Frequency of ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in Colombian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

The objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and the frequency of the ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies in patients affected by undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) in a tertiary hospital in Colombia. This descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled patients who fulfilled the classification criteria for UCTD. ANAHEp- 2 test and the modified assay for ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were performed through the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and the antibodies to anti-extractable nuclear antigens, DNA, phospholipids (IgG, IgM, IgA), and cyclic citrullinated peptide were also evaluated. Fifty-three patients were studied; 42/53 (79%) tested positive for ANA and 5/42 (11.9%) for ANA/DFS70 antibodies with a dense fine speckled fluorescent pattern (AC-2) in ANA HEp-2 test that was confirmed by a modified HEp-2-DFS70 assay. Patients had arthralgia (87%, n=47), non-erosive arthritis (66%, n=34), xerostomia (64%, n=34), xerophthalmia (42%, n=22), and Raynaud's phenomenon (17%, n=9). Arthralgia, xerophthalmia, xeroderma, and absence of disease evolution to a specific disease over five years were more frequent in patients with a positive result for the anti-DFS70 antibodies. The ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were more frequent in patients with UCTD compared to other rheumatic diseases for which they were initially evaluated. More studies are required to support the predictive role of this antibody to the absence of progression to a well-defined connective tissue disease.

[Beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia in a group of rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists in Colombia]. / Conceptos y percepciones acerca del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fibromialgia en un grupo de médicos especialistas en medicina física y rehabilitación en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterised by the presence of musculoskeletal pain, usually associated with other symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders. There is no objective information on the beliefs and perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among rehabilitation and physical medicine specialists. The aim of this study was to describe these beliefs and perceptions among a group of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in Colombia. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study. A focus group was held with the participation of 2 rheumatologists, one physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and an expert in qualitative research. The group designed a survey to assess the beliefs and perceptions of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. The self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was completed during meetings of the Colombian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 99 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. Of these, 17.1% (n=17) believed there was insufficient evidence to consider fibromyalgia a disease, 86.8% (n=86) used the ACR 1990 criteria to diagnose patients with fibromyalgia, and 33.3% (n=33) used the criteria of the 2010 classification. The most commonly used drugs for the management of fibromyalgia were antidepressants, prescribed by 84.8% of the surveyed physicians, followed by analgesics (75.7%) and anticonvulsants (66.6%). Concerning multidisciplinary management, 50.6% referred these patients to a rheumatologist and 40.7% to a psychiatrist. In all, 77.2% of rehabilitation specialists believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be managed by their specialty. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia among a group of Colombian rehabilitation specialists and found frequent use of the ACR 1990 classification. Among these physicians, the use of drugs, especially antidepressants and analgesics, was high. Most believed that patients with fibromyalgia should be treated by rehabilitation specialists.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: data from the national health registry 2012-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Registries are essential to keep track of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) epidemiology and to provide better care to patients. The Colombian Ministry of Health has adopted a registry (SISPRO) to gather comprehensive information coming from the Colombian health system, which provides close to universal coverage (around 95%). The information collected from SISPRO is available for scientific analysis. OBJECTIVES: We used data collected by SISPRO to estimate prevalence and specific characteristics of patients with SLE registered from January 2012 to December 2016. METHODS: This is a descriptive epidemiological study using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems as search terms related to SLE, based on SISPRO data. Criteria for diagnosis are not explicitly addressed in each individual case. RESULTS: National records report 41,804 patients with a diagnosis of SLE for an estimated prevalence of 91.9/100,000 subjects (based on a total population of 47,663,162), being more frequent in women (89% cases). When adjusted, female and male prevalences were 204.3 and 20.2 per 100,000 (ratio 10.1) with a 7.9:1 female:male ratio, and were highest in the 45-49-year age group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that describes demographic characteristics of SLE in Colombia, with useful information for decision makers. It also suggests a similar prevalence to other countries.