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Resumen Se describe el caso de un paciente varon de 52 anos que consulta al servicio de reumatologia por presentar adenopatias indoloras en las regiones cervical, axilar, supraclaviculares y en la nuca, asi como fiebre, aumento de tamano de parotidas y submaxilares. Se realizan estudios complementarios que arrojan como resultado anemia normocitica-normocromica, trombocitopenia y eosinofilia, alteracion de la funcion renal con hipoalbuminemia y hematuria, FAN 1/5.120, Sm+, ACL+ y biopsia de los tejidos comprometidos, por lo que se arriba al diagnostico de enfermedad de Rosai-Dorfman y enfermedad relacionada con IgG4. Se discuten diagnosticos diferenciales de adenopatias cervicales, axilares e inguinales, fiebre, compromiso renal y hematologico.

Objective The objective is to describe the main characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Argentina and to examine the influence of ethnicity on the expression of the disease. Patients and methods RELESSAR is a multicentre register carried out by 106 researchers from 67 rheumatologic Argentine centres. It is a cross-sectional study of SLE (1982/1997 ACR) patients. RELESSAR electronic database includes demographic, cumulative SLE manifestations, SELENA-SLEDAI, SLICC-SDI, Katz’s severity and Charlson’s comorbidity indexes and treatment patterns. Results We included 1,610 patients, 91.7% were female with a median age at diagnosis of 28.1 ± 12.8; 96.2% met ≥4 ACR 1982/97 criteria. Frequent manifestations were arthritis (83.5%), malar rash (79.5%), photosensitivity (75.3%), haematological (63.8%) and renal disease (47.4%), antinuclear antibodies (96%), anti-dsDNA (66.5%) and anti-Smith antibodies (29%). The mean Selena-SLEDAI score at last visit was 3.18 (SD 4.3) and mean SDI was 1 (SD 1.3). The accumulated treatments most frequently used were antimalarials (90.4%), corticosteroids (90%), azathioprine (31.8%), intravenous cyclophosphamide (30.2%), mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid (24.5%), methotrexate (19.3%), belimumab 5.3% and rituximab 5.1%. Refractory lupus was diagnosed in 9.3% of the cases. The main causes of death were lupus activity (25.0%), activity and concomitant infections (25.0%), infections (18.2%), vascular disease (13.6%) and cancer (4.5%). Mortality was associated with higher SLEDAI, Katz, damage indexes and comorbidities. Of the 1610 patients included, 44.6% were Caucasian, 44.5% Mestizo, 8.1% Amerindian and 1.2% Afro-Latin American. Mestizo patients had higher male representation, low socioeconomic status, more inadequate medical coverage, fewer formal years of education and shorter disease duration. Polyadenopathies and Raynaud’s phenomenon were more frequent in Caucasians. In the logistic regression analysis higher damage index (OR 1.28, CI 95% 1.02–1.61, p = 0.03) remained associated to mestizo ethnicity. Conclusions This study represents the largest number of adult patients with SLE studied in Argentina. Caucasian patients were differentiated by having Raynaud’s phenomenon and polyadenopathy more frequently, while patients of Mestizo origin had higher damage indexes.

Introducción: el lupus es una enfermedad compleja y varias veces de difícil abordaje. Alcanzar la remisión es uno de los objetivos, incorporando opciones terapéuticas. Objetivos: describir las características generales de los pacientes según el estado de la enfermedad y el uso de belimumab. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal, registro RELESSAR. Se definió el estado de la enfermedad como: remisión: SLEDAI=0 y sin corticoides; baja actividad de la enfermedad: SLEDAI >0 y ≤4 y sin corticoides; control no óptimo: SLEDAI >4 y cualquier dosis de corticoides. Resultados: se incluyeron 1.277 pacientes, 23,4% en remisión, 12,6% en baja actividad y 63,8% con control no óptimo. En este último grupo eran más jóvenes y con menor duración de la enfermedad; presentaban mayores índices de actividad y cronicidad, y mayor empleo de inmunosupresores. Solo el 22,3% de los pacientes con criterio potencial de uso de belimumab (lupus eritematoso sistémico activo a pesar del tratamiento estándar) lo recibía en ese momento. Las variables asociadas a hospitalizaciones fueron: terapia con corticoides, ciclofosfamida y mayor SLICC. Conclusiones: se refleja la complejidad del manejo de estos pacientes y se visualizan aspectos estructurales como la desigualdad. El uso del belimumab resultaría beneficioso en los pacientes seleccionados.

Resumen Introduccion La hemorragia alveolar difusa (HAD) es una complicacion infrecuente pero grave en pacientes con Lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES). Su tratamiento debe ser precoz, lo cual mejora la supervivencia. Las comunicaciones de factores predictores de HAD en pacientes con LES son escasas. Objetivo Describir una serie de casos de HAD en pacientes con LES, del Servicio de Reumatologia del Hospital J.M. Cullen, de Santa Fe, y compararlos con un grupo control de pacientes con LES del mismo Servicio y con los datos de la literatura. Material y metodos Se incluyeron pacientes con LES (Criterios ACR 1982-1997) y HAD definida por parametros clinicos (tos, disnea, hemoptisis), analiticos (caida de la hemoglobina por debajo de 12 g/dL o mayor a dos puntos respecto del basal en pacientes ya conocidos), imagenologicos (infiltrado radiologico y/o tomografico bilateral o difuso) y lavado bronquioalveolar (BAL) (retorno sanguinolento en el lavado, mas de 20% de siderofagos, sin evidencia de lesiones sangrantes), quienes concurrieron al servicio entre junio de 1987 y diciembre de 2019. Se analizaron datos demograficos, clinicos, de laboratorio, tratamientos y pronostico de los pacientes. Resultados Se trabajo con una base de datos de 306 pacientes con diagnostico de LES, evaluandose 25 de ellos (8,2%) que presentaron 29 episodios de HAD (ocho de ellos como forma de inicio de la enfermedad). El compromiso renal fue el mas frecuentemente asociado a la HAD (previo o concomitantemente). La actividad de la enfermedad medida por SLEDAI fue alta durante el episodio, y su media fue de 16,8 puntos. En todos los casos se constato sangrado pulmonar por BAL o tubo endotraqueal. Se hallo significacion estadistica al relacionar la mortalidad (40,7%) con requerimiento de asistencia respiratoria mecanica (ARM) (p = 0,006) y falla renal (p = 0,027). Los pacientes con SLEDAI mayor a 10 al inicio de la enfermedad presentaron mas posibilidades de desarrollar HAD (OR = 2,68, p = 0,046). Todos los pacientes recibieron metilprednisolona en pulsos y en menor porcentaje ciclofosfamida y plasmaferesis. Conclusion A pesar de los avances en los ultimos anos, en relacion con el tratamiento del LES, sigue siendo alta la mortalidad de la hemorragia pulmonar. Sospechar su presencia nos obliga a estudiar rapidamente a estos pacientes, dado que el diagnostico temprano y el tratamiento intensivo han demostrado mejorar la supervivencia. Hemos observado que aquellos pacientes con requerimiento de ARM y compromiso de la funcion renal son quienes presentan un mayor indice de mortalidad de manera estadisticamente significativa.

A series of multicentric cases is reported, of which five institutions participated. The sample was of 17 patients, of which 11 belonged to our Hospital, the Dr. J. M. Cullen Hospital. All consulted for orbital and / or periorbital commitment. The commitment in men was 23.4% and 76.6% in women. The average age in years was 45.4 (17-69 years). Among the diagnoses found, five cases were IgG4-Related Disease, two cases of Erdheim Chester Disease, two Xantogranuloma, two xanthelasmas, a case of breast cancer metastases, a case of thyroid orbitopathy, a case of Amyloidosis with multiple myeloma, and three without diagnosis. Differential diagnoses found are reviewed.

We present the case of a 56-year-old patient with a history of Multiple Myeloma, who evolves with periorbital inflammation of both eyelids, bilateral, yellowish-violet, ulcerated and painless. The differential diagnosis with the adult orbital xanthogranulomatous diseases was raised, especially XN due to its association with MM. When performing a biopsy of the lesion, fragmentation of dermal collagen bundles and around vessels a pale eosinophilic acellular material, positive congo red and apple-green color with polarized light are observed in the histology, reaching the diagnosis of Amyloidosis and Orbital Xantogranuloma of the Adult.

Cocaine use is associated with several rheumatic syndromes. A series of cases is presented of 10 patients (7 male and 3 female), age at onset: 19–38 years-old. They consulted due to a variety of symptoms: fever, arthritis, swollen hands, stroke, fetal losses, arterial hypertension, alveolar hemorrhage, leucocytoclastic vasculitis, genital bleeding, among others. Half of them showed positive ANA and Ro antibodies, lymphopenia and positive P-ANCA. Treatments with steroids in bolus, cyclophosphamide and rituximab were used, with a good response. This series highlights clinical manifestations at onset that can mimic primary rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists should consider cocaine use in the differential diagnoses of vasculitis and pseudovasculitis syndromes.

Recent studies on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have reported more favorable outcomes thanks to better knowledge of the disease, more expert management of it, and rational use of treatments. In this study we identified 301 SLE patients, seen between 1988 and 2019. Two hundred and twenty eight patients were treated in the public health system and 73 in private practice. In comparing both groups, we discovered that patients in the public health system were youn-ger at first consultation and at SLE onset and that the mean duration of their disease prior to first consultation was shorter in a statistically significant way. Also, they showed more frequence of leucopenia, Sm antibody, renal involvement and received I.V. corticosteroids. Patients treated in the public system of health showed more accrual damage over the 10 first years of the disease than patients seen in the private system of health, but death in both groups was similar. Patients from both public and private groups were attended by medical specialist practices who made close follow-ups.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a non-Langerhans histiocytosis, protein manifestations at start and little known. We included 19 patients from June 2012 to June of 2019. Inclusion criteria: clinical features, histopathology and immunostaining compatible with ECD. We excluded patients with undefined features. Results: Bones were the most frequent affected, half of them were asymptomatic. Seventy per cent of the patients were women, and 7 of them developed a nodule breast as first manifestation of ECD. The patients were treated with corticosteroids associated or not with immunosuppressants. The mortality rate was 16%. Conclusion: we reported a series of patients with ECD, enhancing the most frequent features. It is striking the number of patients with breast involvement; we propose to include the Erdheim-Chester disease in differential diagnosis of breast tumor.

BackgroundThe goal of targeted treatment in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is to achieve clinical remission or low disease activity, with the best quality of life, low damage rates and better survival 1-4. RELESSAR is a multicenter, cross-sectional study registry of ≥18 years SLE (ACR 97) patients 5.ObjectivesTo describe demographic, clinical characteristics and treatments in SLE patients according to disease activity state. To evaluate the proportion of SLE and refractory SLE patients that are potentially candidates for Belimumab treatment (Active SLE despite standard treatment including increased acDNA autoantibodies and low complement).MethodsWe evaluated demographic and clinical data, treatments, score of damage (SLICC), activity (SLEDAI) and comorbidity (Charlson), hospital admissions and severe infections. The patients were compared according to disease activity: remission (SLEDAI = 0 and without corticosteroids), low disease activity (LDA, SLEDAI> 0 and ≤4 and without corticosteroids) and non-optimal control (SLEDAI> 4 and any dose of corticosteroids). Refractory SLE was defined according to Rituximab (RTX) use, non-response to cyclophosphamide or two or more immunosuppressant or splenectomized patients. Potential use of Belimumab according approved prescription in Argentina was analyzed.ResultsOverall, 1277 patients were analyzed: 299 (23.4%) were in remission, 162 (12.7%) in LDA and 816 (63.9%) with non-optimal control of the disease.Patients in non-optimal control group were younger, less frequently female and they showed less time of disease and lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). They were also more prevalent mestizos (p= 0.004), had higher SLEDAI and SLICC indexes (p Two hundred and one SLE patients fulfilled the use of Belimumab prescription criteria but only 45/201 patients (22,3%) received it in the last visit. Malar rash was the only clinical variable associated with the use of Belimumab (72.7% vs 29.8% p= 0.005).Seventy-six patients classified as refractory SLE (15.7%) and 56/76 (75.7%) never received Belimumab. Patients on Belimumab therapy were associated to treatment with lower doses of corticoids (p= 0.018) and lower rate of hospital admission caused by SLE flare (p= 0.027).ConclusionA high percentage of patients had uncontrolled disease upon entry into the registry and were potential candidates for treatment with Belimumab. The patients who received biologic treatment showed the benefit of requiring fewer doses of corticosteroids and having a lower rate of hospitalizations.References[1]Mok CC. Treat-to-target in systemic lupus erythematosus: Are we there yet? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2016;9(5).[2]Morand EF, Mosca M. Treat to target, remission and low disease activity in SLE. Vol. 31, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology. 2017.[3]Golder V, Tsang-A-Sjoe MWP. Treatment targets in SLE: Remission and low disease activity state. Rheumatol (United Kingdom). 2020;59.[4]Ruiz-Irastorza G, Bertsias G. Treating systemic lupus erythematosus in the 21st century: new drugs and new perspectives on old drugs. Vol. 59, Rheumatology (United Kingdom). 2021.[5]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum [Internet]. 1997;40(9):1725. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9324032Disclosure of InterestsRosana Quintana: None declared, Lucila Garcia: None declared, Paula Alba: None declared, Susana Roverano: None declared, Analia Alvarez: None declared, Cesar Graf: None declared, Cecilia Pisoni: None declared, Alberto Spindler: None declared, Catalina Gomez: None declared, Heber Matias Figueredo: None declared, Silvia Papasidero: None declared, Raul Horacio Paniego: None declared, Maria DeLaVega: None declared, Emma Estela Civit De Garignani: None declared, Luciana Gonzalez Lucero: None declared, Victoria Martire: None declared, Rodrigo Águila Maldonado: None declared, Sergio Gordon: None declared, Carla Gobbi: None declared, Romina Nieto: None declared, Gretel Rausch: None declared, Vanina Góngora: None declared, Maria Agustina D´Amico: None declared, Diana Dubinsky: None declared, Alberto Omar Orden: None declared, Johana Zacariaz: None declared, Julia Romero: None declared, Mariana Alejandra Pera: None declared, Oscar Rillo: None declared, Roberto Baez: None declared, Valeria Arturi: None declared, Andrea Gonzalez: None declared, Florencia Vivero: None declared, Marcela Schmid: None declared, Victor Caputo: None declared, Maria Silvia Larroude: None declared, Graciela Gomez: None declared, Graciela Rodriguez: None declared, Josefina Marin: None declared, Maria Victoria Collado: None declared, Marisa Jorfen: None declared, Zaida Bedran: None declared, Judith Sarano: None declared, David Zelaya: None declared, MONICA SACNUN: None declared, Pablo Finucci: None declared, Romina Rojas Tessel: None declared, Maria Emilia Sattler: None declared, MAXIMILIANO MACHADO ESCOBAR: None declared, Pablo Astesana: None declared, Ursula Vanesa Paris: None declared, Alberto Allievi: None declared, Juan Manuel Vandale: None declared, Bernardo Pons-Estel: None declared, Guillermo Pons-Estel: None declared, Mercedes García Grant/research support from: GSK grant

Pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication due to its high mortality. Early treatment benefits the outcome. Reports on predictive factors of PH in SLE patients are scarce.To describe a case series of PH in SLE patients that were attended in the Rheumatology Section of the J. M. Cullen Hospital and to compare this data with published results.Patients with SLE (1982-1997 ACR criteria) and PH diagnosed by clinical criteria (cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis), haemoglobin below 12 g/dL or drop greater than 2 points, new radiological infiltrate and bronchioalveolar lavage, monitored between June 1987 and December 2019 were studied. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and prognosis data related to PH were analysed.From a database of 306 SLE patients, 25 (8.2%) developed 29 episodes of PH. PH was the first manifestation of SLE in 8 patients. Renal involvement was the most frequent manifestation prior to the development of PH. SLE activity (measured by SLEDAI) was high during the episodes (mean: 16.8). Renal failure (p = 0.027) and mechanical respiratory support (p = 0.006) were related to mortality (40.7%) with statistical significance. Patients with SLEDAI higher to 10 at SLE onset showed more likelihood of developing PH. The OR was 2.68 (p = 0.046).Although treatment in SLE has progressed in recent years, PH continues to be a rare and severe complication of this disease. When a PH is suspected, studies to confirm it must be done rapidly, since early diagnosis and aggressive treatment have been shown to improve survival. We observed that patients with renal involvement and mechanical respiratory support had higher mortality than SLE patients without them.

Resumen Varon de 47 anos que consulta por perdida de peso, dolor con tumefaccion en pantorrillas, fiebre, hipertension arterial, orquitis y oligoartritis. Laboratorio: anemia y aumento de enzimas musculares. Resonancia magnetica: hiperintensidad en gemelos (miositis). Histologia de musculo: infiltrado inflamatorio con atrofia y regeneracion perifascicular. Tratamiento: pulsos de metilprednisolona y ciclofosfamida. Mialgias, tumefaccion muscular y deambulacion dificultosa son hallazgos comunes en poliarteritis nodosa (PAN), no asi la miositis demostrada histologicamente y mas infrecuente aun como forma de inicio de esta vasculitis.

Objective The aim of this study was to measure presenteeism (productivity impairment while the patient is at work) and the related risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from Argentina. Methods A total of 130 consecutive (1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria) working patients with SLE were assessed using a standardized data collection form. Sociodemographic, disease and work-related variables were collected. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire was performed. Results Overall, 130 patients were included in the analysis; 91% were women, and the mean age was 39 years (range 19–77). A total of 43% were White, 43% Mestizo and 13% Amerindian. Overall, 38% were single and 38% were married. A total of 75% had more than 12 years of formal education. The median disease duration was 7 years (interquartile range 25–75 (IQR) 4–13). Median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was 0 (IQR 0–2), and median Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SLICC-SDI) score was 0 (IQR 0–1). Lupus quality of life (LupusQoL) domains scores were: physical health 87 (IQR 70–96), emotional health 78 (IQR 54–91), burden to others 75 (IQR 50–92), intimate relationships 87 (IQR 50–100), and body image 85 (IQR 70–100). Absenteeism was 8%, presenteeism was 19%, and overall work impairment (absenteeism + presenteeism) was 26%. In the multiple regression analysis, considering presenteeism as dependent variable, (adjusting by age, disease duration, >12 years of education, Non-white race, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, VAS fatigue, SLICC-SDI, LupusQoL, physical and emotional domains), we found that SLICC-SDI (odds ratio (OR) 1.68, confidence interval (CI) 1–2.7) and Non-white race (OR 3.27, CI 1.04–10) were related to presenteeism and >12 years of education (OR 0.30, CI 0.09–0.98) and higher scores of LupusQoL emotional health domain (OR 0.95, CI 0.92–0.98) were protective. Conclusions organ damage and Non-white race were significantly associated with presenteeism while >12 years of education and higher scores of LupusQoL emotional health domain were protective.

El síndrome de Klippel-Trenaunay (SKT) se caracteriza por una tríada clásica, que consiste en una malformación capilar cutánea, hipertrofia del tejido blando y/u óseo en extremidades, y malformaciones venosas resultantes en venas varicosas u otras malformaciones del sistema venoso profundo. Se diagnostica mediante la presencia de cualquiera de dos de las tres características antes mencionadas. Se debe tener presente que el SKT puede presentar manifestaciones atípicas como sangrados y úlceras producidas por malformaciones vasculares en el tracto gastrointestinal, genitourinario, bazo, sistema nervioso central. El diagnóstico diferencial de una lesión vascular asociada con agrandamiento de las extremidades debe incluir otros trastornos como el síndrome de Sturge-Weber, el síndrome de Parkes-Weber y el síndrome de Proteus, entre otros. El síndrome de Klippel-Trenaunay con sus complicaciones multisistémicas requiere un enfoque multidisciplinario para un manejo integral. Se comunican dos casos que se presentan con las tres características del síndrome.

Leptin is abnormally elevated in the plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where it is thought to promote and/or sustain pro-inflammatory responses. Whether this association could reflect an increased genetic susceptibility to develop SLE is not known, and studies of genetic associations with leptin-related polymorphisms in SLE patients have been so far inconclusive. Here we genotyped DNA samples from 15,706 SLE patients and healthy matched controls from four different ancestral groups, to correlate polymorphisms of genes of the leptin pathway to risk for SLE. It was found that although several SNPs showed weak associations, those associations did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. These data do not support associations between defined leptin-related polymorphisms and increased susceptibility to develop SLE. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.

No existen datos exactos relativos a la prevalencia de tofos en pulpejos como manifestación inicial de la gota. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la población de pacientes con gota y evaluar la presencia de tofos en pulpejos de dedos de manos, pies y articulaciones interfalángicas distales, comparando los datos clínicos entre los pacientes con y sin tofos. Se reclutaron 161 pacientes con gota. Si bien los pacientes con tofos en pulpejos (12 pacientes) tenían mayor edad que aquellos sin tofos en esta localización, tenían mayor tiempo de evolución de la gota, mayor número de ellos tenían compromiso renal y menor porcentaje de enfermedades asociadas, ninguno de estos datos alcanzó significancia estadística.

Background:The mortality rate in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is 2–3 times higher than in the general population. However, survival in these patients has improved significantly and is currently 95% at 5 years according to different studies. Since the last 20 years, there are no new reports on this issue in Argentina.Objectives:To analyze the factors associated with mortality, survival and causes of death in patients with SLE.Methods:Longitudinal - multicenter study, in which 10 rheumatology centers of Argentina participated. Patients with SLE (ACR 1997 and / or SLICC 2012 criteria) with a minimum follow-up of 6 months monitored between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, therapeutic variables (treatments received during the evolution of the disease and within 60 days prior to death or last control); mortality, causes of death and survival at 5, 10 and 20 years were evaluated. Statistical analysis: descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression model.Results:Three hundred and eighty two patients were included; 90% women and 82% mestizos. The mean of evolution time of SLE was 4.1 ± 6.7 years. The mean age at the last control or death was 37.2 ± 12.7 years, SLEDAI 3.2 ± 4.2 and SLICC 1.2 ± 1.9.Mortality was 12% (95% CI [8-15]) and the causes of death were: Infections (27), cardiovascular disease (6), SLE activity (3), catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (2) and other causes (8). Using the variables associated with mortality in different Cox regression models, the variables that increased the risk of death significantly were: renal involvement (RR 3.3), cardiac involvement (RR 2.7), central nervous system involvement (RR 2.1), arterial thrombosis (RR 2.3), hyperlipemia (RR 2.4), number of infections (RR 1.2) and last SLEDAI (1.1).The time of HCQ use greater than 36 months decreased the risk of death in this cohort by 40% (p 0.03). Prednisone (maximum dose and time) was not associated with mortality (p NS). When analyzing the last treatment and adjusting it for final SLEDAI, HCQ was a mortality protection factor (RR 0.4) while the use of cyclophosphamide alone or associated with prednisone was a risk factor for death (RR 5.2).Significant differences were found when analyzing the causes of death according to the SLE evolution time (p 0.017): patients who died from infection had less evolution time (Me 2.25 years), than those who died due to cardiovascular causes (Me 10 years) or SLE activity (Me 15 years). In this cohort of patients, survival was 93% at 5 years, 88% at 10 years and 72% at 20 years.Conclusion:Mortality in this series of patients was 12% and infection was the leading cause of death. The use of HCQ for a period greater than 36 months, decreased the risk of death 40%.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

a b s t r a c t Objectives: To define the proportion of osteonecrosis (ON) in our patient population with lupus and to identify factors associated with the development of ON in systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as to carry out a descriptive analysis of ON cases. Materials and methods: Observational retrospective study of 158 patients with SLE (ACR 1982 criteria). Demographic and laboratory data, clinical manifestations, SLICC, SLEDAI, cytotoxic and steroid treatments were compared. In patients with ON, we analyzed time of disease progression and age at ON diagnosis, form of presentation, joints involved, diagnostic methods, Ficat–Arlet classification, and treatment. To compare the means, t-test or Mann–Whitney’s test was employed and the cHi-2 test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, was used to measure the equality of proportions. Results: ON was present in 15 out 158 patients (9.5%), 13 women and 2 men, with a mean age of 30 (r: 16–66) at diagnosis and 35 months of evolution until diagnosis (r: 1–195). Among the 15 patients, 34 joints presented ON, 23 were symptomatic and 22 were diagnosed by magnetic resonance images. Twenty-six occurred in hips (24 bilateral), 4 in knees and 4 in shoulders. In 13 patients, ON involved 2 or more joints. At onset, 28 joints were in stage i–ii, one in stage iii and 5 had no data and; in the end, 14 were in stage iii–iv, 5 in stage i–ii and 15 had no data. Twenty-nine underwent conservative treatment with rest and 8 hips required joint replacement. ON progression was associated with Cushing’s syndrome (P=0.014) OR 4.16 (95% CI 1.4–12.6) and 2nd year SLICC (P=0.042). No relation with clinical manifestations, lab results, cytotoxic treatment, steroid treatment (total accumulated dose, mean daily dose and duration) metilprednisolone pulses, or activity was found. All patients with ON received antimalarials, in contrast to 77% of those without ON. Conclusions: The proportion of ON was 9.5%, mainly in women, 76% in hips (26) and 92% bilaterally. They were associated significantly with Cushing’s syndrome and accumulated damage at second year. © 2014 Elsevier Espa ˜

a b s t r a c t Objectives: To define the proportion of osteonecrosis (ON) in our patient population with lupus and to identify factors associated with the development of ON in systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as to carry out a descriptive analysis of ON cases. Materials and methods: Observational retrospective study of 158 patients with SLE (ACR 1982 criteria). Demographic and laboratory data, clinical manifestations, SLICC, SLEDAI, cytotoxic and steroid treatments were compared. In patients with ON, we analyzed time of disease progression and age at ON diagnosis, form of presentation, joints involved, diagnostic methods, Ficat-Arlet classification, and treatment. To compare the means, t-test or Mann-Whitney's test were employed and the cHi-2 test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, were used to measure the equality of proportions. Results: ON was present in 15 out 158 patients (9.5%), 13 women and 2 men, with a mean age of 30 (r: 16-66) at diagnosis and 35 months of evolution until diagnosis (r: 1-195). Among the 15 patients, 34 joints presented ON, 23 were symptomatic and 22 were diagnosed by magnetic resonance images. Twenty-six occurred in hips (24 bilateral), 4 in knees and 4 in shoulders. In 13 patients, ON involved 2

Mujer de 38 años que ingresa a la emergencia por disnea, hemoptisis y pérdida hemática vaginal. Antecedente de hipertiroidismo, tabaquismo, etilismo y consumo de cocaína de 20 años de evolución. Se constató fiebre, petequias en paladar duro y miembros inferiores, úlcera en fosas nasales, equimosis y hepatoesplenomegalia. El laboratorio mostró anemia, plaquetopenia (5.0 K/uL), elevación de enzimas hepáticas, FAN (HeP-2), ANCA C y anticuerpo anti-Ro positivos. El lavado broncoalveolar confirmó la presencia de hemorragia alveolar. Se trató con gammaglobulina, tres pulsos de 1 g de metilprednisona y ciclofosfamida, con respuesta parcial. Desarrolla un accidente cerebrovascular hemorrágico en lóbulo temporal izquierdo, con hematoma subdural. Se agrega rituximab 375 mg/m2 semanal durante 4 semanas, mejorando la hemorragia pulmonar, el recuento plaquetario y el cuadro neurológico.

Calciphylaxis has been defined as tissue sensitivity to calcification, described mainly in patients with chronic renal insufficiency, renal transplant, or parathyroid dysfunction. There are few cases described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis that do not suffer from renal failure or hyperparathyroidism. Another case is presented of calciphylaxis in a woman with inactive rheumatoid arthritis.

A 47-year-old man presented with weight loss, bilateral calf pain, fever, hypertension, orchitis and oligoarthritis. Lab tests: anemia and elevated muscle enzymes. Resonance magnetic imaging: hyperintensity in gastrocnemius muscles (myositis). Histologic exam of the muscles: inflammatory infiltrate with atrophy and perifascicular regeneration. Treatment: methylprednisone (bolus) and cyclophosphamide. Muscle pain and swelling and difficulty in walking are common in panarteritis nodosa (PAN), whereas histologically demonstrated myositis is not. Even more rare is myositis as the initial presentation of this vasculitis.

The study includes 159 SLE patients seen between 1987 and 2011, of whom 116 were treated in the public health system and 43 in private practice. In the comparison between both groups, it was shown that patients in the public health system were younger at first consultation and at the onset of SLE, and that the mean duration of their disease prior to nephropathy was statistically significantly shorter. They also presented with more SLE activity (measured by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index) such as fever, lower levels of C4, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Although cyclophosphamide was administered more frequently to patients in the public health system group, there were no statistically significant differences in renal histological findings. A second renal biopsy was performed on 20 patients due to the presence of persistent proteinuria, peripheral edema, urinary casts, or because of previous defective renal specimens. The overall 10-year survival of the patients in the public health system was 78% compared to a survival rate of 91% for the patients in private practices. When survival was evaluated at 15 years, however, no differences were found (log rank test: 0.65). Patients from both public and private groups attended medical specialist practices and received early diagnoses and close follow-ups.

Se evaluaron 159 pacientes de un único centro con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) que cumplían con los criterios del Colegio Americano de Reumatología (ACR) 1982. El 79% eran de sexo femenino y su edad media al diagnóstico fue 27 años. Ochenta de ellos tuvieron compromiso renal (65/80 tuvieron proteinuria >0,5 g/24 hs; 23 mostraron edema periférico y 22 tenían cilindros en el examen de orina). En 62 pacientes hubo suficiente material en la biopsia renal para ser analizado: 26 pacientes tuvieron una glomerulonefritis (GN) tipo IV; 12 tipo V y 10 pacientes tipo III. Los pacientes fueron tratados con esteroides orales, antimaláricos, azatioprina y micofenolato mofetil. La presencia de DNAn en la primera visita fue predictor de compromiso renal cuando fueron comparados los pacientes con LES con vs. sin compromiso renal. La presencia de edema periférico y de hipertensión arterial (evaluados al momento del compromiso renal) fueron predictores de daño renal persistente. En la última visita, treinta pacientes mostraron función renal normal, sólo 3 necesitaron de diálisis y 3 trasplante renal. No se encontró asociación entre el tipo histológico (GN III-IV) y la mortalidad o la presencia de daño renal persistente.

Resumen Se identifico a 159 pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES) vistos entre 1987 y 2011. Ciento dieciseis fueron tratados en el sistema publico de salud y 43 en el sistema privado. Ambos grupos fueron comparados, observando que los primeros tenian menor edad al momento de la primera consulta y al inicio del LES y menor duracion de la enfermedad al momento de producirse la nefropatia de manera estadisticamente significativa. Tambien mostraron mayor actividad del LES (medido por Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index), con presencia de fiebre, menor nivel de C4 y elevado valor de eritrosedimentacion globular. La ciclofosfamida fue administrada con mayor frecuencia a los pacientes del sistema publico, si bien no hubo diferencias en los hallazgos histologicos renales. En 20 pacientes se realizo una segunda biopsia renal debido a la presencia de proteinuria persistente, edema periferico y cilindros en orina, o por tener una mala muestra renal previa. La supervivencia a 10 anos fue del 78% en los pacientes atendidos en el sistema publico vs. el 91% de aquellos atendidos en el sistema privado. No se hallaron diferencias estadisticamente significativas cuando la sobrevida se evaluo a 15 anos (log rank test: 0,65). Ambos grupos de pacientes (tanto los del sistema publico como los del sector privado) fueron atendidos por especialistas, quienes realizaron un diagnostico temprano de la enfermedad, con un cuidadoso seguimiento.

Objetivos: Determinar el número de recaídas renales en un grupo de pacientes con nefritis lúpica (NL), identificar los factores de riesgo para recaída renal al inicio y analizar su impacto en el desenlace global del paciente. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, identificándose 80 pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES, criterios ACR 1982) y compromiso renal. Se tomaron variables demográficas, clínicas, de laboratorio, histopatológicas y tratamiento para evaluar factores de riesgo entre los pacientes que tuvieron recaídas renales y aquellos que no la presentaron. Se consideró el desenlace renal de los pacientes (función renal normal, daño renal permanente, muerte). Resultados: Fueron excluidos 29/80 pacientes debido a que tenían un tiempo insuficiente de seguimiento o porque no tenían disponibles datos de laboratorio o histológicos. 13/51 pacientes tuvieron una recaída renal en un tiempo medio de 58 meses (r= 14-156). Dos pacientes tuvieron dos recaídas renales. 7/13 pacientes tuvieron un brote renal proteinúrico, en 4 pacientes fue de tipo nefrítico y en un paciente fue nefrítico severo. Al comparar los datos demográficos, clínicos, de laboratorio e histopatológicos entre los pacientes que tuvieron recaída renal y aquellos que no, se observó que la glomerulonefritis proliferativa difusa fue más frecuente de manera estadísticamente significativa en los pacientes que presentaron recaída renal. No se identificaron factores predictores de recaída renal clínicos, demográficos ni de laboratorio ni se observó un desenlace diferente entre ambos grupos. Conclusión: Si bien el 25% de los pacientes presentaron una recaída renal en un plazo algo mayor a 4 años (a pesar del tratamiento instituido), no presentaron peor desenlace renal que aquellos que no recayeron, observando en ambos grupos similar proporción de pacientes con función renal normal. No se identificaron factores predictores de recaída renal al momento de la presentación.

We describe a 42-year old woman with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the time of her visit. She presented with an atypical movement disorder and partial continuous epilepsy. A brain biopsy excluded cerebral vasculitis and tumoral processes. We discuss the differential diagnosis of status epilepticus in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Describimos a una paciente de 42 anos de edad con diagnostico de lupus eritematoso sistemico (LES) inactivo al momento de la visita. Se presento con desordenes del movimiento atipicos y epilepsia parcial continua (EPC). Una biopsia cerebral excluye procesos tumorales y vasculitis. Discutimos diagnosticos diferenciales de estatus epileptico en una paciente con LES.

Erdheim-Chester disease, although rare, has a wide range of manifestations. It is characterized by the xanthomatous infiltration of tissues by spumous histiocytes, surrounded by fibrosis. The symptoms can vary from bone pain, diabetes insipidus, exophthalmos, xanthelasmas, cardiovascular involvement, bilateral adrenal enlargement, renal impairment, testis infiltration, interstitial lung disease to retroperitoneal fibrosis with perirenal and/or ureteral obstruction. We present eight cases, four of them with only breast involvement and the others with bone, cardiovascular, central nervous system, and renal involvement. All showed infiltrates of histiocytes and fibrosis on microscopic evaluation and positive CD68 and negative CD1a on immunohistochemical stains.

Se presenta un varón de 64 años, obeso, hipertenso, con diabetes no-insulinodependiente de 6 años de evolución. Se presentó a la consulta con úlceras dolorosas en miembros inferiores de aparición estival, de 10 meses de evolución y relataba parestesias de 20 meses de evolución. La electromiografía reveló la presencia de una mononeuritis múltiple que luego progresó a polineuropatía axonal mixta. Necrosis dérmica asociada a trombos fibrinoides, depósitos de material hialino con infiltrado inflamatorio mixto fue observado en la biopsia de piel, llegándose al diagnóstico de vasculitis livedoide. La misma no sería una verdadera vasculitis, sino un fenómeno vaso-oclusivo que debe diferenciarse de otras vasculitis (vasculitis cutáneas de pequeños vasos, panarteritis nodosa, síndrome anti-fosfolipídico, estasis venoso crónico, pioderma gangrenoso, entre otros). El compromiso neurológico es excepcional en esta vasculopatía, habiendo sido descriptos sólo 5 casos con esta asociación.

Se describe una mujer de 57 años, tabaquista, con necrosis digital, fenómeno de Raynaud y anticuerpo anticentrómero en ausencia de esclerodactilia, esclerodermia proximal y distal y trastornos esofágicos. Fueron descartadas patologías neoplásicas, otras enfermedades del tejido conectivo y enfermedades vasculares, las cuales no fueron desarrolladas durante el tiempo de seguimiento de esta paciente. Se concluye que la paciente tuvo un síndrome RACAND, el cual no evolucionó a otra enfermedad del tejido conectivo hasta el fallecimiento de la misma.

En la primera parte de este trabajo se presentaron en forma detallada los ejemplos con los cuales se trabajó en el aula la integración de los diferentes niveles de conceptualización en química. En esta segunda parte se presentan las preguntas relacionadas con este enfoque que se incluyeron en la evaluación diagnóstica de fin de curso y se discuten los resultados obtenidos en ella.

Las ciencias fácticas cuentan, frente a las llamadas ciencias sociales, con el inestimable recurso de la experimentación para corroborar sus hipótesis y formular en consecuencia sus teorías. Este recurso sigue siendo fructífero cuando se trata de enseñar dichas ciencias; los alumnos tienen la posibilidad de conectar los conceptos con los correspondientes experimentos de laboratorio. De esta manera, el lenguaje formal y algorítmico cuenta, para la mayoría de los contenidos, con un referente experimental en los laboratorios de enseñanza.

La cátedra de Química del Ciclo Básico Común de la Universidad de Buenos Aires ha adaptado las normas ISO 9001 para asegurar la calidad de su gestión académica y administrativa. En este artículo se dan ejemplos de instrumentos de control (distintas encuestas de opinión), con los cuales se pretende no sólo detectar y en consecuencia subsanar errores, sino también mejorar aún más los procesos que se considera están funcionando adecuadamente. Esta mejora continua, basada en la orientación al cliente, constituye uno de los pilares de la calidad total.

Las dificultades más relevantes que tienen los alumnos al cursar la asignatura Química del Ciclo Básico Común de la UBA están vinculadas a la gran cantidad de temas a desarrollar en el escaso tiempo disponible. Estas dificultades se ven acentuadas por la gran heterogeneidad de los conocimientos de los alumnos, producto de los desniveles de la escuela media y de las distintas expectativas según la carrera que han elegido.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with high female predominance in reproductive years. It is characterized by a pronounced inflammation and production of a variety of autoantibodies. SLE pathogenesis is influenced by genes, hormones and environmental agents. The aim of this study was assess the possible effect of environmental pesticide mixtures in SLE patients. Oxidative DNA damage was measured using the comet assay modified by enzyme Endo III for detection of oxidized bases (Endo Sites), and oxidative stress by the measurement of the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Eighty-nine patients with diagnosis of SLE were included, 46% of them came from areas highly sprayed with pesticides and were compared with patients from urban areas with the same clinical and socio-demographic characteristics (p≥0.155). In order to identify factors that could predict DNA damage and oxidative stress, a binary logistic regression model with independent variables was developed: place of residence (p=0.007) have 75% of positive predictive value while smoking habit (p=0.186) have a 56% negative predictive value. The Odd Ratio (OR) obtained indicate that lupus patients living in rural areas presented 3.52 times more oxidative DNA damage compared to those living in the city. The prospects of applying biomarkers to assess exposure and biological effects, such as DNA damage and oxidative stress in autoimmune diseases, allow improving the characterization of individual risk.

We described a 21-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Sjogren syndrome that came for consultation with a localized mass over her left arm of fast growth. Lab results were normal; a Doppler ultrasound showed the presence of partial thrombosis in the left axillary vein; a magnetic resonance imaging showed edema on the biceps muscle and the biopsy of the mass disclosed the presence of severe lymphocyte infiltrate within the connective tissue and scarce muscle fibers. Immunostaining showed positive results for antigeno comun leucocitario in spanish (leukocyte common antigen) (ACL) and CD3. Those results are consistent with the diagnosis of focal myositis. The patient was treated with low doses of prednisone and methotrexate, with good response.

An 82-year-old woman came to consultation with sudden visual loss in her left eye. Fifteen days before, she complained of diplopia. She had doubtful symptoms of giant cell arteritis and showed a normal physical exam. Lab results showed erythrosedimentation rate (ESR) = 62 mm/1°h; uremia = 0.56 g/dl (normal

OBJECTIVE Hearing loss can accompany systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL) in patients with SLE. METHODS Thirty-one unselected consecutive female patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria, 1982) were evaluated (in a prospective and descriptive study) for evidence of hearing abnormalities. Twenty-five healthy age-matched women served as controls. All patients and control groups underwent both a normal tympanoscopy and an audiometric testing as a prerequisite to be included in the study. RESULTS Patients with SLE had a mean age of 35 years (range, 19-64 years) and the follow-up time (median) was 48 months (range, 4-180 months). One of 31 patients was excluded because of middle ear infectious disease. Of the remaining 30 patients, 21 (70%) had impaired hearing; 20 (66%) had sensorineural loss at high frequencies in a bilateral and symmetric way, and one had conductive alteration. Ten patients had normal audiometric studies. Four women in the control group had alterations of the audiometric tests: 3 patients had conductive alteration and the other one had bilateral ASNHL. No statistically significant correlation was found among the presence of ASNHL, the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies, and the treatment with hydroxychloroquine. Also, no correlation was observed between impaired hearing and SLE activity. CONCLUSION If it can be established how often this ASNHL progresses to a clinical problem, it can be important that, as part of initial studies, patients with SLE undergo audiometric tests.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of the peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), evaluate if PMR with peripheral synovitis represents a subset with a more severe disease, and examine for clinical and laboratory characteristics at onset of PMR that might later predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients were diagnosed with PMR according to the 1982 Chuang criteria. Patients were followed up between 1990 and 2002. The following musculoskeletal manifestations at onset and during the follow up were considered: peripheral synovitis, distal extremity swelling with pitting edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, and distal tenosynovitis.Thirty-eight of the 74 patients (51%) showed distal musculoskeletal symptoms: 29 (39%) had peripheral synovitis, 4 (5%) presented pitting edema, 4 (5%) experienced carpal tunnel syndrome, and one (1.3%) had distal tenosynovitis. These manifestations resolved completely after corticosteroid therapy was initiated. Peripheral synovitis was oligoarticular and often transient. The joints most frequently involved were the wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and knee. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was normal in 7 patients. When comparing patients with PMR with and without peripheral synovitis, no statistically significant differences were found in the studied variables. Through the first year of follow up, 7 patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for RA, 2 patients developed giant cell arteritis, and 3 had associated malignancy. Patients who developed RA had statistically significantly increased presence of persistent synovitis and a smaller decrease in mean ESR after treatment with corticosteroids.Fifty-one percent of the patients with PMR presented distal musculoskeletal manifestations, with peripheral synovitis being the most frequent one. Patients with PMR with peripheral synovitis did not represent a high-risk subgroup with more severe disease. Seven patients who developed criteria for seronegative RA within the first year of follow up had presented statistically significant persistent synovitis compared with those who continued as PMR and also showed a smaller initial decrease in mean ESR after steroid treatment was initiated. The absence of persistent arthritis and the benign course of the arthritis permit the distinction of PMR from other inflammatory arthropathies.

Twelve patients with remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) were analysed. Eight of them had typical RS3PE without underlying disease, and four presented associated neoplasia. The first patients experienced an excellent response to low doses of prednisone, and they all achieved complete and permanent remission. The mean treatment duration was 18 months and the mean follow-up was 4.4 years. During the follow-up, none of these patients relapsed, had fever or general health deterioration, and hand and foot radiographs did not show erosion. One of them developed a panarteritis nodosa 6 years later. Four RS3PE patients had associated neoplasia. Two were with solid malignancies, and the other two presented haematological malignancies. In one of them RS3PE preceded the diagnosis of malignancy. The diagnosis of RS3PE in the other patients was subsequent to cancer. The first patients presented clinical characteristics suggestive of paraneoplastic RS3PE, and they had a poor response to corticosteroid therapy. Two patients died, and the rest of them had a complete response to surgical resection of the tumour or to chemotherapy. In general, idiopathic RS3PE patients do not show either general health deterioration or fever and they do respond to low doses of steroids (10 mg/day). We observed strong contrasts with the results obtained when treating RS3PE patients with associated neoplasia. In patients with RS3PE the presence of systemic symptoms along with resistance to low doses of corticosteroid therapy should alert the physician to the possible presence of malignancy.

Hansen's disease is a chronic granulomatous disease of infectious origin. It has a worldwide distribution and a variety of clinical manifestations often involving the skin, nasal mucosa, and peripheral nerves. Lepromatous leprosy characterizes the condition of a large group of patients with little or no resistence to the infection. Several forms of lepromatous leprosy are recognized, including macular, nodular, and diffuse. Lucio's phenomenon is a rare but distinctive skin eruption seen in patients with diffuse lepromatous leprosy. The diffuse lesions of Lucio's phenomenon have a predilection for the extremities, can include nodules, and heal with atrophic stellate scars; histologically, a necrotizing vasculitis accompanied by a nonspecific inflammatory reaction may be seen. We describe two patients with Lucio's phenomenon who presented with nontender, painless, skin lesions with nodules in part perceptible only by palpation. Both patients were treated with multidrug therapy, and immunosuppressive doses of steroids as the suggested optimal treatment for this reactional state. However, Lucio's phenomenon is frequently fatal as a result of bacterial infection or sepsis, and both patients reported here died. We call attention to this particular and unusual skin manifestation of lepromatous leprosy, which can mimic rheumatic disease and other causes of vasculitis. This is especially likely to be unrecognized in nonendemic countries but cases will occasionally be seen in this age of extensive international travel.

This report describes the coexistence of three patients with rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatomyositis) and infections because of Histoplasma capsulatum. Connective tissue diseases and histoplasmosis share several clinical findings. Therefore, histoplasmosis could be misdiagnosed as connective tissue disease or a flare of these diseases. Such cases highlight the importance of awareness of histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those originating from endemic areas.

We present the case of a 71-year-old patient with rugger-jersey vertebrae who was referred to us with a tentative diagnosis of Paget's disease. After considering other conditions causing similar bone sclerosis, such as metastases, lymphoma, renal osteodystrophy, myelofibrosis, thalassemia, and Gaucher's disease, we agreed on a diagnosis of osteopetrosis. This is a rare entity of genetic origin, manifest by variable generalized symmetric skeletal sclerosis caused by defective bone resorption.

The objective of this study was too show findings at finger nails level revealed by high-frequency gray-scale ultrasound (US) and power Doppler in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA),and cutaneous psoriasis compared with rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects.We studied 35 patients with PsA, 20 with cutaneous psoriasis, and control groups (28 control subjects and 27 patients with rheumatoid arthritis). All nails of both hands were observed (1097 nails, 3 excluded because of trauma). In every patient, we classified the morphologic abnormalities disclosed in ventral and dorsal nail plates. We also measured the distance between ventral plate and the bone margin of the distal phalanx at the right index finger.All patients and control subjects presented abnormalities in the US imaging. Those with psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous psoriasis showed a higher number of compromised nails. When classifying those abnormalities using the typology of Wortsman et al, patients with psoriatic arthritis showed loosening of the borders of the ventral plate (type II), whereas patients with cutaneous psoriasis showed focal hyperechoic involvement of the ventral plate without involvement of the dorsal plate (type I). Patients of the control group could not be classified, although 31 of 55 showed thinning of the ventral plate without hyperechoic deposits. Nineteen of 35 patients with psoriatic arthritis, and 10 of 20 patients with cutaneous psoriasis did not show any nail clinical alterations. Nevertheless, the US detected type II alterations in the first group and type I in the second group. Patients with psoriatic arthropathy had power Doppler increases in distal interphalangeal joints and nail beds in a statistically significant form (P = 0.0001).When measuring the distance between the ventral plate and the bone margin of the distal phalanx, there was homogeneity among samples in patients and control subjects. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined that a cut point of 2 mm clearly defined these 2 groups. There was a significant difference (P0.0001) between the mean distance ventral plate-osseous margin of the distal phalanx in psoriatic arthritis patients (P = 0.001) and patients with cutaneous psoriasis (P = 0.005) versus rheumatoid arthritis patients (P = 0.548).As a predominant finding in our study, we observed abnormalities of the ventral plate in patients with PsA (type II) and abnormalities (type I) in patients with cutaneous psoriasis. We found a significant difference between the mean distance ventral plate-osseous margin of the distal phalanx in patients with PsA and patients with cutaneous psoriasis versus control subjects. Ultrasound imaging could be a feasible and sensitive tool to describe, measure, and follow morphologic characteristics and changes of the nail in psoriatic and/ or psoriatic arthritis patients with or without clinical nail lesions.

The study includes 159 SLE patients seen between 1987 and 2011, of whom 116 were treated in the public health system and 43 in private practice. In the comparison between both groups, it was shown that patients in the public health system were younger at first consultation and at the onset of SLE, and that the mean duration of their disease prior to nephropathy was statistically significantly shorter. They also presented with more SLE activity (measured by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index) such as fever, lower levels of C4, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Although cyclophosphamide was administered more frequently to patients in the public health system group, there were no statistically significant differences in renal histological findings. A second renal biopsy was performed on 20 patients due to the presence of persistent proteinuria, peripheral edema, urinary casts, or because of previous defective renal specimens. The overall 10-year survival of the patients in the public health system was 78% compared to a survival rate of 91% for the patients in private practices. When survival was evaluated at 15 years, however, no differences were found (log rank test: 0.65). Patients from both public and private groups attended medical specialist practices and received early diagnoses and close follow-ups.