Search

Background: Psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk. Currently, an automated ultrasound, called quantitative intima media thickness, has proven to be a useful method to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis. Objectives: To compare increased cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients receiving two types of treatments: Methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and to evaluate the correlation between the Framingham score and quantitative intima media thickness. Methods: Fifty patients with plaque psoriasis were selected from June 2017 to July 2018, divided into two groups, receiving methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. Measurement of abdominal circumference, blood pressure, body mass index and presence of metabolic syndrome were performed. Afterwards, the patients were evaluated for increased cardiovascular risk with the Framingham score and for the quantitative intima media thickness of the carotid arteries. Results: The mean age was 54.8 (±12.5) with a slight male predominance (58%). Overall, 84% of the patients had elevated waist circumference, 82% had a body mass index above ideal, and 50% had a metabolic syndrome. For the correlation between quantitative intima media thickness and Framingham Score, Pearson's linear correlation coefficient was 0.617 (p < 0.001), indicating a moderate to strong positive association. Study limitations: The protective effect of the therapies cited in relation to the increased cardiovascular risk was not evaluated. Conclusions: A moderate to strong positive association was found correlating the Framingham Score values with the quantitative intima media thickness measurement and it is not possible to state which drug has the highest increased cardiovascular risk.

Background Psoriasis (Ps) is associated with atherosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVR). Currently, a new automated ultrasound software, based on radio frequency, called QIMT (quantitative intima media thickness) technology, proved to be a useful method for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis with the measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) in carotid arteries1,2. Objectives To analyze the ultrasound results of the QIMT and Framingham score for psoriasis patients submitted to two types of treatments: methotrexate (MTX) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNF-α). Methods Fifty patients with psoriasis in plaques, were divided into two groups, using MTX and using TNF-α (infliximab and adalimumab). We evaluated the measurement of abdominal circumference, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and presence of metabolic syndrome (SM). In addition, we evaluated cardiovascular risk with the Framingham score and IMT of the two common carotid arteries using automatic software (QIMT) and laboratory tests, including fasting glycemia and total cholesterol, fractions and triglycerides. Data were analyzed using the t-student, chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney test. For the evaluation of the CVR, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were performed. The level of significance (α) adopted was 5%, being considered statistically significant values of p Results Total of 50 patients in the study, 25 were on MTX (group 1) and 25 were on anti-TNF-α (group 2). Mean age was 54.8 (± 12.5) with a slight male predominance (58%). Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were altered in 50%, 76%, 30% and 42% of patients, respectively. Overall, 84% of the patients had high waist circumference and 82% had a BMI above the ideal. There was a statistically significant difference (p 0.05). For the correlation between QIMT and Framingham Score, the Pearson (r) linear correlation coefficient found was 0.617 (p Conclusion The results show that patients with Ps have high rates of metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis. There was a positive association correlating the Framingham score values with the QIMT measurement, providing evidence for the use of ultrasound in clinical practice. References [1]-Di Geso L, Zardi EM, Afeltra A, Salaffi F, Carotti M, Gutierrez M, et al. Comparison between conventional and automated software-guided ultrasound assessment of bilateral common carotids intima-media thickness in patients with rheumatic diseases. Clinical Rheumatolgy. 2012;31:881-884. [2] -Mendonca JA, Andrade BB, Aquino JLB, Leandro-Merhi VA, Damian GB. Spectral Doppler and automated software-guided ultrasound assessment of bilateral common carotid intima-media thickness in spondyloarthritis: is there a correlation with clinical findings? Drugs in Context. 2018;7:1-9. Disclosure of Interests None declared

Leprosy patients can present reactions during the course of the disease. There are no official data on these reactions in Brazil. We aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients with such reactions, analyzing information from patient records at a referral center in Campinas (SP), from 2010 to 2015.

Dementia frequently occurs in Parkinson's disease (PD) but its pathophysiological basis is little known. Comparative EEG studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are still rare, but could provide knowledge on the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved. The objective of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the absolute power and coherence on the EEG for patients with AD and PDD.This study assessed 38 adults with AD, 12 with PDD, 31 with Parkinson's disease without dementia, and 37 controls (CG) by a neurological evaluation, CERAD neuropsychological battery, executive functions tests and qEEG, calculating global absolute powers for the delta, theta, alpha and beta bands and inter- and intra-hemispheric coherences.The delta and theta powers were highest in PDD and lowest in CG (p0.05). The beta frontal-occipital inter-hemispheric coherence was highest in PDD (p0.05). Whereas, alpha and beta frontal inter-hemispheric coherence was highest in PDD and lowest in AD (p0.05).These results suggest that qEEG power and coherence measures are different in AD and PDD.These qEEG differences must be related to the distinct mechanisms of cortical neural connections in AD and PDD.

Dermatologists are increasingly seeking the best way to prevent or reverse symptoms and signs of skin aging. Aside from classical dermatological procedures such as peels, aesthetic surgery, lasers, fillers, and the use of botulinum toxin, among others, oral supplements that could enhance beauty—what are now known as nutraceuticals—have been used the most. From the basic, preliminary concept of vitamin C as the most important factor involved in collagenesis up to the use of omega fatty-based compounds, patients have been prescribed with an interesting and clinically active arsenal of nutraceuticals not only to prevent the effects of aging but also to work as adjuvants toward that end. From the past shadow of criticism to the days of methodologically well-designed studies, such systemic “beauty” compounds have garnered a spotlight among all cosmetic prescriptions. This chapter will comprehensively approach the use and clinical indications for several prescribed nutraceuticals in dermatological clinical practices in the hope of helping physicians in their clinical routines provide a better look at patients’ skin.