Miguel A. Saavedra

Still’s disease, lupus-like syndrome, and silicone breast implants. A case of ‘ASIA’ (Shoenfeld’s syndrome)

In recent years, four conditions, siliconosis, Gulf War syndrome (GWS), macrophagic myofasciitis syndrome (MMF) and post-vaccination phenomena, were linked to a previous exposure to an adjuvant, suggesting a common denominator, and it has been proposed to incorporate comparable conditions under a common syndrome entitled Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA). We report a case of a female who at the age of 11 years was diagnosed with Still’s disease. At the age of 22 she underwent silicone breast implants and presented with a transient lupus-like syndrome. Then, at 25 years old she had a severe activation of Still’s disease in association with rupture of silicone breast implants. When the prostheses were removed, the clinical picture improved. This case fulfills the criteria for ASIA and complements seven previous reports of Still’s disease in association with silicone breast implants.

Bromocriptine during pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot clinical trial.

Abstract:  Bromocriptine (BRC) prevents postpartum flare in lupus patients. However, its potential role in protecting lupus pregnancy from maternal–fetal complications has not been studied. The objective of the study was to explore the role of oral BRC during pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pregnant SLE patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 received BRC 2.5 mg/day and prednisone 10 mg/day; group 2 received prednisone 10 mg/day. These treatments were administered from 25 to 35 weeks of gestation. Prolactin (PRL) levels were determined at 25, 30, and 35 weeks. The SLE Pregnancy Disease Activity Index, maternal–fetal outcome including preterm birth, fetal loss, premature rupture of membrane (PRM), low birth weight, and preeclampsia/eclampsia were evaluated. We studied 20 patients (10 in each group). A significant decrease of PRL levels in group 1 compared to group 2 at week 30 and at week 35 was found. No patients in the BRC group had flares and three from group 2 had SLE activity. None of the patients in group 1 had PRM but three patients in group 2 did. Eighty percent of pregnancies ended in birth at term in group 1 and 50% in group 2. There was no fetal loss in both groups. Mean birth weight was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P < NS). BRC was well tolerated. This is the first clinical trial of BRC in SLE pregnancy. Our pilot study suggests that BRC may play a role in the prevention of maternal–fetal complications, such as PRM, preterm birth, and active disease.

Prolactin Levels Are Associated with Lupus Activity, Lupus Anticoagulant, and Poor Outcome in Pregnancy

Abstract:  High prolactin (PRL) levels seem to be associated with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy. However, the association of activity, lupus anticoagulant (LA), and pregnancy outcome has not been analyzed. The objective of this study was to analyze the association among SLE activity, LA, and maternal–fetal outcome. We studied 15 pregnant SLE patients (ACR criteria), 4 of them with associated antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and 9 healthy pregnant women. All patients were evaluated monthly with the following determinations: (a) SLE activity using modified‐systemic lupus activity measurement (m‐SLAM), (b) LA, and (c) PRL serum levels. Healthy controls were evaluated each trimester. Prematurity, fetal loss, low birth weight, and preeclampsia were evaluated. Chi‐square test, Fishers exact test, Students t‐test, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA were performed. The mean age of SLE patients was 30 ± 4.9 years and 27.1 ± 3.7 years in controls. High PRL levels were found during the second and third trimester in SLE patients in comparison with controls (186.2 ± 54.02 ng/mL versus 119.6 ± 31.1 ng/mL (P < 0.01) and 177.4 ± 48.6 ng/mL versus 158.3 ± 31.5 ng/mL. A significant linear correlation between PRL, m‐SLAM, and LA in association with poor maternal–fetal outcome was observed. LA and PRL conferred risk for poor pregnancy outcome. Our study indicates for the first time a strong association among PRL, LA, SLE activity, and poor pregnancy outcome. Close rheumatologic and obstetric monitoring is mandatory in SLE pregnancy in order to avoid obstetric complications.

Primigravida is associated with flare in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with flare during pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a retrospective analysis of pregnant women with SLE in a referral hospital. Flare was considered according to predetermined definitions. We analyzed 15 clinical, biochemical and immunological variables with a potential predictive value for relapse during pregnancy. We included 124 lupus pregnancies in 120 women. The relapse rate during pregnancy was 37.9% (47 episodes). The most common manifestations of flare were renal, joint, cutaneous and hematological. Patients with flare during pregnancy developed a higher frequency of preeclampsia and preterm delivery. In multivariate analysis, primigravida was a risk factor associated with any type of flare during pregnancy (OR 2.3, 95% CI 0.99–5.52, p = 0.05); on the other hand, primigravida (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.19–11.3, p = 0.02), activity prior to pregnancy (OR 3.7, 95% CI 0.97–14.1, p = 0.05), and previous renal disease (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.95–17.6, p = 0.001) were the principal risk factors associated with renal flare. The first pregnancy in women with SLE is associated with any type of flare. Disease activity is associated with preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Close monitoring is mandatory to identify relapses and timely treatment.

Preworkshop Knowledge of Musculoskeletal Anatomy of Rheumatology Fellows and Rheumatologists of Seven North, Central, and South American Countries

To report the baseline knowledge of clinical anatomy of rheumatology fellows and rheumatologists from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, the US, and Uruguay.

Clinical Anatomy of the Ankle and Foot

This paper emphasizes the anatomical substrate of several foot conditions that are seldom discussed in this context. These include the insertional and non-insertional Achilles tendinopathies, plantar fasciopathy, inferior and posterior heel spurs, foot compartment syndromes, intermetatarsal bursitis and Mortons neuroma. It is a rather superficial anatomical review of an organ that remains largely neglected by rheumatologists. It is our hope that the cases discussed and the cross examination by instructors and participants will stimulate study of the foot and the attention it deserves.

Clinical Anatomy of the Hand

This article reviews the underlying anatomy of trigger finger and thumb (fibrous digital pulleys, sesamoid bones), flexor tenosynovitis, de Quervains syndrome, Dupuytrens contracture, some hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis, the carpal tunnel syndrome and the ulnar nerve compression at Guyons canal. Some important syndromes and structures have not been included but such are the nature of these seminars. Rather than being complete, we aim at creating a system in which clinical cases are used to highlight the pertinent anatomy and, in the most important part of the seminar, these pertinent items are demonstrated by cross examination of participants and teachers. Self learning is critical for generating interest and expanding knowledge of clinical anatomy. Just look at your own hand in various positions, move it, feel it, feel also your forearms while you move the fingers, do this repeatedly and inquisitively and after a few tries you will have developed not only a taste, but also a lifelong interest in clinical anatomy.

Clinical Anatomy of the Knee

The clinical anatomy of several pain syndromes of the knee is herein discussed. These include the iliotibial tract syndrome, the anserine syndrome, bursitis of the medial collateral ligament, Bakers cyst, popliteus tendon tenosynovitis and bursitis of the deep infrapatellar bursa. These syndromes are reviewed in terms of the structures involved and their role in knee physiology. All of the discussed structures can be identified in their normal state and more so when they are affected by disease. The wealth of information gained by cross examination of the medial, lateral, posterior and anterior aspects of the knee brings to life knowledge acquired at the dissection table, from anatomical drawings and from virtual images.

Metabolic syndrome, autoimmunity and rheumatic diseases

Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. &NA; Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors including obesity and visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension contributing to CV mortality. The interface between the metabolic and immune systems has been of great interest recently. These interactions are regulated through genetics, nutritional status, and the intestinal microbiome. Alterations in the immune‐metabolic cross‐talk contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. Adipokines exert a variety of metabolic activities contributing to the ethiopathogenesis of MetS and are involved in the regulation of both inflammatory processes and autoimmunity occurring in rheumatic diseases. Patients with autoinflammatory disease such as gout and those with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD), such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis and vasculitis among others, have increased prevalence of MetS. Despite recent advances in treatment of ARD, incidence of CVD remains high. MetS and altered secretion patterns of proinflammatory adipokines could be the link between CVDs and ARD. In addition, in ARD the activation of proinflammatory signalling pathways results in the induction of several biological markers of chronic inflammation contributing to CVD. In the present paper, we review recent evidences of the interactions between MetS and ARD, as well as novel therapeutic targets.

Active haematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus lupus are associated with a high rate of in-hospital mortality.

The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of the haematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on mortality in hospitalized patients. For that purpose a case–control study of hospitalized patients in a medical referral centre from January 2009 to December 2014 was performed. For analysis, patients hospitalized for any haematological activity of SLE (n = 103) were compared with patients hospitalized for other manifestations of SLE activity or complications of treatment (n = 206). Taking as a variable outcome hospital death, an analysis of potential associated factors was performed. The most common haematological manifestation was thrombocytopenia (63.1%), followed by haemolytic anaemia (30%) and neutropenia (25.2%). In the group of haematological manifestations, 17 (16.5%) deaths were observed compared to 10 (4.8%) deaths in the control group (P < 0.001). The causes of death were similar in both groups. In the analysis of the variables, it was found that only haematological manifestations were associated with intra-hospital death (odds ratio 3.87, 95% confidence interval 1.8–88, P < 0.001). Our study suggests that apparently any manifestation of haematological activity of SLE is associated with poor prognosis and contributes to increased hospital mortality.