), Transition Clinic for Adolescents with Rheumatic Diseases (TCARD, the main intervention), and post-transition (at adult rheumatology clinic). Each stage was divided, in turn, into a variable number of phases (8 in total), which included activities and goals that patients and caregivers were to accomplish during the process. A multidisciplinary approach was planned by pediatric and adult rheumatologists, nutritionists, physiatrists, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, and social worker. During TCARD, counseling, education, nutritional, physical, and mental health interventions were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed transition model for patients with rheumatic diseases can be a useful tool in developing countries.

Outcomes of transitional care programs on adolescent chronic inflammatory systemic diseases: systematic review and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Patients with juvenile chronic inflammatory systemic diseases (jCID) are vulnerable to many circumstances when transitioning to adult-centered healthcare; this increases the burden of disease and worsen their quality of life. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to March 16th, 2021. We included observational, randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated a transitional care program for adolescents and young adults with jCIDs. We extracted information regarding health-related quality of life, disease activity, drop-out rates, clinical attendance rates, hospital admission rates, disease-related knowledge, surgeries performed, drug toxicity and satisfaction rates. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The implementation of transition programs showed a reduction on hospital admission rates for those with transition program (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.61; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.97), rates of surgeries performed (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.59; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.50) and drop-out rates from the adult clinic (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.88). No differences were found in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: The available body of evidence supports the implementation of transition programs as it could be a determining factor to prevent hospital admission rates, surgeries needed and adult clinic attendance rates.

Esophageal symptoms and their lack of association with high-resolution manometry in systemic sclerosis patients / Falta de asociación de síntomas esofágicos con la manometría de alta resolución en pacientes con esclerosis sistémica

Background: The esophageal involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes impact in the morbidity and mortality. High resolution manometry assesses esophageal involvement. Our aim was to categorize esophageal motor disorder in patients with SSc by HRM. Methods: We carried out an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. All patients underwent HRM as well as semi-structured interviews to assess frequency and severity of upper GI symptoms. Patients also completed the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire (Carlsson-Dent). Results: We included 19 patients with SSc, 1 with morphea, and 1 with scleroderma sine scleroderma. Dysphagia and heartburn were the most frequent symptoms (61% each). We found an abnormal HRM in 15 (71.4%) patients. We found no statistically significant association between clinical or demographic variables and an abnormal HRM, or between any upper GI symptom and HRM findings. Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of esophageal symptoms and of HRM abnormalities. However, there was no clear association between symptomatology and HRM findings. HRM does not seem to accurately predict upper GI symptomatology

Antecedentes: La afectación esofágica en la esclerosis sistémica causa impacto en la morbimortalidad. La manometría de alta resolución evalúa la afectación esofágica. Nuestro objetivo fue categorizar el trastorno motor esofágico en pacientes con esclerosis sistémica por HRM. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Todos los pacientes se sometieron a HRM, así como a entrevistas semiestructuradas para evaluar la frecuencia y la gravedad de los síntomas gastrointestinales. Los pacientes también completaron el cuestionario de reflujo gastroesofágico (Carlsson-Dent). Resultados: Se incluyeron 19 pacientes con esclerosis sistémica, uno con morfea y uno con esclerodermia seno esclerodermia. La disfagia y la pirosis fueron los síntomas más frecuentes (un 61% cada uno). Encontramos una HRM anormal en 15 (71,4%) pacientes. No se halló ninguna asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables clínicas o demográficas y una HRM anormal, o entre cualquier síntoma GI superior y los hallazgos de HRM. Conclusión: Se observó una alta prevalencia de síntomas esofágicos y de anomalías de la HRM. Sin embargo, no hubo asociación clara entre la sintomatología y los hallazgos de HRM. La HRM no parece predecir con precisión la sintomatología gastrointestinal

Esophageal symptoms and their lack of association with high-resolution manometry in systemic sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: The esophageal involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes impact in the morbidity and mortality. High resolution manometry assesses esophageal involvement. Our aim was to categorize esophageal motor disorder in patients with SSc by HRM. METHODS: We carried out an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. All patients underwent HRM as well as semi-structured interviews to assess frequency and severity of upper GI symptoms. Patients also completed the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire (Carlsson-Dent). RESULTS: We included 19 patients with SSc, 1 with morphea, and 1 with scleroderma sine scleroderma. Dysphagia and heartburn were the most frequent symptoms (61% each). We found an abnormal HRM in 15 (71.4%) patients. We found no statistically significant association between clinical or demographic variables and an abnormal HRM, or between any upper GI symptom and HRM findings. CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of esophageal symptoms and of HRM abnormalities. However, there was no clear association between symptomatology and HRM findings. HRM does not seem to accurately predict upper GI symptomatology.

Are RA patients from a non-endemic HCV population screened for HCV? A cross-sectional analysis of three different settings / ¿Debe de realizarse un tamizaje de VHC en pacientes con artritis reumatoide pertenecientes a un área no-endémica? Estudio transversal en tres diferentes sistemas de salud

Introduction. In Mexico, other risk factors are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV): prior heroin users, living alone, widower, and northern region residence. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are considered immunosuppressed and HCV testing is recommended before treatment. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of HCV testing in RA patients in three different medical care settings in a non-endemic area. Methods. A retrospective observational study was performed using medical records from 960 RA patients describing the indications for HCV testing. Results. The test was performed in 28.6% and the HCV overall frequency was 0.36%. Population characteristics were not associated with an increased risk of HCV infection; therefore, anti-HCV positivity was low. The main reason for testing was before starting biological agents. Conclusion. Due to the low pre-test probability, testing for HCV infection should be personalized; i.e., according to disease prevalence in a particular geographical location and the individual risk factors (AU)

Introducción. En México, se han descrito factores de riesgo para virus de hepatitis C (VHC), además de los conocidos como: consumo de heroína, individuos que viven solos, ser viudo y residencia en el norte del país. Los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) son considerados inmunodeprimidos y se recomienda realizar pruebas de VHC antes del inicio del tratamiento. El objetivo fue describir las características de pacientes con AR a quienes se realizaron pruebas de VHC. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de 960 registros médicos donde se describieron las indicaciones para las prueba de VHC. Resultados. La prueba se realizó en el 28.6% y la frecuencia global de VHC fue de 0.36%. Las características de la población no se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de infección, por lo tanto la presencia de anti-VHC fue baja. La principal razón para realizar la prueba fue el inicio de tratamiento biológico. Conclusión. Debido a la baja probabilidad pre-test, las pruebas para el VHC deben ser personalizadas, es decir, según la prevalencia de la enfermedad de acuerdo a la zona geográfica y los factores de riesgo individuales (AU)

Desempeño del índice de masa corporal para el diagnóstico de obesidad por medio de absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA) en pacientes con artritis reumatoide / Value of body mass index in the diagnosis of obesity according to DEXA in well-controlled RA patients

Introducción. La artritis reumatoide (AR) tiene un efecto indirecto en la composición corporal. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) no se considera un predictor válido de la grasa corporal en pacientes con AR. Objetivo. Evaluar el IMC para identificar la obesidad mediante absorciometría dual por rayos X (DEXA) en pacientes con AR bien controlados. Métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal, descriptivo y analítico. Se utilizaron 3 definiciones de obesidad por DEXA:>35% de grasa total, >40% de grasa total y obesidad central>35%. Resultados. Se incluyó a 101 pacientes. Se encontró un IMC de 24kg/m2 para obesidad >35% con una sensibilidad del 90% y una especificidad del 75% (área bajo la curva [AUC] 0,917), un IMC de 25kg/m2 para obesidad >40% con una sensibilidad del 86% y una especificidad del 39% (AUC 0,822) y un IMC de 22kg/m2 para 35% de la grasa central con una sensibilidad de 97% y una especificidad del 84% (AUC 0,951). Conclusión. Existe un subdiagnóstico de obesidad con el uso de los valores de tradicionales de IMC en pacientes con AR bien controlados (AU)

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an indirect effect on body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is not a valid predictor of body fat in RA patients. Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of BMI in identifying obesity diagnosed according to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in well-controlled RA patients. Methods. An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study. We used 3 different cutoffs for obesity as determined by DXA: >35% total fat, >40% total fat, and >35% central fat mass (central obesity). Results. One hundred one patients were included. We found that 35% total fat corresponded to a BMI of 24kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 75% (area under the curve [AUC] 0.917); 40% total fat to a BMI of 25kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 39% (AUC 0.822); and 35% central fat mass to a BMI of 22kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 84% (AUC 0.951). Conclusion. Obesity according to DXA was underdiagnosed when the classic BMI cutoffs were used in well-controlled RA patients (AU)

Value of body mass index in the diagnosis of obesity according to DEXA in well-controlled RA patients. / Desempeño del índice de masa corporal para el diagnóstico de obesidad por medio de absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA) en pacientes con artritis reumatoide.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an indirect effect on body composition. Body mass index (BMI) is not a valid predictor of body fat in RA patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of BMI in identifying obesity diagnosed according to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in well-controlled RA patients. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study. We used 3 different cutoffs for obesity as determined by DXA: >35% total fat, >40% total fat, and >35% central fat mass (central obesity). RESULTS: One hundred one patients were included. We found that 35% total fat corresponded to a BMI of 24kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 75% (area under the curve [AUC] 0.917); 40% total fat to a BMI of 25kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 39% (AUC 0.822); and 35% central fat mass to a BMI of 22kg/m2, with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 84% (AUC 0.951). CONCLUSION: Obesity according to DXA was underdiagnosed when the classic BMI cutoffs were used in well-controlled RA patients.

Are RA patients from a non-endemic HCV population screened for HCV? A cross-sectional analysis of three different settings.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, other risk factors are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV): prior heroin users, living alone, widower, and northern region residence. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are considered immunosuppressed and HCV testing is recommended before treatment. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of HCV testing in RA patients in three different medical care settings in a non-endemic area. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed using medical records from 960 RA patients describing the indications for HCV testing. RESULTS: The test was performed in 28.6% and the HCV overall frequency was 0.36%. Population characteristics were not associated with an increased risk of HCV infection; therefore, anti-HCV positivity was low. The main reason for testing was before starting biological agents. CONCLUSION: Due to the low pre-test probability, testing for HCV infection should be personalized; i.e., according to disease prevalence in a particular geographical location and the individual risk factors.

Imagen de «tiro al blanco» en una paciente con dolor abdominal y lupus eritematoso sistémico tratada con recambio plasmático / Target sign in woman with abdominal pain and systemic lupus erythematosus treated with plasma exchange

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Aplicación de un modelo de predicción de progresión de artritis reumatoide en pacientes con artritis indiferenciada / Application of a prediction model for the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with undifferentiated arthritis

Introducción. Distintos modelos de predicción han sido aplicados en pacientes con artritis indiferenciada (AI) con el objetivo de identificar a aquellos que progresarán a artritis reumatoide (AR). El modelo de predicción de Leiden (MPL) ha demostrado su utilidad en distintas cohortes de AI. Objetivo. Aplicar el MPL a una cohorte de pacientes con AI del noreste de México. Métodos. Se incluyó a 47 pacientes con AI; al ingreso se aplicó el MPL, después de un año de seguimiento se clasificaron en 2 grupos: los que progresaron a AR (de acuerdo con los criterios ACR 1987) y los que no progresaron. Resultados. El 43% de los pacientes con AI progresó a AR. De los pacientes que progresaron a AR, el 56% obtuvo una puntuación ≤ 6 y solo el 15% ≥ 8 puntos. El 70% de los que no progresaron alcanzaron una puntuación entre 6 y ≤ 8. No existió diferencia en la mediana de la puntuación del MPL entre los grupos, p = 0,940. Conclusión. La mayoría de los pacientes que progresó a AR obtuvieron menos de 6 puntos en el MPL. A diferencia de lo observado en otras cohortes, en nuestra población el modelo no permitió predecir la progresión de la enfermedad (AU)

Introduction. Different prediction rules have been applied to patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA) to identify those that progress to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Leiden Prediction Rule (LPR) has proven useful in different UA cohorts. Objective. To apply the LPR to a cohort of patients with UA of northeastern Mexico. Methods. We included 47 patients with UA, LPR was applied at baseline. They were evaluated and then classified after 1 year of follow-up into 2 groups: those who progressed to RA (according to ACR 1987) and those who did not. Results. 43% of the AI patients developed RA. In the RA group, 56% of patients obtained a score ≤6 and only 15% ≥8. 70% who did not progress to RA had a score between 6 and ≤8. There was no difference in median score of LPR between groups, P=.940. Conclusion. Most patients who progressed to RA scored less than 6 points in the LPR. Unlike what was observed in other cohorts, the model in our population did not allow us to predict the progression of the disease (AU)

Application of a prediction model for the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with undifferentiated arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Different prediction rules have been applied to patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA) to identify those that progress to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Leiden Prediction Rule (LPR) has proven useful in different UA cohorts. OBJECTIVE: To apply the LPR to a cohort of patients with UA of northeastern Mexico. METHODS: We included 47 patients with UA, LPR was applied at baseline. They were evaluated and then classified after one year of follow-up into two groups: those who progressed to RA (according to ACR 1987) and those who did not. RESULTS: 43% of the AI patients developed RA. In the RA group, 56% of patients obtained a score ≤ 6 and only 15% ≥ 8. 70% who did not progress to RA had a score between 6 and ≤ 8. There was no difference in median score of LPR between groups, p=0.940. CONCLUSION: Most patients who progressed to RA scored less than 6 points in the LPR. Unlike what was observed in other cohorts, the model in our population did not allow us to predict the progression of the disease.