RESUMO
Abstract Background: Clinically evident interstitial lung disease (ILD) affects between 10 and 42% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Airway involvement seems to be even more common. Most of the available evidence comes from studies performed in established RA patients. The aim of our study was to know the prevalence of non-diagnosed lung disease (airway and interstitial involvement) in patients with early RA and look for associated factors. Methods: We designed an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study, and included patients with RA of less than two years since diagnosis. We performed a structured questionnaire, HRCT and lung functional tests looking for lung disease, together with joint disease evaluation. We analyzed which variables were associated with the presence of lung disease on HRCT. Results: We included 83 patients, 83% females. The median (IQR) of time since RA diagnosis was 3 (1-6) months. In the HRCT, 57 patients had airway compromisea (72%), and 6 had interstitial abnormalities (7.5%). The most common altertion found in lung functional tests was a reduced DLCO (14%). The presence of at least one abnormality in the physical exam was associated with lung involvement on HRCT [13 (21.6%) vs 0 (0%); p = 0.026]. Also, patients with lung involvement presented significantly lower values of FVC% and DLCO%, and higher values of RV/TLC. No variable related to joint involvement was found associated with alterations in HRCT. Conclusion: Our study shows that a large proportion of early RA patients has abnormal findings in HRCT. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
RESUMO
La osteoporosis inducida por glucocorticoides (OIC) es la causa más común de osteoporosis secundaria. La pérdida ósea se produce en forma temprana, en los primeros meses siguientes a la introducción de los glucocorticoides (GC), dependiendo de la dosis diaria. La patogénesis es multifactorial y el principal efecto deletéreo es la inhibición de la formación ósea. Los GC inducen fracturas por fragilidad ósea, especialmente en la columna vertebral, y esto genera incapacidad funcional. En los últimos años se han publicado algunas guías internacionales elaboradas por consenso para la prevención y el tratamiento de la OIC. La Sociedad Argentina de Osteoporosis designó a un grupo de trabajo para elaborar una guía propia y actualizada para el diagnóstico, la prevención y el tratamiento de la OIC (GE-OIC-SAO). (AU)
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis. It occurs early, with rapid bone loss in the first few weeks after the initiation of the treatment, with a rate that is dependent mainly on the daily dose. While the pathogenesis is multifactorial, the highest inhibitory effect occurs on bone formation. Glucocorticoids induce fragility fractures, especially in spine, generating functional disability. In recent years, there have been some international guidelines developed by consensus for the prevention and treatment of GIO. The Argentinean Osteoporosis Society appointed a working group to prepare a national guide updating the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of GIO. (AU)