Sex differences in cardiovascular and disease-related features in axial spondyloarthritis. A multicenter study of 912 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the potential impact of sex-specific disease-related characteristics on cardiovascular (CV) disease in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of the Spanish AtheSpAin cohort to study CV disease in axSpA. Data on carotid ultrasound and CV disease and disease-related features were collected. RESULTS: 611 men and 301 women were recruited. Classic CV risk factors were significantly less prevalent in women, who also showed a lower frequency of carotid plaques (p = 0.001), lower carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) values ​​(p<0.001) and CV events (p = 0.008). However, after adjustment for classic CV risk factors, only the differences with respect to carotid IMT remained statistically significant. Women showed higher ESR at diagnosis (p = 0.038), and more active disease (ASDAS, p = 0.012, and BASDAI, p<0.001). They had shorter disease duration (p<0.001), lower prevalence of psoriasis (p = 0.008), less structural damage (mSASSS, p<0.001), and less mobility limitation (BASMI, p = 0.033). To establish whether these findings could lead to sex differences in CV disease burden, we compared the prevalence of carotid plaques in men and women with the same level of CV risk stratified according to the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). Men included in the low-moderate CV risk SCORE category had more carotid plaques (p = 0.050), along with longer disease duration (p = 0.004), higher mSASSS (p = 0.001) and psoriasis (p = 0.023). In contrast, in the high-very high-risk SCORE category, carotid plaques were observed more frequently in women (p = 0.028), who were characterized as having worse BASFI (p = 0.011), BASDAI (p<0.001) and ASDAS (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Disease-related features may influence the expression of atherosclerosis in patients with axSpA. This may be especially applicable to women at high CV risk, characterized by greater disease severity and more severe subclinical atherosclerosis than men, suggesting a stronger interaction between disease activity and atherosclerosis in women with axSpA.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Spain: higher than previously reported in other countries?

OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of SLE varies among studies, being influenced by study design, geographical area and ethnicity. Data about the prevalence of SLE in Spain are scarce. In the EPISER2016 study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, the prevalence estimate of SLE in the general adult population in Spain has been updated and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables has been explored. METHODS: Population-based multicentre cross-sectional study, with multistage stratified and cluster random sampling. Participants were contacted by telephone to carry out a questionnaire for the screening of SLE. Investigating rheumatologists evaluated positive results (review of medical records and/or telephone interview, with medical visit if needed) to confirm the diagnosis. To calculate the prevalence and its 95% CI, the sample design was taken into account and weighing was calculated considering age, sex and geographic origin. Multivariate logistic regression models were defined to analyse which sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables included in the telephone questionnaire were associated with the presence of SLE. RESULTS: 4916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. 16.52% (812/4916) had a positive screening result for SLE. 12 cases of SLE were detected. The estimated prevalence was 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.40). SLE was more prevalent in the rural municipalities, with an odds ratio (OR) = 4.041 (95% CI: 1.216, 13.424). CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of SLE in Spain is higher than that described in most international epidemiological studies, but lower than that observed in ethnic minorities in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Prevalencia de enfermedades reumáticas en población adulta en España (estudio EPISER 2016). Objetivos y metodología / Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in adult population in Spain (EPISER 2016 study): Aims and methodology

Objetivos: Describir la metodología del estudio de prevalencia de las enfermedades reumáticas en la población adulta en España, EPISER 2016, así como sus fortalezas y limitaciones. El objetivo del proyecto es estimar la prevalencia de artritis reumatoide (AR), artropatía psoriásica (APs), espondilitis anquilosante (EA), lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), síndrome de Sjögren (SS), artrosis (de rodilla, cadera, manos, columna cervical y lumbar), fibromialgia, gota y fractura osteoporótica clínica. Material y método: Estudio transversal multicéntrico de base poblacional en el que participan 45 municipios de las 17 comunidades autónomas. La población de referencia está compuesta por adultos de 20 o más años residentes en España. La recogida de información se llevará a cabo mediante encuesta telefónica empleando el sistema Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI). Las sospechas diagnósticas y los diagnósticos autorreferidos serán estudiadas por reumatólogos del hospital de referencia de los municipios seleccionados. Análisis estadístico: se calcularán las prevalencias de enfermedades reumáticas mediante estimadores y sus IC del 95%. Se calcularán factores de ponderación en función de la probabilidad de selección en cada una de las etapas del muestreo. Se tendrá en cuenta la distribución de la población en España según datos del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Conclusiones: Los cambios sociodemográficos y en hábitos de vida durante los últimos 16 años justifican la realización de EPISER 2016. El estudio ofrecerá datos actualizados de prevalencia en AR, EA, APs, LES, SS, artrosis, fibromialgia, gota y fractura osteoporótica clínica. Los resultados permitirán comparar los datos con estudios de otros países y con el EPISER 2000

Aims: To describe the methodology of the EPISER 2016 (study of the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in adult population in Spain), as well its strengths and limitations. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), osteoarthritis (knee, hip, hands, and cervical and lumbar spine), fibromyalgia, gout and clinical osteoporotic fracture. Material and method: Population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study, with the participation of 45 municipalities in the 17 Spanish autonomous communities. The reference population will consist of adults aged 20 years and over residing in Spain. A computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) system will be used for data collection. Diagnostic suspicions and diagnoses received by the participants will be studied by rheumatologists in the referral hospitals in the selected municipalities. Statistical analysis: the prevalence of the rheumatic diseases will be calculated using estimators and their 95% confidence intervals. Weights will be calculated in each of the sampling stages in accordance with the probability of selection. The distribution of the population in Spain will be obtained from the Spanish Statistics Institute. Conclusions: Sociodemographic and lifestyle changes over the last 16 years justify EPISER 2016. This study will provide current data about the prevalences of RA, AS, PsA, SLE, SS, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and clinical osteoporotic fracture. The results will allow comparisons with studies from other countries and EPISER 2000