Management of Peripheral Arthritis in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: An Updated Literature Review Informing the 2021 GRAPPA Treatment Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compile evidence for the efficacy and safety of therapeutic options for the peripheral arthritis domain of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for the revised 2021 Group in Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) treatment recommendations. METHODS: A working group consisting of clinicians and patient research partners was convened. We reviewed the evidence from new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for PsA treatment from February 19, 2013, to August 28, 2020. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-informed approach to derive evidence for the classes of therapeutic options for 3 patient groups: (1) naïve to treatment, (2) inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), and (3) inadequate response to biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). Recommendations were derived through consensus meetings. RESULTS: The evidence review included 69 RCTs. We derived GRADE evidence for each class of therapeutic options and achieved consensus for the recommendations. For patients naïve to treatment, the working group strongly recommends csDMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide) and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, and emphasizes regular assessment and early escalation to achieve treatment target. bDMARDs (tumor necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi], interleukin 17 inhibitors [IL-17i], IL-12/23i, IL-23i) and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are also strongly recommended. For patients with inadequate response to csDMARDs, we strongly recommend TNFi, IL-17i, IL-12/23i, IL-23i, and JAKi. For those who had prior experience with bDMARDs, we strongly recommend a second TNFi, IL-17i, IL-23i, and JAKi. The evidence supporting nonpharmacological interventions was very low. An expert panel conditionally recommends adequate physical activity, smoking cessation, and diet to control weight gain. CONCLUSION: Evidence supporting optimal therapy for the peripheral arthritis domain of PsA was compiled for the revised 2021 GRAPPA treatment recommendations.

Entheseal Involvement in Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Gout: An Ultrasound Comparative Study.

Objective: To compare the assessment of entheses in subjects with spondyloarthritis (SpA) with patients with gout by the Madrid Sonographic Enthesis Index (MASEI). Method: This cross-sectional study includes videos of entheses evaluated by ultrasound (US) of 30 patients with SpA diagnosed according to the ASAS criteria and 30 patients with gout established by the presence of monosodium urate crystals. Entheses were evaluated for MASEI in 2 Institutes located in two different countries. Demographic and clinical data were registered. Total MASEI score, MASEI-inflammatory, and MASEI-chronic damage were analyzed. Comparisons between groups were obtained by chi-square test and Student's t-test. An inter-reading US reliability was realized. Results: Patients with gout were older and had significantly more comorbidities than those with SpA. The total MASEI score was not significantly different among diseases (p = 0.07). MASEI-inflammatory was significantly more prevalent at the Achilles tendon in SpA, while the proximal patellar tendon was in gout. Power Doppler was higher in SpA compared to gout (p = 0.005). MASEI-chronic damage related to calcification/enthesophytes predominated in gout (p = 0.043), while calcaneal erosions did in SpA (p = 0.008). The inter-reader concordance was excellent (0.93, CI 95% 0.87-0.96, p = 0.001). Conclusions: SpA and gout similarly involve entheses according to MASE, however, some inflammatory and chronic lesions differ significantly depending on the underlying disease and tendon scanned.

Qualitative validation of audiovisual educational material for use on rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Medication compliance is critical to achieve therapeutic efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; however, among other factors, low patient-health literacy plays a negative role. Therefore, the development and validation of audiovisual educational material with the participation of health specialists and patients could lead to an improved level of compliance with treatment, while favoring its acceptance. To design and validate audiovisual educational material generated by a multidisciplinary and participative group of patients and health specialists. This study was carried out using a sequential methodology, including qualitative and quantitative techniques: (1) a non-participative observational study with patients and a non-systematic literature search were performed to identify conceptual topics. (2) Pilot videos were qualitatively assessed by patients and health specialists (focus groups and expert committees). (3) Improved versions of seven videos were quantitatively evaluated by patients and specialists following qualitative criteria of attraction, understanding, involvement, acceptance and induction of action. 74 patients with RA, 10 rheumatologists, 4 pharmacists and 2 medical anthropologists participated in the different phases of validation. A total of seven videos lasting 3 min each were generated, incorporating the most relevant suggestions by patients and healthcare professionals. The final version of the videos led to a mean compliance of 96.04 ± 5.2%, according to a representative group of patients and a mean 89.6 ± 9.4%, according to health professionals. With the participation of both patients and health specialists, seven audiovisual educational video recordings were developed and validated, reaching high levels of compliance in accordance with international criteria.

Preliminary tests of an Inertial Measurement Units based System for Spine mobility assessment in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

This paper presents the preliminary tests of a novel system prototype for the physical assessment of mobility in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). The system combines multi-inertial sensors arrays with Kalman Filters-based pose estimation for monitoring spine mobility in patients with AS. This system allows detecting movements with more reliable information than the manual clinical evaluation.

Recomendaciones del Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología para el manejo de la artritis psoriásica / Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis

La artritis psoriásica (APs) es una enfermedad inflamatoria sistémica crónica que afecta a la piel, las estructuras musculoesqueléticas y otros órganos y sistemas, comprometiendo la funcionalidad, la calidad de vida y reduciendo la expectativa de vida de los pacientes. Es una enfermedad compleja que requiere atención y manejo especializado y oportuno. Las alternativas para el tratamiento de las manifestaciones de la APs se han incrementado y, adicionalmente, el efecto de los distintos agentes sobre manifestaciones específicas ha sido aclarado en estudios recientes, por lo tanto, es conveniente incorporar la evidencia disponible para construir una estrategia en el tratamiento de estos pacientes. El Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología seleccionó una comisión para evaluar estas distintas alternativas y generar recomendaciones. Métodos: El grupo de estudio incluyó a 16 reumatólogos y tres dermatólogos certificados, que fueron seleccionados de diferentes instituciones de salud y regiones del país. Se conformó un comité ejecutivo que coordinó las reuniones y un comité de expertos que seleccionó los criterios de búsqueda en la literatura, elaboró las preguntas de investigación, calificó la calidad de la evidencia y generó las recomendaciones en los distintos dominios de la enfermedad con base en la metodología GRADE. Resultados: Se generaron 24 recomendaciones actualizadas para el tratamiento de pacientes con APs. Las recomendaciones establecen el papel de los medicamentos disponibles actualmente en nuestro país. Se enfatiza la importancia del control adecuado de la enfermedad, individualizando el perfil de involucramiento de cada paciente en cada uno de los seis dominios potencialmente afectados por la enfermedad. Además, se establece la secuencia en la elección de los tratamientos disponibles para cada dominio, basada en su eficacia, perfil de seguridad y accesibilidad.(AU)

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations. Methods: The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology. Results: 24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility. Conclusions: With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.(AU)

Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations. METHODS: The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology. RESULTS: 24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.

Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations. The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology. 24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility. With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.

Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis. / Recomendaciones del Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología para el manejo de la artritis psoriásica.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations. METHODS: The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology. RESULTS: 24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.

Recomendaciones del Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología para el manejo de la artritis psoriásica [Pré-print] / Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis [Pré-print]

La artritis psoriásica (APs) es una enfermedad inflamatoria sistémica crónica que afecta a la piel, las estructuras musculoesqueléticas y otros órganos y sistemas, comprometiendo la funcionalidad, la calidad de vida y reduciendo la expectativa de vida de los pacientes. Es una enfermedad compleja que requiere atención y manejo especializado y oportuno. Las alternativas para el tratamiento de las manifestaciones de la APs se han incrementado y, adicionalmente, el efecto de los distintos agentes sobre manifestaciones específicas ha sido aclarado en estudios recientes, por lo tanto, es conveniente incorporar la evidencia disponible para construir una estrategia en el tratamiento de estos pacientes. El Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología seleccionó una comisión para evaluar estas distintas alternativas y generar recomendaciones. El grupo de estudio incluyó a 16 reumatólogos y tres dermatólogos certificados, que fueron seleccionados de diferentes instituciones de salud y regiones del país. Se conformó un comité ejecutivo que coordinó las reuniones y un comité de expertos que seleccionó los criterios de búsqueda en la literatura, elaboró las preguntas de investigación, calificó la calidad de la evidencia y generó las recomendaciones en los distintos dominios de la enfermedad con base en la metodología Se generaron 24 recomendaciones actualizadas para el tratamiento de pacientes con APs. Las recomendaciones establecen el papel de los medicamentos disponibles actualmente en nuestro país. Se enfatiza la importancia del control adecuado de la enfermedad, individualizando el perfil de involucramiento de cada paciente en cada uno de los seis dominios potencialmente afectados por la enfermedad. Además, se establece la secuencia en la elección de los tratamientos disponibles para cada dominio, basada en su eficacia, perfil de seguridad y accesibilidad. Con este documento de consenso se podrá mejorar la atención de los pacientes con APs. Las recomendaciones se generaron de acuerdo con la mejor información disponible y en consideración del sistema de salud de México.

Syndemic and syndemogenesis of low back pain in Latin-American population: a network and cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although low back pain (LBP) is a high-impact health condition, its burden has not been examined from the syndemic perspective. OBJECTIVE: To compare and assess clinical, socioeconomic, and geographic factors associated with LBP prevalence in low-income and upper-middle-income countries using syndemic and syndemogenesis frameworks based on network and cluster analyses. METHODS: Analyses were performed by adopting network and cluster design, whereby interrelations among the individual and social variables and their combinations were established. The required data was sourced from the databases pertaining to the six Latin-American countries. RESULTS: Database searches yielded a sample of 55,724 individuals (mean age 43.38 years, SD = 17.93), 24.12% of whom were indigenous, and 60.61% were women. The diagnosed with LBP comprised 6.59% of the total population. Network analysis showed higher relationship individuals' variables such as comorbidities, unhealthy habits, low educational level, living in rural areas, and indigenous status were found to be significantly associated with LBP. Cluster analysis showed significant association between LBP prevalence and social variables (e.g. Gender inequality Index, Human Development Index, Income Inequality). CONCLUSIONS: LBP is a highly prevalent condition in Latin-American populations with a high impact on the quality of life of young adults. It is particularly debilitating for women, indigenous individuals, and those with low educational level, and is further exacerbated by the presence of comorbidities, especially those in the mental health domain. Thus, the study findings demonstrate that syndemic and syndemogenesis have the potential to widen the health inequities stemming from LBP in vulnerable populations. Key points • Syndemic and syndemogenesis evidence health disparities in Latin-American populations, documenting the complexity of suffering from a disease such as low back pain that is associated with comorbidities, unhealthy habits, and the social and regional context where they live. • The use of network and cluster analyses are useful tools for documenting the complexity and the multifaceted impact in health in large populations as well as the differences between countries. • The variability and impact of socioeconomic indicators (e.g., Gini index) related to low back pain and comorbidities could be felt through the use of cluster analysis, which generates evidence of regional inequality in Latin America. • Populations can be studied from different models (network and cluster analysis) and grouping, presenting new interpretations beyond geographical groupings, such as syndemic and inequity in health.

Differential expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in α4ß7-positive leukocytes of patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Expression of α4ß7 integrin can identify gut-homing immune cells. This study aimed to determine the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in α4ß7-positive leukocytes of patients with axial SpA (axSpA). METHODS: We analysed the frequencies of α4ß7-positive T cells, Tγδ cells and monocytes in 14 patients with axSpA and 14 healthy controls, together with the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by flow cytometry. Also, the concentration of faecal calprotectin was measured in all patients and controls. RESULTS: We found significantly higher percentages of α4ß7-positive T (P = 0.026) and Tγδ cells (P = 0.0118) in the patients with axSpA than in controls; these cells showed differential expression of TLR2 and TLR4 when compared with α4ß7-negative cells. Such differences were not correlated with disease activity or faecal calprotectin concentration. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in circulating α4ß7-positive T and Tγδ cells in patients with axSpA. These cells differentially express TLR2 and TLR4.

Coping strategies for health and daily-life stressors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout: STROBE-compliant article.

This article aims to identify the strategies for coping with health and daily-life stressors of Mexican patients with chronic rheumatic disease. We analyzed the baseline data of a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and gout. Their strategies for coping were identified with a validated questionnaire. Comparisons between health and daily-life stressors and between the 3 clinical conditions were made. With regression analyses, we determined the contribution of individual, socioeconomic, educational, and health-related quality-of-life variables to health status and coping strategy. We identified several predominant coping strategies in response to daily-life and health stressors in 261 patients with RA, 226 with AS, and 206 with gout. Evasive and reappraisal strategies were predominant when patients cope with health stressors; emotional/negative and evasive strategies predominated when coping with daily-life stressors. There was a significant association between the evasive pattern and the low short-form health survey (SF-36) scores and health stressors across the 3 diseases. Besides some differences between diagnoses, the most important finding was the predominance of the evasive strategy and its association with low SF-36 score and high level of pain in patients with gout. Patients with rheumatic diseases cope in different ways when confronted with health and daily-life stressors. The strategy of coping differs across diagnoses; emotional/negative and evasive strategies are associated with poor health-related quality of life. The identification of the coping strategies could result in the design of psychosocial interventions to improve self-management.

Factors associated with mortality and infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with mortality and infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out for medical admissions of patients with a diagnosis of SLE and DAH in 9 hospitals. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded for each patient at DAH diagnosis. RESULTS: We included 57 episodes of DAH of 50 patients (7 recurrences), 49 women (86%), 14 juvenile SLE (24.6%); 24 had died (42.1%). In the chart review we detected infection in 22 episodes (38.6%): 8 invasive fungal infections, 16 bacterial infections, and 2 patients had both types. In the bivariate analysis, factors associated with mortality were high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, requirement of mechanical ventilation (OR 15.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 662.2), infections (fungal or bacterial; OR 3.2, CI 0.9 to 11.1), renal failure (OR 4.9, CI 1.4 to 18.0), and thrombocytopenia (OR 4.3, CI 1.2 to 15.6). We found similar mortality between children and adults. Infections were associated with treatment for SLE, requirement of mechanical ventilation, hypocomplementemia, and high levels of C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: Infection is a frequent finding in patients with DAH and SLE; we found similar mortality between adult SLE and juvenile SLE. Factors that we describe associated with infections may influence the therapeutic selection for these patients.

Update of the Mexican College of Rheumatology guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis has progressed substantially over the past years. It is therefore desirable that existing information be periodically updated. There are several published international guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that hardly adapt to the Mexican health system because of its limited healthcare resources. Hence, it is imperative to unify the existing recommendations and to incorporate them to a set of clinical, updated recommendations; the Mexican College of Rheumatology developed these recommendations in order to offer an integral management approach of rheumatoid arthritis according to the resources of the Mexican health system. OBJECTIVE: To review, update and improve the available evidence within clinical practice guidelines on the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis and produce a set of recommendations adapted to the Mexican health system, according to evidence available through December 2012. METHODS: The working group was composed of 30 trained and experienced rheumatologists with a high quality of clinical knowledge and judgment. Recommendations were based on the highest quality evidence from the previously established treatment guidelines, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials for the adult population with rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: During the conformation of this document, each working group settled the existing evidence from the different topics according to their experience. Finally, all the evidence and decisions were unified into a single document, treatment algorithm and drug standardization tables. CONCLUSIONS: This update of the Mexican Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis provides the highest quality information available at the time the working group undertook this review and contextualizes its use for the complex Mexican health system.

A community-based study on the prevalence of spondyloarthritis and inflammatory back pain in Mexicans.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of spondyloarthritis (SpA) varies across populations. In Mexicans, the prevalence of SpA is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of SpA in the community as well as that of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: We identified individuals older than 18 years with nontraumatic back pain (BP) in a door-to-door nurse survey using the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases. Then, general physicians and rheumatology fellows selected those likely to have IBP (Berlin criteria). Finally, 2 expert rheumatologists assessed IBP individuals according to clinical data and classification criteria and requested HLA-B27 and radiographic studies to determine the clinical condition of the individual and SpA (European SpA Study Group) classification. RESULTS: The prevalence of BP among 4059 individuals was 14.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6-15.8). The prevalence of IBP and SpA was 1.3% (95% CI, 1.0-1.7) and 0.6% (95% CI, 0.4-0.9), respectively. Ankylosing spondylitis prevalence was 0.1% (95% CI, 0.02-0.2). Inflammatory back pain and SpA percentage of males and females was similar. The percentage of individuals with IBP according to the 2 experts was lower than that determined by general physicians and rheumatology fellows, but all cases with HLA-B27, radiographic sacroiliitis, SpA, and AS had previous IBP confirmation by the expert. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and sex distribution of patients classified with SpA in this community study--as well as that of patients diagnosed with AS--are consistent with those found in recent studies. Expert assessment of individuals with positive responses to questionnaires is relevant for the classification of IBP and SpA.

In vivo peripheral blood proinflammatory T cells in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports have shown an increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMC) Th17 cell subpopulation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion after in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 or phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of our study was to determine whether there is a Th17 polarization not subjected to in vitro stimulation in patients with AS. METHODS: Nonstimulated PBMC were analyzed from 46 patients with AS, including 7 (15.2%) receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 25 healthy controls. The surface phenotype of freshly isolated PBMC was determined by flow cytometry. Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg subsets were defined as CD3+CD4+IFN-γ+, CD3+CD4+IL-4+, CD3+CD4+IL-17A+, and CD3+CD4+FoxP3+, respectively. Serum cytokines and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were quantified by Luminex technology. RESULTS: The percentages of Th17 and Th1 cells in AS were higher than in healthy controls (7.4% ± 1.8% vs 0.7% ± 0.2% and 4.0% ± 1.3% vs 1.1% ± 0.3%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Th17 and Th1 cell subsets in patients taking TNF-α inhibitors were lower than in those naive to such therapeutics and similar to healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-8 were significantly higher in patients with AS compared to controls. CONCLUSION: The percentages of Th17 and Th1 cells in PBMC without in vitro stimulation, as well as cytokine and IL-8 levels, were significantly increased in patients with AS compared with healthy controls. These T cell subsets and cytokine profiles of patients with AS taking TNF-α inhibitors were similar to those of healthy controls.

The diagnostic value of the proposal for clinical gout diagnosis (CGD).

The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic properties of the clinical gout diagnosis (CGD) proposal in patients with gout and other rheumatic diseases. We investigated the presence of current or past history of the previously published CGD criteria: (1) >1 attack of acute arthritis, (2) mono/oligoarthritis attacks, (3) rapid progression of pain and swelling (<24 h), (4) podagra, (5) erythema, (6) unilateral tarsitis, (7) probable tophi, and (8) hyperuricemia. CGD was established in patients with greater than or equal to four out of eight of these criteria. Demographic data and comorbidities were also considered. Statistical analysis included diagnostic test evaluation (sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, positive predictive values and receiving operating characteristic curves). One hundred and sixty-seven patients with the following diagnoses were included: gout (most in intercritical period, n = 75), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 30), osteoarthritis (OA, n = 31) and spondyloarthritis (SpA, n = 31). All gout patients had MSU crystal demonstration and constituted the gold standard for diagnostic test evaluation. There were significant differences across diagnostic groups in most demographic variables and comorbidity. The presence of greater than or equal to four out of eight of the CGD criteria were found in 97% patients with gout, in two patients with SpA, and one each with RA and OA. The sensitivity, specificity, and LR+ of greater than or equal to four out of eight of the CGD criteria were 97.3%, 95.6%, and 22.14, respectively. The presence of more than or equal to four out of eight items from the CGD proposal is highly suggestive of gout.

Prevalence of back pain in the community. A COPCORD-based study in the Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE: Back pain (BP) is frequent in the community; its prevalence in México is 6%. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of BP in Mexican communities and determine its most important characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of individuals aged > 18 years was conducted in Mexico City and in urban communities in the state of Nuevo León. Sampling in Mexico City was based on community census and in Nuevo León, on stratified, balanced, and random sampling. Procedures included a door-to-door survey, using the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases, to identify individuals with BP > 1 on a visual analog scale in the last 7 days. General practitioners/rheumatology fellows confirmed and characterized BP symptoms. RESULTS: In all, 8159 individuals (mean age 43.7 yrs, two-thirds female) were surveyed and 1219 had BP. The prevalence of nontraumatic BP in the last 7 days was 8.0% (95% CI 7.5-8.7). The mean age of these individuals was 42.7 years, and 61.9% were female. Thirty-seven percent had inflammatory BP [prevalence of 3.0% (95% CI 2.7-3.4)]. Compared with the state of Nuevo Léon, the characteristics and consequences of BP in Mexico City were more severe. In logistic regression analysis, living in Mexico City, having a paid job, any kind of musculoskeletal pain, high pain intensity, and obesity among other variables were associated with BP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nontraumatic BP in the last 7 days in urban communities in México is 8.0%. However, clinical features and consequences differed among the communities studied, suggesting a role for local factors in BP.