Depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study on prevalence and associated factors in a single-center cohort.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of self-perceived depression and anxiety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to explore associated factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of unselected patients with SLE (ACR-97 criteria) and controls with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Both completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Osteoporosis.

Objective: To update the recommendations on osteoporosis (OP) of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) based on the best possible evidence.

Methods: A panel of nine expert rheumatologists in OP was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call. The phases of the work were: identification of the key areas for updating the previous consensus, analysis and synthesis of the scientific evidence (using the SIGN levels of evidence) and formulation of recommendations based on this evidence and consensus techniques.

S100A12 and S100A8/9 proteins are biomarkers of articular disease activity in Blau syndrome.

Objective: To identify biomarkers of articular and ocular disease activity in patients with Blau syndrome (BS).

Methods: Multiplex plasma protein arrays were performed in five BS patients and eight normal healthy volunteers (NHVs). Plasma S100A12 and S100A8/9 were subsequently measured by ELISA at baseline and 1-year follow-up in all patients from a prospective multicentre cohort study.

A composite indicator to assess the quality of care in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in outpatient rheumatology clinics.

Objective: The current guidelines in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include the early diagnosis and early use of disease modifying drugs to achieve remission or low disease activity level, known as "Treat to Target" (T2T). The objective of this study is to develop a composite indicator (CI) to evaluate the quality of care in the management of patients with RA, according to the T2T strategy and other general recommendations concerning the management of these patients.

Material And Method: The phases of the construction of the CI were: 1) selection of quality criteria through expert judgment; 2) prioritization of the criteria, according to relevance and feasibility, applying the Delphi methodology (two rounds) involving 20 experts; 3) design of quality indicators; and 4) calculation of the weighted CI, using the mean value in relevance and feasibility granted by the experts.

Association of the microsatellite in the 3' untranslated region of the CD154 gene with rheumatoid arthritis in females from a Spanish cohort: a case-control study.

CD40-CD154 interaction is an important mediator of inflammation and has been implicated in T helper type 1-mediated autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Linkage studies have shown association of markers in the proximity of the CD154 gene. In the present work we investigated whether specific allele variants of the microsatellite in the 3' UTR of the CD154 gene might modulate the risk of RA.