Efectividad y seguridad de los bisfosfonatos en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis infantil secundaria

Bisfosfonatos; Efectividad; NiñoBisfosfonats; Efectivitat; NenBisphosphonates; Effectiveness; ChildIntroduction There are few studies on effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonate therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children. The aim of this research was to analyse effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates in secondary osteoporosis in children. Patients and methods Multicentre retrospective study in patients younger than 18 suffering from secondary osteoporosis and who have received bisphosphonates. Clinical data were recorded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed in terms of BMD Z-score in lumbar spine (ZBMDls) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Effectiveness was valued at changes in ZBMDls one and two years after the onset of bisphosphonates and at the decrese in the number of fractures a year. Adverse events reported were recorded. Descriptive and bivariant analysis was performed. Results 32 patients were recruited. ZBMDls increased one year after the onset of treatment ((−2.46 ± 0.96) vs. (−1.54 ± 1.38); p < .001). Fractures a year dicreased significantly (1 (1–2) vs. 0 (0–0.61); p < .001). ZBMDls increase was higher in patients who were able to walk (1.88 ± 0.72 vs. 0.55 ± 0.82; p = .07) and correlated positively with body mass index (BMI)- for- age percentile (rho: 0.564; p < .001). The decrease in the number of fractures a year was higher in patients with lower initial fracture rate (rho: −0,47; p = .006) and with higher initial ZBMDls (rho: −0.47; p = .07). 10 adverse events were reported in 7 patients (22%), all of them intravenous bisphosphonates related. No association was found between adverse events and studied variables. Conclusions Bisphosphonates are effective in secondary osteoporosis in children. Response seems to be better in patients who are able to walk, well-nourished and in the early stages of the disease. Adverse events were frequent but mild.Introducción Los estudios sobre efectividad y seguridad de los bisfosfonatos en osteoporosis infantil secundaria (OIS) son escasos. El objetivo fue analizar efectividad y seguridad de los bisfosfonatos en OIS. Pacientes y métodos Estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo en <18 años afectos de OIS tratados con bisfosfonatos. Se recogieron variables clínicas. Se valoró densidad mineral ósea (DMO) mediante el Z-score de DMO en columna lumbar (ZDMOcl) medido por absorciometría de rayos X de doble energía (DXA). Valoramos efectividad en función del cambio del ZDMOcl al año y a los dos años de su inicio y del descenso del número de fracturas/año. Los eventos adversos reportados fueron recogidos. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y bivariante. Resultados Se reclutaron 32 pacientes. El ZDMOcl se incrementó al año del inicio del tratamiento ((−2,46 ± 0,96) vs. (−1,54 ± 1,38); p < 0,001). El número de fracturas/año disminuyó significativamente (1 (1–2) vs. 0 (0–0,61); p < 0,001). El cambio en el ZDMOcl fue mayor en los pacientes deambulantes (1,88 ± 0,72 vs. 0,55 ± 0,82; p = 0,07) y se correlacionó positivamente con el percentil del IMC (rho: 0,564; p < 0,001). El descenso del número de fracturas/año fue mayor en los pacientes con menor tasa inicial de fracturas (rho: −0,47; p = 0,006) y cuanto mayor era el Z-score inicial (rho: −0,47; p = 0,07). Se reportaron 10 eventos adversos leves en 7 pacientes (22%), todos con bisfosfonatos intravenosos. No se halló relación entre eventos adversos y las variables estudiadas. Conclusiones Los bisfosfonatos son efectivos en OIS. La respuesta parece ser mejor en pacientes deambulantes, bien nutridos y en estadios precoces de la enfermedad. Resultan seguros, siendo los efectos adversos leves, aunque frecuentes

Kawasaki disease is more prevalent in rural areas of Catalonia (Spain)

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited systemic vasculitis relatively common in childhood. The etiology of KD is still unknown, although clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features suggest an infectious origin or trigger. Differences on incidence between countries have been related to specific genetic factors, ethnicity, country of birth and some other sociocultural and environmental factors. We present a population-based study on incidence of KD in Catalonia (Spain), focusing on differences between patients in rural and non-rural areas of the region. METHODS: Observational population-based study including all Pediatric Units in Catalan hospitals, between 2004 and 2014. A 12-month (March 2013-March 2014) prospective collection of new cases of KD was carried out to determine the incidence of KD. The rest of the data was retrieved retrospectively. RESULTS: Data from 399 patients over the 10-year study period was analyzed. Among the total KD patients, 353 (88.5%) lived in non-rural areas and 46 (11.5%) in rural areas. It was found that there is a significant difference (P<.001) between the percentage of rural population observed in patients with KD (11.5%), and the expected 5% of the Catalan population. CONCLUSION: This is the first population-based study showing significant differences on KD incidence rates between rural and non-rural areas

Proposal for a definition for response to treatment, inactive disease and damage for JIA associated uveitis based on the validation of a uveitis related JIA outcome measures from the Multinational Interdisciplinary Working Group for Uveitis in Childhood (MIWGUC)

Correction: PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Article Number: 14 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-019-0396-4Background JIA-associated uveitis (JIAU) is a serious, sight-threatening disease with significant long-term complications and risk of blindness, even with improved contemporary treatments. The MIWGUC was set up in order to propose specific JIAU activity and response items and to validate their applicability for clinical outcome studies. Methods The group consists of 8 paediatric rheumatologists and 7 ophthalmologists. A consensus meeting took place on November 2015 in Barcelona (Spain) with the objective of validating the previously proposed measures. The validation process was based on the results of a prospective open, international, multi-centre, cohort study designed to validate the outcome measures proposed by the initial MIWGUC group meeting in 2012. The meeting used the same Delphi and nominal group technique as previously described in the first paper from the MIWGUC group (Arthritis Care Res 64:1365-72, 2012). Patients were included with a diagnosis of JIA, aged less than 18 years, and with active uveitis or an uveitis flare which required treatment with a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. The proposed outcome measures for uveitis were collected by an ophthalmologist and for arthritis by a paediatric rheumatologist. Patient reported outcome measures were also measured. Results A total of 82 patients were enrolled into the validation cohort. Fifty four percent (n = 44) had persistent oligoarthritis followed by rheumatoid factor negative polyarthritis (n = 15, 18%). The mean uveitis disease duration was 3.3 years (SD 3.0). Bilateral eye involvement was reported in 65 (79.3%) patients. The main findings are that the most significant changes, from baseline to 6 months, are found in the AC activity measures of cells and flare. These measures correlate with the presence of pre-existing structural complications and this has implications for the reporting of trials using a single measure as a primary outcome. We also found that visual analogue scales of disease activity showed significant change when reported by the ophthalmologist, rheumatologist and families. The measures formed three relatively distinct groups. The first group of measures comprised uveitis activity, ocular damage and the ophthalmologists' VAS. The second comprised patient reported outcomes including disruption to school attendance. The third group consisted of the rheumatologists' VAS and the joint score. Conclusions We propose distinctive and clinically significant measures of disease activity, severity and damage for JIAU. This effort is the initial step for developing a comprehensive outcome measures for JIAU, which incorporates the perspectives of rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, patients and families.Peer reviewe

Tuberculosis in pediatric patients treated with anti-TNFα drugs: a cohort study

Background: Adult patients receiving anti-TNFα drugs are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), but studies in pediatric populations are limited, and the best strategy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening in this population remains controversial. We describe the prevalence of LTBI prior to anti-TNFα therapy and the long-term follow-up after biological treatment initiation in a cohort of children and adolescents. Methods: Cohort observational study in children and adolescents receiving anti-TNFα agents in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. LTBI was ruled out prior to the implementation of anti-TNFα drugs by tuberculin skin test (TST), and, from March 2012 on, QuantiFERON Gold-In Tube® test (QTF-G). During anti-TNFα treatment, patients were evaluated every 6 months for TB with history and physical examination. TST/QTF-G were not repeated unless signs or symptoms consistent with TB arose or there was proven TB contact. Results: The final cohort consisted of 221 patients (56.1 % female; 261 treatments), of whom 51.7 %/30.0 %/17.3 % were treated with etanercept/adalimumab/infliximab, respectively, for a variety of rheumatic diseases (75.6 %), inflammatory bowel disease (20.8 %), and inflammatory eye diseases (3.6 %). The median (IQR) age at diagnosis of the primary condition was 6.8 years (2.7-11.0) and the duration of the disease before implementing the anti-TNFα agent was 1.8 years (0.6-4.2). LTBI was diagnosed in 3 adolescent girls (prevalence rate: 1.4 %; 95 % CI: 0.4-4.2) affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: TST tested positive in only 1, while QTF-G was positive in all cases (including 2 patients already on etanercept). They all received antiTB chemoprophylaxis and were later (re)treated with etanercept for 24-29 months, without incidences. No incident cases of TB disease were observed during the follow-up period under anti-TNFα treatment of 641 patients-year, with a median (IQR) time per patient of 2.3 years (1.4-4.3). Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of LTBI (1.4 %) was similar to that reported in population screening studies in Spain; no incident cases of TB disease were observed. In low-burden TB settings, initial screening for TB in children prior to anti-TNFα treatment should include both TST and an IGRA test, but systematic repetition of LTBI immunodiagnostic tests seems unnecessary in the absence of symptoms or known TB contact

Effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children Efectividad y seguridad de los bisfosfonatos en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis infantil secundaria

Introduction: There are few studies on effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonate therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children. The aim of this research was to analyse effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates in secondary osteoporosis in children. Patients and methods: Multicentre retrospective study in patients younger than 18 suffering from secondary osteoporosis and who had received bisphosphonates. Clinical data were recorded. Bone mineral density was assessed in terms of bone mineral density Z-score in lumbar spine (ZBMDls) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Effectiveness was valued at changes in ZBMDls one and two years after the onset of bisphosphonates and at the decrease in the number of fractures a year. Adverse events reported were recorded. Descriptive and bivariant analysis were performed. Results: 32 patients were recruited. ZBMDls increased one year after the onset of treatment ([−2.46 ± 0.96] vs. [−1.54 ± 1.38]; p <.001). Fractures a year decreased significantly (1 [1-2] vs. 0 [0-0.61]; p <, 001). ZBMDls increase was higher in patients who were able to walk (1.88 ± 0.72 vs. 0.55 ± 0.82; p =.07) and correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) for age percentile (rho: 0.564; p <.001). The decrease in the number of fractures a year was higher in patients with lower initial fracture rate (rho: −0.47; p =.006) and with higher initial ZBMDls (rho: −0.47; p =.07). 10 adverse events were reported in 7 patients (22%), all of them intravenous bisphosphonates related. No association was found between adverse events and studied variables. Conclusions: Bisphosphonates are effective in secondary osteoporosis in children. Response seems to be better in patients who are able to walk, well-nourished and in the early stages of the disease. Adverse events were frequent but mild

Prevention and early diagnosis of childhood osteoporosis: are we doing the right thing?

[eng] Objectives: To assess prevention, early diagnosis and training received regarding osteoporosis among the pediatrics professionals in our area. Material and methods: Survey directed to physicians of pediatricians of Primary Care (PC) and Specialized Care (SC) in order to evaluate their activity in prevention, detection and training received in osteoporosis. The survey was disseminated through the relevant scientific societies. Results: 420 pediatricians participated (324 from PC and 96 from SC). 93.5% of PC pediatricians and 89.6% of SC pediatricians valued the physical activity of the patients; 85.19% and 35.4% of them, respectively, the intake of dairy products. 45.68% of PC and 70.2% of SC recommended calcium and vitamin D supplements in the case of low nutritional intake, whereas 39.2% of PC and 47.2% of SC favored follow-up. 39.6% of SC pediatricians requested bone densitometry for this disease or risk treatment, and 47.9% measured the levels of 25-OH-vitamin D. 25.93% of PC and 45.3% of SC asked about the existence of fractures, 90.4% and 96.8% requested etiopathogenic mechanism. 40% of PC and 86.2% of SC requested a bone densitometry or referred to the specialist for fractures due to low trauma energy, with specific criteria in 13.7% and 5.86%, respectively. 92% of PC and 82.3% of SC had not received recent training in childhood osteoporosis. Conclusion: Detection, derivation circuits and the training of pediatricians regarding bone health in our country can be improved. Optimizing these aspects is essential to favor the peak of bone mass in our population

Effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children.

There are few studies on effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonate therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children. The aim of this research was to analyse effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates in secondary osteoporosis in children. Multicentre retrospective study in patients younger than 18 suffering from secondary osteoporosis and who have received bisphosphonates. Clinical data were recorded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed in terms of BMD Z-score in lumbar spine (ZBMDls) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Effectiveness was valued at changes in ZBMDls one and two years after the onset of bisphosphonates and at the decrese in the number of fractures a year. Adverse events reported were recorded. Descriptive and bivariant analysis was performed. 32 patients were recruited. ZBMDls increased one year after the onset of treatment ((-2.46 ± 0.96) vs. (-1.54 ± 1.38); p Bisphosphonates are effective in secondary osteoporosis in children. Response seems to be better in patients who are able to walk, well-nourished and in the early stages of the disease. Adverse events were frequent but mild

Tuberculosis in pediatric patients treated with anti-TNFα drugs: a cohort study

Background: Adult patients receiving anti-TNFα drugs are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), but studies in pediatric populations are limited, and the best strategy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening in this population remains controversial. We describe the prevalence of LTBI prior to anti-TNFα therapy and the long-term follow-up after biological treatment initiation in a cohort of children and adolescents. Methods: Cohort observational study in children and adolescents receiving anti-TNFα agents in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. LTBI was ruled out prior to the implementation of anti-TNFα drugs by tuberculin skin test (TST), and, from March 2012 on, QuantiFERON Gold-In Tube® test (QTF-G). During anti-TNFα treatment, patients were evaluated every 6 months for TB with history and physical examination. TST/QTF-G were not repeated unless signs or symptoms consistent with TB arose or there was proven TB contact. Results: The final cohort consisted of 221 patients (56.1 % female; 261 treatments), of whom 51.7 %/30.0 %/17.3 % were treated with etanercept/adalimumab/infliximab, respectively, for a variety of rheumatic diseases (75.6 %), inflammatory bowel disease (20.8 %), and inflammatory eye diseases (3.6 %). The median (IQR) age at diagnosis of the primary condition was 6.8 years (2.7-11.0) and the duration of the disease before implementing the anti-TNFα agent was 1.8 years (0.6-4.2). LTBI was diagnosed in 3 adolescent girls (prevalence rate: 1.4 %; 95 % CI: 0.4-4.2) affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: TST tested positive in only 1, while QTF-G was positive in all cases (including 2 patients already on etanercept). They all received antiTB chemoprophylaxis and were later (re)treated with etanercept for 24-29 months, without incidences. No incident cases of TB disease were observed during the follow-up period under anti-TNFα treatment of 641 patients-year, with a median (IQR) time per patient of 2.3 years (1.4-4.3). Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of LTBI (1.4 %) was similar to that reported in population screening studies in Spain; no incident cases of TB disease were observed. In low-burden TB settings, initial screening for TB in children prior to anti-TNFα treatment should include both TST and an IGRA test, but systematic repetition of LTBI immunodiagnostic tests seems unnecessary in the absence of symptoms or known TB contact

Proposal for a definition for response to treatment, inactive disease and damage for JIA associated uveitis based on the validation of a uveitis related JIA outcome measures from the Multinational Interdisciplinary Working Group for Uveitis in Childhood (MIWGUC)

Background: JIA-associated uveitis (JIAU) is a serious, sight-threatening disease with significant long-term complications and risk of blindness, even with improved contemporary treatments. The MIWGUC was set up in order to propose specific JIAU activity and response items and to validate their applicability for clinical outcome studies. Methods: The group consists of 8 paediatric rheumatologists and 7 ophthalmologists. A consensus meeting took place on November 2015 in Barcelona (Spain) with the objective of validating the previously proposed measures. The validation process was based on the results of a prospective open, international, multi-centre, cohort study designed to validate the outcome measures proposed by the initial MIWGUC group meeting in 2012. The meeting used the same Delphi and nominal group technique as previously described in the first paper from the MIWGUC group (Arthritis Care Res 64:1365-72, 2012). Patients were included with a diagnosis of JIA, aged less than 18 years, and with active uveitis or an uveitis flare which required treatment with a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. The proposed outcome measures for uveitis were collected by an ophthalmologist and for arthritis by a paediatric rheumatologist. Patient reported outcome measures were also measured. Results: A total of 82 patients were enrolled into the validation cohort. Fifty four percent (n = 44) had persistent oligoarthritis followed by rheumatoid factor negative polyarthritis (n = 15, 18%). The mean uveitis disease duration was 3.3 years (SD 3.0). Bilateral eye involvement was reported in 65 (79.3%) patients. The main findings are that the most significant changes, from baseline to 6 months, are found in the AC activity measures of cells and flare. These measures correlate with the presence of pre-existing structural complications and this has implications for the reporting of trials using a single measure as a primary outcome. We also found that visual analogue scales of disease activity showed significant change when reported by the ophthalmologist, rheumatologist and families. The measures formed three relatively distinct groups. The first group of measures comprised uveitis activity, ocular damage and the ophthalmologists' VAS. The second comprised patient reported outcomes including disruption to school attendance. The third group consisted of the rheumatologists' VAS and the joint score. Conclusions: We propose distinctive and clinically significant measures of disease activity, severity and damage for JIAU. This effort is the initial step for developing a comprehensive outcome measures for JIAU, which incorporates the perspectives of rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, patients and families

DELLA PROTEINS: MASTER REGULATORS OF GIBBERELLINRESPONSIVE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

In flowering plants, DELLA proteins (DELLAs) have emerged as the master transcriptional regulators that are responsible for repressing all aspects of gibberellin (GA)-dependent growth and development. Although we now have a good understanding of how GAs relieve the growth repression exerted by DELLAs, our understanding of the mechanisms through which these proteins act has only started to emerge in the last few years. It has become apparent that DELLAs physically associate with a myriad of proteins, including transcription factors, altering their activities and promoting the transcriptional changes that control GA-responsive growth and development. Fascinatingly, the role of DELLAs does not appear to revolve exclusively around transcriptional control, with a recent report demonstrating that they are directly involved in the reorientation of microtubules in the Arabidopsis hypocotyl. These recent observations add a further dimension to a remarkable class of regulatory proteins.Peer reviewe