Imágenes diagnósticas en artritis reumatoide

ResumenLa artritis reumatoíde (AR) es una enfermedad crónica, inflamatoria, autoinmune, que tiene manifestaciones a nivel aticular y, en casi la mitad de los pacientes, en otros sistemas. Las alteraciones que produce a nivel de las articulaciones pueden llegar a ser deletéreas, generando un deterioro importante en la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen. Para evaluar dichas alteraciones a nivel del sistema musculoesquelético se han implementado diversos métodos magenológicos, entre ellos el más ampliamente utilizado ha sido la radiografía simple. Recientemente el uso de ecografía o ultrasonido (US) así como el de la resonancia nuclear magnética (RNM) ha sido para la detección en fases iniciales o tempranas de la enfermedad. Revisaremos en este artículo las principales indicaciones y utilidad de estos tres métodos de evaluación.[Rojas-Villarraga A, Calvo E. Imágenes diagnósticas en artritis reumatoide MedUNAB 2006; 9: 108-119].Palabras claves: Artritis reumatoide, radiografía, ultrasonido, resonancáa nuclear magnéíácaK

The Autoimmune Tautology: From Polyautoimmunity and Familial Autoimmunity to the Autoimmune Genes

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated\ud by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens and\ud represent a heterogeneous group of disorders that afflict specific\ud target organs ormultiple organ systems [1]. The chronic\ud nature of these diseases places a significant burden on the utilization\ud of medical care, direct and indirect economic costs,\ud and quality of life. The fact that ADs share several clinical\ud signs and symptoms (i.e., subphenotypes), physiopathological\ud mechanisms, and genetic factors has been called\ud autoimmune tautology and indicates that they have common\ud mechanism

Diagnostic images in rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad crónica, inflamatoria, autoinmune, que tiene manifestaciones a nivel articular y, en casi la mitad de los pacientes, en otros sistemas. Las alteraciones que produce a nivel de las articulaciones pueden llegar a ser deletéreas, generando un deterioro importante en la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen. Para evaluar dichas alteraciones a nivel del sistema musculoesquelético se han implementado diversos métodos imagenológicos, entre ellos el más ampliamente utilizado ha sido la radiografía simple. Recientemente el uso de ecografía o ultrasonido (US) así como el de la resonancia nuclear magnética (RNM) ha sido para la detección en fases iniciales o tempranas de la enfermedad. Revisaremos en este artículo las principales indicaciones y utilidad de estos tres métodos de evaluación. [Rojas-Villarraga A, Calvo E. Imágenes diagnósticas en artritis reumatoideRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that has manifestations at the joint level and, in almost half of patients, in other systems. The alterations it produces at the level of the joints can become deleterious, generating a significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients who suffer from it. To evaluate these alterations at the level of the musculoskeletal system, various imaging methods have been implemented, among them the most widely used has been simple radiography. Recently, the use of ultrasound or ultrasound (US) as well as magnetic nuclear resonance (MRI) has been for detection in the initial or early phases of the disease. In this article we will review the main indications and usefulness of these three evaluation methods. [Rojas-Villarraga A, Calvo E. Diagnostic images in rheumatoid arthriti

Outcome of patients with autoimmune diseases in the intensive care unit. A mixed cluster analysis.

Antecedentes: El interés en las enfermedades autoinmunes (EA) y su desenlace en la unidad de cuidado intensivo (UCI) han incrementado debido al reto clínico que suponen para el diagnóstico y manejo, debido a que la mortalidad en UCI fluctúa entre el 17 – 55 %. El siguiente trabajo representa la experiencia de un año de nuestro grupo en un hospital de tercer nivel. Objetivo: Identificar factores asociados a mortalidad particulares de los pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes que ingresan a una UCI, de un hospital de tercer nivel en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: El uso de análisis de componentes principales basado en el método descriptivo multivariado y análisis de múltiple correspondencia fue realizado para agrupar varias variables relacionadas con asociación significativa y contexto clínico común. Resultados: Cincuenta pacientes adultos con EA con una edad promedio de 46,7 ± 17,55 años fueron evaluados. Los dos diagnósticos más comunes fueron lupus eritematoso sistémico y esclerosis sistémica, con una frecuencia de 45% y 20% de los pacientes respectivamente. La principal causa de admisión en la UCI fue la infección seguido de actividad aguda de la EA, 36% y 24% respectivamente. La mortalidad durante la estancia en UCI fue del 24%. El tiempo de hospitalización antes de la admisión a la UCI, el choque, soporte vasopresor, ventilación mecánica, sepsis abdominal, Glasgow bajo y plasmaféresis fueron factores asociados con mortalidad. Dos fenotipos de variables fueron definidos relacionadas con tiempo en la UCI y medidas de soporte en UCI, las cuales fueron asociadas supervivencia y mortalidad. Conclusiones: La identificación de factores individuales y grupos de factores por medio del análisis de componentes principales permitirá la implementación de medidas terapéutica de manera temprana y agresiva en pacientes con EA en la UCI para evitar desenlaces fatales.Objective: The interest on autoimmune diseases (ADs) and their outcome at the intensive care unit (ICU) has increased due to the clinical challenge for diagnosis and management, due to mortality that range between 17- 55%. The current work presents a-year experience on factors related with mortality of patients with Ads in a tertiary hospital. Methods: The mixed-cluster methodology based on multivariate descriptive methods such as principal component analysis and multiple correspondence analyses was performed to summarize sets of related variables with strong associations and common clinical context. Results: Fifty adult patients with ADs with a mean age of 46.7 ± 17.55 years were assessed. The two most common diagnoses were systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, registered in 45% and 20% of patients, respectively. The main causes of admission to ICU were infection and AD flare up, observed in 36% and 24%, respectively. Mortality during ICU stay was 24%. The length of hospital stay before ICU admission, shock, vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, abdominal sepsis, Glasgow score and plasmapheresis were all factors associated with mortality. Two new clinical clusters variables (NCVs) were defined: Time ICU and ICU Support Profile, which were associated with survivor and no survivor variables. Conclusion: There is still a high morbidity and mortality in patients with ADs seen at the ICU. Identification of single factors and groups of factors from NCVs will allow implementation of early and aggressive therapies in patients with ADs at the ICU in order to avoid fatal outcomes

Radiologic findings of pulmonary involvement in Colombian patients with systemic sclerosis

La esclerosis sistémica (ES) es una enfermedad autoinmune multisistémica que afecta principalmente la piel, los pulmones, el tracto gastrointestinal, el corazón y los riñones. La enfermedad pulmonar, presente en casi el 100% de los casos, es el factor con mayor influencia en la mortalidad. El propósito de este estudio es realizar un análisis detallado de la enfermedad pulmonar por tomografía computarizada de alta resolución(TCAR) en pacientes Colombianos con ES, para lo cual se realizó un estudio de prevalencia analítica en 44 pacientes con ES valorados en el Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi en los últimos 7 años. Los resultados mostraron características demográficas y clínicas similares a las previamente descritas. La prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial fue alta, y los hallazgos de fibrosis pulmonar como vidrio esmerilado y panal de abejas se asociaron con la presencia del autoanticuerpo antiSCL70. La medida del diámetro esofágico por TCAR fue mayor en los pacientes con disfagia, antiSCL 70 y linfopenia, los cuales son marcadores de mal pronóstico.Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart and kidneys. Lung disease, present in almost 100% of cases, is the most influential factor in mortality. The purpose of this study is to perform a detailed analysis of lung disease CT high resolution in Colombian patients with SSc, for which a study of analytical prevalence was performed in 44 patients with ES valued at University Hospital Mayor mederi in the last 7 years. The results showed demographic characteristics similar to those previously described clinics. The prevalence of interstitial lung disease was high, and the findings of pulmonary fibrosis as "ground glass" and "honeycomb" were associated with the presence of autoantibody antiSCL70. The measure HRCT esophageal diameter was greater in patients with dysphagia, antiSCL 70 and lymphopenia, which are markers of poor prognosis

The Autoimmune Tautology: From Polyautoimmunity and Familial Autoimmunity to the Autoimmune Genes

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens and represent a heterogeneous group of disorders that afflict specific target organs ormultiple organ systems [1]. The chronic nature of these diseases places a significant burden on the utilization of medical care, direct and indirect economic costs, and quality of life. The fact that ADs share several clinical signs and symptoms (i.e., subphenotypes), physiopathological mechanisms, and genetic factors has been called autoimmune tautology and indicates that they have common mechanism

The impact of rheumatoid foot on disability in Colombian patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background. Alterations in the feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are a cause of disability in this population. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact that foot impairment has on the patients' global quality of life (QOL) based on validated scales and its relationship to disease activity. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study in which 95 patients with RA were enrolled. A complete physical examination, including a full foot assessment, was done. The Spanish versions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index and of the Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) were administered. A logistic regression model was used to analyze data and obtain adjusted odds ratios (AORs). Results. Foot deformities were observed in 78 (82%) of the patients; hallux valgus (65%), medial longitudinal arch flattening (42%), claw toe (lesser toes) (39%), dorsiflexion restriction (tibiotalar) (34%), cock-up toe (lesser toes) (25%), and transverse arch flattening (25%) were the most frequent. In the logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender and duration of disease), forefoot movement pain, subtalar movement pain, tibiotalar movement pain and plantarflexion restriction (tibiotalar) were strongly associated with disease activity and disability. The positive squeeze test was significantly associated with disability risk (AOR = 6,3; 95% CI, 1.2830.96; P = 0,02); hallux valgus, and dorsiflexion restriction (tibiotalar) were associated with disease activity. Conclusion. Foot abnormalities are associated with active joint disease and disability in RA. Foot examinations provide complementary information related to the disability as an indirect measurement of quality of life and activity of disease in daily practice. © 2009 Rojas-Villarraga et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Introducing Polyautoimmunity: Secondary Autoimmune Diseases No Longer Exist

Similar pathophysiological mechanisms within autoimmune diseases have stimulated searches for common genetic roots. Polyautoimmunity is defined as the presence of more than one autoimmune disease in a single patient. When three or more autoimmune diseases coexist, this condition is called multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS). We analyzed the presence of polyautoimmunity in 1,083 patients belonging to four autoimmune disease cohorts. Polyautoimmunity was observed in 373 patients (34.4%). Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were the most frequent diseases encountered. Factors significantly associated with polyautoimmunity were female gender and familial autoimmunity. Through a systematic literature review, an updated search was done for all MAS cases (January 2006–September 2011). There were 142 articles retrieved corresponding to 226 cases. Next, we performed a clustering analysis in which AITD followed by systemic lupus erythematosus and SS were the most hierarchical diseases encountered. Our results indicate that coexistence of autoimmune diseases is not uncommon and follows a grouping pattern. Polyautoimmunity is the term proposed for this association of disorders, which encompasses the concept of a common origin for these diseases

Interpretation of minor salivary gland biopsy in Sjögren’s syndrome. Clinical-pathological correlation

La biopsia de glándula salival menor (BGSM) es uno de los principales criterios (no el único) para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Sjögren, y esto tiene que ir en conjunto con la clínica y los niveles de anticuerpos. Diferentes clasificaciones se han desarrollado para evaluar la interpretación de los hallazgos observados en la BGSM y poder categorizar / diagnosticar el síndrome de Sjögren. Esto ha causado que los patólogos y los clínicos tengan una inadecuada interpretación de la BGSM debido a que existe confusión por las diferentes escalas de puntuación que se han implementado a lo largo del tiempo. El presente artículo de revisión tiene como objetivo ilustrar a la comunidad científica, especialmente reumatólogos, cirujanos orales, internistas y patólogos, entre otros, sobre los hallazgos a considerar en la BGSM al momento del reporte por parte del patólogo.The minor salivary gland biopsy (MSBG) is one of the main criteria (not the only one) for the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, and has to be taken in conjunction with the clinic parameters and the antibodies levels. Different classifications have been developed to evaluate the interpretation of the findings observed in the MSBG and to be able to categorise / diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome. This has meant pathologists and clinicians have had anunsuitable interpretation of the MSBG due to the existence of confusion due to the different scoring scales that have been implemented over time. This review article aims to illustrate to the scientific community, especially rheumatologists, oral surgeons, internists, and pathologists, among others, on the findings to be considered in the MSBG when reported by the pathologist

The autoimmune ecology

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect specific target organs or multiple organ systems. These conditions share common immunopathogenic mechanisms (i.e., the autoimmune tautology), which explain the clinical similarities they have among them as well as their familial clustering (i.e., coaggregation). As part of the autoimmune tautology, the influence of environmental exposure on the risk of developing ADs is paramount (i.e., the autoimmune ecology). In fact, environment, more than genetics, shapes immune system. Autoimmune ecology is akin to exposome, that is all the exposures - internal and external - across the lifespan, interacting with hereditary factors (both genetics and epigenetics) to favor or protect against autoimmunity and its outcomes. Herein, we provide an overview of the autoimmune ecology, focusing on the immune response to environmental agents in general, and microbiota, cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, socioeconomic status (SES), gender and sex hormones, vitamin D, organic solvents, and vaccines in particular. Inclusion of the autoimmune ecology in disease etiology and health will improve the way personalized medicine is currently conceived and applied. © 2016 Anaya, Ramirez-Santana, Alzate, Molano-Gonzalez and Rojas-Villarraga