[Lipid profile in early arthritis and its relation with inflammatory activity] / Prevalencia de dislipidemia en artritis temprana y su relación con actividad inflamatoria.

Cardiovascular risk is increased in Rheumatoid Arthritis and it is associated with higher morbility and mortality. Few studies have evaluated the lipid profile in early arthritis (EA). Aims: To study the lipid profile in patients with EA and its association with disease activity (DA). Methods: We studied 31 patients with diagnosis of EA and a control group, with age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors matched, who were attended to Rheumatology Unit at Córdoba Hospital from January 2011 to May 2013. We evaluated demographic data, lipid profile and DA by DAS28. Results: 31 patients were included with mean age of 42.3 years old, 87% female , the cholesterol level was 191.9 mg/dl, HDL 54, LDL 115.8, Triglycerides 117,6; and 31 patients were included in the control group with average age of 42.7 years old, and cholesterol level of 198.7 mg / dl, HDL 56.9 LDL 122.6, Triglycerides 99.6 (p NS). Regards disease activity, in the low DA group the Cholesterol level was 196.3 , LDL 115.8, HDL 62 y triglycerides 95.17, and in the Moderate and High DA the Cholesterol level was 190 mg/ dl, LDL 115, HDL 52 y triglycerides 122,9 (p NS) Conclusions: The lipid profile was normal and it was not associated with DA in EA patients.

El riesgo cardiovascular está aumentado en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea establecida, con aumento de la morbimortalidad cardiovascular, inclusive tempranamente y puede ser expresión subclínica de la enfermedad. Pocos estudios han evaluado el perfil lipídico en artritis temprana (AT). Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia y el tipo de alteración del perfil lipídico en pacientes con AT y su asociación con la actividad de la enfermedad (AE). Material y métodos: Se estudiaron pacientes con diagnóstico de AT comparados con un grupo control, apareados por sexo, edad y factores de riesgo cardiovascular, asistidos de forma consecutiva desde enero de 2011 a mayo de 2013 en el Hospital Córdoba. Se recolectaron datos demográficos, perfil lipídico y actividad de la enfermedad (AE) por Disease Activity Score (DAS 28). Se comparó el nivel de lípidos en ambos grupos y entre pacientes con artritis según el nivel de AE, clasificándolos en Baja AE y Mediana / Alta AE. P menor a 0.05 fue considerada significativa. Resultados: El número de pacientes con Artritis temprana fue de 31, con una media de edad de 42.3 años, 87% sexo femenino y el nivel de Colesterol Total promedio fue de 191.9 mg/dl, HDL 54, LDL 115.8, Triglicéridos 117,6, mientras que el grupo control fue de 31 pacientes con una media de edad de 42.7 años, con nivel promedio de Colesterol 198.7 mg/dl, HDL 56.9, LDL 122.6, Triglicéridos 99.6 (p=NS, para todas las determinaciones). En cuanto a la actividad de la enfermedad, en el grupo de Baja AE los niveles de Colesterol fueron 196.3, LDL 115.8, HDL 62 y triglicéridos 95.17 y en el grupo moderada y alta AE, Colesterol 190,1 LDL 115, 8, HDL 52 y triglicéridos 122,9 (p NS para todas las comparaciones) Conclusion: El perfil lipídico fue normal y no se encontró asociado a la AE en pacientes con AT.

[Cryptococcal meningitis as initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Meningitis criptococcica como forma de presentación de Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico.

INTRODUCTION: Infection is one of the most frequent etiology of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cryptococcal meningitis is a recognized complication of SLE with high mortality rates in those treated with immunosuppressive agents. We describe a patient with cryptoccoccal meningitis and SLE. This case suggests that intrinsic immunological abnormality related to SLE predisposed to opportunistic infections. CLINICAL CASE: A 25 years old woman was admitted because of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. She had ascitis and abdominal pain and neurological examination was normal.. Laboratory findings showed mild anemia, leukocytes: 6350/mm(3). Total lymphocytes: 508/mm(3) (CD4 +: 75 cel/mm(3)). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): 40mm/h, Coombs test (+). Abdominal CT scan showed ascites and pleural bilateral effusion. Two days after her admission, VDRL test was positive ( 1/64). Lumbar puncture was done and the r cerebrospinal fluid showed: normal glucose and protein level with normal cells. Fungi elements were found and Cryptococcus neoformans were identified. She received Anfotericin B treatment. HIV and TPHA test were negative. Antinuclear and anti-ds-DNA were positive in high levels and low levels of complement were found. Methylprednisolone pulses were s administered intravenously for three days. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal after 10 weeks of antifungical treatment.