Seizures in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: The Relevance of Smoking to Stroke

Objectives. To evaluate the frequency of seizures in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and their possible clinical and laboratory associations. Methods. Eighty-eight PAPS patients (Sydney's criteria) were analyzed by a standard interview, physical examination and review of medical charts. Risk factors for seizures, clinical manifestations, associated comorbidities, and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated. Results. Nine (10.2%) patients with seizures were identified, 77.8% had convulsions onset after PAPS diagnosis. Mean age, gender, and race were comparable in groups with or without seizures. Interestingly, a higher frequency of current smoking (44.4 versus 10.1%, P = 0.019) was observed in the first group. Stroke, Sneddon's syndrome, and livedo reticularis were more frequent in PAPS patients with seizures than those without seizures, although not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Comparison between patients with seizures onset after PAPS diagnosis (n = 7) and those without convulsions (n = 79) demonstrated a higher frequency of current smoking (42.9 versus 10%, P = 0.042) and stroke in the first group (71.4 versus 30.4%, P = 0.041). Regression analysis confirmed that smoking (P = 0.030) and stroke (P = 0.042) were independently associated to seizures. Conclusion. About 10.2% of PAPS patients had convulsions, predominantly after PAPS diagnosis, and seizures were associated to current smoking and stroke

Seizures in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: The Relevance of Smoking to Stroke

Objectives. To evaluate the frequency of seizures in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and their possible clinical and laboratory associations. Methods. Eighty-eight PAPS patients (Sydney's criteria) were analyzed by a standard interview, physical examination and review of medical charts. Risk factors for seizures, clinical manifestations, associated comorbidities, and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated. Results. Nine (10.2%) patients with seizures were identified, 77.8% had convulsions onset after PAPS diagnosis. Mean age, gender, and race were comparable in groups with or without seizures. Interestingly, a higher frequency of current smoking (44.4 versus 10.1%, P = 0.019) was observed in the first group. Stroke, Sneddon's syndrome, and livedo reticularis were more frequent in PAPS patients with seizures than those without seizures, although not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Comparison between patients with seizures onset after PAPS diagnosis (n = 7) and those without convulsions (n = 79) demonstrated a higher frequency of current smoking (42.9 versus 10%, P = 0.042) and stroke in the first group (71.4 versus 30.4%, P = 0.041). Regression analysis confirmed that smoking (P = 0.030) and stroke (P = 0.042) were independently associated to seizures. Conclusion. About 10.2% of PAPS patients had convulsions, predominantly after PAPS diagnosis, and seizures were associated to current smoking and stroke

Sjogren's syndrome: An underdiagnosed condition in mixed connective tissue disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sicca symptoms, dry eye, and secondary Sjögren's syndrome and to evaluate the severity of dry eye in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. METHODS: In total, 44 consecutive patients with mixed connective tissue disease (Kasukawa's criteria) and 41 healthy controls underwent Schirmer's test, a tear film breakup time test, and ocular surface staining to investigate dry eye. In addition, the dry eye severity was graded. Ocular and oral symptoms were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Salivary gland scintigraphy was performed in all patients. Classification of secondary Sjögren's syndrome was assessed according to the American-European Consensus Group criteria. RESULTS: The patients and controls had comparable ages (44.7±12.4 vs. 47.2±12.2 years) and frequencies of female gender (93 vs. 95%) and Caucasian ethnicity (71.4 vs. 85%). Ocular symptoms (47.7 vs. 24.4%) and oral symptoms (52.3 vs. 9.7%) were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. Fourteen (31.8%) patients fulfilled Sjögren's syndrome criteria, seven of whom (50%) did not have this diagnosis prior to study inclusion. A further comparison of patients with mixed connective tissue disease with or without Sjögren's syndrome revealed that the former presented significantly lower frequencies of polyarthritis and cutaneous involvement than did the patients without Sjögren's syndrome. Moderate to severe dry eye was found in 13 of 14 patients with mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome (92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Sjögren's syndrome, particularly with moderate to severe dry eye, is frequent in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. These findings alert the physician regarding the importance of the appropriate diagnosis of this syndrome in such patients

Síndrome de Sjögren primária: aspectos relevantes para os dentistas

Objetivo: Esta revisão de literatura tem o propósito de oferecer aos cirurgiões-dentistas entendimento sobre os principais achados clínico-epidemiológicos da síndrome de Sjögren primária (SSp), bem como ressaltar os principais aspectos etiopatogênicos e histopatológicos da doença. Métodos: Buscou-se na base de dados Pubmed/Medline e ScienceDirect os descritores “síndrome de Sjögren”, “glândulas salivares”, “xerostomia”, “diagnóstico”, “glândula salivar menor”, “etiologia”, “biopsia” entre os anos de 1991 a 2017. Discussão: A SSp é uma exocrinopatia autoimune que tem como substrato, em especial, as glândulas lacrimais e salivares, culminando com os sintomas de xeroftalmia e xerostomia. Seu principal achado morfológico é a presença de agregados de leucócitos mononucleares ao redor dos ductos e ácinos. Outras manifestações sistêmicas podem estar presentes, acarretando considerável morbidade nos pacientes acometidos. Atualmente, foi publicado o mais novo conjunto de critérios diagnósticos da doença, sendo um marco histórico no diagnóstico precoce da enfermidade, fundamental para diminuir os altos números de subdiagnósticos e otimizar a conduta clínica. Conclusão: Esta revisão abordou os aspectos clínicos-epidemiológicos, histopatológicos e etiopatogênicos da SSp, objetivando melhor compreensão dessa doença multifatorial e, portanto, a necessidade de uma conduta multidisciplinar e do papel fundamental do cirurgião-dentista no manejo dos pacientes acometidos por essa síndrome.Objective: The aim of this present review is to provide dentists a better understanding of Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SSp), clinical and epidemiological findings, also the etiopathogenic and histopathological features of the disease. Methods: The search was based on Pubmed/Medline and ScienceDirect database from 1991 to 2017. It was used keywords: “Sjögren’s syndrome”, “salivary gland”, “xerostomia”, “pathogenesis”, “diagnosis”, “minor salivary gland”, “ethiology”, “biopsy”. Discussion: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SSp) is an autoimmune exocrinopathy involving mainly the lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in reduced secretory functions and classical sicca symptoms, such as dry eyes and dry mouth. The hallmark of the histopathological features is the presence of aggregates of mononuclear leukocytes surrounding ducts and acini. Others systemic manifestations can also be present, leading to considerable morbidity in the affected patients. The lastest diagnosis criteria of SSp was published in 2017, becoming a historical landmark in the early diagnosis of the disease, reducing the high number of underdiagnosis and improving therapeutic intervention. Conclusion: This review approached the clinical-epidemiological and histopathological features, and etiopathogenic factors of SSp, supporting a better comprehension of this multifactorial disease and needing a multidisciplinary approach and the role of the dentist in the clinical conduct of the patients affected by this syndrome

Chronic inflammatory diseases, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases: Design, objectives, and baseline characteristics of a prospective case-cohort study ‒ ELSA-Brasil

Objectives: This analysis describes the protocol of a study with a case-cohort to design to prospectively evaluate the incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in Chronic Inflammatory Disease (CID) participants compared to non-diseased ones. Methods: A high-risk group for CID was defined based on data collected in all visits on self-reported medical diagnosis, use of medicines, and levels of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein >10 mg/L. The comparison group is the Aleatory Cohort Sample (ACS): a group with 10% of participants selected at baseline who represent the entire cohort. In both groups, specific biomarkers for DIC, markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, and CVD morbimortality will be tested using weighted Cox. Results: The high-risk group (n = 2,949; aged 53.6 ± 9.2; 65.5% women) and the ACS (n=1543; 52.2±8.8; 54.1% women) were identified. Beyond being older and mostly women, participants in the high-risk group present low average income (29.1% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.0001), higher BMI (Kg/m2) (28.1 vs. 26.9, p < 0.0001), higher waist circumference (cm) (93.3 vs. 91, p < 0.0001), higher frequencies of hypertension (40.2% vs. 34.5%, p < 0.0001), diabetes (20.7% vs. 17%, p = 0.003) depression (5.8% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.007) and higher levels of GlycA a new inflammatory marker (p < 0.0001) compared to the ACS. Conclusions: The high-risk group selected mostly women, older, lower-income/education, higher BMI, waist circumference, and of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and higher levels of GlycA when compared to the ACS. The strategy chosen to define the high-risk group seems adequate given that multiple sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are compatible with CID

Seizures in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: The Relevance of Smoking to Stroke

Objectives. To evaluate the frequency of seizures in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and their possible clinical and laboratory associations. Methods. Eighty-eight PAPS patients (Sydney’s criteria) were analyzed by a standard interview, physical examination and review of medical charts. Risk factors for seizures, clinical manifestations, associated comorbidities, and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated. Results. Nine (10.2%) patients with seizures were identified, 77.8% had convulsions onset after PAPS diagnosis. Mean age, gender, and race were comparable in groups with or without seizures. Interestingly, a higher frequency of current smoking (44.4 versus 10.1%, =0.019) was observed in the first group. Stroke, Sneddon’s syndrome, and livedo reticularis were more frequent in PAPS patients with seizures than those without seizures, although not statistically significant (>0.05). Comparison between patients with seizures onset after PAPS diagnosis (=7) and those without convulsions (=79) demonstrated a higher frequency of current smoking (42.9 versus 10%, =0.042) and stroke in the first group (71.4 versus 30.4%, =0.041). Regression analysis confirmed that smoking (=0.030) and stroke (=0.042) were independently associated to seizures. Conclusion. About 10.2% of PAPS patients had convulsions, predominantly after PAPS diagnosis, and seizures were associated to current smoking and stroke

Sjögren's syndrome: An underdiagnosed condition in mixed connective tissue disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sicca symptoms, dry eye, and secondary Sjögren's syndrome and to evaluate the severity of dry eye in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. METHODS: In total, 44 consecutive patients with mixed connective tissue disease (Kasukawa's criteria) and 41 healthy controls underwent Schirmer's test, a tear film breakup time test, and ocular surface staining to investigate dry eye. In addition, the dry eye severity was graded. Ocular and oral symptoms were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Salivary gland scintigraphy was performed in all patients. Classification of secondary Sjögren's syndrome was assessed according to the American-European Consensus Group criteria. RESULTS: The patients and controls had comparable ages (44.7±12.4 vs. 47.2±12.2 years) and frequencies of female gender (93 vs. 95%) and Caucasian ethnicity (71.4 vs. 85%). Ocular symptoms (47.7 vs. 24.4%) and oral symptoms (52.3 vs. 9.7%) were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. Fourteen (31.8%) patients fulfilled Sjögren's syndrome criteria, seven of whom (50%) did not have this diagnosis prior to study inclusion. A further comparison of patients with mixed connective tissue disease with or without Sjögren's syndrome revealed that the former presented significantly lower frequencies of polyarthritis and cutaneous involvement than did the patients without Sjögren's syndrome. Moderate to severe dry eye was found in 13 of 14 patients with mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome (92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Sjögren's syndrome, particularly with moderate to severe dry eye, is frequent in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. These findings alert the physician regarding the importance of the appropriate diagnosis of this syndrome in such patients

Ultrasonography of Major Salivary Glands in Juvenile SjoGren's Syndrome - Preliminary Findings in a Multi-Center Study

Haukeland Hosp, Dept Rheumatol, Bergen, NorwayUniv Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Med, Rheumatol, Vitoria, BrazilOslo Univ Hosp, Rheumatol, Oslo, NorwayHosp Univ Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Div Rheumatol, Internal Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Gen Univ Gregorio Maranon, Madrid, SpainUniv Complutense Madrid, Madrid, SpainUniv Iowa, Childrens Hosp, Pediat Div Rheumatol, Iowa City, IA USAUniv Florida, Gainesville, FL USAUniv Bergen, Dept Clin Sci, Broegelmann Res Lab, Bergen, NorwayUniv Bergen, Dept Clin Sci, Bergen, NorwayUniv Bergen, Dept Clin Dent, Sect Oral & Maxillofacial Radiol, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Pediatric Rheumatology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Lupus anticoagulant: a marker for stroke and venous thrombosis in primary Sjogren's syndrome

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have been described in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) with controversial findings regarding aPL prevalence and their association with thrombotic events. We evaluated 100 consecutive pSS patients (American-European criteria) and 89 age-gender-ethnicity-matched healthy controls for IgG/IgM anticardiolipin (aCL), IgG/IgM anti-beta2-glycoprotein-I (a beta 2GPI), and lupus anticoagulant (LA) (positivity according to APS Sydney's criteria). Clinical analysis followed standardized interview and physical examination assessing thrombotic and nonthrombotic APS manifestations and thrombosis risk factors. aPLs were detected in 16 % patients and 5.6 % controls (p = 0.035). LA was the most common aPL in patients (9 %), followed by a beta 2GPI (5 %) and aCL (4 %). Thrombotic events occurred in five patients [stroke in two, myocardial infarction in one and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in four], but in none of controls (p = 0.061). Mean age at time of stroke was 35 years. Three patients with thrombotic events (including the two with stroke) had APS (Sydney's criteria) and were positive exclusively for LA. Comparison of patients with (n = 16) and without (n = 84) aPL revealed similar mean age, female predominance, and ethnicity (p > =0.387). Frequencies of livedo reticularis (25 vs. 4.8 %, p = 0.021), stroke (12.5 vs. 0 %, p = 0.024), and DVT (18.8 vs. 1.2 %, p = 0.013) were significantly higher in APL + patients. Conversely, frequencies of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, sedentarism, and hormonal contraception were similar in patients with or without aPL (p a parts per thousand yenaEuro parts per thousand 0.253). Our study identified LA as an important marker for APS in pSS, particularly for stroke in young patients, warranting routine evaluation of these antibodies and rigorous intervention in modifiable risk factors.Agency for Promotion of ResearchFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2010/10013-4, 2010/10017-0, 2010/13463-0, 2009/51897-5]Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPQ) [301411/2009-3