Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) comprises a spectrum of chronic inflammatory manifestations affecting the axial skeleton and represents a challenge for diagnosis and treatment. Our objective was to generate a set of evidence-based recommendations for the management of axSpA for physicians, health professionals, rheumatologists and policy decision makers in Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) countries. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation-ADOLOPMENT methodology was used to adapt existing recommendations after performing an independent systematic search and synthesis of the literature to update the evidence. A working group consisting of rheumatologists, epidemiologists and patient representatives from countries within the Americas prioritized 13 topics relevant to the context of these countries for the management of axSpA. This Evidence-Based Guideline article reports 13 recommendations addressing therapeutic targets, the use of NSAIDs and glucocorticoids, treatment with DMARDs (including conventional synthetic, biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs), therapeutic failure, optimization of the use of biologic DMARDs, the use of drugs for extra-musculoskeletal manifestations of axSpA, non-pharmacological interventions and the follow-up of patients with axSpA.

Syndemic and syndemogenesis of low back pain in Latin-American population: a network and cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although low back pain (LBP) is a high-impact health condition, its burden has not been examined from the syndemic perspective. OBJECTIVE: To compare and assess clinical, socioeconomic, and geographic factors associated with LBP prevalence in low-income and upper-middle-income countries using syndemic and syndemogenesis frameworks based on network and cluster analyses. METHODS: Analyses were performed by adopting network and cluster design, whereby interrelations among the individual and social variables and their combinations were established. The required data was sourced from the databases pertaining to the six Latin-American countries. RESULTS: Database searches yielded a sample of 55,724 individuals (mean age 43.38 years, SD = 17.93), 24.12% of whom were indigenous, and 60.61% were women. The diagnosed with LBP comprised 6.59% of the total population. Network analysis showed higher relationship individuals' variables such as comorbidities, unhealthy habits, low educational level, living in rural areas, and indigenous status were found to be significantly associated with LBP. Cluster analysis showed significant association between LBP prevalence and social variables (e.g. Gender inequality Index, Human Development Index, Income Inequality). CONCLUSIONS: LBP is a highly prevalent condition in Latin-American populations with a high impact on the quality of life of young adults. It is particularly debilitating for women, indigenous individuals, and those with low educational level, and is further exacerbated by the presence of comorbidities, especially those in the mental health domain. Thus, the study findings demonstrate that syndemic and syndemogenesis have the potential to widen the health inequities stemming from LBP in vulnerable populations. Key points • Syndemic and syndemogenesis evidence health disparities in Latin-American populations, documenting the complexity of suffering from a disease such as low back pain that is associated with comorbidities, unhealthy habits, and the social and regional context where they live. • The use of network and cluster analyses are useful tools for documenting the complexity and the multifaceted impact in health in large populations as well as the differences between countries. • The variability and impact of socioeconomic indicators (e.g., Gini index) related to low back pain and comorbidities could be felt through the use of cluster analysis, which generates evidence of regional inequality in Latin America. • Populations can be studied from different models (network and cluster analysis) and grouping, presenting new interpretations beyond geographical groupings, such as syndemic and inequity in health.

Prevalencia de manifestaciones musculoesqueléticas y discapacidad asociada en una población peruana urbana habitante a gran altura. Estudio COPCORD. Estadio I / Prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations and related disabilities in a Peruvian urban population living at high altitude. COPCORD Study. Stage I

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de manifestaciones musculoesqueléticas y discapacidad en la población urbana habitante a gran altura de Juliaca, Puno, Perú; utilizando el cuestionario COPCORD y HAQ-DI. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en muestra de 1.095 personas. En cada entrevista se desarrolló la metodología COPCORD y el Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index (DI). El plano urbano fue dividido en ocho sectores. Resultados: Fueron evaluadas 614 (56,1%) mujeres; 44% pertenecieron a la raza quechua y 5,1% a aymara. Reportaron dolor ME en los últimos 7 días 347 personas (31,69%; IC 95% 28,36-35,02), con predominio en mujeres (218; 35,5%; IC 95% 30,8-40,2); y 132 personas, antes de los 7 días (12,05%; IC 95% 9,99-14,11). Las patologías reumáticas más frecuentes fueron AR: 1,27%, gota de 0,64%, OA de manos: 2,83%, OA de rodillas: 1,55%, OA de cadera 0,37%, fibromialgia: 1,09%, reumatismo de partes blandas: 8,86%. La evolución del HAQ-DI tuvo un incremento progresivo proporcional a la edad. El promedio de HAQ-DI de la población fue 0,18 (±0,36). De ciento setenta y cinco personas con una condición reumática, 10 (5,71%) acudían al servicio de un chamán. Conclusión: Es el primer estudio COPCORD en una población originaria urbana habitante a gran altura en el Perú. La población afectada de una enfermedad reumática crónica, prefería la atención profesional en lugar a la tradicional; población que a su vez contaba con escasa oferta de servicios médicos. El deterioro de la capacidad funcional medida por HAQ-DI se asoció con el incremento de la edad

Objective: Estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations and related disabilities of an urban population living at high altitude in Juliaca, Puno, Peru, using the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 1095 people. In each interview, the COPCORD methodology and the HAQ were applied. The city was divided into 8 sectors. Results: In all, 614 (56.1%) women were evaluated; 44% were from the Quechua community and 5.1% were Aymara. Before the final 7 days of the study, 132 people (12.05%; 95% CI 9.99-14.11) reported musculoskeletal pain. During the final 7 days of the study, 347 people (31.69%; 95% CI 28.36-35.02) who were predominately women (218; 35.5%; 95% CI 30.8-40.2) reported musculoskeletal pain. The most frequent rheumatic diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (1.27%), gout (0.64%), hand osteoarthritis (OA) (2.83%), knee OA (1.55%), hip OA (0.37%), fibromyalgia (1.09%), and soft tissue rheumatism (8.86%). The HAQ showed an incremental increase proportional to age. The HAQ average for the population was 0.18 (±0.36). Ten people (5.71%) of 175 with rheumatic disease received the services of a shaman. Conclusion: It is the first COPCORD study in an urban native population living at high altitude in Peru. The population affected by chronic rheumatic disease preferred professional rather than traditional care; this population had access to limited medical services. Impaired functional capacity measured by HAQ was associated with advanced age

Prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations and related disabilities in a Peruvian urban population living at high altitude. COPCORD Study. Stage I. / Prevalencia de manifestaciones musculoesqueléticas y discapacidad asociada en una población peruana urbana habitante a gran altura. Estudio COPCORD. Estadio I.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations and related disabilities of an urban population living at high altitude in Juliaca, Puno, Peru, using the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 1095 people. In each interview, the COPCORD methodology and the HAQ were applied. The city was divided into 8 sectors. RESULTS: In all, 614 (56.1%) women were evaluated; 44% were from the Quechua community and 5.1% were Aymara. Before the final 7 days of the study, 132 people (12.05%; 95% CI 9.99-14.11) reported musculoskeletal pain. During the final 7 days of the study, 347 people (31.69%; 95% CI 28.36-35.02) who were predominately women (218; 35.5%; 95% CI 30.8-40.2) reported musculoskeletal pain. The most frequent rheumatic diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (1.27%), gout (0.64%), hand osteoarthritis (OA) (2.83%), knee OA (1.55%), hip OA (0.37%), fibromyalgia (1.09%), and soft tissue rheumatism (8.86%). The HAQ showed an incremental increase proportional to age. The HAQ average for the population was 0.18 (±0.36). Ten people (5.71%) of 175 with rheumatic disease received the services of a shaman. CONCLUSION: It is the first COPCORD study in an urban native population living at high altitude in Peru. The population affected by chronic rheumatic disease preferred professional rather than traditional care; this population had access to limited medical services. Impaired functional capacity measured by HAQ was associated with advanced age.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Peruvian aborigines: a report from the GRAPPA 2011 annual meeting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in aboriginal people living in the Andean Mountains of Peru. METHODS: Consecutive patients with psoriasis and PsA attending an arthritis clinic in Juliaca, Puno, Peru, located 3824 m above sea level were examined. The CASPAR (ClASsification of Psoriatic ARthritis) criteria were used for classification of PsA. Diagnosis of psoriasis was confirmed by a dermatologist. RESULTS: Seventeen patients [11 (65%) men and 6 (35%) women] fulfilled classification criteria for PsA; one patient was of European ancestry and is not included in this report. Of the 16 aboriginal patients in this report, 5 were natives of Quechua ancestry and one was native Aymara. At the time of their first clinic visit, no native patient with PsA had a family history of psoriasis or PsA, and all patients exhibited an established disease of long duration and severity. Methotrexate was the drug of choice for all patients; 2 patients are currently receiving biological therapy. CONCLUSION: Contrary to what has been reported in the literature, both psoriasis and PsA are present in aboriginal people from the Andean Mountains of Peru. More studies are needed to further define the phenotype of these disorders, as well as the pathogenetic role of genetic and environmental factors.

Analyzing the frequency and significance of the metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Evaluation of: Chung CP, Avalos I, Oeser A et al. High prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease characteristic and cardiovascular risk factors. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 66(2), 208-214 (2007). Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, related to accelerated atherosclerosis. This additional clinical complication can be attributed to traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, use of corticosteroids and might also be the result of inflammatory mechanisms, all of which are aggravated in lupus patients. In this regard, inflammation is not only associated with systemic lupus patients but is also present in patients with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. The paper under evaluation examined the hypothesis that patients with lupus have a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and that there is an association of the metabolic syndrome with other cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation.