Factors associated with hospitalizations for Covid-19 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: data from the Reumacov Brazil registry

Abstract Background: Patients using immunosuppressive drugs may have unfavorable results after infections. However, there is a lack of information regarding COVID 19 in these patients, especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with COVID 19 hospitalizations in patients with RA. Methods: This multicenter, prospective cohort study is within the ReumaCoV Brazil registry and included 489 patients with RA. In this context, 269 patients who tested positive for COVID 19 were compared to 220 patients who tested negative for COVID 19 (control group). All patient data were collected from the Research Electronic Data Capture database. Results: The participants were predominantly female (90.6%) with a mean age of 53 ±12 years. Of the patients with COVID 19, 54 (20.1%) required hospitalization. After multiple adjustments, the final regression model showed that heart disease (OR =4.61, 95% CI 1.06-20.02. P < 0.001) and current use of glucocorticoids (OR =20.66, 95% CI 3.09-138. P < 0.002) were the risk factors associated with hospitalization. In addition, anosmia was associated with a lower chance of hospitalization (OR =0.26; 95% CI 0.10-0.67, P < 0.005). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that heart disease and the use of glucocorticoids were associated with a higher number of hospital admissions for COVID 19 in patients with RA. Trial registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR 33YTQC.

Rheumatoid artrhitis treatment in Brazil: data from a large real-life multicenter study

Abstract Background: Last decades witnessed great technological advances in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management, but their implementation in clinical practice might prove difficult. Despite the efficacy demonstrated in controlled trials this information needs to be confirmed by real life data. This study assessed real-life treatment among RA patients. Methods: REAL study included Brazilian RA patients from eleven centers. Interview and medical records were performed. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t or Mann-Whitney and categorical variables were assessed with chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Results: 1115 patients were included, women 89.5%. Median age 56.6 years, disease duration 152.5 months; 78.7% were rheumatoid fator positive; 55.2% had erosive disease; DAS28 (disease activity index-28 joints) = 3.5, HAQ (health assessment questionnaire) =0.875. The median duration of symptoms until the start of first DMARD was 12 months. A total of 529 (47.2%) patients used corticosteroids; 1022 (90.8%) were on conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs and 406 (36.1%) on biological (b) DMARDs. Methotrexate (MTX) was the most frequent csDMARD: 748 (66.5%) patients, followed by leflunomide (LFN), used by 381 (33.9%) of patients. MTX was associated to LFN in 142 (12.6%) patients. Only five (0.4%) patients used triple therapy (MTX + hydroxychloroquine + sulfasalazine) or sulfasalazine in monotherapy. Conclusions: Despite advances in therapeutic resources, roughly half RA patients failed achieve T2T goals and 55.2% developed erosive disease. The frequent use of corticosteroids and delay in initiating DMARDs were demonstrated. Issues concerning timely access to medical care are crucial for effective management.(AU)

Intestinal parasites infection: protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis? / Parasitoses intestinais: efeito protetor na artrite reumatoide?

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a progressive course, characterized by chronic synovitis that may evolve with deformities and functional disability, and whose early treatment minimizes joint damage. Its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated but comprises immunologic responses mediated by T helper cells (Th1). An apparent minor severity of RA in patients from regions with lower income could be associated with a higher prevalence of gut parasites, especially helminths. Strictly, a shift in the immune response toward the predominance of T helper cells (Th2), due to the chronic exposure to helminths, could modulate negatively the inflammation in RA patients, resulting in lower severity/joint injury. The interaction between the immunological responses of parasitic helminths in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the purpose of this paper.

Resumo A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória autoimune, sistêmica, de curso progressivo, caracterizada por exuberante sinovite crônica, que pode gerar deformidades e incapacidade funcional, cujo tratamento precoce minimiza o dano às juntas. Sua etiopatogenia ainda não está completamente elucidada, mas compreende respostas imunológicas com a participação de células T auxiliares (Th1). Uma aparente menor gravidade da AR em pacientes de regiões com menor renda poderia estar associada a maior prevalência de parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases. A rigor, um desvio na resposta imune para o predomínio de células T auxiliares (Th2), decorrente da exposição crônica a helmintos, modularia negativamente a inflamação em doentes com AR, e levaria a menor gravidade e dano articular. A revisão de aspectos da influência da reposta imunológica nas parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases, em pacientes com artrite reumatoide é o objetivo desse trabalho.

Perda auditiva neurossensorial em pacientes com granulomatose de Wegener: relato de três casos e revisão de literatura / Neurosensory hearing loss in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis: a report of three cases and literature review

A granulomatose de Wegener é uma vasculite sistêmica que acomete vasos de pequeno e médio calibres. As manifestações clássicas ocorrem no trato respiratório superior, inferior e rins, mas outros órgãos podem ser envolvidos. O sistema auditivo pode ser freqüentemente acometido nas suas várias porções (orelha externa, média e/ou interna) com manifestações diversas. A perda auditiva neurossensorial pode ser conseqüência de alterações na orelha interna e deve ser precocemente reconhecida. O tratamento rápido e efetivo pode evitar danos irreversíveis. Descrevemos três casos de granulomatose de Wegener e hipoacusia sensorial, com respostas diferentes ao tratamento.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a primary systemic vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized vessels. The classical manifestations occur in the upper and lower respiratory tract and in the kidneys, but other organs may be involved. The auditory system can be frequently affect in its various portions (outer, middle and/or inner ear), showing different manifestations. Neurosensory hearing loss might be a consequence of changes in the inner ear and should be recognized early. Rapid and effective treatment may prevent irreversible damage. We report herein three cases of Wegener's granulomatosis and sensory hypoacusis, which responded differently to treatment.

Sarcoidose na infância com manifestacões raras: vasculite, acometimento do sistema nervoso central, ósseo e genital / Sarcoidosis in childhood with rare manifestations: vasculitis, central nervous system, bone and genital involvement

Sarcoidose é uma doenca granulomatosa sistêmica de ocorrência rara em criancas. Vasculite associada à sarcoidose é incomum e pode acometer vasos de pequeno a grande calibres. Envolvimento sintomático do sistema nervoso central e periférico ocorre em 5 por cento a 10 por cento dos pacientes e acometimento ósseo em 3 por cento a 13 por cento. Sarcoidose do trato geniturinário é extremamente rara. Descrevemos o caso de uma crianca de 12 anos com diagnóstico de sarcoidose associada à vasculite, acometimento do sistema nervoso central, ósseo e genital. O amplo espectro de manifestacões clínicas raras neste caso ilustra o caráter multissistêmico e multifacetário da sarcoidose.

Paquimeningite hipertrófica e parotidite: manifestações raras da granulomatose de Wegener / Hypertrophic pachymeningitis and parotiditis: unusual ocurrences of the Wegener's granulomatosis

A granulomatose de Wegener é uma vasculite sistêmica dos vasos de médio e pequeno calibre. Classicamente, há formação de granulomas com necrose no trato respiratório e glomerulonefrite necrosante. Embora seu acometimento mais comum envolva o trato respiratório superior, pulmões e rins, uma vasta gama de manifestações em vários órgãos e tecidos é descrita. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que, paralelamente às manifestações típicas da doença, desenvolveu algumas alterações raras como a parotidite e a paquimeningite hipertrófica. Diante de quadros graves, atípicos e/ou refratários ao tratamento convencional, torna-se necessário o aprofundamento no estudo e uso de novas armas terapêuticas.