Clinical Diagnosis of Chikungunya Infection: An Essential Aid in a Primary Care Setting Where Serological Confirmation Is Not Available.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) diagnosis has become a challenge for primary care physicians in areas where the Zika virus and/or Dengue virus are present. Case definitions for the three arboviral infections overlap. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out. A bivariate analysis was made using confirmed CHIKV infection as the outcome. Variables with significant statistical association were included in an agreement consensus. Agreed variables were analyzed in a multiple regression model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to determine a cut-off value and performance. RESULTS: 295 patients with confirmed CHIKV infection were included. A screening tool was created using symmetric arthritis (4 points), fatigue (3 points), rash (2 points), and ankle joint pain (1 point). The ROC curve identified a cut-off value, and a score ≥ 5.5 was considered positive for identifying CHIKV patients with a sensibility of 64.4% and a specificity of 87.4%, positive predictive value of 85.5%, negative predictive value of 67.7%, area under the curve of 0.72, and an accuracy of 75%. CONCLUSION: We developed a screening tool for CHIKV diagnosis using only clinical symptoms as well as proposed an algorithm to aid the primary care physician.

Assessing the burden of osteoarthritis in Latin America: a rapid evidence assessment.

This rapid evidence assessment (REA) was conducted to explore the burden of weight-bearing joint osteoarthritis in the developing countries of Latin America. REA methodology used a standardized search strategy to identify observational studies published from 2010 to 23 April 2020 that reported outcomes pertaining to the epidemiology and humanistic or economic burden of weight-bearing osteoarthritis. Relevant data from each included study were used to populate bespoke data extraction tables and qualitatively analyzed. Thirteen publications were identified that reported on knee and hip osteoarthritis in the Latin American region. Overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in adults ranged from 1.55% in Peru to 7.4% in Ecuador. Total prevalence of grade ≥ 2 radiographic knee osteoarthritis was 22% among those ≥ 39 years of age in Brazil and 25.5% among those ≥ 40 years of age in Mexico. The prevalence of symptomatic/radiographic knee osteoarthritis was 7.1% in people ≥ 18 years of age in Mexico and 17.6% among those ≥ 40 years of age. Prevalence of hip osteoarthritis was similar to or slightly lower than knee osteoarthritis. The limited data available indicates weight-bearing osteoarthritis negatively affects quality of life and that the economic burden may vary between countries with different healthcare systems. The limited evidence found in the published literature suggests the burden of osteoarthritis in Latin America is substantial. Our analysis identified several evidence gaps, particularly for health-related quality of life and socioeconomic outcomes. Further research is of particular importance in areas where government-subsidized healthcare and resources are scarce.

Relationship between disease activity status or clinical response and patient-reported outcomes in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: 104-week results from the randomized controlled EMBARK study.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the external validity of composite indices Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 40 response (ASAS40) by evaluating the correlations between the changes in some patient reported outcomes (PROs) for patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and the changes in the scores of the composite indices. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of data from the EMBARK study in patients with nr-axSpA treated with etanercept. PROs were grouped according to ASDAS status (inactive [< 1.3], low [≥ 1.3 to < 2.1], high [≥ 2.1 to ≤3.5], and very high [> 3.5]), patient achievement of > 50% improvement in BASDAI (BASDAI50 responders), and > 40% improvement in ASAS (ASAS40 responders) at 104 weeks. Analyses were conducted on observed cases available at Week 104. Changes in PROs from Baseline to Week 104 were assessed using analysis of covariance with adjustment for baseline with linear contrast. RESULTS: Higher ASDAS disease activity at 104 weeks was associated with lower long-term improvement from baseline in PROs (e.g., total back pain [visual analog scale, cm (95% confidence interval): - 4.58 (- 4.95, - 4.21), - 3.86 (- 4.28, - 3.43), - 2.15 (- 2.68, - 1.61), and 1.30 (- 0.51, 3.12) for inactive, low, high, and very high ASDAS disease activity, respectively; Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) general fatigue: - 4.77 (- 5.70, - 3.84), - 2.96 (- 4.04, - 1.87), - 1.00 (- 2.32, 0.31), and 2.14 (- 2.10, 6.38); all p < 0.001)]. BASDAI50 non-responders had less improvement in PROs from Baseline to Week 104 vs. responders (e.g., total back pain: - 1.61 (- 2.05, - 1.18) vs. -4.43 (- 4.69, - 4.18); MFI general fatigue: - 0.01 (- 1.12, 1.09) vs. -4.30 (- 4.98, - 3.62); all p < 0.001). ASAS40 non-responders also had less improvement in PROs from Baseline to Week 104 vs. responders (e.g., total back pain: - 1.91 (- 2.30, - 1.52) vs. -4.75 (- 5.05, - 4.46); MFI general fatigue: - 0.63 (- 1.56, 0.30) vs. -4.64 (- 5.37, - 3.91); all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Composite indices are valid for monitoring treatment response and adequately reflect treatment-related changes experienced by patients with nr-axSpA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01258738. Registered 9 December 2010.

From A Formal Training Program In Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSUS) To A High Reproducibility for MSUS Ultrasound In Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability of Ultrasound (US) in scoring B-mode, Doppler synovitis and combined B-mode and Doppler synovitis scores in different peripheral joints of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Four rheumatologists with a formal training in Musculoskeletal US (MSKUS) particularly focus on definitions and scoring synovitis on B-mode and Doppler mode participated in a patient- based reliability exercise on 16 active RA patients. The four rheumatologists independently and consecutively performed a B-mode and Power Doppler (PD) US assessment of 7 joints of each patient in two rounds in a blinded fashion. Each joint was semi quantitatively scored from 0 to 3 for B-mode Synovitis (BS), Doppler Synovitis (DS), and combined B-mode/Doppler synovitis (CS). Intraobserver reliability was assessed by Cohen's κ. Interobserver reliability was assessed by unweight Light's κ. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of synovitis on B-mode was 83% of joints; scores ranging from grade 1 in 18% of joints, to grade 3 in 33%. In 55% of joints synovial PD signal was detected and the distribution of scores range from 14% of joints for grade 3, to 26% for grade 2. After a total of 448 joints scanned with 896 adquired images our intraobserver and interobserver reliability was good to excellent for most of the joints. CONCLUSION: Formal, structured and continuous training in musculoskeletal ultrasound would bring a good to excellent reproducibility in rheumatological hands with a high reliability in real time acquisition BS, DS and CS modalities for scoring synovitis in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Evaluation of Health Outcomes with Etanercept Treatment in Patients with Early Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyses were conducted to examine the baseline burden of illness and compare the effect of etanercept (ETN) versus placebo (PBO) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who failed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). METHODS: Patients fulfilling the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society axSpA criteria, not meeting the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who were symptomatic 3 months to 5 years, with a Bath AS Disease Activity Index score ≥ 4, and failed ≥ 2 NSAID were randomized to ETN 50 mg weekly or PBO (double-blind) for 12 weeks, followed by open-label ETN 50 mg for 92 weeks. Stable NSAID were allowed throughout our study. QOL outcomes over 24 weeks were analyzed using ANCOVA models. RESULTS: At baseline, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI; ETN mean 14.7, PBO mean 15.0), EQ-5D utility (0.52, 0.57), EQ-5D visual analog scale (56.5, 56.4), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Index II (45.5, 48.1) were worse than population norms (6.6-8.0, 0.86, 82.5, and 25.8, respectively). At Week 12, Bath AS Patient Global Score, nocturnal and average back pain, MOS Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical component, and Work Productivity and Activity Index (WPAI) presenteeism and activity impairment favored ETN (p < 0.05). Nonsignificant improvements for ETN were seen in other WPAI domains, MFI, MOS-Sleep Index I and II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, EQ-5D utility score, and SF-36 mental component (p > 0.05). At Week 24, patients in the PBO group who had switched to ETN at Week 12 showed improvement in most QOL assessments, similar to that seen in patients receiving ETN for 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Improvements favored ETN in QOL and productivity measures, with limited improvement on general QOL measures. Short disease duration, a short PBO-controlled period, and a wide range of QOL scores at baseline may have influenced improvements.

Calcinosis tumoral secundaria a enfermedad renal crónica / Tumoral calcinosis secondary to chronic kidney disease

Objetivo: evaluar la literatura disponible hasta hoy, respecto a la calcinosis tumoral en enfermedad renal crónica, centrándose en herramientas diagnósticas y manejo terapéutico disponible. Metodos: usando los siguientes descriptores "Calcinosis", "Kidney Failure, Chronic", "Therapeutics", "Diagnosis", "Epidemiology"; se buscaron artículos en la base de datos Pubmed. Se incluyeron artículos de ensayo clínico, metaanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas y casos clínicos que estuvieran en inglés, francés, portugués y español, que fueran en población adulta. Se excluyeron artículos publicados antes de 1990, excepto aquellos que fuesen vitales para la definición de calcinosis tumoral. Se excluyeron artículos que incluyeran "Calciphylaxis" y que no aportaran al objetivo de la revisión. Resultados: un total de 91 artículos fueron incluidos, la mayoría fueron casos clínicos. Según lo encontrado el sitio de calcinosis tumoral más común fue en miembros superiores, seguido de piel y cadera. Una de las recomendaciones más importantes de diagnóstico fue las imágenes radiográficas y la química sanguínea, y de tratamiento es el uso de quelantes de fósforo combinado con dieta baja en calcio y fósforo. Conclusión: se incluyó gran cantidad de información. Faltan más estudios en Latinoamérica respecto a esta condición y se necesitan mejores grados y calidad de evidencia para hacer algún tipo de recomendación o guía de manejo. (Acta Med Colomb 2012; 37: 74-79).

Objective: to assess the available literature to date regarding tumoral calcinosis in chronic renal disease, focusing on diagnostic tools and therapeutic management available. Methods: using the descriptors "Calcinosis", "Kidney Failure, Chronic", "Therapeutics", "Diagnosis", "Epidemiology", we sought articles in the pubmed database. We included clinical trial articles, meta-analyzes, systematic reviews and clinical cases that were in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, all in adults. We excluded articles published before 1990 except those that were vital to the definition of tumoral calcinosis. Articles that included "Calciphylaxis" and that did not contribute to the objective of the review, were excluded. Results: a total of 91 articles were included; most were case reports. We found that the most common site of tumor calcinosis was in the upper limbs, followed by skin and hip. One of the key diagnostic recommendations was radiographic images and blood chemistry, and the recommendation regarding treatment is the use of phosphorus binders combined with diet low in calcium and phosphorus. Conclusion: we included a lot of information. Further studies on this condition are needed in Latin America, as well as better grades and quality of evidence to make any recommendation or management guide. (Acta Med Colomb 2012; 37: 74-79).

[Polymorphisms of IL-10 gene promoter and rheumatoid arthritis in a Colombian population]. / Polimorfismos de la región promotora del gen de la IL-10 y artritis reumatoide en una población colombiana.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease driven by TH1 CD4+ cells. Interleukin-10 is present in higher concentrations in serum and synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and has a marked anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, it is capable of stimulating B cells and increasing autoantibody production. Interleukin-10 synthesis is under genetic control. OBJECTIVE: Three polymorphisms of the promoter region were analyzed for interleukin-10 genes -1082, -819 and -592. Subjects were patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with a control population for these genes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 102 matched healthy controls were studied. The following data were taken from the rheumatoid arthritis patients: age of disease onset, presence and titers of rheumatoid factor, and history of replacement joint surgery. Genotypes were obtained by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primer method. The three polymorphisms are in strong linkage-disequilibrium and form three haplotypes -1082A/-819C/-592C, -1082A/-819T/-592A y -1082G/-819C/-592C. RESULTS: No association was detected between Interleukin-10 alleles, haplotypes/genotypes and rheumatoid arthritis. No significant differences occurred between interleukin-10 polymorphisms and age of disease onset, presence and titer of rheumatoid factor and history of major joint replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-10 is an important regulator of the immune response and likely plays a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The current results suggested that Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms were not important for development or severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Polimorfismos de la región promotora del gen de la IL-10 y artritis reumatoide en una población colombiana / Polymorphisms of IL-10 gene promoter and rheumatoid arthritis in a Colombian population

Introducción. La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad inflamatoria con un predominio de la actividad de las células TH1 CD4+. La interleucina-10, presente en altas concentraciones en suero y líquido sinovial de pacientes con artritis reumatoide, tiene una marcada actividad antinflamatoria, al mismo tiempo que estimula las células B y la generación de autoanticuerpos. La producción de la interleucina-10 está bajo control genético. Objetivo. En este estudio analizamos los polimorfismos de la región promotora de la interleucina-10 -1082, -819 y -592 en pacientes con artritis reumatoide y en una población control, y su asociación con edad de inicio de la enfermedad, presencia y títulos de factor reumatoideo e historia de reemplazo articular. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 102 pacientes con artritis reumatoide y 102 controles. La genotipificación se realizó por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, iniciador específico de secuencia. Los tres polimorfismos están en marcado desequilibrio de unión y forman tres haplotipos –1082A/-819C/-592C, –1082A/-819T/-592A y –1082G/-819C/-592C. Resultados. No se encontró asociación de la artritis reumatoide con las diferentes variaciones alélicas, haplotípicas ni genotípicas del promotor de la interleucina-10. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas con inicio de la enfermedad, presencia y títulos de factor reumatoideo e historia de reemplazo articular. Conclusiones. La interleucina-10 es uno de los principales reguladores de la respuesta inmune y por lo tanto podría jugar un papel importante en la patogénesis de la artritis reumatoide; sin embargo, nuestros resultados no dan evidencia de una asociación genética entre los polimorfismos estudiados y el desarrollo o gravedad de la artritis reumatoide.

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease driven by TH1 CD4+ cells. Interleukin-10 is present in higher concentrations in serum and synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and has a marked anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, it is capable of stimulating B cells and increasing autoantibody production. Interleukin-10 synthesis is under genetic control. Objective. Three polymorphisms of the promoter region were analyzed for interleukin-10 genes -1082, -819 and -592. Subjects were patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with a control population for these genes. Material and methods. One hundred two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 102 matched healthy controls were studied. The following data were taken from the rheumatoid arthritis patients: age of disease onset, presence and titers of rheumatoid factor, and history of replacement joint surgery. Genotypes were obtained by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primer method. The three polymorphisms are in strong linkage-disequilibrium and form three haplotypes –1082A/-819C/-592C, –1082A/-819T/-592A y –1082G/-819C/-592C. Results. No association was detected between Interleukin-10 alleles, haplotypes/genotypes and rheumatoid arthritis. No significant differences occurred between interleukin-10 polymorphisms and age of disease onset, presence and titer of rheumatoid factor and history of major joint replacement. Conclusions. Interleukin-10 is an important regulator of the immune response and likely plays a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The current results suggested that Interleukin- 10 promoter polymorphisms were not important for development or severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Polymorphisms in the IL4 and IL4RA genes in Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a Th1-driven disease. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) binds to its receptor, promoting Th2 differentiation and limiting Th1 responses, but its role in the pathogenesis of RA is conflicting. We analyzed 2 polymorphisms of the IL4 gene and 4 polymorphisms of the IL4RA gene in patients with RA and in a control population, as well as rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity, titers of RF, and history of replacement joint surgery among patients with RA. METHODS: The study population consisted of 102 patients with RA and 102 matched healthy controls. Genotyping of IL4 -590, IL4RA +148, +1124, +1218, and +1902 was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence-specific primer-PCR. IL4 variable number tandem repeat polymorphism was determined by direct amplification. RESULTS: The IL4 -590TT genotype was significantly more frequent in patients with RA than in controls (p = 0.018, OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.08-11.04). The IL4RA +148A allele was significantly associated with the presence of RF (p = 0.0019, OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.55-4.86) and a history of articular joint replacement (p = 0.024, OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.04-4.18). The IL4RA +1902G allele was more frequently seen in patients with RA and high RF titers (p = 0.00067, OR 4, 95% CI 1.64-9.93). CONCLUSION: Highly complex pathways lead to the development of RA and may not be similar in all patients. Our findings of higher frequency of IL4 and IL4RA genotypes and alleles with RA, presence of RF, RF titers, and history of articular joint replacement support the polygenic expression of RA and the likely role of IL-4 in influencing its initiation and development.

Recomendaciones del Comité de Expertos de la Asociación Colombiana de Reumatología para el empleo de terapia biológica en las espondiloartropatías / Recommendations of the expert committee of the rheumatology Colombian association for the use of biologic therapy in the spondyloarthropathies

Las espondiloartropatías son un grupo de enfermedades que comparten ciertas características clínicas, radiológicas y de laboratorio. Estudios recientes resaltan la importancia de estas que pueden como grupo llegar a tener una prevalencia mayor que patologías frecuentes como la artritis reumatoide, con implicaciones de los aspectos sociales, laborales y fármacoeconómicos. El manejo tradicional de estas patologías no presentó avances significativos hasta hace cinco años cuando con la aparición de los inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF), la llamada terapia biológica se cambió las perspectivas del tratamiento de este grupo de enfermedades convirtiéndose en el día de hoy en una gran herramienta terapéutica. La Asociación Colombiana de Reumatología teniendo en cuenta el conocimiento de este gran avance y el alto impacto de éste en la parte de costos ha desarrollado unas recomendaciones para la utilización de la terapia biológica en las espondiloartropatías mediante la modalidad de consenso con la participación de especialistas expertos en esta área de la reumatología

Calidad de vida y discapacidad fisica / Quality of life and physical disability

La artritis reumatoide es una entidad que genera discapacidad física así como aumento de la mortalidad, esto debido a la progresión misma de la enfermedad pero ocasionalmente también asociado al uso inadecuado de los medicamentos disponibles para su manejo. El concepto de calidad de vida está en estrecha relación con el adecuado control de las enfermedades crónicas. A través del tiempo se han utilizado diferentes formas de evaluación y se ha logrado finalmente definir los instrumentos mínimos útiles para una adecuada evaluación de la artritis reumatoide. Dicha evaluación establecerá una visión global de la actividad de la enfermedad permitiendo así ajustar los fármacos buscando limitar (idealmente control completo) la inflamación y las consecuencias deletéreas de los tratamientos. Esta revisión intenta definir la racionalidad del uso e interpretación de algunos de estos instrumentos y esboza su verdadero papel en la correcta evaluación médica de los pacientes con artritis reumatoide

Patrones arteriográficos en la enfermedad de Buerger

La tromboangeítis obliterante o enfermedad de Buerger ha sido reconocida como entidad patológica desde hace más de 80 años. Afecta primordialmente las arterias de miembros inferiores. Dentro de los criterios utilizados para su diagnóstico se incluyen los cambios arteriográficos en pacientes con enfermedad de Buerger. Informamos nuestra experiencia en estudios arteriográficos en pacientes con enfermedad de Buerger en los últimos cinco años. Llamamos la atención sobre la alta frecuencia de lesiones proximales a la arteria poplítea (57 por ciento). Los signos arteriográficos más frecuentes encontrados fueron tortuosidad de los vasos (57 por ciento), adelgazamiento progresivo del lumen (50 por ciento), alternancia de la lesión (50 por ciento), adelgazamiento abrupto (50 por ciento), siendo menos frecuentes los signos clásicamente descritos para la enfermedad como lo son: colaterales en tirabuzón (29 por ciento), signo de Martorrell (21 por ciento), corrugado de la pared del vaso (14 por ciento) e imagen en raíz de árbol (7 por ciento). Todas las arteriografías mostraron múltiples hallazgos de compromiso vascular, entre 3 y 7 de los signos descritos para la enfermedad

Nodulosis gotosa: una entidad nodulosa o patológica?

Los nódulos subcutáneos están presentes en múltiples enfermedades sistémicas incluyendo lupus eritematoso sistémico, fiebre reumática, artritis reumatoidea y gota. Llamamos la atención sobre aquellos pacientes con tofos subcutáneos múltiples por depósito de urato monosódico sin historia de artritis gotosa. Presentamos un caso de un hombre con presencia de nódulos subcutáneos indoloros de seis años de evolución en carpos, metacarpofalángicas, interfalángicas proximales, codos y rodillas, sin antecedentes de artritis. Planteamos la existencia de un subgrupo clínico de pacientes con gota, cuyo curso es más benigno con respecto al compromiso articular y se proponen sus criterios clínicos