Association of Dickkopf-1 Polymorphisms With Radiological Damage and Periodontal Disease in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that increased bone resorption. Periodontal disease (PD) is an associated risk factor of RA. Studies suggest an association between bone markers such as the dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) and progression of radiological damage. We aimed to evaluate the marker DKK-1, its polymorphisms in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA), and its association with rheumatic, radiological, and periodontal variables. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Samples were obtained from 63 patients with eRA. Radiographs of hands and feet were evaluated by Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS) and Simple Erosion Narrowing Score (SENS). Serum DKK-1 levels and high-resolution fusion analysis was used for polymorphisms (rs1896368, rs1896367, rs1528873). Bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Individuals heterozygous for rs1896367 had more frequent erosions (p = 0.026) and joint space narrowing (p = 0.005) in the feet, higher SHS (p = 0.016), and higher SENS (p ≤ 0.001). Patients homozygous for rs1896368 had less frequent joint space narrowing in hands and feet as assessed by SHS and less presence of erosions by SENS (odds ratio, 0.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.93; p < 0.05). The presence of PD was associated with the homozygous of rs1896367 (p = 0.009) and the heterozygous of rs1896368 (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphism rs1896367 seems to be associated with greater radiological compromise; rs1896368 confers protection against bone damage in Colombian eRA patients.

Lower Levels of Vitamin D Associated with Disease Activity in Colombian Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) involves genetic, environmental, and hormonal alterations, including Vitamin D deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between vitamin D levels with anti-dsDNA, complement proteins, immunoglobulins levels and disease activity scores. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. The levels of 25-OH vitamin D were measured in patients older than 18 years with SLE according to ACR/97 [American College of Rheumatology 1997] from 2013 to 2015. The association was assessed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests for continuous variables, and by the Chi or Fisher exact test for the nominal variables. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included; 82% were women; the mean age was 38.5 years; 36.2% had low levels of vitamin D with higher consumption [p=0.006] of C4 and C3 complement proteins, plus higher levels of anti-dsDNA. Lower values of vitamin D were observed in patients with moderate to severe activity [p=0.0001] by SLEDAI [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index] and general domain [p=0.039] and renal domain [p=0.009] by BILAG [British Isles Lupus Assessment Group] 2004. The mean vitamin D levels were higher in the group not receiving steroids when compared to those groups with dosages of 0.5-1mg/kg/d [p=0.048]. CONCLUSION: Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with greater complement protein consumption and higher disease activity rates. Therefore, it is important to evaluate vitamin D supplementation in patients with SLE as part of the treatment, especially when it includes the use of steroids.

Dickkopf 1 protein and its association with joint deterioration in rheumatoid arthritis: Systematic review / Dickkopf 1 protein and its association with joint deterioration in rheumatoid arthritis. Systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is mainly characterized by joint deterioration and decreased bone mineral density. The Dickkopf 1 protein (DKK1) exerts a negative regulatory function of the Wnt pathway involved in the differentiation of osteoblasts, and has been observed to be overexpressed in patients with RA. Objective: To provide updated information on current knowledge about the relationship between DKK1 serum levels and the presence of bone and joint damage in RA patients. Method: A qualitative systematic review was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Scielo databases using the terms Dickkopf 1, DKK1, Dickkopf related protein 1, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Bone biomarker. Results: A total of 12 studies were chosen that met the requirements of the search. These included 7 prospective cohorts, 4 cross-sectional studies, and 1 clinical trial. Of the 12 studies reviewed, 10 analyzed the relationship between serum DKK1 levels and the presence of bone damage as the primary outcome. One of them analyzed this relationship as a secondary outcome and another one the RSP01/DKK1 ratio. The results to date seem to indicate that DKK1 could have an active role in advanced stages of RA, but not in the initial phase. Conclusions: The DKK1 protein plays an essential pathophysiological role in the decrease of bone mass and joint remodelling, depending on the stage of the disease in patients with RA. Its role as a biomarker or therapeutic strategy would be an interesting alternative still under study.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad autoinmune caracterizada prin cipalmente por deterioro articular y disminución de la densidad mineral ósea. La proteína Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) ejerce una función reguladora negativa de la vía Wnt comprometida con la diferenciación de osteoblastos y se ha observado que puede estar sobreexpresada en pacientes con AR. Objetivo: Proveer información actualizada sobre el conocimiento de la asociación entre los niveles séricos de DKK1 y la presencia de dafño óseo y articular en pacientes con AR. Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática cualitativa en las bases de datos Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane y Scielo utilizando los términos Dickkopf 1, DKK1, Dickkopf related pro tein 1, rheumatoid artrhitis, biomarcador, resorción ósea. Resultados: Se escogieron 12 estudios que llenaban los requisitos de la búsqueda; 7 fueron cohortes prospectivas, 4 estudios de corte transversal y uno ensayo clínico. De los 12 estudios revisados, 10 analizaron la asociación entre niveles séricos de DKK1 y presencia de dann o óseo como desenlace primario. Uno de ellos analizó esta asociación como desenlace secundario y otro la relación RSP01/DKK1. Los resultados hasta la fecha parecen indicar que la DKK1 tendría un papel activo en estadios avanzados de AR y no en la fase inicial. Conclusiones: La proteína DKK1 desempeña un papel fisiopatológico esencial en la disminu ción de la masa ósea y la remodelación articular, dependiendo de la fase de la enfermedad, en pacientes con AR. Su papel como biomarcador o estrategia terapéutica sería una interesante alternativa aún en estudio.

Vasculitis primaria del sistema nervioso central en población pediátrica: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Childhood primary vasculitis of the central nervous system: Case report and literature review

RESUMEN La vasculitis primaria del sistema nervioso central es una enfermedad infrecuente que puede afectar a adultos y población pediátrica. Puede comprometer los vasos sanguíneos cerebrales tanto de mediano o gran calibre como los de pequeño calibre y estar asociada a procesos inflamatorios, infecciosos, tumorales o ser de origen idiopático. Describimos el caso de un adolescente con deterioro neurológico focal dado por hemiplejía derecha en quien se descartaron otras causas más frecuentes de isquemia cerebral, con diagnóstico final de vasculitis primaria del sistema nervioso central asociada a infección por virus de Epstein Barr.

ABSTRACT Primary angiitis of the central nervous system is an uncommon disease that may affect adults and the paediatric population. It can involve both the medium-large and small sized cerebral blood vessels, and can be associated with inflammatory, infectious, tumour processes, or of idiopathic origin. The case is presented of an adolescent with focal neurological impairment due to right hemiplegia, in whom other more frequent causes of cerebral ischaemia were ruled out. The final diagnosis was Epstein Barr virus associated with primary angiitis of the central nervous system.