Vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes paraguayos con artritis reumatoide

Introducción: La vacunación en poblaciones expuestas a mayor riesgo de enfermedad grave y muerte consecuentes a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, ha generado un gran impacto en la salud pública mundial. Indudablemente, el beneficio ha sido evidenciado mayormente en personas con comorbilidades crónicas, donde la artritis reumatoide (AR) juega un rol importante. Objetivo: Analizar la vacunación contra Sars-CoV-2 en pacientes paraguayos con AR, durante la pandemia COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico, en el que se analizó transversalmente a una cohorte de pacientes con AR, durante el periodo de octubre a diciembre del año 2022. Para el estudio se registraron variables clínico-epidemiológicas y relacionadas con la vacunación (i.e. acceso a la vacunación, tipo, número de dosis). Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables con el software R-4.3.2. Resultados: Se incluyeron 568 pacientes, 84,1% eran mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 55,5±13,9 años. El 88,7% (504) pacientes, recibieron al menos una dosis de vacuna contra SARS-CoV-2. 85% (483) recibieron dos dosis, mientras que el 60,9% (344) pacientes recibieron el primer refuerzo, y 21,2% el segundo refuerzo. Conclusiones: En esta serie de pacientes paraguayos con AR el porcentaje de vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 fue más elevado que el registrado en la población general del país. Esto podría estar relacionado con la prioridad de esta población para acceder a las vacunas y a la insistencia de sus médicos en completar el esquema de vacunación.

Introduction: Vaccination in populations exposed to increased risk of severe disease and death consequent to SARS-CoV-2 infection has generated a major impact on global Public Health. Certainly, the benefit has been evidenced mostly in people with chronic comorbidities, where rheumatoid arthritis (RA) plays an important role. Objective: To analyze vaccination against Sars-CoV-2 in paraguayan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the COVID19 pandemic. Methods: A multicenter study was carried out, in which a cohort of patients with RA was analyzed cross-sectionally, during the period from October to December 2022. For the study, clinical-epidemiological and vaccination-related variables were recorded (i.e. access to vaccination, type, number of doses). A descriptive analysis of the variables was carried out with the R-4.3.2 software. Results: 568 patients were included, 84.1% were female, with an average age of 55.5±13.9 years. 88.7% (504) patients received at least one dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 85% (483) received two doses, while 60.9% (344) patients received the first booster, and 21.2% the second booster. Conclusions: In this series of Paraguayan patients with RA the percentage of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was higher than that registered in the general population of the country. This could be related to the priority of this population to access vaccines and the insistence of their physicians to complete the vaccination schedule.

Association between vitamin D deficiency and disease activity in Paraguayan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / Asociación entre la deficiencia de vitamina D y la actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes paraguayos con lupus eritematoso sistémico

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the association between vitamin D (VD) concentrations and the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and determine a supplementation dose that allows patients to maintain adequate levels of VD. Methods: Longitudinal, observational study. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy-VD were measured in 100 Paraguayan SLE patients from the Hospital de Clínicas between 2016 and 2018. To analyze the response to different doses of VD supplementation, 50 patients received 1000IU/day and the other 50 patients received 2000IU. SLE disease activity measured by SELENA-SLEDAIwas scored before and after supplementation. Results: The mean age was 27.5 ±9.8 years, 88.9% of patients presented mild disease activ ity and 11.1% presented moderate to severe activity. The mean VD concentration was 30.8 ± 11.8 ng/mL. A total of 34% of patients presented VD insufficiency and 13% VD defi ciency. There was an inverse relationship between VD concentrations and SLE disease activity (p = 0.03). Increasing levels of serum VD are associated with supplementation of 2000 IU/day (p = 0.0224). Conclusion: SLE activity was associated with low levels of VD. In our cohort, SLE patients required a supplementation dose equal to or greater than 2000 IU/day to increase their serum VD.

R E S U M E N Objetivo: Identificar la asociación entre las concentraciones de vitamina D (VD) y la actividad del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), además de encontrar una dosis de suplementación que les permita a los pacientes mantener niveles adecuados de VD. Métodos: Estudio observacional longitudinal. Se midieron los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxi-VD en 100 pacientes paraguayos con LES, del Hospital de Clínicas, entre los años 2016 y 2018. Para analizar la respuesta a diferentes dosis de suplementación con VD, 50 pacientes recibieron 1.000 UI/día y los otros 50 pacientes recibieron 2.000 UI/día. La actividad de la enfermedad del LES medida por SELENA-SLEDAI se puntuó antes y después de la suplementación. Resultados: La media de edad fue de 27,5 ± 9,8 años, el 88,9% de los pacientes presentó actividad leve de la enfermedad y el 11,1% presentó actividad moderada a severa. La concentración media de VD fue de 30,8 ± 11,8 ng/ml. El 34% de los pacientes presentó insuficiencia de VD y el 13%, deficiencia de VD. Hubo una relación inversa entre las concentraciones de VD y la actividad de la enfermedad del LES (p = 0,03). Los niveles crecientes de VD en suero se asocian con una suplementación de 2.000 UI/día (p = 0,0224). Conclusión: La actividad del LES se asoció con niveles bajos de VD. En nuestra cohorte, los pacientes con LES requirieron una dosis de suplementación igual o superior a 2.000 UI/día para aumentar su VD sérica.

Importance of Timely Treatment Initiation in Infantile-Onset Pompe Disease, a Single-Centre Experience.

Classic infantile Pompe disease (IPD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterized by severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and profound muscle weakness. Without treatment, death occurs within the first 2 years of life. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa has improved survival, treatment outcome is not good in many cases and is largely dependent on age at initiation. The objective of the study was (a) to analyse the different stages in the diagnosis and specific treatment initiation procedure in IPD patients, and (b) to compare clinical and biochemical outcomes depending on age at ERT initiation (<1 month of age vs. <3 months of age). Here, we show satisfactory clinical and biochemical outcomes in two IPD patients after early treatment initiation before 3 months of life with immunomodulatory therapy in the ERT-naïve setting, with a high ERT dose from the beginning. Despite the overall good evolution, the patient who initiated treatment <1 month of life presented even better outcomes than the patient who started treatment <3 months of life, with an earlier normalization of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, along with CK normalization, highlighting the importance of early treatment initiation in this progressive disease before irreversible muscle damage has occurred.

Seguridad y supervivencia de las terapias biológicas: primer informe del registro paraguayo-uruguayo de acontecimientos adversos con terapias biológicas Biobadaguay / Safety and survival associated with biologic therapies: first report of the biobadaguay on the Paraguayan-Uruguayan registry of adverse events with biologic therapies

OBJETIVOS: Analizar los acontecimientos adversos (AA) y la supervivencia de las terapias biológicas (TB) en el registro paraguayo-uruguayo de AA, Biobadaguay. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, prospectivo de duración indeterminada. Se han incluido pacientes al inicio de la TB y controles. Se han registrado variables clínicas, biológicas y relacionadas con el tratamiento. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 826 registros (650 TB y 176 controles). El 70,9% fueron mujeres y el diagnóstico más frecuente fue la artritis reumatoide (AR) (63,2%). La TB más utilizada fue el adalimumab (56,6%) y la causa más frecuente de interrupción, la ineficacia (42,1%). La incidencia de AA en pacientes con TB fue de 143,9 (128,8-160,8) por 1.000 pacientes/año. En el estudio comparativo de AA en función del diagnóstico, se observó que la artritis idiopática juvenil (AIJ) se asoció a más AA globales (RTI = 2,3; IC 95%: 1,6-3,4; p = 4,27×10−6), mientras que la AR se asoció a un mayor número de AA graves (RTI = 2,20; IC 95%: 1,2-4,1; p = 1,17×10−2). Por otro lado, el tratamiento con tocilizumab se asoció a una mayor tasa de AA (RTI = 2,69; IC 95%: 1,90-3,82; p = 3,13×10−8). El diagnóstico de AIJ, el tratamiento con corticoides y el número de TB previas se asociaron a la disminución de la supervivencia de las TB. CONCLUSIÓN: En este primer informe del registro Biobadaguay, la principal causa de interrupción de la TB fue la ineficacia. Con relación al diagnóstico, la AR y la AIJ se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de AA. En este registro, se identificaron variables relacionadas a una menor supervivencia de las TB

OBJECTIVE: Analyze adverse events (AE) and survival associated with biologic therapies (BT) in the Biobadaguay, the Paraguayan Uruguayan registry of adverse events. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of undetermined duration. Patients on BT at initiation and controls were included. Clinical, biological and treatment variables were registered. RESULTS: A total of 826 registers were entered (650 BT and 176 controls); 70.9% were women and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most frequent diagnosis (63.2%). The BT most often used was adalimumab and the main cause of discontinuation was loss of efficacy (42.1%). The incidence of AE of patients on BT was 143.9 (128.8-160.8) per 1000 patients/year. In the comparative study of AE related to diagnosis, juvenile idiopathic arthrosis (JIA) was associated with a higher overall number of AE (RTI = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.6-3.4; P = 4.27 ×10−6), whereas RA was associated with a higher number of serious AE (RTI = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1; P =1.17 ×10−2). On the other hand, treatment with tocilizumab was associated with a higher rate of AE (RTI = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.9-3.82; P = 3.13 ×10−8). In JIA, treatment with corticosteroids and number of previous BT was associated with a decrease in BT survival. CONCLUSION: In this first report of the Biobadaguay registry, the main cause of BT discontinuation was loss of efficacy. In terms of the diagnosis involved, RA and JIA were associated with a higher risk of AE. In this registry, variables related to a shorter survival of BT were identified

Safety and Survival Associated with Biologic Therapies: First Report of the Biobadaguay on the Paraguayan-Uruguayan Registry of Adverse Events with Biologic Therapies. / Seguridad y supervivencia de las terapias biológicas: primer informe del registro paraguayo-uruguayo de acontecimientos adversos con terapias biológicas Biobadaguay.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze adverse events (AE) and survival associated with biologic therapies (BT) in the Biobadaguay, the Paraguayan Uruguayan registry of adverse events. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of undetermined duration. Patients on BT at initiation and controls were included. Clinical, biological and treatment variables were registered. RESULTS: A total of 826 registers were entered (650 BT and 176 controls); 70.9% were women and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most frequent diagnosis (63.2%). The BT most often used was adalimumab and the main cause of discontinuation was loss of efficacy (42.1%). The incidence of AE of patients on BT was 143.9 (128.8-160.8) per 1000 patients/year. In the comparative study of AE related to diagnosis, juvenile idiopathic arthrosis (JIA) was associated with a higher overall number of AE (RTI = 2.3; 95%CI: 1.6-3.4; P = 4.27 ×10-6), whereas RA was associated with a higher number of serious AE (RTI = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1; P =1.17 ×10-2). On the other hand, treatment with tocilizumab was associated with a higher rate of AE (RTI = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.9-3.82; P = 3.13 ×10-8). In JIA, treatment with corticosteroids and number of previous BT was associated with a decrease in BT survival. CONCLUSION: In this first report of the Biobadaguay registry, the main cause of BT discontinuation was loss of efficacy. In terms of the diagnosis involved, RA and JIA were associated with a higher risk of AE. In this registry, variables related to a shorter survival of BT were identified.

Prevalencia de valores inadecuados de vitamina D y factores de riesgo asociados en jóvenes universitarios de Asunción / Prevalence of inadequate vitamin D values and associated risk factors in university students of the city of Asunción

La vitamina D es una hormona cumple una función en la regulación de numerosos genes que participan en la proliferación y maduración celular. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de valores inadecuados de esta vitamina en jóvenes sanos de Asunción e identificar los posibles factores de riesgo asociados. Estudio observacional descriptivo basado en datos clínico-epidemiológicos y en la determinación de la 25-hidroxivitamina D (25-OH vitamina D) por el método de quimioluminiscencia (CMIA). Se consideró valor adecuado ≥30 ng/dl, inadecuado por debajo de este rango y deficiente ≤20 ng/dl. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa R-proyect. Para establecer factores de riesgo para tener deficiencia de vitamina D se utilizó regresión logística bi y multivariante. Se incluyeron 817 jóvenes universitarios de edad promedio 21 años. La concentración de vitamina D tuvo una media de 25 ± 8 ng/dl, oscilando entre 64,3 y 2,4 ng/dl. El 75,5% de los participantes tenían valores inadecuados de vitamina D. La deficiencia de vitamina D fue significativamente (p = 0,006) más frecuente en mujeres, personas con sobrepeso (p = 0,03), con falta de exposición al sol (p = 0,001) y con sedentarismo (p = 0,0001). Este estudio confirma la elevada prevalencia de valores inadecuados de vitamina D en nuestro país y permite definir un perfil de muy alto riesgo para las jóvenes sedentarias y con sobrepeso, lo que justifica una atención especial de parte de los médicos y las instituciones responsables de la salud pública en nuestro país(AU)

Vitamin D is a hormone that plays a role in the regulation of numerous genes involved in cell proliferation and maturation. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of inadequate values of this vitamin in healthy young people of the city of Asunción and to identify the possible risk factors associated with it. Descriptive observational study based on clinical-epidemiological data and in the determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) by the chemiluminescence method (CMIA). It was considered appropriate values ≥30 ng/dl, inappropriate below this range and deficient <20 ng/dl. Statistical analyzes were carried out with the R-project program. To establish the association, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used. We included 817 university students with an average age of 21 years. The average value of the vitamin D concentration was 25 ± 8 ng/dl, ranging from 64.3 to 2.4 ng/dl. Inadequate vitamin D values were found in 75.5% of the participants. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly (p <0.006) more frequent in women, overweight people (p <0.03), lack of sun exposure (p = 0.001) and sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.0001). This study confirms the high prevalence of inadequate vitamin D values in our country and allows us to define a very high risk profile for sedentary and overweight young women, which justifies special attention from physicians and institutions responsible for public health in our country(AU)