Relação entre o nível de hemoglobina e a atividade da doença em pacientes com artrite reumatoide

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the relationship of hemoglobin level with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients and methodsThe hemoglobin level, the 66/68 joint count, the Disease Activity Score 28 joints (DAS28), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the Visual Analog Scales (VAS), the Modified Sharp Score (MSS), and the disease duration in 89 patients with RA were used to analyze the possible relationship. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for anemia uses a hemoglobin threshold of < 120 g/L for women and < 130 g/L for men. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients, patients with a history of other inflammatory or no inflammatory arthritis, malignancies, chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases and other diseases in the stage of decompensation were excluded from the study.ResultsAnemia was observed in 64% of the patients (1^st group); the other group (2^nd group) had normal levels of hemoglobin. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between hemoglobin level and swollen and tender joints’ count, DAS28, HAQ score, VAS, MSS, and disease duration (p < 0.001). DAS28, HAQ score, VAS, MSS, swollen and tender joints’ count and disease duration were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in 1^st versus 2^nd group.ConclusionIn conclusion, we determined that low hemoglobin level was significantly related to disability and impairment, disease activity, articular damage, pain and disease duration in RA patients in our study. We believe that by keeping disease activity under control, therefore preventing articular damage, the disability in RA patients can be lessened or possibly even eliminated.     

Ultrasound evaluation of synovitis in RA: Correlation with clinical disease activity and sensitivity to change in an observational cohort study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between clinical measures of disease activity and a ultrasound (US) scoring system for synovitis applied by many different ultrasonographers in a daily routine care setting within the Swiss registry for RA (SCQM) and further to determine the sensitivity to change of this US Score.MethodsOne hundred and eight Swiss rheumatologists were trained in performing the Swiss Sonography in Arthritis and Rheumatism (SONAR) score. US B-mode and Power Doppler (PwD) scores were correlated with DAS28 and compared between the clinical categories in a cross-sectional cohort of patients. In patients with a second US (longitudinal cohort), we investigated if change in US score correlated with change in DAS and evaluated the responsiveness of both methods.ResultsIn the cross-sectional cohort with 536 patients, correlation between the B-mode score and DAS28 was significant but modest (Pearson coefficient r = 0.41, P < 0.0001). The same was true for the PwD score (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001). In the longitudinal cohort with 183 patients we also found a significant correlation between change in B-mode and in PwD score with change in DAS28 (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.46, P < 0.0001, respectively). Both methods of evaluation (DAS and US) showed similar responsiveness according to standardized response mean (SRM).ConclusionsThe SONAR Score is practicable and was applied by many rheumatologists in daily routine care after initial training. It demonstrates significant correlations with the degree of as well as change in disease activity as measured by DAS. On the level of the individual, the US score shows many discrepancies and overlapping results exist.     

Influência da capacidade funcional no risco de quedas em adultos com artrite reumatoide

ObjectivesIdentify fall prevalence in the last 12 months among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and verify the influence of disease activity and physical function in the risk of falls.Methods43 patients with RA participated in this study. The following parameters were evaluated: clinical aspects; fall occurrence in the last 12 months; ESR (mm/h); pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10 cm; disease activity, measured by the Disease Activity Score 28/ESR (DAS‐28/ESR); physical function, assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); and risk of falling, assessed by two tests, the 5‐time sit down‐to‐stand up test (SST5) and the timed get up and go test (TUG).ResultsThe fall prevalence in the last 12 months was 30.2% (13/43). The HAQ total score was the independent risk factor that had significant influence on SST5 performance, and the other variables did not succeeded to explain the SST5 variability. HAQ explained 42.9% of SST5 variability (P < 0.001, adjusted R² = 0.429). HAQ total score and ESR had a significant influence on TUG score performance. Together, these two variables explained 68.8% of the total variation in TUG score (adjusted R² = 0.688).ConclusionPatients with RA have high fall prevalence and the functional disability represents the main factor related to falls risk.     

Validity of the rheumatoid arthritis impact of disease (RAID) score and definition of cut-off points for disease activity states in a population-based European cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

To assess the validity of the rheumatoid arthritis impact of disease (RAID) for measuring disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine cut-off values for defining the disease activity states.

Early non-response to certolizumab pegol in rheumatoid arthritis predicts treatment failure at one year. Data from a randomised phase III clinical trial

Objectives

To compare different early clinical criteria of non-response determined at three months as predictors of clinical failure at one year in patients with rheumatoid arthritis starting therapy with certolizumab pegol.

Análise da associação da fadiga com variáveis clínicas e psicológicas em uma série de 371 pacientes brasileiros com artrite reumatoide

ObjectivesFatigue is a highly subjective and extremely common symptom in patients with rheumatoid arthritis although it is difficult to characterize and define. The aim of this study was to assess fatigue in a cohort of Brazilian patients, and to analyze the relationship between fatigue and disease‐specific variables.Methods371 Brazilian patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were prospectively investigated. Demographic, clinical and laboratorial data were obtained from hospitals records. The number of painful joints, bone mass index, disease duration, quality of life, functional capacity, anxiety and depression were recorded. Fatigue was evaluated using the subscale of Fatigue Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT‐FATIGUE scale).ResultsThe median fatigue score was 42.0 (10.0), negatively correlated with functional capacity (‐0.507; P < 0.001), anxiety and depression (‐0.542 and ‐0.545; P < 0.001 respectively), and predominantly with physical domain of Short Form 36‐item quality of life questionnaire (SF‐36P: 0.584; P < 0.001). The scores were not associated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (‐0.118; P < 0.05), C‐reactive protein (‐0.089; P < 0.05), disease activity (‐0.250; P < 0.001) or the number of painful joints (‐0.135; P < 0.01). Confidence interval of 95% was applied for all measures.ConclusionsIn this series of Brazilian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we suggest a new significance for fatigue complains as an independent parameter not related with number of painful joints, disease or inflammatory activity scores. Psychological and functional impairments appear to be more related to fatigue. Additional studies and inclusion of standard measures for monitoring fatigue complains are required.     

Ultrasonography of shoulders in spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: A case-control study

IntroductionShoulders are often involved in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The diagnosis of peripheral SpA and its differential diagnosis with RA could be challenging. A recent ultrasound study showed that ultrasonography (US) of the hands might differentiate psoriatic arthritis to RA. The aim of the study was to compare different US features in SpA, RA and healthy controls.MethodsA total of 38 SpA and 43 RA patients with clinical involvement of shoulders were included and compared to 33 controls. One blinded rheumatologist performed US examinations. The following items were assessed: gleno-humeral effusion, long-head biceps tendon tenosynovitis, subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis, acromio clavicular (AC) synovitis and humeral bone erosion.ResultsThirty-eight SpA (mean age: 49.9 ± 15.4 years, 58% of male), 43 RA patients (52.9 ± 16.6 years, 26% of male) and 33 controls (55.2 ± 16.9 years, 42% of male) were assessed. In comparison to RA, SpA patients had higher frequency of AC synovitis (66% vs 5%, P < 0.0001) but lower prevalence of subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis (39% vs 67%, P = 0.015), gleno-humeral effusion (5% vs 28%, P = 0.008) and humeral bone erosion (10% vs 56%, P < 0.0001). Unilateral abnormalities were found more frequently in SpA patients than in RA (64% vs 26%, P < 0.0001).ConclusionOur results suggest that AC synovitis is highly evocative of SpA in patients with inflammatory painful shoulders. Thus, US might help to diagnose SpA and to differentiate with RA.     

Enthesopathy in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis: An ultrasound study

Objective

We aimed to compare the prevalence of enthesopathy seen on ultrasonography (US) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared it to healthy controls.

Avaliação anestésica pré‐operatória de pacientes com artrite reumatoide

The management and surgical interventions of problems directly or indirectly arising from rheumatoid arthritis vary drastically. Anesthesiologists and rheumatologists should be aware of the peculiarities of the anesthetic preoperative assessment of these patients, including the assessment of possible disorders of the airways, in addition to the intra‐operative management and analysis of relevant pharmacological parameters. It is critical that the anesthetist is familiar with the peculiarities of the disease and the specifi characteristics of drugs used in its treatment: thus, he/she will be able to plan the best possible anesthetic technique for the surgery in question, offering safety and comfort to his/her patient. It is up to the rheumatologist to know the procedure to which the patient will be submitted to and be aware of the most appropriate anesthetic technique in each case. This will allow a better interaction between the rheumatologist and the anesthesiologist in the pre‐anesthetic evaluation, through the sharing of relevant information on the articular and systemic involvement by the disease that might interfere with preoperative and intraoperative management. Furthermore, the information on the pre‐anesthetic assessment and the choice of anesthetic technique will enable the rheumatologist to clarify any doubts that his/her patient and family may have, as well as to guide them as to whether or not the medications in use should be maintained, and eventually about the need for a supplemental dose of corticosteroid. The objective of this review is to acquaint the rheumatologist with key concepts related to the anesthetic preoperative assessment of patients diagnosed with RA, mainly including general notions that dictate the choice of the anesthetic technique.     

Lumbar fusion outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Although outcomes after cervical fusion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are widely published, outcomes of lumbar fusion in RA patients has not been reported. Ninteen patients with RA, identified using ICD-9 and CPT codes, who underwent instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion were matched for age, gender, smoking status, date, and level of surgery to a contemporaneous non-RA group. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed by the primary author who had no role in the treatment of these patients. The average age was 64 years in the RA group and 65 years in the non-RA group. The male to female ratio was 2:17 and 1:18, respectively. There were three smokers and two diabetics in each group. An average of 1.5 levels was fused in each group. Average follow-up was 24 and 27 months, respectively. In the RA group, 15 patients were taking DMARDs with 7 of those also taking oral steroids; 4 patients were taking NSAIDs only. There were seven complications (37%) in the RA group versus four (21%) in the non-RA group; wound infections in three patients (16%) in the RA group versus one (5%) in the non-RA group; and non-union in two patients (11%) in the RA group versus three (16%) in the non-RA group. Clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups with 74% of patients achieving good to excellent results in the RA group compared to 63% in the non-RA group (p = 0.692). Surgeons and their RA patients who undergo an instrumented lumbar fusion can expect a slightly higher complication rate than patients without RA which may be related to osteopenia and immunosuppression.     

The learning curve of nurses for the assessment of swollen and tender joints in rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectivesIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), nurses are now increasingly involved in joint count assessment but training is not standardized. The aim was to evaluate and describe the learning curve of nurses for the assessment of swollen and tender joints in RA.MethodTwenty nurses from university rheumatology centres inexperienced with joint counts were allocated to a rheumatologist from their centre (teacher). Acquisition of skills consisted of Phase 1: (training), a centralized 4 hour training session, with (a) lecture and demonstration, and (b) practical sessions on patients with their teachers, followed by Phase 2: (practice) involving further practice on 20 patients in their own hospitals. Primary outcome was achievement of adequate swollen joint agreement between nurse and their teacher (“gold standard”) at the “joint” level defined by prevalence adjusted biased adjusted kappa (PABAK) > 0.60. Agreement at the “patient” level of swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC) as well as DAS28 between nurse and their teacher were assessed with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsDuring the training phase, 75% of nurses achieved a swollen joint PABAK > 0.60 when compared with their teachers, which further improved to 89% after the 20 practice patients (Phase 2). Median swollen joint PABAK improved from 0.64 (Q1:Q3 0.55,0.86) to 0.83 (Q1:Q3 0.77,1) by the end of Phase 2. At the “patient” level, SJC agreement remained globally stable (ICC, 0.52 to 0.66), while TJC and DAS28 agreement remained excellent throughout.ConclusionNurses inexperienced in joint counts were able to achieve excellent agreement with their teachers in assessment of tender and swollen joints through a short training session; practice further enhanced this agreement. Larger longitudinal studies are required to assess skills retention.     

抗CCP抗体在类风湿性关节炎诊断中的应用进展

目前类风湿关节炎的诊断检查有炎性标志物（包括血沉和C反应蛋白）检测,免疫复合物和补体检测,关节滑液检测以及自身抗体检测。这些指标经常伴随类风湿关节炎的活动而改变,早期诊断主要依靠的是自身抗体检测。抗环瓜氨酸肽（ cyclic citrullinated peptide,CCP）抗体是一种抗角蛋白抗体,在类风湿性关节炎的敏感度和特异度较类风湿因子高。发病一年内,类风湿性关节炎患者大部分血清中可检测到抗CCP抗体的存在,同时抗CCP抗体阳性也可以用来预测严重破坏的类风湿性关节炎。因此,抗CCP抗体对于类风湿性关节炎的早期诊断及预后评估是极有帮助的。本文综述了近年来抗CCP抗体对于诊断类风湿关节炎的应用进展。     

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with a medial stabilized prosthesis – A retrospective analysis

BackgroundTotal Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) has been described as an effective and successful mode of treatment in alleviation of pain and restoration of function in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The array of bone and soft tissue deformities in RA patients can impact initial success and long term durability of TKA. Medial Pivot (MP) prosthesis is fixed bearing asymmetric pivoting design that provides anterior-posterior stability without any post and conserves bone on the femoral side. There are few reports of suitability of experience with MP in RA.MethodsTwenty six patients (average age 55 years) with end stage arthritis secondary to RA operated with MP prosthesis were retrospectively followed up. At a minimum follow up of three years, all patients were assessed using Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) and radiological outcomes.ResultsAt final follow-up, patients reported significant improvement in mean KSS-Objective and Functional scores, Oxford Knee Score and Pain Catastrophising Scale (p < 0.05). The mean range of motion achieved at the end of two years ranged from 0 ͦ (extension) to 109.4 ͦ (full flexion). There was no evidence of loosening or osteolysis at minimum follow up of three years.ConclusionThese results endorse satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes at minimum follow up of three years following Medial Pivot Prosthetic Knee design in RA patients. Further long term follow up is needed to determine the survival analysis of MP design in these patients.     

The relationship between an intramedullary high signal intensity and the clinical outcome in atlanto-axial subluxation owing to rheumatoid arthritis

Background contextIn patients affected by cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), numerous authors have reported the existence of a relationship among the intramedullary high signal intensity in T2-weighted MRIs, preoperative neurologic severity, and neurologic recovery after surgery; however, to our knowledge, there have been no previous reports that have described its relationship in patients with atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) owing to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).PurposeThe purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients with AAS owing to RA showing intramedullary high signal intensity in T2-weighted MRIs, and to assess the relationship with the neurologic severity and neurologic recovery after surgery.Study designThis was a retrospective cohort study.Patients sampleFifty consecutive patients (37 females and 13 males) with AAS treated by surgery were reviewed.Outcome measuresThe outcome was determined 1 year after surgery.MethodsAccording to preoperative T2-weighted MRIs, the patients were classified into two groups as follows: An NC group not showing any signal intensity change on sagittal images, and an SI group showing signal intensity changes with narrowing of the spinal cord. In all patients, we investigated the atlanto-dental distance (ADD) and the space available for the spinal cord (SAC) at the neutral position and the maximal flexion position in lateral cervical radiographs before surgery. We also observed MRIs 1 year after surgery in the SI group. We evaluated the severity of neurologic symptoms before and 1 year after surgery in all patients.ResultsPreoperative T2-weighted MRIs demonstrated NC in 38 cases and SI in 12 cases. The preoperative average ADD at the neutral position in the NC and SI groups was 6.4 and 10.2 mm, respectively (p<.01). The preoperative ADD at the maximal flexion position in the two groups were 10.8 and 13.8 mm, respectively (p<.01). The preoperative average SAC at the neutral position in the NC and SI groups were 17.6 and 13.8 mm, respectively (p<.01). The SAC at the maximal flexion position in the two groups were 14.3 and 10.8 mm, respectively (p<.01). The SI group included significantly more Ranawat grade III cases showing severe neurologic deficits compared to the NC group (p<.01). However, there were no differences between the two groups regarding the number of patients with Ranawat grade III status after surgery (p>.65). On MRIs 1 year after surgery, the regression or disappearance of the signal intensity change in T2-weighted images was demonstrated in four and seven cases, respectively.ConclusionsPreoperative ISHI in T2-weighted MRIs in RA-induced AAS patients was demonstrated in patients showing an enlargement of the ADD and a narrowing of the SAC. This affected the preoperative neurologic severity, but not the postoperative severity, which was in contrast to CSM patients. Furthermore, the regression or disappearance of ISHI was demonstrated in all of the cases after surgery. It is therefore speculated that RA AAS patients may have both dynamic instability and stenosis.     

The incidence of pain in the rheumatoid hindfoot and the significance of calcaneo-fibular impingement

Summary The incidence of hindfoot pain in rheumatoid arthritis is presented and the significance of valgus deformity is discussed. Attention is drawn to the importance of calcaneo-fibular impingement as a source of hindfoot pain on weight-bearing.

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Résumé Cet article comporte une évaluation de la fréquence des douleurs de l'arrière-pied au cours de l'arthrite rhumatoïde, ainsi que de l'importance de la déformation en valgus. Les auteurs insistent sur le rôle du contact péronéo-calcanéen dans le déterminisme des douleurs de l'arrière-pied lors de l'appui.

     

骨质疏松与类风湿关节炎

类风湿关节炎和骨质疏松在我国都属于常见病和多发病,而二者之间又有着非常重要的联系。但是目前临床上还没有一个广泛应用的药物可以同时对两者都产生很好的治疗效果。为了进一步了解骨质疏松和类风湿关节炎的关系,将来能够找到更好的治疗药物,笔者从流行病学、发病机制以及治疗方法等方面分别进行了论述。