Multicenter study to assess presenteeism in systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship with clinical and sociodemographic features.

Objective The aim of this study was to measure presenteeism (productivity impairment while the patient is at work) and the related risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from Argentina. Methods A total of 130 consecutive (1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria) working patients with SLE were assessed using a standardized data collection form. Sociodemographic, disease and work-related variables were collected. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire was performed. Results Overall, 130 patients were included in the analysis; 91% were women, and the mean age was 39 years (range 19-77). A total of 43% were White, 43% Mestizo and 13% Amerindian. Overall, 38% were single and 38% were married. A total of 75% had more than 12 years of formal education. The median disease duration was 7 years (interquartile range 25-75 (IQR) 4-13). Median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was 0 (IQR 0-2), and median Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SLICC-SDI) score was 0 (IQR 0-1). Lupus quality of life (LupusQoL) domains scores were: physical health 87 (IQR 70-96), emotional health 78 (IQR 54-91), burden to others 75 (IQR 50-92), intimate relationships 87 (IQR 50-100), and body image 85 (IQR 70-100). Absenteeism was 8%, presenteeism was 19%, and overall work impairment (absenteeism + presenteeism) was 26%. In the multiple regression analysis, considering presenteeism as dependent variable, (adjusting by age, disease duration, >12 years of education, Non-white race, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, VAS fatigue, SLICC-SDI, LupusQoL, physical and emotional domains), we found that SLICC-SDI (odds ratio (OR) 1.68, confidence interval (CI) 1-2.7) and Non-white race (OR 3.27, CI 1.04-10) were related to presenteeism and >12 years of education (OR 0.30, CI 0.09-0.98) and higher scores of LupusQoL emotional health domain (OR 0.95, CI 0.92-0.98) were protective. Conclusions organ damage and Non-white race were significantly associated with presenteeism while >12 years of education and higher scores of LupusQoL emotional health domain were protective.

Unusual manifestation of histoplasmosis in connective tissue diseases.

This report describes the coexistence of three patients with rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatomyositis) and infections because of Histoplasma capsulatum. Connective tissue diseases and histoplasmosis share several clinical findings. Therefore, histoplasmosis could be misdiagnosed as connective tissue disease or a flare of these diseases. Such cases highlight the importance of awareness of histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those originating from endemic areas.

Different end-points to assess effects in systemic lupus erythematosus patients exposed to pesticide mixtures.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with high female predominance in reproductive years. It is characterized by a pronounced inflammation and production of a variety of autoantibodies. SLE pathogenesis is influenced by genes, hormones and environmental agents. The aim of this study was assess the possible effect of environmental pesticide mixtures in SLE patients. Oxidative DNA damage was measured using the comet assay modified by enzyme Endo III for detection of oxidized bases (Endo Sites), and oxidative stress by the measurement of the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Eighty-nine patients with diagnosis of SLE were included, 46% of them came from areas highly sprayed with pesticides and were compared with patients from urban areas with the same clinical and socio-demographic characteristics (p≥0.155). In order to identify factors that could predict DNA damage and oxidative stress, a binary logistic regression model with independent variables was developed: place of residence (p=0.007) have 75% of positive predictive value while smoking habit (p=0.186) have a 56% negative predictive value. The Odd Ratio (OR) obtained indicate that lupus patients living in rural areas presented 3.52 times more oxidative DNA damage compared to those living in the city. The prospects of applying biomarkers to assess exposure and biological effects, such as DNA damage and oxidative stress in autoimmune diseases, allow improving the characterization of individual risk.

The role of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in the differential diagnosis of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.

There are clinical difficulties to differentiate elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) patients from those with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), especially when dealing with EORA-like PMR-onset, seronegative EORA, and PMR with peripheral synovitis, which constitute the subgroups presenting the greatest difficulties. Serum samples were obtained from two groups of patients, one with EORA diagnosis and another with a PMR diagnosis. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method) and rheumatoid factor (RF; latex technique) were determined. Of the 16 EORA patients, 9 presented anti-CCP antibodies, 4 of whom tested positive for RF. Of the 12 EORA patients who remained negative to RF, 5 were positive for anti-CCP antibodies. Eight of the EORA patients started with polymyalgic symptoms. Three of these patients showed positive titles of anti-CCP antibodies with negative RF. All PMR patients presented negative anti-CCP antibodies, except one with weak positive titles, and all were negative for RF. Of 15 patients with PMR, 7 presented oligoarticular synovitis at the onset. After a mean follow-up of 3 months, two patients developed RA. When evaluating them for RF and anti-CCP antibodies, one tested negative, while the other was positive for both antibodies. We observed a tendency to higher values of anti-CCP antibodies in patients with extraarticular manifestations, radiological damage, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. When compared to the PMR group, EORA patients presented positive anticitrulline antibodies at the beginning of the disease in a statistically significant amount. One third of the seronegative EORA patients presented positive anti-CCP antibodies at the onset.

Erdheim-Chester disease: description of eight cases.

Erdheim-Chester disease, although rare, has a wide range of manifestations. It is characterized by the xanthomatous infiltration of tissues by spumous histiocytes, surrounded by fibrosis. The symptoms can vary from bone pain, diabetes insipidus, exophthalmos, xanthelasmas, cardiovascular involvement, bilateral adrenal enlargement, renal impairment, testis infiltration, interstitial lung disease to retroperitoneal fibrosis with perirenal and/or ureteral obstruction. We present eight cases, four of them with only breast involvement and the others with bone, cardiovascular, central nervous system, and renal involvement. All showed infiltrates of histiocytes and fibrosis on microscopic evaluation and positive CD68 and negative CD1a on immunohistochemical stains.

Viejas enfermedades conocidas que afectan la órbita: Presentación de un caso clínico y revisión / Old known diseases affecting the orbit: Presentation of a clinical case and review

Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 56 años con antecedente de Mieloma Múltiple, que evoluciona con inflamación periorbitaria de ambos parpados, bilateral, de coloración amarillenta-violácea, ulcerada e indolora. Se planteó el diagnóstico diferencial con las enfermedades xantogranulomatosas orbitarias del adulto, en especial con su asociación con Mieloma Múltiple (MM). Al realizar biopsia de la lesión, se observan en la histología fragmentación de haces de colágeno dérmico y alrededor de vasos un material amorfo acelular eosinófilo pálido, rojo congo positivo y coloración verde manzana con luz polarizada, llegando al diagnóstico de Amiloidosis y Xantogranuloma Orbitario del Adulto.

We present the case of a 56-year-old patient with a history of Multiple Myeloma, who evolves with periorbital inflammation of both eyelids, bilateral, yellowish-violet, ulcerated and painless. The differential diagnosis with the adult orbital xanthogranulomatous diseases was raised, especially XN due to its association with MM. When performing a biopsy of the lesion, fragmentation of dermal collagen bundles and around vessels a pale eosinophilic acellular material, positive congo red and apple-green color with polarized light are observed in the histology, reaching the diagnosis of Amyloidosis and Orbital Xantogranuloma of the Adult.

El ojo: Un rompecabezas diagnóstico: Estudio observacional descriptivo y revisión / The Eye: A Diagnostic Puzzle: Descriptive observational study and review

Se comunica una serie de casos, multicéntricos de la cual participaron cinco instituciones. La muestra fue de 17 pacientes, de los cuales 11 pertenecían al Hospital Dr. J.M. Cullen. Todos consultaron por compromiso orbitario y/o periorbitario. El compromiso en hombres fue de 23.4% y un 76.6% en mujeres. La edad media en años fue de 45.4 (17-69 años). Dentro de los diagnósticos encontrados, cinco casos fueron Enfermedad Relacionada con IgG4 (ER-IgG4), dos casos de Enfermedad de Erdheim Chester (EEC), dos Xantogranuloma, dos xantelasmas, un caso de metástasis de cáncer de mama, un caso de orbitopatía tiroidea, un caso de Amiloidosis con mieloma múltiple, y tres sin diagnóstico. Se revisan los diagnósticos diferenciales encontrados.

A series of multicentric cases is reported, of which five institutions participated. The sample was of 17 patients, of which 11 belonged to our Hospital, the Dr. J.M. Cullen Hospital. All consulted for orbital and/or periorbital commitment. The commitment in men was 23.4% and 76.6% in women. The average age in years was 45.4 (17-69 years). Among the diagnoses found, five cases were IgG4-Related Disease, two cases of Erdheim Chester Disease, two Xantogranuloma, two xanthelasmas, a case of breast cancer metastases, a case of thyroid orbitopathy, a case of Amyloidosis with multiple myeloma, and three without diagnosis. Differential diagnoses found are reviewed.

Bilateral pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The association of pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been described extensively in the literature. We describe a 36 year-old man with SLE, complicated by bilateral pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema and pneumoperitoneum. Despite the treatment received, he died of respiratory failure.

The rheumatic manifestations of leprosy.

We investigated the rheumatic and laboratory features in 25 patients with Hansen's disease. Sixteen (64%) developed a broad range of rheumatic manifestations, the most common being a distinctive syndrome of swollen hands observed in 10 patients (66.5%). These manifestations were more frequent in patients with lepromatous leprosy. There was no correlation between articular clinical findings and X-ray or laboratory abnormalities. A careful clinical history and the recognition of rheumatic features will help to differentiate patients with leprosy and rheumatic manifestations from those with a primary rheumatic disease.

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema: a study of 12 cases.

Twelve patients with remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) were analysed. Eight of them had typical RS3PE without underlying disease, and four presented associated neoplasia. The first patients experienced an excellent response to low doses of prednisone, and they all achieved complete and permanent remission. The mean treatment duration was 18 months and the mean follow-up was 4.4 years. During the follow-up, none of these patients relapsed, had fever or general health deterioration, and hand and foot radiographs did not show erosion. One of them developed a panarteritis nodosa 6 years later. Four RS3PE patients had associated neoplasia. Two were with solid malignancies, and the other two presented haematological malignancies. In one of them RS3PE preceded the diagnosis of malignancy. The diagnosis of RS3PE in the other patients was subsequent to cancer. The first patients presented clinical characteristics suggestive of paraneoplastic RS3PE, and they had a poor response to corticosteroid therapy. Two patients died, and the rest of them had a complete response to surgical resection of the tumour or to chemotherapy. In general, idiopathic RS3PE patients do not show either general health deterioration or fever and they do respond to low doses of steroids (10 mg/day). We observed strong contrasts with the results obtained when treating RS3PE patients with associated neoplasia. In patients with RS3PE the presence of systemic symptoms along with resistance to low doses of corticosteroid therapy should alert the physician to the possible presence of malignancy.

Joint manifestations of Fabry's disease.

We describe 2 patients with Fabry's disease with disabling crises of burning pain in hands and feet. These crises were accompanied by fever and an elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation which often led to erroneous diagnosis of other rheumatic conditions. Fabry's disease should be considered on the different diagnoses of intermittent rheumatic syndromes.

Lucio's Phenomenon: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature.

Hansen's disease is a chronic granulomatous disease of infectious origin. It has a worldwide distribution and a variety of clinical manifestations often involving the skin, nasal mucosa, and peripheral nerves. Lepromatous leprosy characterizes the condition of a large group of patients with little or no resistence to the infection. Several forms of lepromatous leprosy are recognized, including macular, nodular, and diffuse. Lucio's phenomenon is a rare but distinctive skin eruption seen in patients with diffuse lepromatous leprosy. The diffuse lesions of Lucio's phenomenon have a predilection for the extremities, can include nodules, and heal with atrophic stellate scars; histologically, a necrotizing vasculitis accompanied by a nonspecific inflammatory reaction may be seen. We describe two patients with Lucio's phenomenon who presented with nontender, painless, skin lesions with nodules in part perceptible only by palpation. Both patients were treated with multidrug therapy, and immunosuppressive doses of steroids as the suggested optimal treatment for this reactional state. However, Lucio's phenomenon is frequently fatal as a result of bacterial infection or sepsis, and both patients reported here died. We call attention to this particular and unusual skin manifestation of lepromatous leprosy, which can mimic rheumatic disease and other causes of vasculitis. This is especially likely to be unrecognized in nonendemic countries but cases will occasionally be seen in this age of extensive international travel.

Manifestaciones sistémicas asociadas al consumo de cocaína: comunicación de un caso / Systemic manifestations associated with cocaine use: report of a case

Mujer de 38 años que ingresa a la emergencia por disnea, hemoptisis y pérdida hemática vaginal. Antecedente de hipertiroidismo, tabaquismo, etilismo y consumo de cocaína de 20 años de evolución. Se constató fiebre, petequias en paladar duro y miembros inferiores, úlcera en fosas nasales, equimosis y hepatoesplenomegalia. El laboratorio mostró anemia, plaquetopenia (5.0 K/uL), elevación de enzimas hepáticas, FAN (HeP-2), ANCA C y anticuerpo anti-Ro positivos. El lavado broncoalveolar confirmó la presencia de hemorragia alveolar. Se trató con gammaglobulina, tres pulsos de 1 g de metilprednisona y ciclofosfamida, con respuesta parcial. Desarrolla un accidente cerebrovascular hemorrágico en lóbulo temporal izquierdo, con hematoma subdural. Se agrega rituximab 375 mg/m² semanal durante 4 semanas, mejorando la hemorragia pulmonar, el recuento plaquetario y el cuadro neurológico.

A 38 year old woman came to the emergency room due to shortness of breath, hemoptysis and genital bleeding. Personal history: hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, tobacco and cocain use during the last 20 years. She presented with fever, petechiae on hard palate and legs, ulcers on nasal septum, liver and spleen enlargement, and ecchymosis. Lab exams showed anemia, thrombocytopenia (5.0 K/uL), elevated liver enzymes and positive AAN (HeP-2), C-ANCA and Ro antibodies. Bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the presence of alveolar hemorrhage, so she was treated with intravenous gammaglobulin, methylprednisone and cyclophosphamide with partial response. The patient developed a cerebrovascular accident in left temporal lobe, with intracranial bleeding. Rituximab 375 mg/m² / week for four weeks was added, improving the alveolar hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia and neurological event.

Gota y tofos en pulpejos / Gout and finger pads tophi

No existen datos exactos relativos a la prevalencia de tofos en pulpejos como manifestación inicial de la gota. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la población de pacientes con gota y evaluar la presencia de tofos en pulpejos de dedos de manos, pies y articulaciones interfalángicas distales, comparando los datos clínicos entre los pacientes con y sin tofos. Se reclutaron 161 pacientes con gota. Si bien los pacientes con tofos en pulpejos (12 pacientes) tenían mayor edad que aquellos sin tofos en esta localización, tenían mayor tiempo de evolución de la gota, mayor número de ellos tenían compromiso renal y menor porcentaje de enfermedades asociadas, ninguno de estos datos alcanzó significancia estadística.

There are no accurate data on the prevalence of tophi in finger padsas the initial manifestation of gout. The aim of this study is to describethe patients population with gout and evaluate the presence of tophiin pads of fingers, feet and distal interphalangeal joints comparingthe clinical data between patients with and without tophi.161 gout patients were recruited. While patients with tophi in pads(12 patients) were older than those without tophi at this location,had a longer history of gout, as many of them had renal involvementand lower percentage of associated diseases, none of these datareached statistical significance.

Desenlace de pacientes con nefropatía lúpica demostrada por biopsia / Outcome of SLE patients with biopsy proven renal involvement

Se evaluaron 159 pacientes de un único centro con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) que cumplían con los criterios del Colegio Americano de Reumatología (ACR) 1982. El 79% eran de sexo femenino y su edad media al diagnóstico fue 27 años. Ochenta de ellos tuvieron compromiso renal (65/80 tuvieron proteinuria >0,5 g/24 hs; 23 mostraron edema periférico y 22 tenían cilindros en el examen de orina). En 62 pacientes hubo suficiente material en la biopsia renal para ser analizado: 26 pacientes tuvieron una glomerulonefritis (GN) tipo IV; 12 tipo V y 10 pacientes tipo III. Los pacientes fueron tratados con esteroides orales, antimaláricos, azatioprina y micofenolato mofetil. La presencia de DNAn en la primera visita fue predictor de compromiso renal cuando fueron comparados los pacientes con LES con vs. sin compromiso renal. La presencia de edema periférico y de hipertensión arterial (evaluados al momento del compromiso renal) fueron predictores de daño renal persistente. En la última visita, treinta pacientes mostraron función renal normal, sólo 3 necesitaron de diálisis y 3 trasplante renal. No se encontró asociación entre el tipo histológico (GN III-IV) y la mortalidad o la presencia de daño renal persistente.

One hundred and fifty-nine SLE patients (ACR criteria 1982) wereevaluated and followed up in a single center (75% female, with amean age at diagnosis: 27 years). Eighty of them had renal involvement(65/80 had proteinuria >0.5 gr/24 hr; 23 showed peripheraledema and 22 casts in urinalysis). Sixty-two patients had availableglomeruli in the renal biopsy, showing glomerulonephritis type IV in26 patients, type V in 12 and type III in 10 patients. Patients weretreated with antimalarials, oral steroids, cyclophosphamide, andazathioprine and micophenolato mofetil. The presence of ds-DNA inthe first visit was a predictor of renal involvement when SLE patientswith and without renal disease were compared. Peripheral edemaand arterial hypertension (evaluated at the time of renal involvement)were predictors of persistent renal damage. Thirty patientsshowed normal renal function, only 3 became dialysis-dependentand 3 went on to renal transplantation. In this group of patients,there was no association between histological type (GN III-IV) andmortality or persistent renal damage.

Hemorragia pulmonar en enfermedades del tejido conectivo y comparación con lo descripto en la literatura / Pulmonary hemorrhage in connective tissue diseases and comparison with previous literature reports

Introducción: La hemorragia pulmonar difusa se caracteriza clínicamente por la presencia de disnea y hemoptisis, infiltrados alveolares bilaterales y difusos en la Rx de tórax y caída brusca de los valores de hemoglobina. Esta hemorragia puede ocurrir en el contexto de una enfermedad autoinmune (poliangeítis microscópica, enfermedad de Wegener, LES, síndrome de Goodpasture), síndrome antifosfolípidos, enfermedades infecciosas (leptospirosis y neumonía necrotizante), uremia, insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva, infarto pulmonar, desórdenes de la coagulación y secundaria a drogas (penicilamina). Dada su alta mortalidad y la escasez de síntomas (mucho mayor en pacientes inmunocomprometidos) es necesario un alto índice de sospecha y un rápido tratamiento. Objetivo: Comparar las manifestaciones clínicas, radiológicas y de laboratorio de los pacientes con hemorragia de pulmón con otras series publicadas. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo, realizado revisando las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de hemorragia de pulmón secundaria a enfermedades autoinmunes. Criterios de inclusión (adaptados de Barile y cols.): caída en la hemoglobina de por lo menos 1,5 g/dl o anemia (Hb menor o igual a 11 g/dl), ambas relacionadas al evento; insuficiencia respiratoria de comienzo agudo; hemoptisis; infiltrados en ¾ de los campos pulmonares; hipoxemia y lavado bronquioloalveolar con al menos 20% de macrófagos con hemosiderina o sangre por tubo endotraqueal. Criterios de exclusión: infecciones, tromboembolismo de pulmón, falta de confirmación por lavado bronquioloalveolar o tubo endotraqueal. Resultados: 19 pacientes con hemorragia de pulmón. 5 de ellos excluidos por la presencia de tromboembolismo de pulmón en uno y ausencia de método confirmatorio de hemorragia de pulmón en 4...

Introduction: Pulmonary or diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is clinicallycharacterized by the presence of dypsnea and hemoptysis, bilateraland diffuse alveolar infiltrates on chest X-ray and sudden drop in bloodhemoglobin. This hemorrhage may occur in the setting of autoimmunediseases (microscopic polyarteritis, Wegener’s disease, systemic lupuserythematosus, Goodpasture syndrome), antiphospholipid syndrome,infectious diseases (such as leptospirosis and necrotizing pneumonia),uremia, congestive heart failure, pulmonary infarction, coagulation disordersand hemorrhages secondary to drugs (such as penicilamina).Due to its high mortality and the paucity of symptoms (mostly in theinmunocompromise patients), it is necessary a high index of suspiciousto promptly treat...(AU)Objective: To compare the clinical, radiological and lab tests findings ofthe patients selected with the published series.Material and Method: A retrospective and descriptive analysis wasperformed on the records of all patients with a diagnosis of pulmonaryhemorrhage secondary to autoimmune diseases. Inclusion criteria(adapted of Barile et al): Fall in hemoglobin of at least 1.5 g/dl or anemia(hemoglobin 11 g/dl or less), both related to the event, respiratoryfailure of rapid onset, hemoptysis, dense infiltrates in ¾ or more of thelung fields, hypoxemia and bronchoalveolar lavage, with at least 20% ofmacrophages with hemosiderin inside or the presence of blood in endotrachealtube. Exclusion criteria: Pulmonary infections, tromboembolismdisease, lack of confirmation by method of pulmonary haemorrhage...

Rugger-jersey vertebrae.

We present the case of a 71-year-old patient with rugger-jersey vertebrae who was referred to us with a tentative diagnosis of Paget's disease. After considering other conditions causing similar bone sclerosis, such as metastases, lymphoma, renal osteodystrophy, myelofibrosis, thalassemia, and Gaucher's disease, we agreed on a diagnosis of osteopetrosis. This is a rare entity of genetic origin, manifest by variable generalized symmetric skeletal sclerosis caused by defective bone resorption.

Kawasaki syndrome in a young adult.

Kawasaki syndrome is an idiopathic, febrile, exanthematous illness that primarily affects infants and children. We describe a 22-year-old white woman who fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome.

Extensive cutaneous necrosis associated with anticardiolipin antibodies.

Extensive cutaneous necrosis (ECN) associated with antiphospholipid antibodies is a rare presentation. We describe 2 patients with ECN and high titers of anticardiolipin antibodies. The mechanism by which these antibodies act has not been established and there is still controversy regarding treatment of these patients without established guidelines. In the few documented cases the use of pulse steroid therapy, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic agents, plasmapheresis, or a combination of them has shown some benefit. Early recognition and treatment of the antiphospholipid syndrome may limit the extent of thrombotic complications that can result in tissue necrosis.