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Las interferencias analíticas en el laboratorio clínico pueden causar errores en la interpretación de los resultados de diversas magnitudes biológicas por parte del médico peticionario. Las interferencias analíticas más frecuentemente observadas en el laboratorio clínico son la hemólisis, ictericia y lipemia. La lipemia se define como la turbidez de la muestra causada por la acumulación de lipoproteínas, principalmente lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (VLDL) y quilomicrones. Existen diversos métodos de detección de muestras lipémicas, como por ejemplo, el índice lipémico o la determinación de triglicéridos en muestras de suero o plasma o la Concentración de Hemoglobina Corpuscular Media (CHCM) en muestras de sangre. Las empresas de diagnóstico in vitro son las responsables, según la Directiva Europea 98/79/CE, de realizar el estudio de las sustancias interferentes que pueden afectar a la medición de una magnitud. Existe una necesidad urgente de estandarizar la forma en que se realizan y se reportan los estudios de interferencia por parte de los fabricantes. La interferencia por lipemia puede ser eliminada por diferentes métodos permitiendo la determinación de magnitudes biológicas de manera exacta. El laboratorio clínico debe decidir los protocolos de actuación ante muestras lipémicas dependiendo de la magnitud biológica que se quiere analizar.

Interferences in the clinical laboratory may lead physicians misinterpret results for some biological analytes. The most common analytical interferences in the clinical laboratory include hemolysis, icterus and lipemia. Lipemia is defined as turbidity in a sample caused by the accumulation of lipoproteins, mainly very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons. Several methods are available for the detection of lipemic samples, including the lipemic index, or triglyceride quantification in serum or plasma samples, or mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC) concentration in blood samples. According to the European Directive 98/79/CE, it is the responsibility of clinical laboratories to monitor the presence of interfering substances that may affect the measurement of an analyte. There is an urgent need to standardize interference studies and the way interferences are reported by manufacturers. Several methods are currently available to remove interference from lipemia and enable accurate measurement of biological quantities. The clinical laboratory should establish a protocol for the handling of lipemic samples according to the biological quantity to be tested.

Pedro Santos-Moreno,1 Guillermo Sánchez-Vanegas,2 Angélica Monterrosa-Blanco,3 Gabriel-Santiago Rodríguez-Vargas,1 Manuel Rivero,1 Pedro Rodriguez,1 Omar-Javier Calixto,4 Adriana Rojas-Villarraga,5 Carlos Alberto Castro3 1Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, Colombia; 2Scientific Direction Department, Hospital Universitario Mayor Mederi, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; 3Research and Health Education Department, Comprehensive Solutions for Health Research and Education-SIIES, Bogotá, Colombia; 4Rheumatology and Immunology Department, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia; 5Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud–FUCS, Bogotá, ColombiaCorrespondence: Pedro Santos-Moreno, Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Calle 48 # 13-86, Bogotá, Colombia, Tel +57 320 8094232, Email pedrosantosmoreno@hotmail.comPurpose: To assess, in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with subcutaneous antitumor necrosis factor drugs (anti-TNFs), the levels of treatment adherence before and after implementing a comprehensive care model (CCM).Patients and Methods: An observational study including RA patients under treatment with subcutaneous anti-TNFs (adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab) selected at convenience was performed; a sample size of 125 patients was calculated. The outcome variable was adherence assessed with the Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR19), measured before and after implementing a CCM. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed comparing adherence before and after applying the model (Wilcoxon and McNemar’s Chi2 test). For multivariate analysis, a generalized linear model adjusted for covariates was performed, where the difference in the proportion of adherence was the outcome measure.Results: A total of 131 RA patients were followed-up for 24 months; average age was 62 years, and 83.9% were women. The median of DAS28 at the beginning of the follow-up was 2.32, and the HAQ was 0.25. At baseline, 87.8% were adherent; after 24 months, 96.2% were adherent according to CQR19. At the end of follow-up, adherence increased with the three types of anti-TNFs treatment. In a matched model adjusted for clinical variables, the CCM was estimated to produce a 9.4% increase in the total percentage of adherent patients. Additionally, a statistically significant increase of 4.5% in the percentage of adherent patients treated with golimumab compared with etanercept and adalimumab was found.Conclusion: A CCM produced an important increase in the percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis adherent to treatment after 24 months of follow-up. It is noteworthy that Golimumab patients were more adherent when compared with other current anti-TNFs treatments.Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, treatment adherence, comprehensive health care, antirheumatic agents, controlled before–after studies

Previous studies have illustrated that different bioactive legume fodders containing condensed tannins might represent one of the options for integrated sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in ruminants, which may help address the worldwide development of resistance to synthetic anthelmintics. More recently, impetus has been given to assess the potential antiparasitic activity of less conventional resources, represented by different agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs). This review presents in vitro and in vivo results obtained with a range of tannin-containing AIBPs of various geographical and botanical origins, namely AIBP of nuts, temperate and tropical barks, carob, coffee and cocoa. They tend to confirm the “proof of concept” for their antiparasitic effects and also for other aspects of ruminant production in an agro-ecological context. Socio-economic aspects of the exploitation of such non-conventional resources are also discussed as potential models of the circular economy, by using waste. The different modes of use of these resources are presented in this review, as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses to illustrate the advantages and limitations of on-farm use.

German Devia Jaramillo,1 Jenny Castro Canoa,1 Emiro Valverde Galván2 1Emergency Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; 2Emergency Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia Abstract: Sepsis and septic shock constitute a complex disease condition that requires the engagement of several medical specialties. A great number of patients with this disease are constantly admitted to the emergency department, which warrants the need for emergency physicians to lead in the recognition and early management of septic patients. Timely and appropriate interventions may help reduce mortality in a disease with an unacceptably high mortality rate. Poor control of cellular hypoperfusion is one of the most influential mechanisms contributing to the high mortality rate in these patients. This article aims to make an evidence-based approach and an algorithm for the active identification of hypoperfusion in patients with suspicion of severe infection, based on both clinical variables (capillary refill, mottling index, left ventricular function by ultrasound, temperature gradient, etc.) and laboratory-measured variables (lactate, central venous oxygen saturation [ScvO2], and venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide tension difference [P (v−a) CO2]). Such variables are feasible to use in the emergency department and would help to explain the cause behind the inadequate oxygen use by cells, thereby guiding treatment at the macrovascular, microvascular, or cellular level. Keywords: sepsis, septic shock, cellular perfusion, microcirculation, emergency medicine

The province of Manabí occupies the first place in the meat production in Ecuador, the deficiency of food during the dry season is one of its main problems. The production of green hydroponic fodder (GHF) is proposed as an alternative solution, for which the following objectives were: i) determine the appropriate fertilizer for the hydroponic production of maize, ii) to establish the maize variety with the highest yield as GHF and iii) to define the appropriate harvest time in the exploitation of GHF. In order to develop this research, 2 mL/L of water of an inorganic fertilizer (IF) based on phosphorus was applied and 2 g/L of powdered mycorrhizal water were applied, which were tested in the varieties of white and yellow maize, With airing of 48 and 72 h respectively. The experimental design was completely randomized with factorial arrangement of 2x2x2 with eight treatments, generating 64 experimental units, considering as variables of response, weight, root size and leaf height of the GHF. The results determined higher weight of white maize with FI with 1.69 kg in trays of 40 x 50 cm and with 0.45 kg of maize per tray, at height level no statistical difference was determined and for root size, the best treatment was white corn with FI with 12.49 cm in length. It is concluded that white maize responds better to IF under hydroponic conditions, with an airing time of 48 h.

In the year 2016, seventeen cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.) were collected in local markets and farmers' field of Jipijapa Canton, Ecuador, with the aim of describing and analyzing mango fruits due to their morphological characteristics of sugars (°Brix) and total solids. Collections were carried out by stu-dents and teachers of the Research Methodologies course of the Agricultural Engineering Career, of the Southern State University of Manabí (UNESUM). The fruits were characterized by using 16 qualitative and quantitative variables for fruit and seed recommended by UPOV and IPGRI. The percentage of total solids and Brix grades of each harvested crop were also analyzed in the UNESUM bromatology laboratory. Results showed that in the Jipijapa Canton, Ecuador, there is a great biodiversity of native mangoes, which were not characterized. Fruit shapes, pulp color and variable fiber contents were observed. The length of fruit was 6.33 to 12.50 cm, and the width was 5.27 to 8.50 cm, with a length/width ratio between 0.77 and 1.83 cm. The fruit weight was 63.3 to 500 g. No significant differences were observed in the sugars content (°Brix). Finally, it was observed that the range of consumable pulp was 63 to 94% in native cultivars and 86% to 97% in the improved ones.

This study aimed atexploring the psychometric properties of the Brief Assessment Scale for Depression (BAS-DEP) and the Even Briefer Assessment Scale for Depression (EBAS-DEP) scales as screening instruments in a sample of 104 elderly participants, 41 men and 63 women, residing in two Colombian cities. The BAS-DEP included 21 items assessing depressive mood, worry, suicidal ideation and somatic complaints. Meanwhile, the EBAS-DEP was derived by means of extracting 8 ítems of the BAS-DEP, and its performance was regarded as equivalent by the authors of the original study (Allen, et al., 1994).Reliability, validity,sensitivity and specificity were assessedand a receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was obtained. Rasch analyses of adjustment, difficulty, and performance were executed and an item map was obtained.The BAS-DEP showed an appropriate level of reliability (.82).Nonetheless, such value was low for the EBAS-DEP (.56).Low reliability of the EBAS-DEP could be explained in terms of its briefness.Nevertheless, its performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity was appropriate. Factor solutions derived from the analyses revealed that most of the items in the BAS-DEP and EBAS-DEP scales contributed in explaining the total variance.When the Yesavage GDS scale was used as an external criterion of validity, coefficients of sensitivity and specificity above .70 were obtained in addition to cut-off scores of 5/6 for the BAS-DEP and 2/3 for the EBAS-DEP.ROC statistics showed that both scales are similarly efficient to detect depression in the sample.These findings are similar to those reported in studies conducted in Australia, England, Germany, and China. This study has been the first to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish versions of these scales.Further independent studies will enrich the evidence base in favor of the usefulness and validity of these instruments.

Background: Post design and material has very important effects on dentinal stress distribution since the post placement can create stresses that lead to root fracture. Materials and Methods: In this study we use finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress distribution on endodontically treated maxillary central incisors that have been restored with different prefabricated posts. Six models were generated from the image of anatomical plate: Four metallic posts (ParaPost XH, ParaPost XT, ParaPost XP, and Flexi-Flange) and one fiberglass post (ParaPost Fiber Lux). The sixth model was a control-a sound maxillary central incisor. We used CAD software and exported the models to ANSYS 9.0. All the materials and structures were considered elastic, isotropic, homogeneous, and linear except the fiberglass post which was considered orthotropic. The values for the mechanical properties were obtained by a review of the literature and the model was meshed with 8-node tetrahedral elements. A load of 2N was applied to the lingual surface at an angle of 135°. Results: The stress results were recorded by shear stress and von Mises criteria; it was observed that there was no difference for stress distribution among the titanium posts in the radicular portions and into posts. There was higher stress concentration on the coronary portion with the titanium posts than with the glass fiber post. It seems that the metallic posts′ external configuration does not influence the stress distribution. Conclusion: Fiber posts show more homogeneous stress distribution than metallic posts. The post material seems to be more relevant for the stress distribution in endodontically treated teeth than the posts′ external configuration.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A anestesia e a cirurgia freqüentemente causam perturbações térmicas significativas. A hipotermia durante a anestesia é o distúrbio térmico peri-operatório mais comum. O presente relato evidenciou um mecanismo não usual de alteração do controle térmico corporal, neste caso, associado à utilização da morfina no espaço subaracnóideo. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever este efeito incomum. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 44 anos, estado físico ASA I, sem doenças prévias conhecidas, foi admitida para histerectomia abdominal por quadro de miomatose uterina. Foi realizada raquianestesia com 20 mg de bupivacaína hiperbárica e 100 µg de morfina. Durante o procedimento não apresentou qualquer intercorrência. Na sala de recuperação pós-anestésica (SRPA), 3h30 minutos após a realização do bloqueio, a paciente apresentou quadro de sudorese profusa do tronco levando, inclusive, ao descolamento de eletrodos e de fitas adesivas, leve sonolência e diminuição da temperatura timpânica para 35,2 ºC. Nos 60 minutos subseqüentes manteve temperatura abaixo de 36 ºC e com 90 minutos após o evento já apresentava temperatura de 36,2 ºC e remissão completa dos sintomas. CONCLUSÕES: Além dos clássicos mecanismos de perda excessiva de calor durante o bloqueio do neuro-eixo, podem ocorrer perturbações diretas nos centros hipotalâmicos de controle da temperatura corporal, neste caso, associado ao uso de morfina por via subaracnóidea.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A consciência per-operatória é uma rara, mas grave, complicação da anestesia geral. O mau funcionamento do aparelho de anestesia é uma das diversas causas das complicações anestésicas, dentre elas a consciência per-operatória. O objetivo deste relato é mostrar um caso em que o uso do analisador de anestésicos inalatórios proporcionou o diagnóstico de uma falha no aparelho de anestesia que poderia ter causado consciência no per-operatório. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 38 anos, 55 kg, estado físico ASA I, portadora de carcinoma na mama direita, admitida para mastectomia radical e reconstrução mamária com retalho miocutâneo. Foi realizada punção peridural em T8-T9 com agulha 17G com introdução de cateter e administração de ropivacaína a 0,2%. Seguiu-se indução de anestesia geral com início de vaporização de sevoflurano. Apesar dos outros parâmetros de monitorização não terem acusado achados de relevância, o analisador de anestésicos inalatórios não identificou a presença de sevoflurano, o que conduziu ao diagnóstico de um vazamento no vaporizador. CONCLUSÕES: A consciência per-operatória é uma complicação que, apesar de rara, é grave e deve ser prevenida. As falhas do equipamento de anestesia podem ser minimizadas por sua inspeção, com testes detalhados e rotineiros antes do seu uso. O analisador de anestésicos inalatórios é um monitor útil sempre que estes estejam sendo utilizados e um instrumento útil para detectar precocemente falhas no equipamento de anestesia, como exemplificado no caso relatado.

Abstract Background Severe disease caused by 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1virus is characterized by the presence of hypercytokinemia. The origin of the exacerbated cytokine response is unclear. As observed previously, uncontrolled influenza virus replication could strongly influence cytokine production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between host cytokine responses and viral levels in pandemic influenza critically ill patients. Methods Twenty three patients admitted to the ICU with primary viral pneumonia were included in this study. A quantitative PCR based method targeting the M1 influenza gene was developed to quantify pharyngeal viral load. In addition, by using a multiplex based assay, we systematically evaluated host cytokine responses to the viral infection at admission to the ICU. Correlation studies between cytokine levels and viral load were done by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results Fifteen patients needed of intubation and ventilation, while eight did not need of mechanical ventilation during ICU hospitalization. Viral load in pharyngeal swabs was 300 fold higher in the group of patients with the worst respiratory condition at admission to the ICU. Pharyngeal viral load directly correlated with plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12p70, IFN-γ, the chemotactic factors MIP-1β, GM-CSF, the angiogenic mediator VEGF and also of the immuno-modulatory cytokine IL-1ra (p < 0.05). Correlation studies demonstrated also the existence of a significant positive association between the levels of these mediators, evidencing that they are simultaneously regulated in response to the virus. Conclusions Severe respiratory disease caused by the 2009 pandemic influenza virus is characterized by the existence of a direct association between viral replication and host cytokine response, revealing a potential pathogenic link with the severe disease caused by other influenza subtypes such as H5N1.

Abstract Background Establishing a suitable level of exogenous gene expression in mammalian cells in general, and embryonic stem (ES) cells in particular, is an important aspect of understanding pathways of cell differentiation, signal transduction and cell physiology. Despite its importance, this process remains challenging because of the poor correlation between the presence of introduced exogenous DNA and its transcription. Consequently, many transfected cells must be screened to identify those with an appropriate level of expression. To improve the screening process, we investigated the utility of the human interleukin 12 (IL-12) p40 cDNA as a reporter gene for studies of mammalian gene expression and for high-throughput screening of engineered mouse embryonic stem cells. Results A series of expression plasmids were used to study the utility of IL-12 p40 as an accurate reporter of gene activity. These studies included a characterization of the IL-12 p40 expression system in terms of: (i) a time course of IL-12 p40 accumulation in the medium of transfected cells; (ii) the dose-response relationship between the input DNA and IL-12 p40 mRNA levels and IL-12 p40 protein secretion; (iii) the utility of IL-12 p40 as a reporter gene for analyzing the activity of cis-acting genetic elements; (iv) expression of the IL-12 p40 reporter protein driven by an IRES element in a bicistronic mRNA; (v) utility of IL-12 p40 as a reporter gene in a high-throughput screening strategy to identify successful transformed mouse embryonic stem cells; (vi) demonstration of pluripotency of IL-12 p40 expressing ES cells in vitro and in vivo; and (vii) germline transmission of the IL-12 p40 reporter gene. Conclusion IL-12 p40 showed several advantages as a reporter gene in terms of sensitivity and ease of the detection procedure. The IL-12 p40 assay was rapid and simple, in as much as the reporter protein secreted from the transfected cells was accurately measured by ELISA using a small aliquot of the culture medium. Remarkably, expression of Il-12 p40 does not affect the pluripotency of mouse ES cells. To our knowledge, human IL-12 p40 is the first secreted reporter protein suitable for high-throughput screening of mouse ES cells. In comparison to other secreted reporters, such as the widely used alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter, the IL-12 p40 reporter system offers other real advantages.

This article is aimed at increasing teacher awareness of the most relevant issues involved in motivation. It examines the importance of motivation in L2 learning, its types and sources, as well as detailing the various factors which influence it. Its focus is twofold, in that it concentrates not only on the student but also on the teacher, using authoritative sources to back up its line of argument. It aims at both clarifying the role of teachers in student motivation and the importance of motivating teachers themselves: «I do not regard motivation as an additive but as the fuel . . . 1 oz. motivation = 1 ton pedagogy» (Foldberg 15-23). If one wants to understand better the behaviour and reactions of students to methods, materials, situations, teachers and so on, it is imperative to have an insight into the nature and real significance of the affective factors (attitudes, motivation) that enter into play in the learning of an L2.

En este informe el Ingeniero Agrónomo hace saber al vicepresidente Wallace sobre los estudios que siguen acerca del mejoramiento del maíz y de los efectos del clima sobre el cultivo. También se habla de la importancia del cereal ya que es un producto básico en la alimentación del pueblo colombiano y muy especialmente en esta parte del país que es el Departamento de Antioquia y en cuya zona se cultiva bastante, al punto de que a sus habitantes se les sueles llamar con el nombre familiar de “maiceros”.

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases are known to be associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases; however, there exists a lack of awareness regarding this increased risk among patients., Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and events in various systemic autoimmune diseases, including Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Sjögren's syndrome (SS), matched by age, sex, and disease duration. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the perceived and actual risks of cardiovascular disease among patients., Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported survey on the patient's perspective of cardiovascular risk was conducted between January and June 2023. Sociodemographic and clinical data, including disease activity, were collected through medical records and questionnaires. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors and events were assessed, alongside the perceived cardiovascular risk. The SCORE calculation and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were employed for cardiovascular risk assessment., Results: Survey responses from 180 patients (45 patients each with SSc, SLE, RA, and SS) with systemic autoimmune diseases revealed that 20% perceived a low risk, 23% perceived neither lower nor higher, and 56% perceived a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in the next ten years. Only 45% agreed that their autoimmune disease could increase the risk of a heart attack, even in the absence of other risk factors, and 46.7% were unaware that NSAIDs pose a cardiovascular risk. An association between cardiovascular risk measured by SCORE, comorbidities, and risk perception was observed in RA, SSc, and SS patients, with no association found in SLE patients (p=0.27). Except for SS patients (p=0.02), no association between CCI and disease activity level was found. Regarding the influence of age, working status, and education in CVD risk perception, an association between CVD risk perception and age was observed (p=0.01), with patients over 40 years exhibiting a higher perception of CVD risk. No differences were found regarding working status (p=0.19) nor education level (p=0.06)., Conclusions: Patients with SS, RA, and SSc displayed a heightened perception of cardiovascular risk, correlating with their actual risk and preexisting comorbidities. However, patients exhibited unawareness of certain cardiovascular risk behaviors. This underscores the need for tailored education programs on cardiovascular risk for autoimmune disease patients, to be implemented at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up in outpatient clinics., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a chronic grade of inflammation. Cardiovascular events represent the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases; however, the significance and prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients with pSS remain unclear., Objective: To determine the clinical significance of cardiovascular disease in pSS and analyze the risk of cardiovascular disease according to glandular/extraglandular involvement and positivity to anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB autoantibodies., Methods: A retrospective study including patients diagnosed with pSS fulfilling the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria was followed and evaluated in our outpatient clinic between 2000 and 2022. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with pSS was evaluated, and a possible association with clinical and immunological characteristics, the treatments received, and the impact on cardiovascular disease were determined. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed in an attempt to determine potential risk factors associated with cardiovascular involvement., Results: A total of 102 pSS patients were included. Eighty-two percent were female, with a mean age of 65±24 years and a disease duration of 12.5 ±6 years. Thirty-six patients (36%) had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 60 (59%) patients, dyslipidemia in 28 (27%), diabetes in 15 (15%), obesity in 22 (22%), and hyperuricemia in 19 (18%). History of arrhythmia was found in 25 (25%), conduction defects in 10 (10%), arterial peripheral vascular disease in 7 (7%), venous thrombosis in 10 (10%), coronary artery disease in 24 (24%), and cerebrovascular disease in 22 (22%) of patients. Patients with extraglandular involvement had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (p=0.04), dyslipidemia (p=0.003), LDL mean values (p=0.038), hyperuricemia (p=0.03), and coronary artery disease (p=0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, disease duration, and the significant variables in the univariate analysis. Patients with Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantibodies had a substantially higher risk of hyperuricemia (p=0.01), arrhythmia (p=0.01), coronary artery disease (p=0.02), cerebrovascular disease (p=0.02), and venous thrombosis (p =0.03). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher odds of cardiovascular risk factors were associated with extraglandular involvement (p=0.02), treatment with corticosteroids (p=0.02), ESSDAI>13 (p=0.02), inflammatory markers including ESR levels (p 0.007), and serologic markers such as low C3 levels (p=0.03) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p=0.02)., Conclusions: Extraglandular involvement was associated with a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and coronary artery disease. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB seropositivity was associated with a higher prevalence of cardiac rhythm abnormalities, hyperuricemia, venous thrombosis, coronary artery disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Raised inflammatory markers, disease activity measured by ESSDAI, extraglandular involvement, serologic markers including hypergammaglobulinemia and low C3, and treatment with corticosteroids were associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular comorbidities. Key Points • Patients with pSS are vulnerable to cardiovascular risk factors. There is an interconnection between extraglandular involvement, disease activity, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular risk comorbidities. • Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB seropositivity was associated with a higher frequency of cardiac conduction abnormalities, coronary artery disease, venous thrombosis, and stroke. • Hypergammaglobulinemia, elevated ESR, and low C3 are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities. • Valid risk stratification tools to help with prevention and consensus on the management of CVDs in pSS patients are warranted., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).)

Objective: We aimed to characterize the clinical phenotype of patients with SSc based on autoantibodies (topoisomerase antibody (Scl-70), ACA and ANA)., Methods: We included patients with SSc who fulfilled the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria, with disease duration ≤15 years. Six groups of patients were defined: ACA-lcSSC, Scl-70-lcSSc, ANA-lcSSc, Scl-70-dcSSc, ANA-dcSSc and ACA-dcSSc patients. We compared the different groups of patients. In the ANA subgroup, we included patients negative for SSc-specific antibodies (Scl-70 and ACA). We assessed the following: risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD), myositis, scleroderma renal crisis, cardiac involvement, gastrointestinal involvement, pulmonary hypertension, treatment, cancer and all-cause mortality., Results: One hundred and thirteen SSc patients were included: 72 (64%) females, 82 (73%) lcSSc and 31 (27%) dcSSc. Among patients with lcSSc, 43 (52%) were ACA + , 16 (19%) Scl-70 + and 23 (28%) ANA + , and among patients with dcSSc, 13 (42%) patients were Scl-70 + , 11 (35%) ANA + and 7 (23%) ACA + . Scl-70-lcSSc patients had a significantly shorter time from RP to SSc diagnosis ( P  = 0.04), higher CRP ( P  = 0.04), renal scleroderma crisis ( P  = 0.02), ILD ( P  = 0.03) and diastolic dysfunction ( P  = 0.04) than ANA-lcSSc patients. Scl-70-dcSSc patients had a higher rate of myositis ( P  = 0.04), renal crisis ( P  = 0.03), CRP elevation ( P  = 0.002), ILD ( P  = 0.04), pericardial effusion ( P  = 0.03) and cancer ( P  = 0.04) than ANA-dcSSc patients. The risk of ILD was higher in Scl-70 patients during the first 10 years than in ACA + and ANA + patients ( P  = 0.03 and P  = 0.02, respectively). The risk of major organ involvement was higher in Scl-70 + patients, followed by ANA + and ACA + patients, throughout 15 years of follow-up. All-cause mortality was higher in dcSSc patients than in lcSSc patients, but no differences were found regarding antibody positivity., Conclusion: We have characterized the clinical phenotype of patients based on autoantibodies: Scl-70 patients show the greatest risk of major organ involvement, followed by ANA + patients and ACA + patients. The risk of ILD in Scl-70 + patients suggests that these patients should be monitored closely, irrespective of skin involvement. These results might provide new ways to help with the early diagnosis and management and in assessment of the prognosis of the disease., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Background: Over the month of April, Spain has become the European country with more confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection, after surpassing Italy on April 2nd. The community of Castile and León in Spain is one of the most affected by COVID-19 infection and the province of León has a total of 3711 cases and 425 deaths so far. Rheumatic patients should be given special attention regarding COVID-19 infection due to their immunocompromised state resulting from their underlying immune conditions and use of targeted immune-modulating therapies. Studying epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases infected with SARS-CoV2 is pivotal to clarify determinants of COVID-19 disease severity in patients with underlying rheumatic disease., Objectives: To describe epidemiological characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases hospitalized with COVID-19 and determine risk factors associated with mortality in a third level Hospital setting in León, Spain., Methods: We performed a prospective observational study, from 1st March 2020 until the 1st of June including adults with rheumatic diseases hospitalized with COVID-19 and performed a univariate and multivariate logistic regression model to estimate ORs and 95% CIs of mortality. Age, sex, comorbidities, rheumatic disease diagnosis and treatment, disease activity prior to infection, radiographic and laboratorial results at arrival were analysed., Results: During the study period, 3711 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital, of whom 38 (10%) had a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disease. Fifty-three percent were women, with a mean age at hospital admission of 75.3 (IQR 68-83) years. The median length of stay was 11 days. A total of 10 patients died (26%) during their hospital admission. Patients who died from COVID-19 were older (median age 78.4 IQR 74.5-83.5) than those who survived COVID-19 (median age 75.1 IQR 69.3-75.8) and more likely to have arterial hypertension (9 [90%] vs 14 [50%] patients; OR 9 (95% CI 1.0-80.8), p 0.049), dyslipidaemia (9 (90%) vs 12 (43%); OR 12 (95% CI 1.33-108), p 0.03), diabetes ((9 (90%) vs 6 (28%) patients; OR 33, p 0.002), interstitial lung disease (6 (60%) vs 6 (21%); OR 5.5 (95% CI 1.16-26), p 0.03), cardiovascular disease (8 (80%) vs 11 (39%); OR 6.18 (95% IC 1.10-34.7, p 0.04) and a moderate/high index of rheumatic disease activity (7 (25%) vs 6(60%); OR 41.4 (4.23-405.23), p 0.04). In univariate analyses, we also found that patients who died from COVID-19 had higher hyperinflammation markers than patients who survived: C-reactive protein (181 (IQR 120-220) vs 107.4 (IQR 30-150; p 0.05); lactate dehydrogenase (641.8 (IQR 465.75-853.5) vs 361 (IQR 250-450), p 0.03); serum ferritin (1026 (IQR 228.3-1536.3) vs 861.3 (IQR 389-1490.5), p 0.04); D-dimer (12,019.8 (IQR 843.5-25,790.5) vs 1544.3 (IQR 619-1622), p 0.04). No differences in sex, radiological abnormalities, rheumatological disease, background therapy or symptoms before admission between deceased patients and survivors were found. In the multivariate analysis, the following risk factors were associated with mortality: rheumatic disease activity (p = 0.003), dyslipidaemia (p = 0.01), cardiovascular disease (p = 0.02) and interstitial lung disease (p = 0.02). Age, hypertension and diabetes were significant predictors in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. Rheumatic disease activity was significantly associated with fever (p = 0.05), interstitial lung disease (p = 0.03), cardiovascular disease (p = 0.03) and dyslipidaemia (p = 0.01)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that comorbidities, rheumatic disease activity and laboratorial abnormalities such as C-reactive protein (CRP), D-Dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum ferritin elevation significantly associated with mortality whereas previous use of rheumatic medication did not. Inflammation is closely related to severity of COVID-19. Key Points • Most patients recover from COVID-19. • The use of DMARDs, corticosteroids and biologic agents did not increase the odds of mortality in our study. • Rheumatic disease activity might be associated with mortality.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a highly-prevalent forefoot deformity associated with progressive subluxation and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; it is believed to be associated with depression. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of patients with varying degrees of HV involvement to depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The sample consisted of 102 participants (mean age: 45.1 ± 1.6), who attended an outpatient centre where self-report data were recorded. The degree of HV deformity was determined in both feet, and the scores on the BDI were compared. A total of 38.24% of the sample had depression, with an average BDI score of 10.55 ± 12.36 points. There was a statistically-significant association between the degree and presence of HV in both feet (P = 0.0001). People with a greater degree of HV deformity in any foot also have a significant increase in depression based on BDI scores, regardless of sex., (© 2016 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.)