Standardized incidence ratios and risk factors for cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis: Data from the Spanish Scleroderma Registry (RESCLE).

AIM: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at increased risk of cancer, a growing cause of non-SSc-related death among these patients. We analyzed the increased cancer risk among Spanish patients with SSc using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and identified independent cancer risk factors in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spanish Scleroderma Registry data were analyzed to determine the demographic characteristics of patients with SSc, and logistic regression was used to identify cancer risk factors. SIRs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relative to the general Spanish population were calculated. RESULTS: Of 1930 patients with SSc, 206 had cancer, most commonly breast, lung, hematological, and colorectal cancers. Patients with SSc had increased risks of overall cancer (SIR 1.48, 95% CI 1.36-1.60; P < 0.001), and of lung (SIR 2.22, 95% CI 1.77-2.73; P < 0.001), breast (SIR 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.54; P = 0.003), and hematological (SIR 2.03, 95% CI 1.52-2.62; P < 0.001) cancers. Cancer was associated with older age at SSc onset (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; P < 0.001), the presence of primary biliary cholangitis (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.18-4.68; P = 0.015) and forced vital capacity <70% (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.24-2.70; P = 0.002). The presence of anticentromere antibodies lowered the risk of cancer (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.97; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish patients with SSc had an increased cancer risk compared with the general population. Some characteristics, including specific autoantibodies, may be related to this increased risk.

Early- versus late-onset systemic sclerosis: differences in clinical presentation and outcome in 1037 patients.

Peak age at onset of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is between 20 and 50 years, although SSc is also described in both young and elderly patients. We conducted the present study to determine if age at disease onset modulates the clinical characteristics and outcome of SSc patients. The Spanish Scleroderma Study Group recruited 1037 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 6.8 years. Based on the mean ± 1 standard deviation (SD) of age at disease onset (45 ± 15 yr) of the whole series, patients were classified into 3 groups: age ≤ 30 years (early onset), age between 31 and 59 years (standard onset), and age ≥ 60 years (late onset). We compared initial and cumulative manifestations, immunologic features, and death rates. The early-onset group included 195 patients; standard-onset group, 651; and late-onset, 191 patients. The early-onset group had a higher prevalence of esophageal involvement (72% in early-onset compared with 67% in standard-onset and 56% in late-onset; p = 0.004), and myositis (11%, 7.2%, and 2.9%, respectively; p = 0.009), but a lower prevalence of centromere antibodies (33%, 46%, and 47%, respectively; p = 0.007). In contrast, late-onset SSc was characterized by a lower prevalence of digital ulcers (54%, 41%, and 34%, respectively; p < 0.001) but higher rates of heart conduction system abnormalities (9%, 13%, and 21%, respectively; p = 0.004). Pulmonary hypertension was found in 25% of elderly patients and in 12% of the youngest patients (p = 0.010). After correction for the population effects of age and sex, standardized mortality ratio was shown to be higher in younger patients. The results of the present study confirm that age at disease onset is associated with differences in clinical presentation and outcome in SSc patients.

Eligibility for and outcome of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of HIV-infected people in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (TLTBI) in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, but few studies have investigated the operational aspects of implementing TLTBI in the co-infected population.The study objectives were to describe eligibility for TLTBI as well as treatment prescription, initiation and completion in an HIV-infected Spanish cohort and to investigate factors associated with treatment completion. METHODS: Subjects were prospectively identified between 2000 and 2003 at ten HIV hospital-based clinics in Spain. Data were obtained from clinical records. Associations were measured using the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 1242 subjects were recruited and 846 (68.1%) were evaluated for TLTBI. Of these, 181 (21.4%) were eligible for TLTBI either because they were tuberculin skin test (TST) positive (121) or because their TST was negative/unknown but they were known contacts of a TB case or had impaired immunity (60). Of the patients eligible for TLTBI, 122 (67.4%) initiated TLTBI: 99 (81.1%) were treated with isoniazid for 6, 9 or 12 months; and 23 (18.9%) with short-course regimens including rifampin plus isoniazid and/or pyrazinamide. In total, 70 patients (57.4%) completed treatment, 39 (32.0%) defaulted, 7 (5.7%) interrupted treatment due to adverse effects, 2 developed TB, 2 died, and 2 moved away. Treatment completion was associated with having acquired HIV infection through heterosexual sex as compared to intravenous drug use (OR:4.6; 95% CI:1.4-14.7) and with having taken rifampin and pyrazinamide for 2 months as compared to isoniazid for 9 months (OR:8.3; 95% CI:2.7-24.9). CONCLUSIONS: A minority of HIV-infected patients eligible for TLTBI actually starts and completes a course of treatment. Obstacles to successful implementation of this intervention need to be addressed.

Factores asociados con la no realizacion de la prueba de la tuberculina en una cohorte de pacientes VIH positivos / Factors related to non-prescription of tuberculin skin testing in a cohort of HIV-infected people

Introduccion Dada la asociacion entre tuberculosis (TB) e infeccion por VIH, la realizacion del Mantoux esta indicada en todo paciente infectado con VIH. Este articulo analiza la frecuencia de no realizacion de la prueba de la tuberculina y sus factores asociados en una cohorte de infectados con VIH. Pacientes y metodos Entre 2000-C2002 se identifico en 10 hospitales a todos los pacientes infectados con VIH y no seguidos previamente, de forma regular, en consultas especificas. Se recogio informacion de la historia clinica sobre realizacion del Mantoux y otras variables. Se calculo el porcentaje de no realizacion del Mantoux y los factores asociados mediante la utilizacion como medida de asociacion de la odds ratio (OR) y su intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%. Para el analisis multivariante se ajusto un modelo de regresion logistica. Resultados Mil doscientos cuarenta y dos pacientes cumplieron criterios de inclusion y a 185 pacientes no se les realizo el Mantoux (el 17,6% de aquellos en los que estaba indicado). La probabilidad de no realizacion del Mantoux fue mayor en usuarios de drogas (OR: 2,6; IC del 95%: 1,1¨C6,5) y menor entre los desempleados (OR: 0,6; IC del 95%: 0,3¨C1,0), aquellos con mas de 200 CD4 (CD4 200¨C499: OR: 0,5; IC del 95%: 0,3¨C0,9; CD4 ¡Ý500: OR: 0,3; IC del 95%: 0,2¨C0,6) y los contactos con enfermos tuberculosos (OR: 0,2; IC del 95%: 0,1¨C0,5).ConclusionesEl porcentaje de no realizacion del Mantoux es bastante elevado. La no realizacion del Mantoux parece asociarse con las expectativas del medico, tanto sobre el resultado de la prueba como sobre la correcta cumplimentacion del tratamiento preventivo anti-TB por el paciente ( AU)

Introduction Tuberculin skin testing (TST) for tuberculosis (TB) is recommended for all patients with HIV infection because of the known relationship between these two conditions. In this report we analyze the incidence and variables associated with non-prescription of TST in a cohort of HIV-infected people. Patients and methods Longitudinal study conducted between 2000 and 2002 at 10 HIV hospital-based clinics. All HIV-infected patients who had not been regularly followed-up previously in dedicated clinics were identified. Data about TST and other variables related to TB were obtained from the clinical records. We calculated the percentage of patients who did not undergo TST and the associated factors, using odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% CI to investigate associations. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results A total of 1242 patients met the inclusion criteria. TST was not performed in 185 patients (17.6% of those eligible). The fact of being an intravenous drug abuser was associated with a higher probability of TST non-prescription (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.1¨C6.5), whereas being unemployed (OR: 0.6, 95% CI 0.3¨C1.0), having a CD4 cell count >200 (CD4 200¨C499: OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3¨C0.9. CD4¡Ý500: OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2¨C0.6), and contact with persons with TB (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1¨C0.5) were associated with a lower probability. ConclusionsIn this study, the percentage of TST non-prescription was quite high. The results suggest that TST non-prescription in this population is related to the clinicians¡¯ expectations regarding the results of the test and the patients¡¯ adherence to treatment for latent TB infection(AU)

[Factors related to non-prescription of tuberculin skin testing in a cohort of HIV-infected people]. / Factores asociados con la no realización de la prueba de la tuberculina en una cohorte de pacientes VIH positivos.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculin skin testing (TST) for tuberculosis (TB) is recommended for all patients with HIV infection because of the known relationship between these two conditions. In this report we analyze the incidence and variables associated with non-prescription of TST in a cohort of HIV-infected people. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Longitudinal study conducted between 2000 and 2002 at 10 HIV hospital-based clinics. All HIV-infected patients who had not been regularly followed-up previously in dedicated clinics were identified. Data about TST and other variables related to TB were obtained from the clinical records. We calculated the percentage of patients who did not undergo TST and the associated factors, using odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% CI to investigate associations. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1242 patients met the inclusion criteria. TST was not performed in 185 patients (17.6% of those eligible). The fact of being an intravenous drug abuser was associated with a higher probability of TST non-prescription (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.5), whereas being unemployed (OR: 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.0), having a CD4 cell count >200 (CD4 200-499: OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9. CD4> or =500: OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.6), and contact with persons with TB (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5) were associated with a lower probability. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the percentage of TST non-prescription was quite high. The results suggest that TST non-prescription in this population is related to the clinicians' expectations regarding the results of the test and the patients' adherence to treatment for latent TB infection.

Enfermedad de Poncet en pacientes con infección por el VIH / Poncet's disease in HIV infected patients

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