Rheumatology education in Europe: results of a survey of young rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the level of education and participation in an internship abroad and to European league against rheumatism (EULAR) on line course of young rheumatologists. To define new tools for learning. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 170 trainees and young specialists in 2008-2009 during official EULAR meetings or using the mailing list of European young rheumatologists in training. The questions with related visual analogical scale (VAS score 0-10) for satisfaction encompassed the following issues: languages, computer, daily hours employed, different items of medical culture, internship abroad, EULAR on-line course and bursaries. VAS>6 was considered a good level of satisfaction. RESULTS: 170 young rheumatologists (113 trainees and 57 specialists, 33±4.2 years old) from 32 EULAR countries did not approve their own national training (42.3%), believed in an European common education system (90.5%), had a good knowledge of English (85.7%) and computer (90.5%) and spent the majority of time in clinical practice (57.5%) in comparison with study and research. The young rheumatologists had higher competence in drug management (93.5%) than in clinical assessment and knowledge of imaging and anatomy, and mostly suggested new ways of communication (61.4% on-line courses and 66.1% DVD) to improve their education. 38% made stage abroad and participated to EULAR on-line course, with high satisfaction, but only half of them were granted by bursaries. CONCLUSIONS: Young rheumatologists are low confident in their own education and believe that visits to other training centers and new ways of learning (on line and DVD) might improve their competence.

Vasculitis de Jacob Churg y Lotte Strauss. Descripción de 9 casos / Churg-Strauss Vasculitis. Description of 9 cases

Introducción El síndrome de Churg-Strauss (SCS) es una vasculitis que afecta a vasos de pequeño y mediano calibre, caracterizándose clínicamente por afectación predominante del aparato respiratorio, asma y eosinofilia periférica y anatomopatológicamente por la presencia de granulomas y la infiltración tisular por eosinófilos. Objetivos En el presente trabajo se detallan las características de una serie de 9 pacientes con SCS diagnosticados en un centro universitario de referencia. Pacientes y métodos Estudio retrospectivo: entre 1984 y 2007 se diagnosticaron 9 pacientes con SCS en nuestro centro. De todos ellos se obtuvieron de forma retrospectiva datos epidemiológicos, clínicos, analíticos, estudios anatomopatológicos y tratamiento recibido. Resultados De estos 9 pacientes, 7 eran hombres. La edad media en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 51 años (rango 23–76 años). Ocho de los pacientes tenían antecedente de asma bronquial. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron las cutáneas (66%), musculoesqueléticas (66%), del sistema nervioso periférico (55%) y las pulmonares (55%). Todos presentaban eosinofilia periférica. Los anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) fueron positivos en 6 pacientes (66%), la mayor parte de ellos con patrón perinuclear en inmunofluorescencia (p-ANCA). Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento con glucocorticoides y 8 de ellos requirieron, además, tratamiento inmunosupresor, principalmente ciclofosfamida. Conclusiones En este trabajo se presentan 9 pacientes diagnosticados de SCS. Las manifestaciones clínicas no difieren de las observadas en el resto de series publicadas. Sin embargo, en esta serie se observa una mayor positividad de ANCA. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron tratados con glucocorticoides e inmunosupresores, debiéndose individualizar el tratamiento de cada paciente según el grado de afectación (AU)

Introduction Churg-Strauss Síndrome (SCS) is a necrotizing vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels, characterized by lung involvement, asthma and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and pathologically by the presence of granulomas and eosinophilic infiltrates. Objectives This report analizes the characteristics of 9 patients with SCS diagnosed in an university referral center. Patients and methods Retrospective study. Between 1984 and 2007 nine patients with SCS were diagnosed in our center. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory test as well as pathologic studies and treatment required were retrospectively analyzed. Results Nine patients (7 males). The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 51 years (range 23–76 years). Eight of these patients had history of asthma. The more frequent organs involved were the skin (66%), musculoesqueletical system (66%), peripheral nervous system (55%) and the lung (55%). All patients presented peripheral eosinophilia. ANCA positivity was demonstrated in 6 patients (66%), most of the patients with the p-ANCA pattern. All patients were treated with corticosteroids, and in 8 immunosupressant treatment was required, mainly cyclophosphamide. Conclusions In this report, 9 patients with SCS are presented. Clinical characteristics are similar with the observed in other reports. We observed a major positivity of ANCA. Most of the patients were treated with corticosteroids and inmunosupresants, but the treatment should be tailored depending on the involvement of the patient (AU)

[Churg-Strauss Vasculitis. Description of 9 cases]. / Vasculitis de Jacob Churg y Lotte Strauss. Descripción de 9 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Churg-Strauss Síndrome (SCS) is a necrotizing vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels, characterized by lung involvement, asthma and peripheral blood eosinophilia, and pathologically by the presence of granulomas and eosinophilic infiltrates. OBJECTIVES: This report analizes the characteristics of 9 patients with SCS diagnosed in an university referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study. Between 1984 and 2007 nine patients with SCS were diagnosed in our center. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory test as well as pathologic studies and treatment required were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients (7 males). The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 51 years (range 23-76 years). Eight of these patients had history of asthma. The more frequent organs involved were the skin (66%), musculoesqueletical system (66%), peripheral nervous system (55%) and the lung (55%). All patients presented peripheral eosinophilia. ANCA positivity was demonstrated in 6 patients (66%), most of the patients with the p-ANCA pattern. All patients were treated with corticosteroids, and in 8 immunosupressant treatment was required, mainly cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, 9 patients with SCS are presented. Clinical characteristics are similar with the observed in other reports. We observed a major positivity of ANCA. Most of the patients were treated with corticosteroids and inmunosupresants, but the treatment should be tailored depending on the involvement of the patient.