Increased Cytokine Levels in Seronegative Myositis: Potential Th17 Immune Response Implications.

Th17 cells are known for producing IL-17 and their role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases, including myositis. Likewise, the participation of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in autoimmunity has been confirmed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the behavior of cytokines in myositis, focusing on the autoantibodies profile and the myositis core set measures.

Update of the guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the Mexican College of Rheumatology 2023.

Objective: To develop updated guidelines for the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A group of experts representative of different geographical regions and various medical services catering to the Mexican population with RA was formed. Questions based on Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) were developed, deemed clinically relevant.

The economic burden of systemic lupus erythematosus in Mexico.

Aims: Our cost of illness study aimed to provide an estimate of the burden related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Mexican context.

Methods: Our model was used to simulate the resource utilization and economic consequences over a period of 5 years for patients with SLE in Mexico. The model simulated four health states-three phenotypes of SLE, including mild, moderate, and severe states, and death.

Termination of pregnancy in lupus nephritis: A bioethical analysis with the integrative method.

Background And Objective: Termination of pregnancy in patients with rheumatic diseases is controversial and a bioethical analysis is rarely performed. In this study we analysed the case of a pregnant patient with lupus nephritis unresponsive to treatment, for whom termination of pregnancy is considered.

Methods: The integrative model was applied combining different normative ethical theories.

Factors associated to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Mexican patients with rheumatic diseases: A cross-sectional and multicenter study.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) to prevent hospitalized COVID-19 and worse outcomes. However, patients' willingness to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the associated factors vary across populations, vaccines, and time. The objective was to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (VA) in Mexican outpatients with RDs.

Qualitative validation of audiovisual educational material for use on rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Medication compliance is critical to achieve therapeutic efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; however, among other factors, low patient-health literacy plays a negative role. Therefore, the development and validation of audiovisual educational material with the participation of health specialists and patients could lead to an improved level of compliance with treatment, while favoring its acceptance. To design and validate audiovisual educational material generated by a multidisciplinary and participative group of patients and health specialists.

Myositis-Specific Antibodies and Myositis-Associated Antibodies in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies From the PANLAR Myositis Study Group.

Background: Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are forms of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), which are associated with the production of autoantibodies that are useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANAs), myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs), and myositis-associated autoantibodies (MAAs) in 6 Latin American countries.

Methods: Two hundred ten patients with IIM were included in this cross-sectional study from 2014 to 2017: 112 from Mexico, 46 from Colombia, 20 from Peru, 16 from the Dominican Republic, 10 from Argentina, and 6 from Guatemala.

Autoantibodies to Mi-2 alpha and Mi-2 beta in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the results obtained from different assays for the detection of anti-Mi-2 antibodies, which are important markers in the diagnosis of DM.

Methods: The study included 82 patients (68 females/14 males), most of whom had DM (n = 57), followed by PM (n = 16) and juvenile DM (n = 9). All samples were tested using a novel particle-based multi-analyte technology (PMAT) (Inova Diagnostics, research use only) in parallel with a line immunoassay (LIA: Euroimmun).

Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by mineral oil: a health problem.

Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvant (ASIA) includes the following conditions: siliconosis, Gulf War syndrome, macrophagic myofasciitis syndrome, and post-vaccination phenomena. Afterward, other syndromes have been recognized, such as in ASIA by mineral oil (ASIA-MO). These conditions are triggered by adjuvants and they are the result of the interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

Detection of autoantibodies to DSF70/LEDGFp75 in Mexican Hispanics using multiple complementary assay platforms.

Purpose: Antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) targeting the dense fine speckled antigen DFS70, also known as lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), are attracting attention due to their low frequency in systemic rheumatic diseases but increased frequency in clinical laboratory referrals and healthy individuals (HI). These ANA specifically recognize the stress protein DFS70/LEDGFp75, implicated in cancer, HIV-AIDS, and inflammation. While their frequency has been investigated in various ethnic populations, there is little information on their frequency among Hispanics/Latinos.

Performance of an objective structured clinical examination in a national certification process of trainees in rheumatology.

Objective: To assess reliability and validity of the objectively-structured clinical examination (OSCE) applied in postgraduate certification processes by the Mexican Board of Rheumatology.

Method: Thirty-two (2013) and 38 (2014) Rheumatology trainees (RTs) underwent an OSCE consisting of 12 and 15 stations respectively, scored according to a validated check-list, as well as 300-multiple-choice 300 question examination (MCQ). Previously, 3 certified rheumatologists underwent a pilot-OSCE.

Hand function in rheumatic diseases: patient and physician evaluations.

Aim: Rheumatic diseases have repercussions in hand function. The m-SACRAH (modified Score for the Assessment and quantification of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands) questionnaire evaluates hand function according to the patient's opinion. Our aim was to look for the clinical and para-clinical variables that correlate with m-SACRAH in rheumatic diseases.

Update of the Mexican College of Rheumatology guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis has progressed substantially over the past years. It is therefore desirable that existing information be periodically updated. There are several published international guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that hardly adapt to the Mexican health system because of its limited healthcare resources.

Biosimilar drugs in Mexico: position of the Mexican College of Rheumatology, 2012.

Biotechnological drugs (BTDs) are complex molecules whose manufacturing process precludes the ability to identically reproduce the structure of the original product, and therefore there cannot be an absolute equivalence between the original (innovative) medication and its biosimilar counterpart. BTDs have been proven useful in the treatment of several rheumatic diseases, however their high cost has prevented their use in many patients. Several BTD patents have expired or are close to expire, triggering the development of structurally similar drugs with efficacy and safety profiles comparable to the innovative compound; however, these must be evaluated through evidence based medicine.

Evaluation of hand function in rheumatic disease. Validation and usefulness of the Spanish version AUSCAN, m-SACRAH and Cochin questionnaires.

Introduction: Questionnaires to evaluate hand function are variable in the number of items, domains and diseases in which they had been previously used.

Objectives: a) To translate to Spanish and validate the m-SACRAH and AUSCAN questionnaires; b) to do a transcultural adaptation of DASHe, previously validated in Spain), and c) to compare them and the Cochin questionnaire (previously validated in México), in rheumatic patients with variable impairment of hand function.

Material And Methods: m-SACRAH, AUSCAN and DASH were translated/retro-translated and adapted.

[Clinical manifestations].

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of autoimmune diseases that characteristically affect striated muscle. Nevertheless their spectrum of manifestations is very broad, not only muscular. This chapter describes both muscular and extramuscular manifestations of inflammatory myopathies.

[Guidelines in RA treatment: concepts on safety and recommendations using anti-TNF-alpha inhibitors. Grupo de Estudio de Nuevas Terapias de Enfermedades reumáticas (GENTE)].

Recommendations for the use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARD) with both conventional and biological agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) must be based on their safety profile, adverse effects, risks, and advantages. With the purpose of presenting the most updated information about the safety of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) antagonists, in this article we summarize the literature published during the last three years about this sort of biological agents in specific clinical situations, such as risk of developing infections, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmunity; as well as their administration to patients who will undergo surgical procedures, pregnant and/or breast-feeding women, and patients who need immunizations. Likewise, in this analysis we offer specific recommendations, based on evidence, for the best anti-TNF-alfa management.

[Treatment guidelines for ankylosing spondylitis and its effect on Mexican rheumatology].

We describe the guidelines for the current treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with an emphasis on the role and outlook of the Mexican rheumatologic community. The topics we analyze include: epidemiological as well as professional, financial, health status, and quality of life aspects. We propose to acknowledge that axial spondyloarthritis is the earliest form of ankylosing spondylitis.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a Syk kinase inhibitor: a twelve-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) has been identified as an important modulator of immune signaling in B cells and cells bearing Fcgamma-activating receptors. R788, a prodrug of active metabolite R406, has been shown to be an inhibitor of Syk kinase, active in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting potential activity in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We enrolled 189 patients with active RA despite methotrexate therapy in a 3-month, multicenter, ascending-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

The use of glucocorticoids by rheumatologic patients before attending a specialized department in México.

Objective: To explore the extent and characteristics of glucocorticoid use by patients before attending a Mexican Rheumatology Department.

Material And Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 1000 consecutive first-time adults admitted to the outpatient clinic in a period of 6 months. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, physician interviews, and prescription notes.

[Lower incidence of severe damage to target organs in mexican patients with systemic sclerosis and diffuse skin affection].

Objective: To determine the cumulative incidence of severe organ involvement in Mexican patients with systemic sclerosis (SS) and diffuse scleroderma at 3 years from the onset of SS symptoms, and to compare itwith the cumulative incidence observed in a cohort of white patients with SS.

Patients And Method: Patients with SS and diffuse scleroderma were evaluated within the first 2 years from the onset of SS symptoms and were included. An estimation of the cumulative incidence of severe involvement to the skin, kidney, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal track at 3 years from the onset of SS symptoms was carried out.

[Relapsing polychondritis: an analysis of 11 patients].

Objective: To analyze 11 patients with relapsing polychondritis reported by 3 hospitals in our country.

Patients And Method: We describe 11 cases of relapsing polychondritis reported by 3 hospitals in our country, analizing gender, age at the beginning of the disease, delay time in diagnosis, clinical manifestations at the beginning of the disease and during follow-up, initial treatment, and treatment in the "chronic phase" of the disease.

Results: We described 8 female patients and 4 males, with a mean age of 40.

[Treatment of systemic sclerosis].

Treatment of systemic sclerosis is based upon 3 types of medications modifiers of disease: drugs which prevent vascular damage, antifibrotric agents, and immunomodulators and immunosupressors. Drugs that prevent vascular damage such as: calcium antagonists, prostaglandins analogues, receptors of endothelin blockers (bosentan), inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme, receptors of angiotensin antagonists and inhibitors of 5'-phosphodiesterase have been successful in treating the Raynaud's phenomenon, renal crisis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In contrast, the results of treatment of fibrosis are discouraging and the D-penicilamine continues being a matter of controversy.

[Fetal microchimerism in rheumatic diseases].

Fetal microchimerism is the presence of fetal cells inmaternal tissues and vice versa, i.e., the coexistence of2 different cellular populations from genetically differentindividuals within a single person.