Evaluación de fugas extrarticulares del Fosfato crómico marcado con Fósforo-32 de producción nacional en pacientes hemofílicos / Evaluation of joint leakage of national Chromic Phosphate labeled with Phosphorus-32 in hemophilic patients

La radiosinoviortesis como tratamiento de la artropatía hemofílica, frecuentemente, ofrece excelentes resultados, al reducir grandemente el número de episodios de sangramiento y evitar daños ulteriores a las articulaciones. El Centro de Isótopos desarrolló el fosfato crómico coloidal marcado con Fósforo-32, producto listo para su empleo en pacientes hemofílicos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la fuga extrarticular de este radiofármaco utilizado en la radiosinoviortesis en pacientes hemofílicos. Se determinó el porcentaje de fuga extrarticular del radiofármaco en 9 pacientes hemofílicos con sinovitis crónica, a los que se les realizó la radiosinoviortesis en la articulación de la rodilla. La radiactividad se midió, con un contador Geiger-Muller, sobre la rodilla tratada, en sus aspectos lateral, encima y medial; la rodilla contralateral; las cadenas linfáticas inguinales, de ambos lados, y el hígado. Los valores de fuga encontrados posteriormente a la inyección fueron 0,0046 por ciento a los 10 min; 0,0023 por ciento a las 24 horas; 0,1332 por ciento el día 7 y 4,0213 por ciento el día 30. Estos resultados coinciden con los valores comunicados por otros autores y con lo esperado de acuerdo a las características del producto, indican que se ejecutó el proceder adecuadamente y que los pacientes fueron seleccionados correctamente(AU)

Radiosynoviorthesis as a treatment for hemophilic arthropathy often offers excellent results, greatly reducing the number of bleeding episodes and avoiding further damage to the joints. The Isotope Center developed a product, Colloidal Chromic Phosphate labeled with Phosphorus-32, ready for use in hemophiliac patients. Our objective was to evaluate the joint leakage of this radiopharmaceutical use in radiosynoviorthesis in hemophilic patients. The percentage of radiopharmaceutical joint leakage was evaluated in 9 hemophilic patients with chronic synovitis, who underwent radiosynoviorthesis in the knee joint. The radioactivity was measured on the treated knee, in its lateral, above and medial aspects, the contralateral knee, the inguinal lymphatic chains of both sides and the liver, with a Geiger-Muller detector. The leakage values 8203;​found after the injection were 0.0046 percent at 10 minutes, 0.0023 percent at 24 hours, 0.1332 percent on day 7 and 4.0213 percent on day 30. These results are agreed with the values reported by other authors and with was expected according to the characteristics of the product, indicatate that the procedure was executed properly and that the patients were correctly selected(AU)

Anti-alpha-enolase antibodies in Behçet's disease: a marker of mucocutaneous and articular disease activity?

OBJECTIVES: To assess IgM anti-alpha-enolase antibodies (AAEA) in systemic Behçet's disease (BD) and its possible association with clinical manifestations and disease activity. METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutively selected BD patients were compared to 36 enteropathic spondyloarthritis (ESpA) [24 Crohn's disease (CD) and 12 ulcerative colitis (UC)] patients and 87 healthy controls. IgM AAEA was detected by immunoblotting. Disease activity was assessed by standardised indexes, Brazilian BD Current Activity Form (BR-BDCAF) for BD and Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) for CD and UC patients. A second evaluation was performed in BD patients (n=56), regarding IgM AAEA presence, disease activity scores and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Higher IgM AAEA prevalence was found in 97 BD (17.7%) compared to ESpA (2.8%) and healthy controls (2.3%), p<0.001. IgM AAEA frequency was higher in active BD compared to inactive BD (30.2% vs. 7.4%, p=0.006), a finding confirmed in the second cross-sectional evaluation of 56 of these BD patients (45.5% vs. 13.3%, p=0.02). Mean BR-BDCAF scores were higher in IgM AAEA positive group on both evaluations (9.1 ± 5.4 vs. 4.9 ± 4.9, p=0.002; 5.0 ± 4.9 vs. 2.2 ± 2.9, p=0.01, respectively). BD patients with mucocutaneous and articular symptoms presented higher IgM AAEA positivity in the first and second evaluations (64.7% vs. 27.5%, p=0.005; 36.4% vs. 7.1%, p=0.039 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the notion that alpha-enolase is a target antigen in BD, particularly associated with disease activity, mucocutaneous and articular involvement. In addition, IgM AAEA may distinguish BD from ESpA, especially in patients with high disease activity.

Association of CXCL13 serum level and ultrasonographic findings of joints in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Jaccoud's arthropathy.

Objectives The objective of this paper is to perform an ultrasonography (US) analysis of hands and wrists in two groups of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with and without Jaccoud's arthropathy, matched by age and disease duration and to correlate them with levels of CXCL13 clinical features, laboratory tests and disease activity score. Methods Sixty-four patients with SLE were enrolled, 32 with and 32 without Jaccoud's arthropathy. Each patient underwent physical examination, laboratory tests (including CXCL13 by ELISA) and bilateral US. Synovial hypertrophy, tenosynovitis and erosions were evaluated according to a semiquantitative grading system with a 0-3 rating. US findings were correlated with serum levels of CXCL13, other serological parameters and disease activity index. Results Synovitis was found in 25/64 patients (39%) and tenosynovitis in 14/64 (22%). These findings were more frequent in SLE patients with Jaccoud's arthropathy, particularly tenosynovitis ( p = 0.002) and synovitis ( p = 0.01). Median serum level of CXCL13 was 20.16 pg/ml in the whole population (23.21 pg/ml in the Jaccoud's arthropathy group and 11.48 pg/ml in the group without). There was an association between the presence of disease activity and high level of CXCL13 ( p = 0.004). However, no association was found between high levels of CXCL13 and "arthritis" in SLEDAI, swollen joints on physical examination or synovitis on US. Conclusions US findings in joints of SLE patients with Jaccoud's arthropathy confirm that synovitis and tenosynovitis are common in these patients. In addition, serum level of CXCL13 is associated with disease activity in SLE but does not seem to be a biomarker for arthritis in these patients.

Higher level of IL-6 in Jaccoud's arthropathy secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus: a perspective for its treatment?

Jaccoud's arthropathy (JA) is a condition characterized clinically by 'reversible' joint deformities along with an absence of articular erosions on a plain radiograph. The main clinical entity associated with JA is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a prevalence of around 5 %. The aim of the present study was to compare the inflammatory markers including cytokine levels in blood of SLE patients with and without JA. Patients with diagnosis of SLE as defined by ACR criteria were screened and divided in two groups, one with JA and one control group without JA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C3 and C4 levels antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA antibodies and serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22 and TNF-α were determined in all patients. Eighty female patients with SLE, 18 (22.5 %) with JA and 62 (77.5 %) without JA, were included in this study. JA patients had higher disease duration (p = 0.008), ESR (p < 0.001), CRP level (p = 0.002), ANA titer (p < 0.001) and dsDNA antibody level (p = 0.009). The serum levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22 and TNF-α were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05), but the level of IL-6 was higher in JA group (p < 0.001). The serum level of IL-6 might have a correlation with JA secondary to SLE.

Jaccoud arthropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical and serological findings.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) in a sample of local systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its clinical and serological associations. METHODS: 308 SLE patients from a single university center for the last two years were interviewed and examined. The presence of JA was searched for according to the JA index. After this, charts were reviewed for clinical and serological profile. RESULTS: The studied sample was composed by 94.5% females and 5.5% males with mean age of 38.08 ± 12.04 years and mean disease duration of 29.68 ± 11.63 years. A JA prevalence of 6.1% was found in this sample. There was a positive association of JA presence with arthritis complaints (p = 0.001) and a negative association with renal involvement (p = 0.028). Patients with JA had higher positivity for anti-dsDNA (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Despite the positive association of JA with arthritis and anti-dsDNA, there was a negative association with nephritis. This could suggest that JA patients belong with a SLE subset with a better prognosis.

Jaccoud arthropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical and serological findings

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) in a sample of local systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its clinical and serological associations. METHODS: 308 SLE patients from a single university center for the last two years were interviewed and examined. The presence of JA was searched for according to the JA index. After this, charts were reviewed for clinical and serological profile. RESULTS: The studied sample was composed by 94.5% females and 5.5% males with mean age of 38.08 ± 12.04 years and mean disease duration of 29.68 ± 11.63 years. A JA prevalence of 6.1% was found in this sample. There was a positive association of JA presence with arthritis complaints (p = 0.001) and a negative association with renal involvement (p = 0.028). Patients with JA had higher positivity for anti-dsDNA (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Despite the positive association of JA with arthritis and anti-dsDNA, there was a negative association with nephritis. This could suggest that JA patients belong with a SLE subset with a better prognosis.

Association between human parvovirus B19 and arthropathy in Belém, Pará, North Brazil.

A total of 220 patients with arthropathy were selected in Belém, Pará between January 1994 and December 2000, and screened for the presence of human parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A subgroup (n = 132) of patients with high levels of antibodies (either IgM+/IgG+ or IgM-/IgG+) were examined for the presence of DNA by polymerase chain reaction/nested PCR. Recent/active infection (detection of IgM and/or IgG-specific antibodies and presence of viral DNA) was identified in 47.7% of the 132 individuals with arthropathy. In our study, women were significantly more affected (59.7%) than men (35.4%) (P = 0.0006). The age group of 11-20 years (84.6%), among female patients, and 21-30 years (42.1%), among male, were those with the highest incidence rates. The analysis of the temporal distribution of B19-associated arthropaties showed a cyclic pattern, with peak incidence rates occuring at 3-5 year intervals. Significant diference (P = 0.01) was observed when comparing both the highest (39.0%) and the lowest (11.0%) seropositivity rates for the years of 1995 and 2000, respectively. The interfalangial joints of hands and feet were mostly affected, with 50.0% and 48.0% of cases among both women and men, respectively. In a smaller proportion, other joints such as those of knee, ankle, pulse and shoulder were affected. As for the duration, symptoms lasted 1 to 5 days in 54.0% of the individuals, whereas in 46.0% of them the disease lasted 6-10 days, if considered the subgroup (n = 63) of patients with recent/active infection by parvovirus B19. In our study, joint clinical manifestations occurred symmetrically. Our results indicate that B19 may be an important agent of arthropathies in our region, and this underscores the need for specific laboratory diagnosis when treating patients suffering from acute arthropathy, mainly pregnant women.

Comparison of bone scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of active sacroiliitis.

Quantitative bone scan (QBS), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have each been used to confirm the diagnosis of active sacroiliitis (SI) in patients with low back pain (LBP). The authors prospectively evaluated 19 patients referred for symptoms of possible inflammatory LBP (group I), 26 seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SNSP) patients with LBP (group II, inflammatory or mechanical), and 5 SNSP patients without LBP (group III) to determine which radiological scan alone or in combination with other serological tests (Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, HLA-B27, immunoglobulin A) was most useful in confirming a clinical diagnosis of active inflammatory SI. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year to confirm the clinical diagnosis and evaluate response to therapy. Eight of 19 group I patients had active SI clinically or on plain radiographs on follow-up evaluation. Of these patients, 5 had abnormal QBS (71%), 3 had abnormal CT scans (38%), and 8 had abnormal MRI scans (100%, type I lesions). These type I MRI lesions were indicative of active inflammation manifested as subcortical bone marrow edema. The remaining 11 group I patients had negative scans for SI. Ten of 26 group II patients with LBP had SI diagnosed clinically and confirmed with positive QBS (60%), CT (100%), and MRI (100%, type I lesions). The remaining 16 group II patients had mechanical LBP without active SI clinically and had negative QBS (88%), CT (19%), and MRI (100%, normal or type II lesions). These type II MRI lesions represented old postinflammatory lesions with either fibrosis or fat replacement. All 5 group III patients had negative scans for active SI. Three patients (2 group I and group II) with inflammatory SI treated with sulfasalazine showed marked improvement on serial MRI scans. Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, immunoglobulin A, and CT scan alone or in combination with other tests were not reliable predictors of active SI. Positive QBS and HLA-B27 tests were the best combination of screening tests with 82% predictability of inflammatory SI in whites, and QBS alone had an 80% predictability in black patients. However, MRI, which had 100% predictability, was the best single test for confirming active inflammatory SI.

Limited joint mobility in diabetes mellitus of childhood: natural history and relationship to growth impairment.

We report a prospective study of the recently recognized complication of limited joint mobility in childhood diabetes, summarizing data collected over the seven years after the initial description of this sign. Of 309 patients, ranging in age from 1 to 28 years, 30% had limited joint mobility. No race or sex influence on expression of limited joint mobility was found; its appearance was temporally more influenced by age than by duration of diabetes. Of 142 patients with diabetes onset before puberty and of longer than three years' duration, 74 had limited joint mobility. Disproportionate distribution of height percentiles for age characterized this entire group, but those with limited joint mobility had four times the skewing of those without (74 vs 37% below the twenty-fifth percentile). The presence or absence of thyroid microsome or islet cell antibodies did not relate significantly to limited joint mobility. Diabetes control, assessed subjectively by clinical estimation and objectively by hemoglobin A1 levels, was generally unrelated to the joint findings. For patients with diabetes duration less than five years, there was a significant association between hemoglobin A1 and limited joint mobility, but the variability in values explained by this association was small (11%).