Mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Argentina.

Some reports describe an increased mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population. The aims of this study were to evaluate the cumulative survival in patients with AS and to establish possible factors associated with mortality. In cross-sectional retrospective study, AS patients were included according to 1984 modified NY criteria, in the 2000-2010 period, the prevalence of mortality was determined by review of medical records, telephone contact, family reports, and death certificates, and it was compared with mortality in Argentina's general population. One hundred twenty-seven patients were studied, 96 (75.6 %) were male, median age 49 years (interquartile range (IQR) 34-60) and median disease duration 8 years (IQR 4-17). During the follow-up period, 9 patients died (7.1 %). The median estimated survival from diagnosis of AS was 39 years (IQR 34-50) and median cumulative survival was 76 years (IQR 74-85). Cardiovascular disease was the most frequent cause of death (5/9 patients). Deceased patients had a mean age and a mean AS disease duration significantly higher than living patients (68.1 ± 12.4 years vs 46.4 ± 15.09 years, p = 0.0001 and 33 ± 13.7 years vs 12 ± 10.7 years, p = 0.001, respectively), higher frequency of total surgeries [3/5 (60 %) vs 5/105 (4.76 %), p = 0.002] and cauda equina syndrome [3/6 (50 %) vs 2/116 (1.72 %), p = 0.001], respectively. Frequency of mortality in AS patients was higher than the crude mortality rate of Argentina's general population in the same period, with cardiovascular cause being the most frequent one.

Daño radiológico en al mano dominante de pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Radiographic damage in the dominant hand of rheumatoid artritis patients

La Artritis Reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflametoria crónica que compromete predominantemente manos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de daño radiológico en la mano dominante (MD) de pacientes con AR. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal, se incluyeron pacientes con AR (ACR 87Æ) de la consulta ambulatoria (noviembre de 2011 a julio de 2012). Se determinó la MD y se realizó lectura radiológica por un lector ciego validado, mediante Sharp van der Heijde modificado. Estadística: se realizó estadística descriptiva básica, y comparaciones mediante Chi2, test de Fisher o test de T para muestras relacionadas según correspondiera. Se consideró p<0,50 como significativa. Resultados: se incluyeron 52 pacientes, 43 mujeres (82,7%), la mediana de edad de 47 años (RIC: 41-56), de evolución de la AR de 10 años (RIC: 3-14). En 50 pacientes (96,2%), la mano derecha fue MD. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el puntaje total de SvdH modificado, ni de pinzamiento, ni de erosiones. Los varones tuvieron el doble de puntaje medio erosivo, pero no significativo. Conclusión: no se puede demostrar asociación entre la MD y el daño radiológico. Debería estudiarse el subgrupo masculino en estudios de mayor poder estadístico

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that affects thehand joints. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of domi-nant hand affection in RA patients. Methods:A cross sectional study was designed that included RA pa-tients (ACR 87Æ criteria), that concurred to rheumatologic clinic, fromNovember 2011 to July 2012. Descriptive data was taken, and a radio-logic scoring by Sharp van der Heijde score was assessed comparingboth hands. Statistics:The variables were compared by Chi2, Fisher orT-student tests and a p <0.05 value was considered significant.Results: Fifty-two patients were included, 43 female (82.7%), 47 yearsof median age (IQR: 41-56), and 10 years of median disease evolution.In 50 patients (96.2%), the right hand was dominant. There were no dif-ferences between both hands in the total mSvdH score, nor the erosionnor the space narrowing score. Male patients were more prone to havehigher erosive scores, but the number was small (six).Conclusion: No association was seen between radiological damageand dominant hand. Male patients should be included in future studiesto clarify this issue in this sub-group of RA patients.(AU)

Daño radiológico en al mano dominante de pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Radiographic damage in the dominant hand of rheumatoid artritis patients

La Artritis Reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflametoria crónica que compromete predominantemente manos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de daño radiológico en la mano dominante (MD) de pacientes con AR. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal, se incluyeron pacientes con AR (ACR 87’) de la consulta ambulatoria (noviembre de 2011 a julio de 2012). Se determinó la MD y se realizó lectura radiológica por un lector ciego validado, mediante Sharp van der Heijde modificado. Estadística: se realizó estadística descriptiva básica, y comparaciones mediante Chi2, test de Fisher o test de T para muestras relacionadas según correspondiera. Se consideró p<0,50 como significativa. Resultados: se incluyeron 52 pacientes, 43 mujeres (82,7%), la mediana de edad de 47 años (RIC: 41-56), de evolución de la AR de 10 años (RIC: 3-14). En 50 pacientes (96,2%), la mano derecha fue MD. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el puntaje total de SvdH modificado, ni de pinzamiento, ni de erosiones. Los varones tuvieron el doble de puntaje medio erosivo, pero no significativo. Conclusión: no se puede demostrar asociación entre la MD y el daño radiológico. Debería estudiarse el subgrupo masculino en estudios de mayor poder estadístico

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that affects thehand joints. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of domi-nant hand affection in RA patients. Methods:A cross sectional study was designed that included RA pa-tients (ACR 87’ criteria), that concurred to rheumatologic clinic, fromNovember 2011 to July 2012. Descriptive data was taken, and a radio-logic scoring by Sharp van der Heijde score was assessed comparingboth hands. Statistics:The variables were compared by Chi2, Fisher orT-student tests and a p <0.05 value was considered significant.Results: Fifty-two patients were included, 43 female (82.7%), 47 yearsof median age (IQR: 41-56), and 10 years of median disease evolution.In 50 patients (96.2%), the right hand was dominant. There were no dif-ferences between both hands in the total mSvdH score, nor the erosionnor the space narrowing score. Male patients were more prone to havehigher erosive scores, but the number was small (six).Conclusion: No association was seen between radiological damageand dominant hand. Male patients should be included in future studiesto clarify this issue in this sub-group of RA patients.