Metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis followed at a University Hospital in Northeastern Brazil / Síndrome metabólica em pacientes com diagnóstico de artrite reumatoide acompanhados em um Hospital Universitário do Nordeste brasileiro

ABSTRACT Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are 30-60% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CV) than the general population. Metabolic syndrome (MS), defined by a number of cardiovascular risk factors, confers a greater risk of CVdisease and diabetes. The association of MS with RA is not yet fully understood and its prevalence varies from 19-63% across studies. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of MS in a population of RA patients followed in a hospital in Northeastern Brazil and analyze associations of demographic and clinical factors with MS. Methods: Outpatients with RA were evaluated in a cross-sectional study regarding demographic, clinical, laboratory and anthropometric data. The criteria for defining MS were those adopted by NCEPIII (2005) and IDF (2006). Results: 110 patients with RA were studied; 97.3% were female, with a mean age of 55.5 years (SD = 12.9) and duration of illness of 11.2 years (SD = 7.3). The MS prevalence from NCEPIII (2005) and IDF (2005) were, respectively, 50% and 53.4%. Advanced age (57.9 ± 11.9 versus 52.9 ± 13.5; p = 0.04) and smoking load> 20 packs/year (29% versus 9%, p = 0.008) were associated with MS. The major components of the metabolic syndrome were abdominal obesity (98.1%), hypertension (80%) and low HDL cholesterol (72.2%). Conclusions: RA patients in a tertiary center in Northeastern Brazil showed high prevalence of MS. It is worth noting that almost all patients had MS and abdominal obesity, which has important practical implications. In addition to the components of MS, age and smoking were associated with this syndrome.

RESUMO Introdução: Pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) têm 30 a 60% mais chances de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) do que a população geral. A síndrome metabólica (SM), definida por um conjunto de fatores de risco cardiovasculares, confere maior risco de DCV e diabete. A associação da SM com AR ainda não está totalmente esclarecida e sua prevalência varia de 19 a 63% entre os estudos. Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de SM numa população de pacientes com AR acompanhada num hospital do Nordeste brasileiro e analisar associações de fatores demográficos e clínicos com SM. Pacientes ambulatoriais com AR foram transversalmente avaliados com relação a dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais e antropométricos. Os critérios para definir SM foram os adotados pelo NCEPIII (2005) e IDF (2006). Resultados: Foram estudados 110 pacientes com AR, 97,3% mulheres com média de 55,5 anos (DP = 12,9) e duração da doença de 11,2 anos (DP = 7,3). As prevalências de SM do NCEPIII (2005) e IDF (2005) foram, respectivamente, 50% e 53,4%. Idade avançada (57,9 ± 11,9 versus 52,9 ± 13,5; p = 0,04) e carga tabágica > 20 maços ano (29% versus 9%; p = 0,008) estiveram associadas com SM. Os principais componentes da SM foram obesidade abdominal (98,1%), hipertensão arterial (80%) e HDL baixo (72,2%). Conclusões: Pacientes com AR de um serviço terciário do Nordeste brasileiro apresentaram alta prevalência de SM. Chama atenção a quase totalidade dos pacientes com SM e obesidade abdominal, o que traz implicações práticas importantes. Além dos componentes de SM, idade e tabagismo se mostrarem associados com SM.

Correlação dos índices de atividade da artrite reumatoide (Disease Activity Score 28 medidos com VHS, PCR, Simplified Disease Activity Index e Clinical Disease Activity Index) e concordância dos estados de atividade da doença com vários pontos de corte numa população do nordeste brasileiro / Correlation of rheumatoid arthritis activity indexes (Disease Activity Score 28 measured with ESR and CRP, Simplified Disease Activity Index and Clinical Disease Activity Index) and agreement of disease activity states with various cut-off points in a Northeastern Brazilian population

Resumo Introdução: O Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) e versões têm sido usados para medir atividade da artrite reumatoide (AR), mas não existe consenso sobre qual é o melhor. Objetivos: Determinar a correlação entre os índices (DAS28 VHS, DAS28 PCR, SDAI e CDAI) e avaliar a concordância dos estratos de atividade com o uso de diferentes pontos de corte. Métodos: Pacientes com artrite reumatoide foram avaliados transversalmente com coleta de dados para cálculo do DAS28 (VHS e PCR), SDAI e CDAI, com o uso de pontos de cortes diferentes para definição de remissão, atividade leve, moderada e alta. Correlações de Pearson foram calculadas para medidas contínuas e concordância (teste de kappa) para os estratos (remissão, atividade leve, moderada e alta). Resultados: De 111 pacientes incluídos, 108 foram mulheres, média de 55,6 anos, tempo de doença de 11 anos. DAS28 (VHS) foi significantemente maior do que DAS28 (PCR) (4 vs. 3,5; p < 0,001) e os valores permaneceram maiores após estratificação por idade, sexo, tempo doença, fator reumatoide e HAQ. Correlações entre índices variaram de 0,84 a 0,99, com melhor correlação entre SDAI e CDAI. Concordâncias entre estratos de atividade variaram de 46,8% a 95,8%. DAS28 (PCR) com ponto de corte para remissão de 2,3 subestimou atividade da doença em 45,8% quando comparado com DAS28 (VHS). SDAI e CDAI apresentaram concordância de 95,8%. Os quatro índices mostraram associação com tempo de doença e HAQ. Conclusões: Embora os índices de atividade apresentem boa correlação, mostram discrepâncias nos estratos de atividade. Tornam-se necessários mais estudos para definir melhor índice e melhores pontos de corte.

Abstract Introduction: The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and its versions have been used to measure rheumatoid arthritis activity, but there is no consensus about which one is the best. Objectives: Determine the correlation among indexes (DAS28 ESR, DAS28 CRP, SDAI and CDAI) and evaluate agreement of activity strata using different cut-off points. Methods: Rheumatoid arthritis patients were cross-sectionally evaluated with data collection to calculate the DAS28 (ESR and CRP), SDAI and CDAI, using different cut-offs for defining remission, mild, moderate and high activity. Pearson correlations were calculated for continuous measures and agreement (kappa test) for the strata (remission, mild, moderate and high activity). Results: Of 111 patients included, 108 were women, age 55.6 years, 11-year disease duration. DAS28 (ESR) was significantly higher than DAS28 (CRP) (4.0 vs. 3.5; p < 0.001) and the values remained higher after stratification by age, gender, disease duration, rheumatoid factor and HAQ. Correlations among indexes ranged from 0.84 to 0.99, with better correlation between SDAI and CDAI. Agreements among activity strata ranged from 46.8% to 95.8%. DAS28 (CRP) with cut-off point for the remission of 2.3 underestimated disease activity by 45.8% compared with DAS28 (ESR). SDAI and CDAI showed agreement of 95.8%. The four indexes were associated with disease duration and HAQ. Conclusions: Although the activity indexes show good correlation, they show discrepancies in activity strata, thus requiring more researches to define a better index and better cut-off points.

Identification of mechanisms involved in the relaxation of rabbit cavernous smooth muscle by a new nitric oxide donor ruthenium compound

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxation in vitro of cavernous smooth muscle induced by a new NO donor of the complex nitrosil-ruthenium, named trans-[Ru(NH3)4(caffeine)(NO)]C13 (Rut-Caf) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tissues, immersed in isolated bath systems, were pre-contracted with phenilephrine (PE) (1 µM) and then concentration-response curves (10-12 - 10-4 M) were obtained. To clarify the mechanism of action involved, it was added to the baths ODQ (10 µM, 30 µM), oxyhemoglobin (10 µM), L-cysteine (100 µM), hydroxicobalamine (100 µM), glibenclamide, iberotoxin and apamine. Tissue samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen to measure the amount of cGMP and cAMP produced. RESULTS: The substances provoked significant relaxation of the cavernous smooth muscle. Both Rut-Caf and SNP determined dose-dependent relaxation with similar potency (pEC50) and maximum effect (Emax). The substances showed activity through activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), because the relaxations were inhibited by ODQ. Oxyhemoglobin significantly diminished the relaxation effect of the substances. L-cysteine failed to modify the relaxations caused by the agents. Hydroxicobalamine significantly diminished the relaxation effect of Rut-Caf. Glibenclamide significantly increased the efficacy of Rut-Caf (pEC50 4.09 x 7.09). There were no alterations of potency or maximum effect of the substances with the addition of the other ion channel blockers. Rut-Caf induced production of significant amounts of cGMP and cAMP during the relaxation process. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Rut-Caf causes relaxation of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum by means of activation of sGC with intracellular production of cGMP and cAMP; and also by release of NO in the intracellular environment. Rut-Caf releases the NO free radical and it does not act directly on the potassium ion channels.