[Primary immune thrombocytopenia linked to the ingestion of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) causality or coincidence?].

The guinea pig in Ecuador is synonymous with our ancestral gastronomy and cultural tradition, but because of the diet rich in L-canavanine (alfalfa) that they receive; could limit its consumption in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Ingestion of alfalfa in humans can cause kidney failure and lupus-like syndrome. The John Hopkins Lupus Center recommends avoiding it in the diet of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), as it aggravates inflammation by stimulating immune activity (flares).

Vitamin D is not useful as a biomarker for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between serum vitamin D levels and the Disease Activity Index in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methodology: An analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed at the Hospital Luis Vernaza and Center for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. We included 18 to 75-year-old patients with a diagnosis of RA according to the 2010 classification criteria, and with a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH] D) test within the last 3 months.

Short-term efficacy to conventional blind injection versus ultrasound-guided injection of local corticosteroids in tenosynovitis in patients with inflammatory chronic arthritis: A randomized comparative study.

Objective: To compare the short-term efficacy of conventional blind injection (CBI) versus ultrasound-guided injection (USGI) of corticosteroids (CS) injection in tenosynovitis in patients with chronic arthritis and to investigate if the USGI is a less painful procedure and if there are differences in the changes of US findings during the post injection follow-up.

Methods: Patients presenting tenosynovitis requiring CS injection were involved. After clinical and US evaluation, patients were randomized to receive CBI or USGI.