Prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Morocco: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as part of the update of Moroccan recommendations for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Its aim was to estimate the prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Morocco, based on available bibliographic data. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of the Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify articles published between January 2000 and January 2024. We included all observational studies reporting the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Morocco. Two reviewers independently contributed to the study selection and data extraction. We assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test statistic. Meta-regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of the date on the prevalence. Publication bias was assessed by DOI plots and the LFK index. RESULTS: An electronic search found a total of 161 citations from the databases. After excluding the irrelevant articles, 17 eligible studies were included. This meta-analysis included 5097 postmenopausal women. The pooled prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis was 32% (95% CI 28-36). Heterogeneity was statistically significant (I2 = 89.67%). There was no significant difference between subgroup analyses performed by risk of bias and sample size. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in 2006-2012 (36%; 95% CI 31-42; I2 = 88.7%; p < 0.001) than in 2013-2019 (27%; 95% CI 22-32; I2 = 85.9%; p < 0.001). Meta-regression showed that the prevalence of osteoporosis decreases very slightly (0.016% per year). This decrease becomes nonsignificant if only studies with a low risk of bias are included in the meta-regression (coefficient - 7.77, p = 0.667, I2 0%). No publication bias was detected in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that postmenopausal osteoporosis is prevalent in Morocco, which is a developing country; however, the prevalence of this disease is aligned with that of industrialized countries.

Therapeutic Maintenance Level of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A RBSMR Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic maintenance level of methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis patients enrolled in the Moroccan biotherapy registry and to identify predictive factors for discontinuing MTX treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the baseline data of the Moroccan biotherapy registry for RBSMR (a multicentric study that aims to evaluate tolerance of biological therapy on patients affected with rheumatic diseases). Demographics and disease features were compared using descriptive statistics. Therapeutic maintenance levels were determined according to a Kaplan-Meier survival curve and a univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compare the strength of potential factors, followed by a multivariate Cox model to identify significant predictors of MTX discontinuation. Statistically significant results were considered for p values less than 0.05. Results: 224 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 51.83±11.26 years with a majority of females (87.50%). The median duration of disease was 12 [1.66-41.02] years. The therapeutic maintenance level of MTX was 91.1% at 1 year, 87.1% at 2 years, and 68.3% at 5 years. The median of treatment duration was 2, 02 [0, 46-27,76] years. Causes of treatment interruption were side effects (66/88=75%), inefficiency (12/88=13.63%), and other reasons (10/88=11.36%). Predictive factors for stopping MTX were presence of rheumatoid factor (HR 2.24; 95% CI 1.14-5.15; p=0.02) and the access to education (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.88; p=0.02). Conclusion: The therapeutic maintenance level of MTX in our study was satisfactory and comparable to other series, and influenced by many factors such as the occurrence of a side effect. It is necessary to sensitise medical practitioners on symptomatic prevention and management of side effects.

Active tuberculosis infection in moroccan patients with rheumatic diseases under biologic therapy: A multicenter national study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of active tuberculosis (TB) infection in Moroccan patients with rheumatic diseases under biologic therapy, and to describe the demographic characteristics of these patients as well as to explore potential risk factors. Methods: This 14-year nationally representative multicenter study enrolled Moroccan patients with rheumatic diseases who had been treated with biologic therapy. Patient medical records were reviewed retrospectively for demographic characteristics, underlying rheumatic diseases, associated comorbidities, and TB-related data. Results: In total, 1407 eligible patients were studied, detailed records were obtained for only 130 patients; 33 cases with active TB were identified at an estimated prevalence rate of 2.3%. The mean age was 42.9 ± 12 years and 75.8% were males. Ankylosing spondylitis accounted for 84.8% of active TB cases, and the majority of the cases (31/33) occurred among antitumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) users. A total of 8 out of 33 patients were positive at initial latent TB infection (LTBI) screening by tuberculin skin test and/or interferon-gamma release assay. Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (odds ratio [OR], 34.841; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-389.7; P = 0.04), diabetes (OR, 38.468; 95% CI, 1.6-878.3; P = 0,022), smoking (OR, 3.941; 95% CI, 1-159.9; P = 0.047), and long biologic therapy duration (OR, 1.991; 95% CI, 1.4-16.3; P = 0.001) were identified as risk factors for developing active TB. Conclusion: Moroccan patients with rheumatic diseases under anti-TNF-α agents are at an increased TB risk, especially when risk factors are present. Strict initial screening and regular monitoring of LTBI is recommended for patients living in high TB prevalence areas.

Telehealth in rheumatology: the 2021 Arab League of Rheumatology Best Practice Guidelines.

To develop Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) for the use of Telehealth in Rheumatology in the Arab region, to identify the main barriers and facilitators of telehealth, and to provide rheumatologists with a practical toolkit for the implementation of telehealth. Guidelines were drafted by a core steering committee from the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR) after performing a literature search. A multidisciplinary task force (TF), including 18 rheumatologists, 2 patients, and 2 regulators from 15 Arab countries, assessed the BPG using 3 rounds of anonymous online voting by modified Delphi process. The statements were included in the final BPG without further voting if ≥ 80% of TF members indicated high agreement. The voting on barriers and facilitators was performed through one voting round. The toolkit was developed based on available literature and discussions during the Delphi rounds. Four General Principles and twelve Statements were formulated. A teleconsultation was specifically defined for the purpose of these guidelines. The concept of choice in telehealth was highlighted, emphasizing patient confidentiality, medical information security, rheumatologist's clinical judgment, and local jurisdictional regulations. The top barrier for telehealth was the concern about the quality of care. The toolkit emphasized technical aspects of teleconsultation and proposed a triage system. The ArLAR BPG provide rheumatologists with a series of strategies about the most reliable, productive, and rational approaches to apply telehealth.

One-year direct costs of biological therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and its predictive factors: data from the Moroccan RBSMR registry.

The aim of the study was to estimate the annual direct costs of biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to establish possible factors associated with those costs. The main data source was the Moroccan registry of biological therapies in rheumatic diseases (RBSMR Registry). We included patients with available 1-year data. Variables related to socio-economic status, disease and biological therapy were collected. Direct costs included prices of biologics, costs of infusions, and subcutaneous injections. Differences in costs across groups were tested by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Correlations analysis was performed in search of factors associated with high costs. We included 197 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The mean age was 52.3 ± 11 years, with female predominance 86.8%. Receiving one of the following therapies: rituximab (n = 132), tocilizumab (n = 37), or TNF-blockers (n = 28). Median one-year direct costs per patient were €1665 [€1472-€9879]. The total annual direct costs were € 978,494. Rituximab, constituted 25.7% of the total annual budget. TNF-blockers and tocilizumab represented 27.3% and 47% of this overall budget, respectively. Although the costs were not significantly different in terms of gender or level of study, the insurance type significantly affected the cost estimation. A positive correlation was found between the annual direct cost and body mass index (r = 0.15, p = 0.04). In Morocco, a developing country, the annual direct costs of biological therapy are high. Our results may contribute to the development of strategies for better governance of these costs.

Targeting Acquired Hemophilia A with Rheumatoid Arthritis by a Rituximab Shot: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Acquired hemophilia A (AH) is a rare hemorrhagic diathesis, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against the pro-coagulant activity of factor VIII. It is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 4% to 8% of cases and its prognosis remains severe. CASE REPORT A 66-year-old patient has been followed up for 20 years for deforming and severe RA, which was in low-disease activity. However, the patient presented a polyarticular flare involving the metacarpophalangeal and the proximal interphalangeal joints, the left elbow, and the right knee, which was warm and swollen. Articular puncture of this knee yielded a hematic fluid that did not coagulate. Its cytological analysis showed significant presence of red blood cells, which were also abundantly present in the other cell lines. Activated partial thromboplastin time was lengthened and not corrected by the addition of control plasma. Prothrombin time (Quick's test), fibrinogen level, and vitamin K-dependent factors were without abnormalities. In contrast, factor VIII was collapsed at 7% and the anti-factor VIII antibody was positive. The diagnosis of AH with anti-factor VIII inhibitor was thus retained. With regard to RA, the Disease Activity Score was 6.32 and exhibited a very active RA. Rituximab with methotrexate was begun and the evolution was favorable. After 6 months, the reappearance of the anti-factor VIII inhibitor was found, thus justifying a second cycle of rituximab. CONCLUSIONS AH is not exceptional in RA. Rituximab remains a relevant alternative for managing simultaneous AH with inhibitor and RA.

Performance of quantitative ultrasound and six osteoporosis risk indexes in menopausal women: validation and comparative evaluation study

Background: A number of questionnaire-based systems and the use of portable quantitative ultrasound scanners (QUS) have been devised in an attempt to produce a cost-effective method of screening for osteoporosis.Objective: to assess the sensitivity and specificity of different techniques and their ability to act as screening tools in relation to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Methods: 295 white postmenopausal women aged over 60 were enrolled. Each subject completed a standardized questionnaire which permits the measure of six osteoporosis indexes and had bone mineral density (BMD) measured using QUS and DXA. Sensitivity and specificity of the different techniques in relation to DXA were plotted as receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves at DXA T-score total hip ≤ -2.5 (osteoporosis).Results: BUA sensitivity and specificity values were respectively 76.8% and 51.2% at the total hip. The optimal cut-off T-score for QUS was -2 at the total hip. The osteoporosis self-assessment tool (OST) provided consistently the highest AUC (0.80) among the clinical tools and had the best sensitivity and specificity balance (90.2%-44.5%). OST negative likelihood ratio was 0.22.Conclusion: OST (based only on the weight and the age) performed slightly better than QUS and other risk questionnaires in predicting low BMD at the total hip

Les modalités de prise en charge pratique de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde par les rhumatologues au Maroc

Introduction : L'objectif de notre travail est d'évaluer les modalités de la prise en charge de la PR par les rhumatologues marocains afin de vérifier leur degré d'adhésion aux recommandations de la société Marocaine de Rhumatologie (SMR).Matériels et Méthodes : Un questionnaire a été élaboré, validé par un comité d'expert, puis adressé à l'ensemble des rhumatologues marocains. Le questionnaire a été réalisé sur Google forms et envoyé par mail à trois reprises entre octobre et novembre 2015. Le questionnaire comprend des questions à choix multiples et des cas cliniques passant en revue les différents items des recommandations de la SMR. Le degré d'adhésion aux recommandations est évalué sur une échelle d'évaluation.Résultats : Parmi les 300 rhumatologues exerçant au Maroc, seuls 235 avaient une adresse mail valide. Le taux de participation était de 32,3%.Le pourcentage de patients qui consultaient à un stade précoce de la PR (moins de 3 mois) était de 26%. Le traitement de fond était immédiatement débuté par 96% des rhumatologues. Le méthotrexate (MTX) était utilisé dans 94,4% des cas, associé à la corticothérapie par voie orale chez la moitié des patients. La moitié des rhumatologues assuraient le suivi de manière systématique par le DAS 28.En cas d'échec thérapeutique d'une PR séronégative et non érosive sous MTX, 92.8 % des praticiens optimisaient la dose de MTX jusqu'à 25 mg/j et 64,2% proposaient une association (MTX +SLZ+APS).En cas d'échec thérapeutique d'une PR sévère active, séropositive et érosive sous MTX, 67,6% proposaient une biothérapie. Le pourcentage des patients atteints de PR qui ont eu une biothérapie était de 24%. Dans 64,3% des cas, le Rituximab était la biothérapie utilisée en première intention. En cas d'échec à un premier anti TNF, 52,6 % des rhumatologues proposaient un autre anti TNF. En cas de rémission persistante, seuls 37%des rhumatologues arrivaient à arrêter la corticothérapie, 81,3% continuaient la prescription du traitement de fond tandis que 60% réussissaient l'arrêt du biologique.Seuls 38,2 % vaccinaient systématiquement leurs patients recevant les biothérapies

Syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire secondaire au diabète sucré

Les manifestations musculosquelettiques du diabète, de type I ou de type II, sont classées en cinq catégories : le syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire, l'ostéoarthropathie nerveuse diabétique, l'augmentation du risque de fractures, les infections ostéoarticulaires et les infarctus musculaires.Le syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire comporte les pathologies suivantes : la capsulite rétractile, le syndrome du canal carpien, la cheiroarthropathie diabétique, la maladie de Dupuytren et les doigts à ressaut. Ces manifestations sont fréquentes chez les diabétiques, et méritent d'être bien connue par les endocrinologues et les rhumatologues afin d'améliorer leur prise en charge.Nous rapportons l'observation d'un patient âgé de 54 ans, diabétique de type 2 mal équilibré depuis 10 ans et qui présente une raideur des doigts

Protracted fever of unknown origin as the presenting symptom of Behçet's disease. Report of a case.

We report a case of Behçet's disease that presented as protracted fever of unknown origin. The diagnosis was established when a thromboembolic event and ora3l aphthous ulcers occurred simultaneously. Antibiotics had no effect on the fever, which resolved when glucocorticoid and anticoagulant therapy was given. Among causes of protracted fever of unknown origin, Behçet's disease is exceedingly rare but should be considered together with the other vasculitides. Above all, the presence of a fever should prompt a search for a thromboembolic complication.

Multifocal pyomyositis in an immunocompetent patient.

Pyomyositis is defined as suppurative infection of the skeletal muscle and usually occurs in immunocompromized patients. We managed a 23-year-old man admitted for myalgia and evidence of infection, with onset after a strenuous physical activity. Numerous muscles were involved. Multiple abscesses were visualized by ultrasonography and computed tomography, with predominant involvement of the pelvic muscles. Examination of the aspirate from a forearm abscess recovered Staphylococcus aureus. No factors associated with immunodeficiency were found. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy ensured complete resolution of the infection. Pyomyositis is rare in immunocompetent individuals. Myalgia, fever, and rhabdomyolysis should suggest pyomyositis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the best investigations for confirming the diagnosis.

Lead-related gout. A case report.

Gout secondary to lead-induced nephropathy is a long-term complication of occupational lead exposure. We report a case of this now-rare condition. The patient was a 63-year-old man who had been a miner from 1950 to 1970. Thirty years after cessation of his exposure to lead, he experienced onset of inflammatory symmetric polyarthritis with joint deformities. Hyperuricemia, moderately severe renal failure, and tubular acidosis were found, indicating gouty polyarthritis. Blood lead levels were high, establishing that the cause was lead poisoning. EDTA chelation therapy was effective. Lead poisoning is frequently under-recognized because the clinical manifestations are often minimal and the diagnosis difficult to establish. We suggest that lead bound to bone may result in continued exposure to lead after cessation of industrial or environmental exposure. Chelating agents are valuable for the diagnosis and can ensure a full recovery.

Osteoid osteoma multifocally located and recurrent in the carpus.

The authors report a case of osteoid osteoma located simultaneously at the right carpitate and at the proximal part of the right third metacarpian. A 31-year-old man presented in 1997 an osteoid osteoma involving the right capitate. One year after the surgical excision of the tumor, a second osteoid osteoma reappears to the same place requiring a 2nd intervention. A 3rd osteoid osteoma was discovered 16 months later at the proximal part of the right third metacarpian. After every excision, the pathological aspect was compatible with a nidus of osteoid osteoma. Osteoid osteoma of capitate are very rare. Multifocal forms are exceptional. If relapses of the tumor are sometimes explained by the incomplete excision of the nidus, the pathogenesis of the true recurrence remains unclear.