Vertebral fractures are increased in rheumatoid arthritis despite recent therapeutic advances: a case-control study.

Prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal RA women were assessed in 323 patients and compared with 660 age-matched women. Of patients, 24.15% had at least one vertebral fracture vs.16.06% of controls. Age, glucocorticoids and falls were the main fracture risks. Vertebral fractures were associated with disease severity. INTRODUCTION: There is little quality data on the updated prevalence of fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may have changed due to advances in the therapeutic strategy in recent years. This study was aimed at analysing the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with RA and comparing it with that of the general population. METHODS: We included 323 postmenopausal women diagnosed with RA from 19 Spanish Rheumatology Departments, randomly selected and recruited in 2018. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained to evaluate morphometric vertebral fractures and the spinal deformity index. We analysed subject characteristics, factors related to RA, and fracture risk factors. The control group consisted of 660 age-matched Spanish postmenopausal women from the population-based Camargo cohort. RESULTS: Seventy-eight (24.15%) RA patients had at least one vertebral fracture. RA patients had increased fracture risk compared with controls (106 of 660, 16.06%) (p = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.27-4.00), glucocorticoids (OR 3.83; 95% CI 1.32-14.09) and falls (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.91-6.86) were the independent predictors of vertebral fractures in RA patients. The subgroup with vertebral fractures had higher disease activity (DAS28: 3.15 vs. 2.78, p = 0.038) and disability (HAQ: 0.96 vs. 0.63, p = 0.049), as compared with those without vertebral fractures. CONCLUSION: The risk of vertebral fracture in RA is still high in recent years, when compared with the general population. The key determinants of fracture risk are age, glucocorticoids and falls. Patients with vertebral fractures have a more severe RA.

Comparison of total, free and bioavailable 25-OH vitamin D determinations to evaluate its biological activity in healthy adults: the LabOscat study.

Determination of different forms of 25-OHD (total, free and bioavailable) in healthy young women does not offer additional advantages over standard 25-OHDT for evaluating vitamin D deficiency. In these subjects 25-OHDT values <15 ng/ml would be more appropriate for defining this deficiency. INTRODUCTION: Determination of 25-OH vitamin D serum levels (25-OHD) constitutes the method of choice for evaluating vitamin D deficiency. However, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) may modulate its bioavailability thereby affecting correct evaluation of 25-OHD status. We analysed the impact of the determination of 25-OHD (total, free and bioavailable) on the evaluation its biologic activity (estimated by serum PTH determination) in healthy young women. METHODS: 173 premenopausal women (aged 35-45 yrs.) were included. We analysed serum values of total 25-OHD (25-OHDT), DBP, albumin, PTH and bone formation (PINP,OC) and resorption (NTx,CTx) markers. Free(25-OHDF) and bioavailable (25-OHDB) serum 25-OHD levels were estimated by DBP and albumin determinations and also directly by ELISA (25-OHDF-2). We analysed threshold PTH values for the different forms of 25-OHD and the correlations and differences according to 25-OHDT levels <20 ng/ml. RESULTS: 62% of subjects had 25-OHD values <20 ng/ml and also had significantly lower 25-OHDF and 25-OHDB values, with no significant differences in bone markers and PTH values. The PTH threshold value was similar for all forms of 25-OHD (∼70 pg/ml). Women with PTH values >70 had lower 25-OHDT (15.4 ± 1.4 vs. 18.3 ± 2.7, p < 0.05) and 25OHDB values (1.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.09, p < 0.05). The different forms of 25OHD were significantly intercorrelated, with marginal correlations between PTH and 25-OHDT (r = -0.136, p = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: Determination of different forms of 25-OHD in healthy young women does not offer additional advantages over standard 25-OHDT for evaluating vitamin D deficiency. In these subjects 25-OHDT values <15 ng/ml would be more appropriate for defining this deficiency.

[Vulvar pruritus: determination of the most common causes and their treatments]. / Prurito vulvar: determinación de las causas más frecuentes y su tratamiento.

Vulvar pruritus can be caused by a wide spectrum of diseases, that depend on age, environmental and genetic factors. The most common causes are candidiasis, contact dermatitis and lichen simplex chronicus. Candidiasis is the most common cause of acute vulvar pruritus and is characterized by burning, itching and vaginal whitish secretion. Contact dermatitis is caused by irritants or allergens that are in contact with the genital area, which causes imbalance in the skin barrier causing irritation, swelling, burning, among other manifestations. Lichen simplex chronicus is characterized by lichenification (thickening of the skin) secondary to the chronic itch-scratch cycle in vulvar area. It is an illnes with a tendency to chronicity, but with topical corticosteroids treatment usually might be controlled. Prompt treatment, multidisciplinary and careful attention to irritants and secondary infections prevent these entities become an important and permanent problem.

Aumento de los valores de PTH en la mujer con osteoporosis posmenopáusica / Increase of PTH in post-menopausal osteoporosis

Objetivos. Los valores séricos de la hormona paratiroidea (PTH) pueden estar aumentados en las mujeres posmenopáusicas con osteoporosis. Sin embargo, sus causas y repercusión clínica son poco conocidas. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar la prevalencia y los procesos asociados al aumento de PTH en mujeres posmenopáusicas con osteoporosis. Métodos. Se incluyeron mujeres con osteoporosis en las que se determinaron los niveles de PTH, 25-hidroxivitamina D, el filtrado glomerular y la excreción urinaria de calcio. Se evaluó la prevalencia de valores aumentados de PTH y su relación con la deficiencia e insuficiencia de vitamina D, insuficiencia renal, hipercalciuria e ingesta de calcio deficiente, condiciones que pueden aumentar la secreción de PTH. Resultados. Incluimos un total de 204 mujeres con una edad media de 64 años. Observamos valores aumentados de PTH (> 65 pg/ml) en un 35%. Cinco mujeres padecían un hiperparatiroidismo primario. Las mujeres con valores aumentados de PTH eran mayores (67±9 años) que las mujeres con niveles de PTH normales (63±11 años; p=0,03). La elevación de PTH se asoció a una ingesta de calcio deficiente (< 800mg/24h) en el 81% de las mujeres, a una deficiencia e insuficiencia de 25-hidroxivitamina D en el 55 y 86% respectivamente; a insuficiencia renal en el 35% y a hipercalciuria en el 17%. Las frecuencias de dichos procesos fueron similares en las mujeres con valores normales de PTH. Los valores de PTH se relacionaron con la edad (r=0,19; p=0,01), pero no con los valores de 25-hidroxivitamina D o con el FG. Conclusiones. Un tercio de las mujeres posmenopáusicas con osteoporosis presentan valores elevados de PTH. En un 10% se debe a un hiperparatiroidismo primario. La prevalencia de procesos asociados al aumento de PTH (ingesta reducida de calcio, déficit de 25-hidroxivitamina D, insuficiencia renal e hipercalciuria) es similar a la observada en mujeres con valores normales de PTH(AU)

Aims. Increased parathyroid values (PTH) serum values can be observed in postmenopausal women. However, the clinical repercussion and causes of this finding are poorly understood. This study has aimed to analyze the prevalence and conditions associated to the increased serum PTH levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis as well as their clinical characteristics. Methods. Post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were included in the study. PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), 24-h urinary calcium, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and calcium intake were evaluated. The prevalence of increased PTH serum values and its relationship with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, kidney failure, hypercalciuria and calcium intake deficiency were evaluated, these being conditions that may increase PTH secretion. Results. A total of 204 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis with a mean age of 64 years were included. Increase PTH levels (>65 pg/ml) were observed in 35% and 5 women had primary hyperparathyroidism. Women with increased serum PTH levels were older (67±9 years) were old than those with normal PTH levels (63±11 years) (P=0.03). PTH elevation was associated to calcium intake deficiency (<800mg/d) in 81% of the women, to a vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in 55% and 86%, respectively, renal insufficiency in 35% and hypercalciuria in 17% of the patients. These values, however, did not differ when compared with patients with normal PTH serum levels. Serum PTH levels were related to age (r=0.19, P=0.01) but not to 25OHD or GFR values. Conclusions. One third of the post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had elevated PTH levels. This was due to primary hyperparathyroidism in 10%. The prevalence of conditions associated to the increase in PTH (reduced calcium intake, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, renal failure and hypercalciuria) is similar to that observed in women with normal PTH values(AU)

[Increase of PTH in post-menopausal osteoporosis]. / Aumento de los valores de PTH en la mujer con osteoporosis posmenopáusica.

AIMS: Increased parathyroid values (PTH) serum values can be observed in postmenopausal women. However, the clinical repercussion and causes of this finding are poorly understood. This study has aimed to analyze the prevalence and conditions associated to the increased serum PTH levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis as well as their clinical characteristics. METHODS: Post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were included in the study. PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), 24-h urinary calcium, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and calcium intake were evaluated. The prevalence of increased PTH serum values and its relationship with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, kidney failure, hypercalciuria and calcium intake deficiency were evaluated, these being conditions that may increase PTH secretion. RESULTS: A total of 204 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis with a mean age of 64 years were included. Increase PTH levels (>65 pg/ml) were observed in 35% and 5 women had primary hyperparathyroidism. Women with increased serum PTH levels were older (67 ± 9 years) were old than those with normal PTH levels (63 ± 11 years) (P=0.03). PTH elevation was associated to calcium intake deficiency (<800 mg/d) in 81% of the women, to a vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in 55% and 86%, respectively, renal insufficiency in 35% and hypercalciuria in 17% of the patients. These values, however, did not differ when compared with patients with normal PTH serum levels. Serum PTH levels were related to age (r=0.19, P=0.01) but not to 25OHD or GFR values. CONCLUSIONS: One third of the post-menopausal women with osteoporosis had elevated PTH levels. This was due to primary hyperparathyroidism in 10%. The prevalence of conditions associated to the increase in PTH (reduced calcium intake, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, renal failure and hypercalciuria) is similar to that observed in women with normal PTH values.

Osteosarcoma en la enfermedad de Paget. Descripción de 6 casos / Osteosarcoma in Paget's disease. Report of six cases

Algunos pacientes con enfermedad ósea de Paget pueden desarrollar un osteosarcoma en la lesión pagética. Aunque se trata de una complicación infrecuente, el diagnóstico precoz de esta entidad es fundamental debido a su elevada mortalidad. Con el fin de analizar las características clínicas de estos pacientes y de valorar la utilidad de las pruebas de laboratorio en la sospecha diagnóstica de este proceso, se han revisado los pacientes con enfermedad ósea de Paget y osteosarcoma atendidos en nuestro centro en los últimos 12 años. Se describen 6 casos que corresponden a 3 varones y 3 mujeres, 5 de ellos con una enfermedad poliostótica, que desarrollaron dolor local intenso, en ocasiones asociado a sintomatología neurológica o a tumefacción de partes blandas. Tres pacientes seguían control por su enfermedad de Paget desde hacía más de 12 años, mientras que en 3 pacientes el diagnóstico del sarcoma óseo coincidió con el de la enfermedad de Paget. En ninguno de los pacientes de los que se disponía de seguimiento previo se observó un cambio significativo en las pruebas básicas de laboratorio (VSG, calcemia), ni en los valores de la fosfatasa alcalina, que alertaran al clínico de la posibilidad de una degeneración sarcomatosa. La sintomatología y las alteraciones radiológicas fueron las principales manifestaciones de este proceso (AU)

Análisis preliminar de la adherencia al tratamiento de la osteoporosis. Comparación de distintos métodos de evaluación / Preliminary analysis of the adherence to treatment of osteoporosis. Comparison of different evaluation methods

Objetivos. Valorar la medida de la adherencia al tratamiento de la osteoporosis y los factores que pueden influir en ella. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo observacional. Los métodos analizados eran: a) comunicación de autocumplimiento (Haynes-Sackett), b) test de Morisky, c) comunicación de autocumplimiento de los 15 días previos y d) juicio Clínico del médico. Resultados. Se incluyeron 83 pacientes. La adherencia al tratamiento era: 86,7 por ciento en comunicación del autocumplimiento, 55,4 por ciento en test de Morisky, 66,3 por ciento en comunicación del autocumplimiento (15 días previos) y 75,9 por ciento según el juicio médico. No hallamos concordancia entre los cuatro métodos, pero sí entre el escrito y telefónico del 2º y 3º método. No se observó asociación entre el cumplimiento terapéutico y los datos clínicos y demográficos analizados. Conclusiones. La adherencia al tratamiento de la osteoporosis valorada por distintos métodos es alta. En 2/3 de los casos concuerdan los métodos analizados mediante test escrito y telefónico. No encontramos asociación entre el cumplimiento y los datos clínicos y demográficos (AU)