Incidence of Vertebral Fractures in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus After 8 Years of Follow-Up.

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between potential risk factors and the occurrence of established vertebral fractures (VF) in Mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Consecutive patients with SLE were enrolled in a prospective, observational study from 2006 to 2015. Information on potential risk factors, including demographics, clinical data, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and hip on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was collected at baseline and follow-up. Semiquantitative analysis was used to determine incident VF on lateral thoracic and lumbar radiographs, defined as any vertebral body graded normal at baseline and at least mildly deformed (20-25% reduction or more in any vertebral height) during follow-up. Differences in baseline characteristics were assessed in patients with and without new radiographic VF. Of 110 SLE patients included, with a median follow-up of 8 (IQR 8-9) years, 22 (20%) had radiographic VF at baseline; 35 (32%) patients had a new VF. The annual incidence rate of new morphometric VF was 3.5 (95% CI 2.4-4.91) per 100 patient/years. Most fractures were mild or moderate and biconcave shaped. Incident VF were significantly associated with baseline BMD at the total hip and longer disease duration. Cumulative glucocorticoid dose, postmenopausal status, and previous prevalent VF were not associated with VF. In this SLE cohort in daily clinical practice, new VF were frequently present in SLE patients, especially those with longer disease duration and low-hip BMD.

Insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en pacientes mexicanas con lupus eritematoso sistémico: prevalencia y relación con actividad de la enfermedad / Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence and relationship with disease activity

Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) y compararlas con actividad de la enfermedad. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio comparativo, observacional, transversal y prolectivo. Se incluyeron 137mujeres con LES según los criterios del Colegio Americano de Reumatología. Se excluyeron pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica, cáncer, hiperparatiroidismo, embarazo y lactancia. La actividad fue medida mediante el índice MEX-SLEDAI, considerando actividad ≥3. Se obtuvieron los siguientes datos: diabetes mellitus, uso de glucocorticoides, cloroquina e inmunosupresores, fotoprotección y suplementación con vitamina D. Los niveles de vitamina D se midieron con inmunoanálisis quimioluminiscente considerando insuficiencia a niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D < 30 ng/ml y deficiencia < 10 ng/ml. Resultados. Se evaluaron 137mujeres con LES (edad promedio 45,9±11,6años, duración de la enfermedad 7,7±3,4 años). La mediana de actividad mediante MEX-SLEDAI fue 2 (0-8),106pacientes en inactividad y 31 con actividad (77,4% versus 22,6%). La insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D se encontró en 122 (89,0%) y 4 (2,9%) pacientes respectivamente. Al comparar los niveles de vitamina D entre pacientes con y sin actividad no existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (19,3±4,5 versus 19,7±6,8; p=0,75); tampoco se encontró una correlación con el puntaje MEX-SLEDAI (p=0,21) ni fotosensibilidad, fotoprotección, uso de prednisona, cloroquina ni suplementación con vitamina D. Conclusiones. Las mujeres con LES presentaron elevada prevalencia de insuficiencia de vitamina D. No se encontró asociación de niveles de vitamina D con actividad de la enfermedad (AU)

Objectives. To determine and compare the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without disease activity. Patients and methods. We made a comparative, observational, cross-sectional, prospective study of 137 women with SLE according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. Patients with chronic kidney disease, cancer, hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy, and lactation were excluded. Disease activity was assessed using the MEX-SLEDAI score: a score of ≥3 was considered as disease activity. Data were collected on diabetes mellitus, the use of corticosteroids, chloroquine, and immunosuppressants, photoprotection and vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay: insufficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <30ng/ml and deficiency as <10ng/ml. Results. 137 women with SLE (mean age 45.9±11.6 years, disease duration 7.7±3.4 years) were evaluated. Mean disease activity was 2 (0-8): 106 patients had no disease activity and 31 had active disease (77.4% versus 22.6%). Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was found in 122(89.0%) and 4 (2.9%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with and without active disease (19.3±4.5 versus 19.7±6.8; P=.75). No correlation between the MEX-SLEDAI score (P=.21), photosensitivity, photoprotection, prednisone or chloroquine use and vitamin D supplementation was found. Conclusions. Women with SLE had a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficient. No association between vitamin D levels and disease activity was found (AU)

Genital Mycoplasma infection among Mexican women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of genital Mycoplasma spp. among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify factors associated with such infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with SLE and healthy women who attended a hospital in Puebla, Mexico, between July 29, 2014, and January 4, 2015. All participants were aged 18 years or older and sexually active. A structured interview assessed sociodemographic, obstetric, gynecologic, and clinical characteristics. Disease activity was evaluated using the Mexican SLE Disease Activity Index. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of Mycoplasma spp. in genital samples. RESULTS: Ureaplasma urealyticum was the only genital mycoplasma detected; it was present in 32 (24.6%) of 130 patients with SLE and 12 (12.8%) of 94 healthy women. Patients with SLE had increased odds of infection (odds ratio 2.120, 95% confidence interval 1.046-4.296). Among patients with SLE, multiparity was more common in those with U. urealyticum infection (P=0.043). CONCLUSION: One-quarter of women with SLE had genital infection with U. urealyticum. An association was found between infection and multiparity among women with SLE.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and relationship with disease activity. / Insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D en pacientes mexicanas con lupus eritematoso sistémico: prevalencia y relación con actividad de la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a comparative, observational, cross-sectional, prospective study of 137 women with SLE according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. Patients with chronic kidney disease, cancer, hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy, and lactation were excluded. Disease activity was assessed using the MEX-SLEDAI score: a score of ≥3 was considered as disease activity. Data were collected on diabetes mellitus, the use of corticosteroids, chloroquine, and immunosuppressants, photoprotection and vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay: insufficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <30ng/ml and deficiency as <10ng/ml. RESULTS: 137 women with SLE (mean age 45.9±11.6 years, disease duration 7.7±3.4 years) were evaluated. Mean disease activity was 2 (0-8): 106 patients had no disease activity and 31 had active disease (77.4% versus 22.6%). Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was found in 122(89.0%) and 4 (2.9%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with and without active disease (19.3±4.5 versus 19.7±6.8; P=.75). No correlation between the MEX-SLEDAI score (P=.21), photosensitivity, photoprotection, prednisone or chloroquine use and vitamin D supplementation was found. CONCLUSIONS: Women with SLE had a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficient. No association between vitamin D levels and disease activity was found.

The impact of glucocorticoids and anti-cd20 therapy on cervical human papillomavirus infection risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease risk factors, including conventional and biologic therapies. A gynecological evaluation and cervical cytology screen were performed. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were undertaken by PCR and linear array assay. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, with a mean age and disease duration of 42.5±11.8 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively. The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions was 6.8%. The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 29%, with human papillomavirus subtype 59 being the most frequent. Patients with human papillomavirus were younger than those without the infection (38.2±11.2 vs. 44.2±11.5 years, respectively; p = 0.05), and patients with the virus had higher daily prednisone doses (12.8±6.8 vs. 9.7±6.7 mg, respectively; p = 0.01) and cumulative glucocorticoid doses (14.2±9.8 vs. 9.7±7.3 g, respectively; p = 0.005) compared with patients without. Patients with human papillomavirus infection more frequently received rituximab than those without (20.9% vs. 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, only the cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative glucocorticoid dose may increase the risk of human papillomavirus infection. Although rituximab administration was more frequent in patients with human papillomavirus infection, no association was found. Screening for human papillomavirus infection is recommended in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. .

The impact of glucocorticoids and anti-cd20 therapy on cervical human papillomavirus infection risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease risk factors, including conventional and biologic therapies. A gynecological evaluation and cervical cytology screen were performed. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were undertaken by PCR and linear array assay. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, with a mean age and disease duration of 42.5±11.8 years and 9.7±5.3 years, respectively. The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions was 6.8%. The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 29%, with human papillomavirus subtype 59 being the most frequent. Patients with human papillomavirus were younger than those without the infection (38.2±11.2 vs. 44.2±11.5 years, respectively; p = 0.05), and patients with the virus had higher daily prednisone doses (12.8±6.8 vs. 9.7±6.7 mg, respectively; p = 0.01) and cumulative glucocorticoid doses (14.2±9.8 vs. 9.7±7.3 g, respectively; p = 0.005) compared with patients without. Patients with human papillomavirus infection more frequently received rituximab than those without (20.9% vs. 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, only the cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative glucocorticoid dose may increase the risk of human papillomavirus infection. Although rituximab administration was more frequent in patients with human papillomavirus infection, no association was found. Screening for human papillomavirus infection is recommended in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Antiphospholipid syndrome in Mexican children.

BACKGROUND: Data on pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are very sparse. OBJECTIVES: To describe the main clinical characteristics, laboratory data and complications of pediatric APS patients, and to analyze the differences between primary APS and APS associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory data of 32 children at the Federico Gomez children's hospital in Mexico. Nineteen patients had SLE, 12 (37.5%) had primary APS and 1 (3%) had immune thrombocytopenic purpura. We collected information on sociodemographic variables, vaccinations, age at onset, and family history of rheumatic disease, hematological disorders, skin disorders and non-thrombotic neurological disorders. Immunological features included immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies, IgG and IgM anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, and anti-dsDNA and antinuclear antibodies. RESULTS: The patients included 24 females and 8 males. The most common thrombotic events were small vessel thrombosis (44%), venous thrombosis (28%) mainly deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in lower extremities, and arterial thrombosis (25%). The most common clinical non-thrombotic manifestations were hematological (53%) and neurological disorders (22%). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the site of thrombosis, nonthrombotic clinical manifestations or laboratory features. CONCLUSIONS: There were some important differences between the clinical manifestations of APS in children compared with adults, but we found no significant differences between patients with primary and APS associated with SLE. Larger studies in Latin American APS children are necessary to determine whether there are differences between ethnic groups.

Risk factors of vertebral fractures in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of the current study was to analyze the role of traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related risk factors in the development of vertebral fractures. A cross-sectional study was performed in women with SLE attending a single center. A vertebral fracture was defined as a reduction of at least 20% of vertebral body height. Two hundred ten patients were studied, with median age of 43 years and median disease duration of 72 months. Osteopenia was present in 50.3% of patients and osteoporosis in 17.4%. At least one vertebral fracture was detected in 26.1%. Patients with vertebral fractures had a higher mean age (50 +/- 14 vs. 41 +/- 13.2 years, p = 0.001), disease damage (57.1% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.001), lower bone mineral density (BMD) at the total hip (0.902 +/- 0.160 vs. 982 +/- 0.137 g/cm(2), p = 0.002), and postmenopausal status (61.9% vs. 45.3%, p = 0.048). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that only age (p = 0.001) and low BMD at the total hip (p = 0.007) remained as significant factors for the presence of vertebral fracture. The high prevalence of vertebral fractures in the relatively young population implies that more attention must be paid to detect and treat vertebral fractures.

Clinical Characteristics of Torsion of the Omentum.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to describe clinical aspects of the torsion of the omentum. METHODS: In this observational, retrospective study, the study group consisted of patients surgically managed for torsion of the omentum, between 1998 and 2008, in a second level medical facility in Mexico. Variables in the study included age, sex, signs and symptoms, body mass index (BMI), treatment and evolution time. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were confirmed torsion of omentum, 7 (63.63%) women and 4 (36.36%) men, median age 33 (20 to 58) years, BMI > 25.0 in 9 (81.81%), average evolution 6.54, SD 3.47 days. All presented with abdominal pain, 6 (54.54%) with abdominal distension, 4 (36.36%) with ambulatory difficulty, 3 (27.27%) with malaise, and 5 (45.45%) with previous surgery. In all cases diagnosis was made by means of laparotomy, treatment was the resection of the affected segment, and there were no further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Torsion of the omentum resembles acute appendicitis; abdominal pain and abdominal distension are the most common symptoms. It is often discovered during surgery and it is treated surgically by removal of the affected segment of the omentum.

Risks factors for low bone mineral density in pre-menopausal Mexican women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pre-menopausal patients with SLE. Patients were evaluated using a questionnaire about the following variables: age, disease duration, disease activity, chronic disease damage, cumulative corticosteroid dose, and history of fracture. Lumbar spine and hip measurements of BMD were performed by dual absorptiometry. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to assess the relationship between risk factors and BMD. The mean age was 32.8 +/- 8.7 years, and the median duration of SLE was 73.2 +/- 65 months. The mean cumulative corticosteroid dose was 20.0 +/- 21.3 g. The mean BMD was 1.09 +/- .18 g/cm(2) in the lumbar spine and 1.0 +/- .14 g/cm(2) in the hip. Osteopenia was present in 40% of patients and osteoporosis in 5%. In the multiple regression analysis, low BMD in the lumbar spine was associated with chronic disease damage and low body mass index (BMI). Low BMD in the hip was associated with cumulative corticosteroid dose and low BMI. Chronic disease damage, low BMI, and cumulative corticosteroid dose are risks factors for low BMD in pre-menopausal SLE patients. Osteopenia was found in 40% of patients, while osteoporosis was found in only 5%.