Dual latent tuberculosis screening with tuberculin skin tests and QuantiFERON-TB assays before TNF-α inhibitor initiation in children in Spain.

Tumor-necrosis-factor-α inhibitors (anti-TNF-α) are associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease, primarily due to reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI). We assessed the performance of parallel LTBI screening with tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assays (QFT-GIT) before anti-TNF-α treatment in children with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders in a low TB-burden setting. We conducted a multicenter cohort study involving 17 pediatric tertiary centers in Spain. LTBI was defined as the presence of a positive TST and/or QFT-GIT result without clinical or radiological signs of TB disease. A total of 270 patients (median age:11.0 years) were included, mainly with rheumatological (55.9%) or inflammatory bowel disease (34.8%). Twelve patients (4.4%) were diagnosed with TB infection at screening (LTBI, n = 11; TB disease, n = 1). Concordance between TST and QFT-GIT results was moderate (TST+/QFT-GIT+, n = 4; TST-/QFT-GIT+, n = 3; TST+/QFT-GIT-, n = 5; kappa coefficient: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36-0.60). Indeterminate QFT-GIT results occurred in 10 patients (3.7%) and were associated with young age and elevated C-reactive protein concentrations. Eleven of 12 patients with TB infection uneventfully completed standard LTBI or TB treatment. During a median follow-up period of 6.4 years, only 2 patients developed TB disease (incidence density: 130 (95% CI: 20-440) per 100,000 person-years), both probable de novo infections. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients were diagnosed with LTBI during screening. The dual strategy identified more cases than either of the tests alone, and test agreement was only moderate. Our data show that in children in a low TB prevalence setting, a dual screening strategy with TST and IGRA before anti-TNF-α treatment is effective. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The optimal screening strategy for latent tuberculosis in children with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders remains uncertain. • Children receiving anti-TNF-α drugs are at increased risk of developing severe tuberculosis disease. WHAT IS NEW: • A dual screening strategy, using TST and an IGRA assay, identified more children with latent tuberculosis than either of the tests alone. • Identification and treatment of latent tuberculosis before initiation of anti-TNF-α therapy averted incident tuberculosis cases.

Trombopenia aislada no siempre es trombopenia inmune primaria / Isolated thrombopenia is not always primary immune thrombopenia

El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune crónica, de etiología desconocida, que afecta a múltiples órganos y sistemas. El LES pediátrico es más frecuente en las niñas y presenta un pico de incidencia entre los 12-16 años. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes son los síntomas constitucionales, la artritis, el eritema malar y las alteraciones hematológicas. La trombopenia aparece en el 50% de los casos y es la manifestación inicial en el 15% de los casos de LES de inicio pediátrico, aunque puede preceder varios años a la aparición del resto de manifestaciones de LES. Entre el 20 y el 30% de los niños con trombopenia inmune primaria y ANA positivos en suero desarrollarán posteriormente LES

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that affects multiple organs and systems. Pediatric SLE is more frequent in girls and has a peak incidence between 12-16 years. The most frequent clinical manifestations are constitutional symptoms, arthritis, malar erythema and hematological abnormalities. Thrombopenia appears in 50% of cases and is the initial manifestation in 15% of cases of SLE of pediatric onset, although it may take several years before the appearance of other manifestations of SLE. Between 20 and 30% of children with primary immune thrombopenia and serum positive ANA will subsequently develop SLE

Osteogénesis imperfecta: análisis de 40 pacientes / Osteogenesis imperfecta: Review of 40 patients

INTRODUCCIÓN: La osteogénesis imperfecta (OI) es una enfermedad genética heterogénea manifestada como fragilidad ósea y fracturas. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo analizando características clínicas, genéticas y tratamiento de pacientes diagnosticados de OI (1989-2017) en el Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza (Endocrinología Pediátrica y Reumatología). RESULTADOS: Incluidos 40 pacientes; 32,5% varones, 67,5% mujeres; 29 niños, 11 adultos. Media de fracturas al diagnóstico en OI leve 4,6±6,4 (edad media al diagnóstico 7,8±12,8años), en OI moderada 1,7±2,4 (edad media al diagnóstico 0,04±0,3años), en OI grave 3,7±2,1 y en OI muy grave 12,5±7,8, ambos grupos diagnosticados al nacimiento. Estudio genético en 32 pacientes, 25 con variante patogénica/probablemente patogénica, siendo COL1A1 el gen más frecuentemente afectado. En 7 pacientes no fue encontrada la variante responsable, 5 con confirmación diagnóstica (estudio bioquímico colágenoI). Tratamiento con bifosfonatos 19 pacientes; 7 asociando hormona de crecimiento. Los tratados con bifosfonatos han presentado mejoría clínica (reducción de dolor óseo y/o irritabilidad) y reducción del número de fracturas. CONCLUSIONES: El gen COL1A1 es el más frecuentemente afectado en nuestros pacientes. El tratamiento debe ser multidisciplinar y el uso de bifosfonatos proporciona mejoría

INTRODUCTION: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous genetic disease manifesting as bone fragility and fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study analysing clinical and genetic features, and treatment of patients with OI. RESULTS: Forty patients were included; 32.5% males, 67.5% females; 29 children, 11 adults. Number of fractures at diagnosis with mild OI was 4.6±6.4 (average age at diagnosis 7.8±12.8years), with moderate OI 1.7±2.4 (age at diagnosis .04±.3years), in severe OI 3.7±2.1 and in extremely severe forms 12.5±7.8, both groups diagnosed at birth. Genetic study in 32 patients, 25 with a positive genetic study (pathogenic/probably pathogenic variant). COL1A1 gene was the most frequently affected. In 7 patients, no pathogenic or probably pathogenic variant was found (5 diagnosed by biochemical study of typeI collagen). Nineteen patients were treated with bisphosphonates; 7 combined with growth hormone. The patients treated with bisphosphonates showed clinical improvement (reduction of bone pain and/or irritability) and reduction of fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The COL1A1 gene is the most frequently affected. OI patients should receive multidisciplinary management and bisphosphonates can improve their quality of life

Osteogenesis imperfecta: Review of 40 patients. / Osteogénesis imperfecta: análisis de 40 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous genetic disease manifesting as bone fragility and fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study analysing clinical and genetic features, and treatment of patients with OI. RESULTS: Forty patients were included; 32.5% males, 67.5% females; 29 children, 11 adults. Number of fractures at diagnosis with mild OI was 4.6±6.4 (average age at diagnosis 7.8±12.8years), with moderate OI 1.7±2.4 (age at diagnosis .04±.3years), in severe OI 3.7±2.1 and in extremely severe forms 12.5±7.8, both groups diagnosed at birth. Genetic study in 32 patients, 25 with a positive genetic study (pathogenic/probably pathogenic variant). COL1A1 gene was the most frequently affected. In 7 patients, no pathogenic or probably pathogenic variant was found (5 diagnosed by biochemical study of typeI collagen). Nineteen patients were treated with bisphosphonates; 7 combined with growth hormone. The patients treated with bisphosphonates showed clinical improvement (reduction of bone pain and/or irritability) and reduction of fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The COL1A1 gene is the most frequently affected. OI patients should receive multidisciplinary management and bisphosphonates can improve their quality of life.

Expert panel consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of secondary osteoporosis in children.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis incidence in children is increasing due to the increased survival rate of patients suffering from chronic diseases and the increased use of drugs that can damage bones. Recent changes made to the definition of childhood osteoporosis, along with the lack of guidelines or national consensuses regarding its diagnosis and treatment, have resulted in a wide variability in the approaches used to treat this disease. For these reasons, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Childhood Osteoporosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology has sounded the need for developing guidelines to standardize clinical practice with regard to this pathology. METHODS: An expert panel comprised of 6 pediatricians and 5 rheumatologists carried out a qualitative literature review and provided recommendations based on evidence, when that was available, or on their own experience. The level of evidence was determined for each section using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM) system. A Delphi survey was conducted for those recommendations with an evidence level of IV or V. This survey was sent to all members of the SERPE. All recommendations that had a level of agreement higher or equal to 70% were included. RESULTS: Fifty-one recommendations, categorized into eight sections, were obtained. Twenty-four of them presented an evidence level 4 or 5, and therefore a Delphi survey was conducted. This was submitted electronically and received a response rate of 40%. All recommendations submitted to the Delphi round obtained a level of agreement of 70% or higher and were therefore accepted. CONCLUSION: In summary, we present herein guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of secondary childhood osteoporosis based on the available evidence and expert clinical experience. We believe it can serve as a useful tool that will contribute to the standardization of clinical practice for this pathology. Prophylactic measures, early diagnosis and a proper therapeutic approach are essential to improving bone health, not only in children and adolescents, but also in the adults they will become in the future.

Artritis como debut de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en pediatría / Arthritis as clinical presentation of inflammatory bowel disease in children

La incidencia de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en la edad pediátrica se ha incrementado mundialmente en las últimas décadas. La forma de presentación puede ser diversa y, hasta en un 6-35 %, las manifestaciones extraintestinales pueden ser el debut; la artritis periférica es la más frecuente de estas. Una presentación atípica implica un retraso diagnóstico y, asociado a que el fenotipo de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal es más grave en los niños, conlleva un incremento de las complicaciones intestinales y secuelas asociadas. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de enfermedad de Crohn cuya clínica inicial fue la claudicación de la marcha por una artritis periférica y una entesitis, respectivamente.

Inflammatory bowel disease in children has increased worldwide during the last decades. Clinical presentations are diverse and extraintestinal manifestations are the presenting sign in 6-35 % of patients, the most common of them being peripheral arthritis. An atypical clinical presentation results in diagnosis delay and, added to the greater seriousness of inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes in children, it entails more intestinal complications and sequelae. We describe two cases of inflammatory bowel disease with an initial symptom of lameness due to peripheral arthritis and enthesitis, respectively.

[Arthritis as clinical presentation of inflammatory bowel disease in children]. / Artritis como debut de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en pediatría.

Inflammatory bowel disease in children has increased worldwide during the last decades. Clinical presentations are diverse and extraintestinal manifestations are the presenting sign in 6-35 % of patients, the most common of them being peripheral arthritis. An atypical clinical presentation results in diagnosis delay and, added to the greater seriousness of inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes in children, it entails more intestinal complications and sequelae. We describe two cases of inflammatory bowel disease with an initial symptom of lameness due to peripheral arthritis and enthesitis, respectively.

La incidencia de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en la edad pediátrica se ha incrementado mundialmente en las últimas décadas. La forma de presentación puede ser diversa y, hasta en un 6-35 %, las manifestaciones extraintestinales pueden ser el debut; la artritis periférica es la más frecuente de estas. Una presentación atípica implica un retraso diagnóstico y, asociado a que el fenotipo de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal es más grave en los niños, conlleva un incremento de las complicaciones intestinales y secuelas asociadas. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de enfermedad de Crohn cuya clínica inicial fue la claudicación de la marcha por una artritis periférica y una entesitis, respectivamente.

Persistence and adverse events of biological treatment in adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: results from BIOBADASER.

BACKGROUND: Biologic therapy has changed the prognosis of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of use, drug survival, and adverse events of biologics in patients with JIA during the period from diagnosis to adulthood. METHODS: All patients included in BIOBADASER (Spanish Registry for Adverse Events of Biological Therapy in Rheumatic Diseases), a multicenter prospective registry, diagnosed with JIA between 2000 and 2015 were analyzed. Proportions, means, and SDs were used to describe the population. Incidence rates and 95% CIs were calculated to assess adverse events. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the drug survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 469 patients (46.1% women) were included. Their mean age at diagnosis was 9.4 ± 5.3 years. Their mean age at biologic treatment initiation was 23.9 ± 13.9 years. The pattern of use of biologics during their pediatric years showed a linear increase from 24% in 2000 to 65% in 2014. Biologic withdrawal for disease remission was higher in patients who initiated use biologics prior to 16 years of age than in those who were older (25.7% vs 7.9%, p < 0.0001). Serious adverse events had a total incidence rate of 41.4 (35.2-48.7) of 1000 patient-years. Patients younger than 16 years old showed significantly increased infections (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Survival and suspension by remission of biologics were higher when these compounds were initiated in patients with JIA who had not yet reached 16 years of age. The incidence rate of serious adverse events in pediatric vs adult patients with JIA treated with biologics was similar; however, a significant increase of infection was observed in patients under 16 years old.

Disseminated Tuberculosis Resulting From Reinfection in a Pediatric Patient Sequentially Treated With Etanercept and Adalimumab.

Treatment with tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors is a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). Despite previous treatment with isoniazid for latent TB, a 9-year-old girl with juvenile idiopathic arthritis developed disseminated TB after changing therapy with etanercept to adalimumab and after new contact with a smear-positive relative. Genotyping strain matches and susceptibility to isoniazid make reinfection more likely than reactivation in our patient.