Reference range of serum uric acid and prevalence of hyperuricemia: a cross-sectional study from baseline data of ELSA-Brasil cohort

Abstract Background: Most of the few studies that have established reference ranges for serum uric acid (SUA) have not taken into account factors which may interfere with its levels and followed rigorous laboratory quality standards. The aim of this study was to establish reference ranges for SUA and determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia. Method: Cross-sectional study including 15,100 participants (all sample) aged 35 to 74 years from baseline data of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicentric cohort of volunteer civil servants from five universities and one research institute located in different regions of Brazil. It was established a reference sample excluding participants with factors that directly influence SUA levels: glomerular filtration rate lower than 60 ml/min, excessive alcohol intake, use of diuretics, aspirin, estrogen or urate-lowering therapy. SUA was measured using the uricase method and following rigorous international quality standards. Reference ranges were defined as values between percentiles 2.5 (P2.5) and 97.5 (P97.5) of SUA distribution in the reference sample, stratified by sex. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥ 7 mg/100 ml in the all sample. Results: The reference sample was composed of 10,340 individuals (55.3% women, median age 50 years). Reference ranges (P2.5 to P97.5) for SUA were: 4.0 to 9.2 mg/100 ml for men and 2.8 to 6.9 mg/100 ml for women. Sex was a major determinant for SUA levels (median [IQR], mg/100 ml: 6.1 [5.3-7.0] for men versus 4.5 [3.9-5.3] for women, p < 0.001). Higher levels of SUA were found in patients with higher BMI. Higher age had (a modest) influence only for women. The prevalence of hyperuricemia for all sample (N = 15,100) was 31.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.8- 33.0%) in men and 4.8% (95% CI 4.3-5.3%) in women. Conclusion: SUA reference ranges were 4.0 to 9.2 mg/100 ml for men and 2.8 to 6.9 mg/100 ml for women. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 31.9% in men and 4.8% in women. Updated SUA reference ranges and prevalence of hyperuricemia are higher nowadays and might be used to guide laboratories and the screening for diseases related to SUA.

Knee osteoarthritis pre-screening questionnaire (KOPS): cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of the brazilian version—KOPS Brazilian version

Abstract Background: Despite the criteria already established for the classification of knee osteoarthritis (OA), a radiographic and/or clinical knee OA diagnosis usually occurs in cases of fully manifest or more advanced disease, which can make health promotion, prevention, and functional rehabilitation in more advanced stages of the disease less effective. In addition, radiographic knee OA can generate more financial costs for health services. Therefore, developing and validating screening instruments to assess the probability of development and progression of knee OA would be of great value for both clinical practice and science. Objective: To cross-culturally adapt and investigate the measurement properties of the Knee OA Pre-screening Questionnaire Brazilian version. Methods: A total of 250 individuals of both sexes aged between 35 and 92 years [(mean (standard deviation): 63 (11) years old; 74.1 (15.1) kg; 1.59 (0.09) m; 29.38 (5.44) kg/m2] participated in this study. The cross-cultural adaptation and analyses of the measurement properties of the KOPS Brazilian version included: (1) assessment of conceptual and item equivalence; (2) assessment of semantic equivalence; (3) assessment of operational equivalence; and (4) assessment of measurement equivalence, reliability, and validity. Results: Cronbach's alpha for the internal consistency among the six components of the KOPS Brazilian version was 0.71. The test-retest 72 h apart for each component resulted in a coefficient correlation intraclass ranging from 0.74 to 1.00. The probability of an individual randomly chosen from the population having KL ≥ 1 and KOPS Brazilian version ≥ 21 points was 0.74 (area under the curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic - AUC of ROC); furthermore, the AUC for KL ≥ 2 and the KOPS Brazilian version ≥ 23 points was 0.77. Conclusion: The KOPS Brazilian version is a reliable and valid instrument for early screening of knee OA in individuals aged 35 years and over in the Brazilian context.

Nephrolithiasis in gout: prevalence and characteristics of Brazilian patients

Abstract Background: The aims of this article were to assess the prevalence of nephrolithiasis and the factors associated with nephrolithiasis in Brazilian patients with primary gout. Methods: One hundred twenty-three patients with primary gout were recruited from a tertiary referral hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. All patients underwent ultrasonography and had their clinical and laboratory characteristics assessed. Results: One hundred fifteen (93.5%) patients were male, with a mean age of 62.9 ± 9.4 years. Twenty-three (18.7%) patients had asymptomatic nephrolithiasis (detected only by ultrasonography), 7 (6.0%) had symptomatic nephrolithiasis (detected by ultrasonography and a positive clinical history), and 13 (10.0%) had a history of kidney stones, but ultrasonography at evaluation did not show nephrolithiasis. Therefore, 35.0% of the patients had nephrolithiasis (detected either by ultrasonography and/or a positive clinical history). Nephrolithiasis was associated with male gender (43 [100%] vs 72 [90%], p = 0.049), the use of potassium citrate (13 [30.2%] vs 0, p < 0.001) and the use of medications for diabetes (10 [23.3%] vs 8 [10%], p = 0.047) and dyslipidemia (15 [34.9%] vs 10 [12.5%], p = 0.003); benzbromarone had an inverse association with nephrolithiasis (21 [48.8%] vs 55 [68.8%], p = 0.030). In patients with and without nephrolithiasis, no differences were found in the laboratory and ultrasonography characteristics, including serum uric acid levels, urinary uric acid excretion and urine pH. Conclusions: The prevalence of nephrolithiasis in primary gout was 35.0%, and 18.7% of the patients were asymptomatic. Nephrolithiasis was associated with male gender, diabetes and dyslipidemia. A positive history of nephrolithiasis probably biased the prescription of potassium citrate and benzbromarone.(AU)

Public social security burden of musculoskeletal diseases in Brasil-Descriptive study

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: To present data on the social security burden of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (DSOTC) in Brasil in 2014, and evolution of these social security expenditures between 2009 and 2014. METHOD: Compilation and analysis of data on the granting of disability pensions and sickness benefits in the year 2014, available on the official website of Social Security, classified according to ICD 10. It was evaluated the evolution between 2009 and 2014, using the F test to compare the curves with the growth of the active age population (PIA). RESULTS: Among the 22 disease groups classified according to ICD-10, the DSOTC group led benefits grants in 2014, with 19% of the sickness benefits and 13.5% of the disability pensions. The main causes of sickness benefit and disability retirement were, respectively: dorsopathies (43.3% and 41.2%), soft tissue diseases (27.3% and 19.7%), osteoarthritis (7.6% % And 27.8%) and chronic inflammatory arthropathies (2.8% and 7.9%). In the evolution of the number of sickness benefits granted between 2009 and 2014, both INSS and DSOTC totals showed an increasing tendency (35.9 and 35.3%, respectively, with p = 0.000 for both). As for disability retirement, there was a 5.9% increase in the INSS total (p = 0.039), while for the DSOTC there was a decrease of 7.6% (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These data point to a progressive increase in the granting of sickness pensions and disability benefits in the country, superior to the growth of the PIA, as well as a high participation of DSOTC in these benefits.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Apresentar dados sobre o ônus previdenciário das doenças do sistema osteomuscular e tecido conjuntivo (DSOTC) no Brasil no ano de 2014, e sua evolução entre 2009 e 2014. MÉTODO: Compilação e análise de dados sobre a concessão de aposentadorias por invalidez e auxílios-doença no ano de 2014 disponíveis no portal oficial da Previdência Social, classificados segundo o CID 10. Avaliação da evolução entre 2009 e 2014, utilizando-se o teste F para comparar as curvas com o crescimento da população em idade ativa (PIA). RESULTADOS: Entre 22 grupos de doenças classificados de acordo com o CID 10, o das DSOTC liderou as concessões de benefícios em 2014, com 19% dos auxílios-doença e 13,5% das aposentadorias por invalidez. As principais causas de concessão de auxílio-doença e aposentadoria por invalidez foram, respectivamente: dorsopatias (43,3% e 41,2%), doenças de partes moles (27,3% e 19,7%), osteoartrite (7,6% e 27,8%) e artropatias inflamatórias crônicas (2,8% e 7,9%). Na evolução do número de auxílios-doença concedidos entre 2009 e 2014, tanto o total do INSS quanto o do grupo DSOTC apresentaram tendência crescente (35,9 e 35,3%, respectivamente, com p = 0,000 para ambos). Já para aposentadoria por invalidez, houve aumento de 5,9% no total do INSS (p = 0,039), enquanto que para as DSOTC houve um decréscimo de 7,6% (p = 0,005). CONCLUSÕES: Verificou-se uma elevação progressiva na concessão de auxílio-doença e aposentadoria por invalidez no País, superior ao aumento da população em idade ativa. As DSOTC foram o grupo com maior participação relativa nesses benefícios.

Platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis treatment / Plasma rico em plaquetas no tratamento da osteoartrite

ABSTRACT We conducted a comprehensive and systematic search of the literature on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of osteoarthritis, using the Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane and SciELO databases, from May 2012 to October 2013. A total of 23 studies were selected, with nine being controlled trials and, of these, seven randomized, which included 725 patients. In this series, the group receiving PRP showed improvement in pain and joint function compared to placebo and hyaluronic acid. The response lasted up to two years and was better in milder cases. However it was found that there is no standardization in the PRP production method, neither in the number, timing, and volume of applications. Furthermore, the populations studied were not clearly described in many studies. Thus, these results should be analyzed with caution, and further studies with more standardized methods would be necessary for a more consistent conclusion about the PRP role in osteoarthritis.

RESUMO Fez-se uma pesquisa abrangente e sistemática da literatura sobre o uso de plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) no tratamento da osteoartrite nas bases de dados do Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane e SciELO, de maio de 2012 a outubro de 2013. Foram selecionados 23 estudos, entre eles nove ensaios controlados e, desses, sete randomizados, os quais incluíram 725 pacientes. Nessa casuística, o grupo que recebeu PRP apresentou melhoria na dor e na função articular quando comparado ao que recebeu placebo e ácido hialurônico. A resposta durou até dois anos e foi melhor nos casos mais leves. Entretanto, verificou-se que não há uma padronização no método de obtenção do PRP, bem como no número, intervalo e volume de aplicações. Além disso, as populações estudadas também não foram claramente descritas em muitos estudos. Desse modo, esses resultados devem ser analisados com cautela e seriam necessários novos estudos com métodos mais padronizados para uma conclusão mais consistente sobre o papel do PRP na osteoartrite.

Tomografia computadorizada quantitativa periférica de alta resolução para avaliação de parâmetros morfológicos e funcionais ósseos / High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography for the assessment of morphological and mechanical bone parameters

RESUMOA tomografia computadorizada quantitativa periférica de alta resolução (HR-pQCT) é uma nova tecnologia disponível comercialmente há menos de 10 anos que permite a feitura de exames in vivo para a avaliação de parâmetros ósseos. A HR-pQCT avalia a forma, o número, o volume, a densidade, a conectividade e a separação das trabéculas; a densidade e a espessura do osso cortical e o volume e a densidade total, em alta definição, o que permite a construção digital da microarquitetura óssea adicionalmente. A aplicação de cálculos matemáticos aos dados capturados, método denominado elemento finito (FE), permite a estimativa das propriedades físicas do tecido e simula cargas suportadas de forma não invasiva. Desse modo, a HR-pQCT adquire simultaneamente dados antes fornecidos separadamente pela densitometria óssea, pela ressonância magnética e pela histomorfometria e agrega estimativas biomecânicas antes só possíveis em tecidos extraídos. A reprodutibilidade do método é satisfatória, com coeficientes de variação que raramente ultrapassam os 3%. Quanto à acurácia, os parâmetros apresentam de regular a boa concordância (r2= 0,37-0,97).A principal aplicação clínica é na quantificação e no monitoramento das doenças osteometabólicas, porque avalia de modo mais completo a resistência óssea e o risco de fratura. Na artrite reumatoide permite-se a aferição do número e do tamanho das erosões e dos cistos, além do espaço articular. Na osteoartrite é possível caracterizar as áreas edema-símile que guardam correlação com a degradação da cartilagem.Restritas ainda a um instrumento de pesquisa, dado o seu elevado custo, a alta resolução e a eficiência mostram-se como vantagens em relação aos métodos atualmente usados para a avaliação óssea, com um potencial para tornar-se uma importante ferramenta na prática clínica.

ABSTRACTHigh resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a new technology commercially available for less than 10 years that allows performing in vivo assessment of bone parameters. HR-pQCT assesses the trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number and connectivity density and, in addition, cortical bone density and thickness and total bone volume and density in high-definition mode, which additionally allows obtaining digital constructs of bone microarchitecture. The application of mathematics to captured data, a method called finite element analysis (FEA), allows the estimation of the physical properties of the tissue, simulating supported loads in a non-invasive way. Thus, HR-pQCT simultaneously acquires data previously provided separately by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging and histomorphometry, aggregating biomechanical estimates previously only possible in extracted tissues. This method has a satisfactory reproducibility, with coefficients of variation rarely exceeding 3%. Regarding accuracy, the method shows a fair to good agreement (r2 = 0.37-0.97).The main clinical application of this method is in the quantification and monitoring of metabolic bone disorders, more fully evaluating bone strength and fracture risk. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, this allows gauging the number and size of erosions and cysts, in addition to joint space. In osteoarthritis, it is possible to characterize the bone marrow edema-like areas that show a correlation with cartilage breakdown.Given its high cost, HR-pQCT is still a research tool, but the high resolution and efficiency of this method reveal advantages over the methods currently used for bone assessment, with a potential to become an important tool in clinical practice.

Sjogren's syndrome: An underdiagnosed condition in mixed connective tissue disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sicca symptoms, dry eye, and secondary Sjögren's syndrome and to evaluate the severity of dry eye in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. METHODS: In total, 44 consecutive patients with mixed connective tissue disease (Kasukawa's criteria) and 41 healthy controls underwent Schirmer's test, a tear film breakup time test, and ocular surface staining to investigate dry eye. In addition, the dry eye severity was graded. Ocular and oral symptoms were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Salivary gland scintigraphy was performed in all patients. Classification of secondary Sjögren's syndrome was assessed according to the American-European Consensus Group criteria. RESULTS: The patients and controls had comparable ages (44.7±12.4 vs. 47.2±12.2 years) and frequencies of female gender (93 vs. 95%) and Caucasian ethnicity (71.4 vs. 85%). Ocular symptoms (47.7 vs. 24.4%) and oral symptoms (52.3 vs. 9.7%) were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. Fourteen (31.8%) patients fulfilled Sjögren's syndrome criteria, seven of whom (50%) did not have this diagnosis prior to study inclusion. A further comparison of patients with mixed connective tissue disease with or without Sjögren's syndrome revealed that the former presented significantly lower frequencies of polyarthritis and cutaneous involvement than did the patients without Sjögren's syndrome. Moderate to severe dry eye was found in 13 of 14 patients with mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome (92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Sjögren's syndrome, particularly with moderate to severe dry eye, is frequent in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. These findings alert the physician regarding the importance of the appropriate diagnosis of this syndrome in such patients. .

Cutaneous mucinosis in mixed connective tissue disease* / Mucinose cutanea na doenca mista do tecido conjuntivo

Cutaneous mucinosis is a group of conditions involving an accumulation of mucin or glycosaminoglycan in the skin and its annexes. It is described in some connective tissue diseases but never in association with mixed connective tissue disease. This report concerns two cases of cutaneous mucinosis in patients with mixed connective tissue disease in remission; one patient presented the papular form, and the other reticular erythematous mucinosis. These are the first cases of mucinosis described in mixed connective tissue disease. Both cases had skin lesions with no other clinical or laboratorial manifestations, with clinical response to azathioprine in one, and to an association of chloroquine and prednisone in the other.

A mucinose cutânea é um grupo de condições em que há um acúmulo de mucina ou glicosaminoglicanos na pele e seus anexos. É descrita em algumas doenças do tecido conjuntivo, porem nunca em associação com doença mista do tecido conjuntivo. Relatamos dois casos de mucinose cutânea em pacientes com doença mista do tecido conjuntivo em remissão, um apresentava-se sob a forma papular e outro sob a forma reticular eritematosa de mucinose. Estes são os primeiros casos de mucinose descritos na doença mista do tecido conjuntivo. Ambos os casos apresentaram o quadro cutâneo de modo isolado, sem nenhuma outra manifestação clínico-laboratorial, havendo resposta à azatioprina em um e à cloroquina associada a prednisona no outro.

Gota axial / Gout in the spine

A gota axial pode afetar todos os segmentos da coluna vertebral. Ela se manifesta como dor nas costas, dor associada com sintomas neurológicos, e como comprometimento neurológico sem dor em 17,9%, 75,8% e 4,2% dos casos, respectivamente. Essas manifestações foram a primeira apresentação da gota em muitos pacientes. Embora radiografias, bem como tomografia computadorizada e especialmente ressonância magnética, possam ser muito sugestivos, análises histopatológicas, citológicas e pesquisa de cristais são o padrão ouro de diagnóstico. Na maioria dos casos que envolveram manifestações neurológicas, o paciente foi submetido à cirurgia, levando a resultados satisfatórios. Há, no entanto, alguns relatos de recuperação total após o tratamento clínico habitual para gota, o que sugere que esse tratamento pode ser a opção inicial para os indivíduos com histórico de gota e sinais radiológicos de envolvimento axial.

Axial gout can affect all segments of the spine. It is manifested as back pain, as pain associated with neurological symptoms, and as neurological impairment without pain in 17.9%, 75.8% and 4.2% of cases, respectively. These manifestations were the first presentation of gout in many patients. Although x-rays as well as computed tomography and especially magnetic resonance scans can be very suggestive, histopathological, cytological and crystal analyses are the diagnostic gold standard. In most cases involving neurological manifestations, the patient underwent surgery, leading to satisfactory results. There are, however, some reports of full recovery following the usual clinical treatment for gout, suggesting that such treatment may be the initial option for those subjects with a history of gout and radiological findings of axial involvement.

Immunogenicity of influenza H1N1 vaccination in mixed connective tissue disease: effect of disease and therapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential acute effects regarding the immunogenicity and safety of non-adjuvanted influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine in patients with mixed connective tissue disease and healthy controls. METHODS: Sixty-nine mixed connective tissue disease patients that were confirmed by Kasukawa's classification criteria and 69 age- and gender-matched controls participated in the study; the participants were vaccinated with the non-adjuvanted influenza A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) virus-like strain. The percentages of seroprotec-tion, seroconversion, geometric mean titer and factor increase in the geometric mean titer were calculated. The patients were clinically evaluated, and blood samples were collected pre- and 21 days post-vaccination to evaluate C-reactive protein, muscle enzymes and autoantibodies. Anti-H1N1 titers were determined using an influenza hemagglutination inhibition assay. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01151644. RESULTS: Before vaccination, no difference was observed regarding the seroprotection rates (p = 1.0) and geometric mean titer (p = 0.83) between the patients and controls. After vaccination, seroprotection (75.4% vs. 71%, (p = 0.7), seroconversion (68.1% vs. 65.2%, (p = 1.00) and factor increase in the geometric mean titer (10.0 vs. 8.0, p = 0.40) were similar in the two groups. Further evaluation of seroconversion in patients with and without current or previous history of muscle disease (p = 0.20), skin ulcers (p = 0.48), lupus-like cutaneous disease (p = 0.74), secondary Sjogren syndrome (p = 0.78), scleroderma-pattern in the nailfold capillaroscopy (p = 1.0), lymphopenia #1000/mm³ on two or more occasions (p = 1.0), hypergammaglobulinemia $1.6 g/d (p = 0.60), pulmonary hypertension (p = 1.0) and pulmonary fibrosis (p = 0.80) revealed comparable rates. Seroconversion rates were also similar in patients with and without immunosuppressants. Disease parameters, such as C-reactive protein (p = 0.94), aldolase (p = 0.73), creatine phosphokinase (p = 0.40) and ribonucleoprotein antibody levels (p = 0.98), remained largely unchanged pre and post-vaccination. No severe side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The non-adjuvanted influenza A/H1N1 vaccination immune response in mixed connective tissue disease patients is adequate and does not depend on the disease manifestations and therapy.

Paraplegia aguda por compressão da medula espinhal torácica causada por tofo gotoso / Acute paraplegia resulting from spinal cord compression by tophaceous gout

O acometimento axial pela gota é um evento raro, e o envolvimento da coluna torácica foi descrito em apenas 17 casos na literatura. Apresentamos um caso de paciente do sexo masculino de 48 anos com história de gota, sob tratamento irregular com alopurinol e colchicina, que desenvolveu paraplegia aguda decorrente de compressão medular por tofo gotoso. Realizou-se o diagnóstico por meio de ressonância magnética e anatomia patológica. Foi tratado com antiinflamatórios e descompressão cirúrgica com melhora importante, porém parcial. Apesar de o acometimento medular pelo tofo ser um evento raro, deve ser considerado nos casos de síndrome de compressão medular em pacientes com antecedente de gota.

Axial gout is a rare condition and the involvement of the thoracic spine has been described only 17 times in the literature. This paper presents the case of a 48 year-old male patient with a history of gout, under irregular treatment with allopurinol and colchicines, who developed acute paraplegia resulting from spinal cord compression by tophaceous gout. The diagnosis was made using magnetic resonance imaging and anatomic pathology. The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical decompression and showed important, albeit partial, improvement. Thus, although tophi rarely affect the spinal cord, they should be considered as a possibility in cases of spinal cord compression syndrome in patients with a history of gout.

Consenso brasileiro para o tratamento da osteoartrite (artrose) / Brazilian consensus for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Objetivo: Conciliar informações e condutas referentes ao tratamento da osteoartrite pelas três principais especialidades envolvidas: reumatologia, fisiatria e ortopedia. As condutas consensuais para a maioria dos participantes foram então agrupadas e constam das recomendações deste documento. Métodos: Foram utilizados os estudos disponíveis na literatura médica, presentes nas seguintes bases de dados e acessíveis através da internet: OVID de 1966 até o presente e PUBMED até o presente. Foram selecionados trabalhos de metanálise e estudos duplo-cego randomizados, quando presentes. Relato ou série de casos foram utilizados quando publicados em jornais de reconhecida idoneidade. Resultados: As opiniões dos especialistas presentes foram utilizados em relação a terapias não-disponíveis na literatura e que fossem consideradas pela unanimidade dos presentes como importante para o manejo dos pacientes com osteroartrite

Colágenos II e XI e 4-hydroxiprolina na cartilagem da cabeça do fêmur de portadores de osteoartrose nodal / Collagens Type II and XI and 4-hydroxyproline in the femoral head cartilage of patients with nodal osteoarthritis

Objetivo: Evidências clínico-radiográficas apontam para o caráter generalizado da osteoartrose nodal (OAN). Neste estudo, pesquisou-se a solubilidade e quantificacão dos colágenos II e XI na cartilagem articular histologicamente normal dos portadores de OAN. Método: Foram utilizadas cartilagens da cabeça do fêmur de necrópsias de 8 mulheres com OAN e 8 mulheres sem OAN (controle), pareadas para idade e índice de massa corpórea. Nas cartilagens de cada fêmur foram identificadas regiões normais e regiões osteoartrósicas. O colágeno de cada região foi extraído através da digestão com pepsina e quantificado pelo conteúdo de 4-hidroxiprolina. A solubilidade foi definida como a quantidade de colágeno extraída pela pepsina. A purificação e a identificação dos colágenos tipo II e XI foram realizadas através de precipitação sequencial salina seletiva e eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida e sua quantificação foi feia por densitometria. Resultados: Todos os indivíduos com OAN e os controles apresentaram regiões osteoartrósicas na cabeça femoral. Nos portadores de OAN o colágeno está mais solúvel que no grupo controle, tanto em relação à cartilagem sã (p=0,02), como na osteoartrósica (p=0,01). Os portadores de OAN apresentaram maior quantidade de colágeno II que os controles, tanto nas regiões normais (p=0,0001) como nas osteoartrósicas (p=0,03). O colágeno XI da cartilagem artrósica foi maior no grupo controle (p=0,03); na cartilagem sã, nesses dois grupos, a extração do colágeno XI foi mínima, não permitindo comparação. Conclusão: Esses achados demonstram que na osteoartrose nodal existem alterações no colágeno da cartilagem articular, que estão presentes antes da eclosão da doença. Além disso, verificou-se que, na cartilagem já lesada, o colágeno também se mostra diferente na OAN comparado com controles. Infere-se que a composição peculiar do colágeno na osteoartrose nodal poderia tornar a cartilagem mais suscetível ao desenvolvimento da doença

Lesao gastroduodenal assintomatica em portadores de osteoartrose / Gastrointestinal damage in osteoarthritis patients

Foram estudados 77 pacientes portadores de osteoartrose (AO) com queixa de dor articular e indicacao clinica para o uso de antiinflamatorio nao esteroide (AINE). Os pacientes nao apresentavam sintomas gastrointestinais recentes e nao faziam uso de farmacos potencialmente lesivos para o tubo digestivo, particularmente analgesicos e AINE. Antes de se iniciar o tratamento medicamentoso indicado para o controle da doenca, os pacientes foram submetidos a endoscopia digestiva alta. Esse procedimento revelou que 54,6 por cento dos pacientes apresentavam pelo menos uma lesao gastroduodenal: hiperemia em 22,1 por cento, petequias em 3,9 por cento, erosoes em 23,4 por cento e ulcera peptica em 5,2 por cento dos casos. Esses resultados permitem concluir que apenas os dados de anamnese, nao sao suficientes para identificar e/ou excluir lesoes do trato digestivo alto...

Comprometimento do sistema nervoso no lupus eritematoso sistemico / Involvement of the nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus

O comprometimento do sistema nervoso (SN) no lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES) envolve multiplas manifestacoes de graus variaveis, entre elas fadiga, perda de capacidade de concentracao, convulsoes e coma. O diagnostico precoce do envolvimento do SN e de fundamental importancia para a adocao de medidas terapeuticas mais objetivas. No presente trabalho os autores discorrem sobre aspectos clinicos, laboratoriais e terapeuticos do comprometimento do SN no LES.