Panniculitis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis.

Panniculitis is a rare clinical finding in dermatomyositis, with less than 30 cases reported and there is only one case associated with the amyopathic subtype described in the literature. The present report describes a 49-year-old female patient that one year after being diagnosed with amyopathic dermatomyositis, presented indurated, painful, erythematous to violaceous nodules located on the upper limbs, thighs and gluteal region. Skin biopsy revealed lobular panniculitis with a lymphocytic infiltrate. The patient was treated with prednisone and methotrexate, but remained unresponsive to treatment.

Panniculitis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis

Abstract: Panniculitis is a rare clinical finding in dermatomyositis, with less than 30 cases reported and there is only one case associated with the amyopathic subtype described in the literature. The present report describes a 49-year-old female patient that one year after being diagnosed with amyopathic dermatomyositis, presented indurated, painful, erythematous to violaceous nodules located on the upper limbs, thighs and gluteal region. Skin biopsy revealed lobular panniculitis with a lymphocytic infiltrate. The patient was treated with prednisone and methotrexate, but remained unresponsive to treatment.

Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in psoriatic patients.

Studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D and psoriasis. We compared serum levels of vitamin D of 20 psoriasis patients and 20 controls. The median vitamin D level was 22.80 ± 4.60 ng/ml; the median in the cases was 23.55 ± 7.6 ng/ml, and in controls 22.35 ± 3.10 ng/ml (p = 0.73). Only 2 cases and 4 controls had sufficient levels of vitamin D, although without statistical significance between the groups (p = 0.608). Levels were lower in women with psoriasis compared with those in male patients (20.85 ± 6.70 x 25.35 ± 2.90 ng/ml, p = 0.03), a finding that was not observed among controls.

Anti-Ro antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Some autoantibodies are associated with peculiar clinical findings. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have anti-Ro antibodies. OBJECTIVE: To study prevalence and clinical associations of anti-Ro antibodies in RA patients. METHODS: We studied 385 patients with RA for anti-Ro by Elisa testing and for clinical profile, functional assessment, DAS-28 4v. (ESR), extra-articular manifestations, thyroid function, autoantibodies and treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-Ro was 8.31%. There was no significant difference in sex distribution, HAQ, DAS-28 or functional classification in patients with positive anti-Ro (p=ns). Patients with anti-Ro were younger at diagnosis (p=0.02). Analyzing extra-articular disorders we found a greater prevalence of cardiac valvular lesions (p<0.001) in patients with anti-Ro antibodies. No differences were found in other extra-articular manifestations, associated hypothyroidism, amyloidosis, treatment requirements, presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in RA patients with anti-Ro have disease onset at an earlier age. Anti-Ro may be a risk factor for the development of cardiac valvular lesions. There was no association between this antibody and thyroid disease, amyloidosis and treatment needs.

Presença de anti-RO prediz aparecimento de lesão valvar em artrite reumatoide / Presence of anti-RO predicts onset of valve lesions in rheumatoid arthritis

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Alguns autoanticorpos são associados com achados clínicos peculiares. Pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) podem apresentar autoanticorpo anti-RO. O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar a prevalência e associações clínicas do anticorpo anti-RO em pacientes com AR. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 385 pacientes diagnosticados com AR e que possuíam teste Elisa para anti-RO. Também foram analisadas informações referentes ao perfil do paciente, avaliação funcional, DAS-28, manifestações extra-articulares, função tireoidiana, perfil de autoanticorpos e de tratamento.RESULTADOS: A prevalência do anticorpo anti-RO foi de 8,31%. Não houve diferença significativa em relação ao sexo, HAQ, DAS-28, classificação funcional em pacientes com anti-RO positivo (p = ns). Pacientes com anti-RO apresentaram idade menor ao diagnóstico (p = 0,02). Em relação às manifestações extra-articulares, encontrou-se maior prevalência de lesões valvares cardíacas (p < 0,001) em pacientes com anticorpo anti-RO.Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na análise de outras desordens extra-articulares, associação com hipotireoidismo,amiloidose, tratamentos indicados, presença de fator reumatoide (FR) e anticorpo antipeptídeo cíclico citrulinado (anti-CCP). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com AR que apresentam o anticorpo anti-RO tem um início de doença mais precoce. O anticorpoanti-RO é um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de lesões valvares. Não foram encontradas relações do anti-RO com tireoidopatias, amiloidose secundária e escolha de tratamento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some auto antibodies are associated with peculiar clinical findings. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have anti-RO antibodies. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical associations of anti-RO antibodies in RA patients. METHOD: We studied 385 patients with RA for anti-RO by Elisa testing and for clinical profile, functional assessment, DAS-28, extra-articular manifestations, thyroid function, auto antibodies and treatment. RESULTS : The prevalence of anti-RO was 8.31%. There was no significant difference in sex distribution, HAQ, DAS-28,functional classification in patients with positive anti-RO (p = ns). Patients with anti-RO were younger at diagnosis (p = 0.02).Analyzing extra-articular disorders we found a greater prevalence of cardiac valve lesions (p < 0.001) in patients with anti-RO antibodies. No differences were found in other extra-articular manifestations, associated hypothyroidism, amyloidosis, treatment requirements, presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). CONCLUSION : RA patients with anti-RO have disease onset at earlier age. Anti-RO is a risk factor for the development of valve lesions. There is no association between this antibody and thyroid disease, amyloidosis and treatment needs.