Inhaled glucocorticoids are associated with vertebral fractures in COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis. Oral glucocorticoids are deleterious to bone; however, the impact of inhaled glucocorticoids (ICS) remains unclear. Our objective was to determine whether ICS contribute to osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Sixty-one COPD patients, 35 current users of ICS and 26 who had never received glucocorticoids, were evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition and underwent vertebral fracture assessment (VFA). The risk factors for bone disease considered for analysis were age, gender, ICS use, body mass index (BMI), muscle mass index (MMI), and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) category. The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) calculation tool for the Brazilian population was also employed. The groups did not differ regarding gender, BMI, MMI, GOLD class, lowest values of the BMD T-score and Z-score, prevalence of osteoporosis, or low BMD for age. Vertebral fractures were identified via VFA in seven patients using ICS and in none of those not receiving glucocorticoids (p = 0.02). There was a trend for an association between MMI and osteoporosis (p = 0.05) and for a progressive decrease in the BMD Z-score according to the COPD severity assessed via the GOLD score (p = 0.08). Vertebral fractures were not associated with osteoporosis (p = 0.69) or low MMI (p = 0.12). The fracture risk was not estimated by FRAX. ICS may lead to bone fragility before a significant decrease in BMD. Low muscle mass and COPD severity may contribute to bone disease.

Alteration in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in dengue patients: analysis of 1, 398 cases

A study of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate during the first hour (ESR) in dengue patients would help determine how this parameter is affected by this disease, as well as whether it can be used for diagnosis. One thousand, three hundred and ninety-eight cases of dengue attended at the Dengue Treatment Center, Campos dos Goytacazes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were included. The ESR values were classified as normal or elevated and compared by gender and clinical form of the disease. Among the 1,398 cases ESR was normal in 81.25 percent (n = 1,136), while in 18.75 percent (n=262) it was elevated. In 83.92 percent (n=514) of the male dengue patients ESR was normal, while in 16.08 percent (n=98) it was elevated. Among female dengue patients, 79.17 percent (n=622) had normal ESR, and in 20.83 percent (n=164) ESR was elevated (p=0.05). Among patients with classic dengue, 77.28 percent (n=961) had normal ESR, while in 22.72 percent (n=282), it was elevated. Also in 85.81 percent (n=133) of patients with hemorrhagic dengue, ESR was normal, while in 14.19 percent (n=22) ESR was elevated (p=0.026). We concluded that ESR was within normal ranges in most dengue cases, independent of gender or clinical presentation. Given the high frequency of normality and the ease of determination of this parameter, ESR data can help in the differential diagnosis of dengue.

Alteration in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in dengue patients: analysis of 1,398 cases.

A study of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate during the first hour (ESR) in dengue patients would help determine how this parameter is affected by this disease, as well as whether it can be used for diagnosis. One thousand, three hundred and ninety-eight cases of dengue attended at the Dengue Treatment Center, Campos dos Goytacazes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were included. The ESR values were classified as normal or elevated and compared by gender and clinical form of the disease. Among the 1,398 cases ESR was normal in 81.25% (n = 1,136), while in 18.75% (n=262) it was elevated. In 83.92% (n=514) of the male dengue patients ESR was normal, while in 16.08% (n=98) it was elevated. Among female dengue patients, 79.17% (n=622) had normal ESR, and in 20.83% (n=164) ESR was elevated (p=0.05). Among patients with classic dengue, 77.28% (n=961) had normal ESR, while in 22.72% (n=282), it was elevated. Also in 85.81% (n=133) of patients with hemorrhagic dengue, ESR was normal, while in 14.19% (n=22) ESR was elevated (p=0.026). We concluded that ESR was within normal ranges in most dengue cases, independent of gender or clinical presentation. Given the high frequency of normality and the ease of determination of this parameter, ESR data can help in the differential diagnosis of dengue.

Artrite reumatóide e mononeurite múltipla: relato de caso / Arthritis rheumatoids and mononeuritis multiplex: case report

A artrite reumatóide é uma doença inflamatória sistêmica crônica que se caracteriza por acometimento das articula­ções diartrodiais e, com frequência, outros órgãos. Entre as manifestações extra-articulares é importante destacar os acometimentos cardíaco, pulmonar, dermatológico e neurológico. A mononeurite múltipla é uma das manifes­tações neurológicas da artrite reumatóide e ocorre como consequência de uma vasculite reumatóide. O objetivo des­te estudo foi apresentar um caso de paciente com artrite reu­matóide com boa evolução após o tratamento

Sarcoidose: eritema nodoso, adenomegalia mediastinal e febre em mulher brasileira de 47 anos / Sarcoidosis: erythema nodosum, mediastinal mass and fever in a 47 year-old brazilian woman

A sarcoidose é uma doença sistêmica, inflamatória, crônica, de etiologia desconhecida até o momento, que se caracteriza pelo acúmulo de linfócitos e fagócitos mononucleares com formação de granulomas não caseosos nos órgãos acometidos provocando, com isso, desarranjo em suas estruturas teciduais. Os órgãos mais afetados costumam ser os pulmões, o sistema linfático, a pele e os olhos. Nesse relato, apresentamos um caso de sarcoidose pulmonar aguda, com febre, linfonodomegalia mediastinal e eritema nodoso, em uma mulher branca de 47 anos de idade que descobriu a doença após exame médico de rotina