The rs878081 polymorphism of AIRE gene increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in a Chinese Han population: a case-control study

The autoimmune regulator (AIRE), a transcriptional regulator expressed in medullary thymic epithelial cells, plays an important role in thymocyte education and negative selection. Several citations studying the association between the rs878081 exon polymorphism of the AIRE gene and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in different populations have yielded conflicting findings. Thus, this case-control study involving 300 RA cases and 300 controls was aimed to identify whether such association existed in a Chinese Han population from East China. The rs878081 polymorphism of the AIRE gene was genotyped. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the chi-squared test, genetic model analysis, and stratification analysis. Genetic model analysis showed significant correlations between the TT genotype and the risk of RA (OR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.03-3.47 in TT vs CC; OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.02-3.31 in TT vs CC+TC). Stratification analyses of sex, age, smoking, and alcoholism suggested that the rs878081 polymorphism of the AIRE gene increased RA risk among non-smokers. In conclusion, rs878081 polymorphism of AIRE gene increases the risk of RA in a Chinese Han population.

Estudio demográfico-social de pacientes con artritis reumatoidea en la provincia de Córdoba (Argentina) / Social-demographic research in rheumatoid arthritis patients in province of Cordoba (Argentina)

Se realizó una investigación epidemiológica a través de un test estructuradoa 300 pacientes con artritis reumatoidea (AR) en Córdoba (Argentina) cuyo objetivo fue estudiar factores demográficos y sociales que influirían en su estado de salud y calidad de vida. Participaron 256 mujeres y 44 hombres. La edad promedio al diagnóstico fue 43,24 ± 14,54 años. La mayoría eran casados y vivían en áreas urbanas. Un 17,8% tenía estudios terciarios. Muchos teníancobertura social, pero casi un 50% refería que esa cobertura era regular o mala. Se atendían proporcionalmente en hospitales públicos, clínicas y consultorios particulares. El 47,25% recibió un primer diagnóstico erróneo y un 35,6% refería tener poca información sobre AR. El 78,7% presentaba alivio para sus dolores con el tratamiento actual. Un 18,3% utilizaba utensilios especiales para la vida diaria y el 17% terapias alternativas. La mayoría era clase funcional ACR II y un 55% de ellos presentaba actividad al momentode la muestra. Un 66,9% dependía económicamente de otros para vivir. Estos hallazgos muestran la situación de una población importante de pacientes con AR y estos resultados podrán ser usados para posteriores correlaciones con test funcionales y cuestionarios sobre calidad de vida

HLA class-I and class-II antigen association in rheumatoid arthritis at Varanasi, India.

Clinical presentation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its severity differs in different races. Genetic factors play a significant role in its predeliction. The present study was undertaken to find out association of HLA class I and class II antigens with rheumatoid arthritis prevalent in Asian Indians residing at Varanasi. Ninety rheumatoid arthritis patients strictly fulfilling American Rheumatism Association criteria were screened for prevalent HLA class I and class II antigen by Terasaki Microlympho-cytotoxicity test. Results were compared with 100 healthy controls and 35 Seronegative Spondyloarthritides cases (SSA). Rheumatoid arthritis patients showed increased frequency of HLA-A2 and B40 antigens compared to healthy controls (p < .001). SSA patients showed significantly increased Phenotype frequency (PF) of HLA-B27 (p < .0001) and B40 (p < .001). Significant detection of HLA-A2 exclusively in RA patients suggests a more positive association of A2 in rheumatoid arthritis at Varanasi. HLA-B40 could not be attributed absolute significance of association with SSA or RA as it showed increased frequency in both diseases.

Estudo da prevalência da artrite reumatóide em populaçäo de origem japonesa em Moji das Cruzes, Säo Paulo / Study of prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in population of origin japonese in Moji das Cruzes, Säo Paulo

Com o objetivo de avaliar as influências de fatores ambientais e genéticos na etiopatogenia da AR, os autores estudaram a prevalência dessa doença numa amostra populacional de japoneses e seus descendentes que moram em Moji das Cruzes, Säo Paulo. Foram estudados 2.996 indivíduos com mais de 16 anos; a prevalência de AR definida foi de 0,20 por cento e de AR provável também foi de 0,20 por cento. Esses resultados foram muito semelhantes aos encontrados em estudo realizado no Japäo, empregando a mesma metodologia. Isso sugere que possa haver fatores "protetores" para se explicar a relativamente baixa prevalência da doença entre os japoneses e que esses fatores näo sofreram alteraçöes com as mudanças ambientais