The Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Chile: A Nationwide Study Performed as Part of the National Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic and environmental backgrounds influence the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In Latin America, epidemiologic data are scarce. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RA in Chile in a population-based study. METHODS: The National Health Survey was a cross-sectional household survey with a stratified multistage probability sample of 6233 participants performed between August 2016 and March 2017. A screening instrument for RA was applied to a random sample of 3847 subjects > 30 years old. Positive screening was defined by at least 1 of the following: 2 swollen joints for at least 4 consecutive weeks (past/present), and/or a diagnosis of arthritis in the past. Individuals with positive screening had rheumatoid factor, anticitrullinated protein antibodies, and C-reactive protein measured, as well as clinical examination performed by a rheumatologist. Self-report of doctor-diagnosed RA was also performed. RESULTS: The screening questionnaire was applied to 2998 subjects. A positive screening was found for 783 (22.1%). Among subjects with positive screening, 493 (66%) had a clinical evaluation performed by a rheumatologist. Using the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria, prevalence was 0.6% (95% CI 0.3-1.2). Prevalence was higher in women, and 3.3% of subjects self-reported having RA. CONCLUSION: According to this national population-based study, RA prevalence in Chile is 0.6% (0.3-1.2), a value similar to what has been found in developed countries and slightly lower than some Latin American countries. Self-reporting leads to overestimating RA.

PANLAR Consensus Recommendations for the Management in Osteoarthritis of Hand, Hip, and Knee.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this consensus is to update the recommendations for the treatment of hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis (OA) by agreeing on key propositions relating to the management of hand, hip, and knee OA, by identifying and critically appraising research evidence for the effectiveness of the treatments and by generating recommendations based on a combination of the available evidence and expert opinion of 18 countries of America. METHODS: Recommendations were developed by a group of 48 specialists of rheumatologists, members of other medical disciplines (orthopedics and physiatrists), and three patients, one for each location of OA. A systematic review of existing articles, meta-analyses, and guidelines for the management of hand, hip, and knee OA published between 2008 and January 2014 was undertaken. The scores for Level of Evidence and Grade of Recommendation were proposed and fully consented within the committee based on The American Heart Association Evidence-Based Scoring System. The level of agreement was established through a variation of Delphi technique. RESULTS: Both "strong" and "conditional" recommendations are given for management of hand, hip, and knee OA and nonpharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical modalities of treatment are presented according to the different levels of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations are based on the consensus of clinical experts from a wide range of disciplines taking available evidence into account while balancing the benefits and risks of nonpharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical treatment modalities, and incorporating their preferences and values. Different backgrounds in terms of patient education or drug availability in different countries were not evaluated but will be important.

Osteoarthritis in Latin America: Study of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics in 3040 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Latin America is a heterogeneous region made up of different populations, cultures, latitudes, altitudes, and immigrants from different areas and ethnic groups. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and demographic profile of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) evaluated by a selected group of rheumatologists in 13 Latin American countries. METHODS: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 Latin American countries of patients with symptomatic OA. Data were collected over a 3-month period using an ad hoc questionnaire to evaluate the clinical and demographic features of OA seen by rheumatologists. RESULTS: Among the 3040 patients, their average age was 62.5 years, and female-to-male ratio was 4.8:1. Patients with body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m or obesity was found in 38.2%. Approximately 88% had primary OA. Joints with OA were as follows: knee 31.2%, hand 9.5%, hand and knee 22.9%, proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (erosive OA) 6.5%, axial 6.6%, and hip 1.3%. Approximately 88.5% had radiographic severity of grade 2 or 3 on Kellgren-Lawrence scale (0-4). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the predominant OA treatment included in combinations with glucosamine sulfate/chondroitin and viscosupplementation. Associated comorbidities included hypertension (39%), obesity (36.3%), diabetes mellitus (12%), and without comorbidity (12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This is 1 of the largest population studies that evaluated the characteristics of OA in 3040 patients evaluated by rheumatologists in 13 Latin American countries. This study provides important data for each Latin American country to develop new health care planning in management of OA.

Guía clínica: lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) / Systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinical guide

El Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad inflamatoria, sistémica, crónica, de patogenia autoinmune. Sus manifestaciones varían desde afecciones leves a graves o fatales. En más común en mujeres y su prevalencia varía entre 40 a 200 casos/100.000 habitantes. El diagnóstico y reconocimiento precoz de sus manifestaciones sistémicas son críticos para una adecuada derivación, tratamiento y pronóstico de los pacientes. A petición del MINSAL, la Sociedad Chilena de Reumatología designó un grupo de trabajo para la elaboración de una guía clínica de LES. Objetivos: Definir niveles de atención, criterios de derivación según gravedad y elaborar recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los principales compromisos del LES siguiendo la metodología de realización de guías clínicas. Metodología: Se siguieron las indicaciones para realización de guías clínicas basadas en criterios de evaluación (AGREE) y una combinación de criterios de medicina basada en la evidencia y consenso de expertos. La pesquisa bibliográfica se centró en la búsqueda de respuesta para 13 preguntas seleccionadas, respecto a: niveles de atención y criterios de derivación; abordaje general; principales compromisos graves del LES y situaciones especiales. Para cada pregunta se hizo una recomendación. La evidencia se estableció usando una escala tradicional. Además, se midió el grado de acuerdo (GdA) con las recomendaciones efectuadas, mediante una escala de 0 a 10 puntos, por los reumatólogos integrantes del grupo de trabajo y por cinco pares independientes. Resultados: Se desarrollaron 13 recomendaciones respecto a: 1) Rol del médico no especialista y criterios de derivación. 2) Rol del reumatólogo. 3) Sospecha y diagnóstico precoz del LES. 4) Pronóstico y gravedad. 5) Evaluación de actividad y daño en el LES. 6) Patología asociada al LES. 7) Fármacos utilizados en el LES y su toxicidad. 8) Bases diagnósticas de nefropatía lúpica. 9) Tratamiento de nefropatía lúpica...

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory, systemic and chronic disease of autoimmune pathogenesis. Manifestations vary from mild to serious or fatal conditions. It is most common among women and its prevalence varies between 40 to 200 cases/100.000 inhabitants. Early diagnosis as well as identification of systemic manifestations are critical for adequate referral, treatment and prognosis. At the request of Chile's health ministry, the Chilean Society of Rheumatology designated a work group to elaborate clinical guidelines for SLE. Objectives: Define levels of attention, criteria for referral according to seriousness, and elaborate recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the main disorders of SLE following the clinical guideline execution methodology. Methodology: Indications for the creation of clinical guidelines based on the AGREE evaluation criteria and a combination of medical criteria based on expert evidence and consensus were followed. Bibliographical investigation was centered on responding 13 selected questions with respect to: level of attention and referral criteria; general approach; main critical SLE compromises, and special situations. A recommendation was given for each question. Evidence was established using a traditional scale. Moreover, the degree of agreement was measured (GdA) with the recommendations carried out, by means of a scale from 0 to 10 by the rheumatologists who made up the work group and by five independent peers. Results: 13 recommendations were developed with respect to: 1) Role played by non-specialized physicians and referral criteria; 2) Role played by rheumatologist; 3) Suspicion and early diagnosis of SLE; 4) Prognosis and seriousness; 5) evaluation of SLE activity and damage; 6) Pathology associated to SLE; 7) Drugs used for SLE and their toxicity; 8) Diagnostic basis for lupus nephritis; 9) Treatment for lupus nephritis; 10) Neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE; 11) SLE and...

Comparación de Tilt test con isoproterenol versus Tilt prolongado en pacientes con síncope neurocardiogénico / Comparison of Tilt test with isoproterenol versus prolonged Tilt in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico del tilt test o prueba de inclinación en forma prolongada (45 minutos) en 11 pacientes consecutivos con síncope neurocardiogénico documentado previamente con un tilt positivo con isoproterenol. Ninguno de los pacientes presentó en este segundo examen prolongado una prueba positiva, a pesar que todos ellos tenían una prueba previa positiva bajo isoproterenol. En conclusión, el rendimiento diagnóstico del tilt bajo isoproterenol es muy superior al del tilt prolongado (45 minutos) en pacientes que presentan síncope de etiología no precisada. Estos resultados sugieren fuertemente que es mucho más conveniente realizar la prueba sólo con isoproterenol, lo que acorta sustancialmente la duración y el costo del examen