RÉSUMÉ
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an association exists between the presence of rheumatoid nodules and thickening of the intima-media and plaque of the carotid artery, which is evidence of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study of 124 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a University Hospital clinic from 2005 to 2006. We divided the patients into 2 groups, 62 with rheumatoid nodules and 62 without rheumatoid nodules, matched for age and sex. Medical history, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, rheumatoid factor, and a high resolution doppler ultrasound of the carotid arteries were performed. RESULTS: Women comprised 89.5% of the patients. The prevalence of a carotid plaque was 57% in our population. The presence of a plaque was associated with age, arterial hypertension and abdominal circumference. Average intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with a plaque was 0.085 cm (± 0.02). There was no correlation between laboratory parameters and thickening of the intima-media of the carotid artery. Subcutaneous nodules were present in 33 (47%) of the 70 patients with a carotid plaque and in 29 (54%) of patients without a carotid plaque (p=.471). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an association between rheumatoid nodules and the presence of a carotid plaque and thickening of the intima-media of the carotid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sujet(s)
Artériopathies carotidiennes/étiologie , Nodule rhumatoïde/complications , Adolescent , Adulte , Sujet âgé , Sujet âgé de 80 ans ou plus , Polyarthrite rhumatoïde/complications , Artériopathies carotidiennes/imagerie diagnostique , Artériopathies carotidiennes/épidémiologie , Épaisseur intima-média carotidienne , Études cas-témoins , Études transversales , Femelle , Humains , Mâle , Adulte d'âge moyen , Prévalence , Jeune adulteSujet(s)
Polyarthrite rhumatoïde/complications , Goutte/complications , Polyarthrite rhumatoïde/imagerie diagnostique , Polyarthrite rhumatoïde/anatomopathologie , Coude , Articulation du doigt/imagerie diagnostique , Goutte/imagerie diagnostique , Goutte/anatomopathologie , Humains , Mâle , Adulte d'âge moyen , Radiographie , Nodule rhumatoïde/complications , Nodule rhumatoïde/imagerie diagnostique , Nodule rhumatoïde/anatomopathologieRÉSUMÉ
Ocurrence of subcutaneous nodules in rheumatic diseases is frequent, and occasionally may be source of diagnostic confusion. These nodules are also seen in other entities such as collagen vascular diseases, metabolic and storage diseases, infections, induced by chemicals, and sometimes of unkown etiology. Subcutaneous nodules are usually asociated to systemic diseases and given its charasteristic, location, and histopathology it is possible to make a specific diagnosis. This review discusses in a minute fashion the history, histopathology, and diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules. In addition several clinical cases are reported and discussed