Osteoporosis in psoriatic arthritis: Risk factors, insufficiency fractures and its association with the disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) and insufficiency fractures in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of OP and insufficiency fractures in a representative cohort of patients with PsA, and to analyse its association with general risk factors and characteristics of the psoriatic disease in our geographical area. METHODS: Multi-centric, descriptive study of patients with PsA. We recorded clinical characteristics, as well as protective and risk factors for OP and insufficiency fractures. Hip and lumbar densitometry and lateral X-ray of the spine were evaluated. Descriptive statistics for OP and risk factors were calculated. The patients with OP were compared to those without by univariate analyses, and results were adjusted by age and sex. The association of OP and fractures with clinical characteristics was analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: 166 patients (50 men; 116 women) were included. OP was present in 26.5%, and it was more frequent in women and patients above 50 years old. Insufficiency fractures occurred in 5.4% of the total sample. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with age over 50 [OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.2-11.6); p=.02]. No association with clinical parameters was found. The most frequent risk factors among patients with OP were vitamin D insufficiency, sedentary behaviour, low calcium intake, and active smoking. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with early menopause [OR 11.7; 95% CI (1.29-106.0); p=.029] and sedentary behaviour [OR 2.3; 95% CI (1.0-5.2); p=.049]. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PsA, OP is more frequent in women and patients over 50 years old. A sedentary lifestyle and early menopause may add extra risk for OP. Type, duration disease, and treatments are not associated with OP or insufficiency fractures.

Osteoporosis in psoriatic arthritis: Risk factors, insufficiency fractures and its association with the disease activity / Osteoporosis en la artritis psoriásica: factores de riesgo, fracturas por insuficiencia y su asociación con la actividad de la enfermedad

Objective: The prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) and insufficiency fractures in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of OP and insufficiency fractures in a representative cohort of patients with PsA, and to analyse its association with general risk factors and characteristics of the psoriatic disease in our geographical area. Methods: Multi-centric, descriptive study of patients with PsA. We recorded clinical characteristics, as well as protective and risk factors for OP and insufficiency fractures. Hip and lumbar densitometry and lateral X-ray of the spine were evaluated. Descriptive statistics for OP and risk factors were calculated. The patients with OP were compared to those without by univariate analyses, and results were adjusted by age and sex. The association of OP and fractures with clinical characteristics was analysed by logistic regression. Results: 166 patients (50 men; 116 women) were included. OP was present in 26.5%, and it was more frequent in women and patients above 50 years old. Insufficiency fractures occurred in 5.4% of the total sample. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with age over 50 [OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.2–11.6); p=.02]. No association with clinical parameters was found. The most frequent risk factors among patients with OP were vitamin D insufficiency, sedentary behaviour, low calcium intake, and active smoking. In the logistic regression, OP was associated with early menopause [OR 11.7; 95% CI (1.29–106.0); p=.029] and sedentary behaviour [OR 2.3; 95% CI (1.0–5.2); p=.049]. Conclusions: In patients with PsA, OP is more frequent in women and patients over 50 years old. A sedentary lifestyle and early menopause may add extra risk for OP. Type, duration disease, and treatments are not associated with OP or insufficiency fractures.(AU)

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia de osteoporosis (OP) y fracturas por insuficiencia en una cohorte representativa de pacientes con artritis psoriásica (APs) y analizar su asociación con factores de riesgo generales y características de la enfermedad psoriásica en nuestra área geográfica. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico y descriptivo de pacientes con APs. Se registraron las características clínicas, así como los factores protectores y de riesgo de OP y fracturas por insuficiencia. Se evaluó la densitometría de cadera y lumbar y la radiografía lateral de columna. Se calcularon las estadísticas descriptivas de la OP y los factores de riesgo. Los pacientes con OP se compararon con los que no la tenían mediante análisis univariantes, y los resultados se ajustaron por edad y sexo. La asociación de la OP y las fracturas con las características clínicas se analizó mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Se incluyeron 166 pacientes (50 hombres; 116 mujeres). La OP estaba presente en el 26,5% y era más frecuente en mujeres y pacientes mayores de 50 años. Se produjeron fracturas por insuficiencia en el 5,4% de la muestra total. En la regresión logística la OP se asoció con la edad superior a 50 años (OR: 3,7; IC 95%: 1,2-11,6; p=0,02), con la menopausia precoz (OR: 11,7; IC 95%: 1,29-106,0; p=0,029) y el comportamiento sedentario (OR: 2,3; IC 95%: 1,0-5,2; p=0,049). Conclusiones: En pacientes con APs la OP es más frecuente en mujeres y en aquellos mayores de 50 años. Un estilo de vida sedentario y una menopausia precoz pueden añadir un riesgo adicional de OP. El tipo, la duración de la enfermedad y los tratamientos no se asocian a las fracturas OP ni a las fracturas por insuficiencia.(AU)

Use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in patients who attend a Rheumatology clinic / Prevalencia de consumo de benzodiacepinas y antidepresivos en los pacientes que acuden por primera vez a la consulta de reumatología

ABSTRACT Introduction: During the last decades, benzodiazepines (BZD) and antidepressants (ADP) have been among the most prescribed therapies in all developed countries. They have side effects, and BZD carry a risk of abuse and dependence disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of BZD and ADP among patients who attend a Rheumatology clinic, as well as the indication for these drugs. Methods: The study included patients who were referred for the first time to the Rheumatology clinic. Demographical data, reason for referral, and final diagnosis were recorded. The indication for ADP and/or BZD was recorded, as well as the duration of treatment. Sample size was estimated for a 0.05% alpha risk. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to study the relationships with the demographical or clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 350 patients were included (women 77.1%, men 22.9%). Most of them (73.4%) had been referred for musculoskeletal pain. More than a third (36.6%) of patients were on BZD and/or ADP. The most frequent reasons for their prescription were anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The final diagnosis in the clinic was a non-inflammatory condition in 82%, and an inflammatory one in 18%. In the univariate analyses, the use of BZD/ADP was associated with female gender (p<.001), unemployment (p<.001) and non-inflammatory final diagnosis (p < .001). In the multivariate analyses, the use of BZD and/or ADP was associated with female sex (p = .002 [OR 3.4, 95% CI; 1.6-7.4]), and a non-inflammatory final diagnosis, specifically fibromyalgia (p = .007 [OR 16.1, 95% CI; 2.2-120.7]). Conclusion: Use of BZD and ADP is high and associated with non-inflammatory disease.

RESUMEN Introducción: Durante las últimas décadas, las benzodiacepinas (BZD) y los antidepresivos (ADP) han estado entre las terapias más prescritas en todos los países desarrollados. Estos fármacos tienen efectos secundarios y las BZD pueden ocasionar abuso y problemas de dependencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de consumo de BZD y ADP entre los pacientes que acuden a una consulta de reumatología por primera vez, así como la indicación para ellos. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes remitidos por primera vez a la consulta de reumatología. Se registraron los datos demográficos, el motivo de la derivación y el diagnóstico final. Con respecto al tratamiento con ADP y/o BZD, se registraron su duración y la indicación de la prescripción. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó para un riesgo alfa de 0,05%. Se realizaron análisis univariantes y multivariantes para estudiar las asociaciones con características demográficas o clínicas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 350 pacientes (mujeres 77,1%, hombres 22,9%). La mayoría de ellos habían sido remitidos por dolor musculoesquelético (73,4%). Más de un tercio (36,6%) de los pacientes estaban en tratamiento con BZD y/o ADP. Las causas más frecuentes para su prescripción fueron ansiedad, depresión e insomnio. El diagnóstico final fue patología no inflamatoria en el 82% de los casos e inflamatoria en el 18% de estos. En el análisis univariante, el uso de BZD y/o ADP se asoció con el sexo femenino (p< 0,001), el desempleo (p< 0,001) y el diagnóstico de patología no inflamatoria (p< 0,001). En el análisis multivariante, el uso de BZD y/o ADP se asoció con el sexo femenino (p=0,002 [OR 3,4; IC 95% 1,6-7,4]) y el diagnóstico de patología no inflamatoria, específicamente con la fibromyalgia (p = 0,007 [OR 16,1; IC 95% 2,2-120,7]). Conclusión: El consumo de BZD y ADP es frecuente y está asociado con patología no inflamatoria.

Association Between FGF-23 Levels and Risk of Fracture in Women With Systemic Sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) and serum fibroblast grow factor-23 (FGF-23) levels in SSc women patients compared with healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was performed in San Cecilio Hospital, Granada (Spain) from November 2017 to May 2019. Sixty-two women with SSc and 62 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. FGF-23 serum concentration was evaluated by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The FRAX scoring tool was applied using the on-line calculator (www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX). RESULTS: Even though there was no significant difference in FGF-23 levels between SSc women patients and healthy controls (78.2 ± 60.5 vs 80.3 ± 56.3 pg/mL, p = 0.662). FGF-23 levels were positively associated with FRAX index within the study group. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FGF-23 status is associated with FRAX index in women with SSc. FGF-23 could be a promising biomarker for detecting risk fracture in SSc women patients.

Association between homocysteine levels and arterial stiffness in women with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate homocysteine (Hcy) serum levels in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared with healthy controls and to examine possible associations between Hcy and markers of arterial stiffness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at a single hospital between November 2017 and May 2019: 62 women with SSc and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured non-invasively along the carotid-femoral arterial segment. Serum Hcy was analysed using immunonephelo-metric method. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in Hcy serum levels between SSc female patients and healthy controls (11.9±3.3 vs. 10.3±2.3 µmol/ml, p=0.002). Serum levels of Hcy were positively correlated with PWV (r=0.28, p<0.05), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (r=0.36, p<0.05) and disease duration (r=0.38, p<0.05), within the SSc group. In addition, in the linear regression model, higher Hcy concentrations were associated with higher PWV [ß=0.74 95% CI (0.085, 1.394); p=0.027], BNP [ß=0.04 95% CI (0.014, 0.072); p=0.004] and disease duration [ß=0.18 95% CI (0.070, 0.300); p=0.002]. In multiple linear regression model adjusting for covariants, Hcy remained positively related to the PWV [ß=0.033 95% CI (0.003, 0.062); p=0.031]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed a positive correlation between Hcy serum levels and PWV, which indicates that high levels of Hcy may predispose to the development of vascular stiffness in patients with SSc.

Role of fibroblast growth factor-23 in calcinosis in women with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disorder of unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) serum levels in women with SSc compared with healthy controls and to examine a possible association between FGF-23 serum levels with the presence of calcinosis in SSc patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in San Cecilio Hospital, Granada (Spain) from November 2017 to May 2019. Sixty-two women with SSc and 62 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. FGF-23 serum concentration was evaluated by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FGF-23 levels between SSc patients and healthy controls (78.2 ± 60.5 vs. 80.3 ± 56.3 pg/mL, p= 0.662). Regarding the characteristics of the disease, we found a relationship between the values of FGF-23 and the presence of calcinosis. The levels of FGF-23 are higher in patients suffering from calcinosis (p= 0.028). CONCLUSION: We observed the presence of higher levels of serum FGF-23 in SSc female patients with calcinosis. Therefore, FGF-23 could be a possible therapeutic target for future treatments.

FGF23-Klotho axis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare serum Klotho and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls. Possible association between FGF-23 and soluble Klotho with different characteristic of the disease as well as their potential role as surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were studied. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with RA recruited at Vega-Baja Hospital, Orihuela (Spain) from November 2016 to May 2018 and sixty-five age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Serum Klotho and FGF-23 were analysed using ELISA. RESULTS: Patients had higher serum levels of Klotho than healthy controls (p˂0.0001). They were positively associated with the presence of anticitrullinated peptide antibody and rheumatic factor (p<0.05). Klotho serum levels were higher in RA patients treated with biologic agents than in those undergoing conventional therapy (p=0.008). However, no association with carotid intima media thickness was found. Although no significant differences in serum FGF-23 levels between patients and controls were found (p=0.43), FGF-23 levels were positively associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) level (p<0.05) and smoking (p=0.008) in patients with RA. CONCLUSIONS: The increased serum Klotho levels in RA patients, especially in those undergoing biologic therapy, may indicate a potential implication in the pathogenesis of the disease. Although levels of FGF-23 were related to LDL-c levels, the FGF-23-Klotho axis does not seem to be related to subclinical arteriosclerosis in RA.

Endothelin-1 serum levels in women with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum Endothelin-1(ET-1) levels in women Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients compared with healthy controls, examine possible associations between ET-1 with different characteristic of the disease and investigate possible associations between ET-1 with surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Vega-Baja Hospital, Orihuela (Spain) from November 2016 to May 2018. Sixty-three women with RA and sixty-five age and sex healthy controls were included in this study. Serum ET-1 was analyzed using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum levels of ET-1 in RA women patients were higher than those in healthy controls (p ˂0.001). Serum levels of ET-1 were positively associated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) and with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). ET-1 levels in women with RA were higher in smokers. Prednisone use was associated with lower ET-1 levels. No association with carotid intima media thickness was found. CONCLUSIONS: we observed the presence of higher levels of serum ET-1 in RA women patients compared with healthy controls. These increased levels of ET-1 are associated with inflammation and smoking and reduced by prednisone intake.

Uveítis por bisfosfonatos: ¿un raro efecto secundario? / Uveitis due to bisphosphonates: a rare side effect?

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Meningitis aguda en la enfermedad de Behçet / Acute meningitis in Behcet's disease

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