A Pragmatic Study Shows Failure of Dental Composite Fillings Is Genetically Determined: A Contribution to the Discussion on Dental Amalgams.

Composite resins for posterior tooth restorations have become a viable alternative to dental amalgam. Failures sometimes cannot be easily explained, and we hypothesize that a genetic component may influence longevity of restorations. We aimed to determine if there is any evidence for a difference in the performance of amalgams versus composite resin in extensive posterior restorations.

Drug survival and causes of discontinuation of the first anti-TNF in ankylosing spondylitis compared with rheumatoid arthritis: analysis from BIOBADABRASIL.

Treatment survival with biological therapy may be influenced by many factors, and it seems to be different among various rheumatic diseases and biological agents. The goal of the study was to compare the drug survival and the causes of discontinuation of anti-tumoral necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Study participants were a cohort from the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BIOBADABRASIL) between 2008 and 2012.

Lipid profile and anti-TNF-α use.

The use of anti-TNF-α has been associated with several changes in lipid profile, although some study results are conflicting. The knowledge of this fact is of great importance when one observes at the association between rheumatic diseases and accelerated atherogenesis. The aim of this analysis was search for changes in lipid profile in anti TNF-α users in the population of Southern Brazil and its association with duration of use, indications, patient gender and type of anti-TNF.

Radiographic changes of cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: The involvement of the cervical spine is a common feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To study the prevalence of radiographic changes of the cervical spine in patients with RA and their association with clinical and serological profiles of the disease.

Methods: We analysed lateral (neutral position, hyperextension, hyperflexion) and transoral views of cervical spine radiographs from 80 individuals with RA to investigate the presence of atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS), basilar invagination (BI), and subaxial instability (SAI).

Lipid profile in adult patients with idiopathic juvenile arthritis.

The inflammatory processes in the joints of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can persist into adulthood. Inflammation has been linked to distortions of the lipid profile and accelerated atherogenesis. In the present study, we examined the lipid profiles of adults with JIA compared with those of healthy people.

Anti-Ro antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Some autoantibodies are associated with peculiar clinical findings. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have anti-Ro antibodies.

Objective: To study prevalence and clinical associations of anti-Ro antibodies in RA patients.

Epidemiological profile of patients with extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis from the city of Curitiba, south of Brazil.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients with extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (ExRA) from an university-affiliated rheumatology center; to report the prevalence of ExRA and to compare it with available data; and to identify, if possible, ExRA predictors.

Methods: This study reviewed 262 medical charts of patients previously diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria, and attending that rheumatology center in 2010. The statistical analysis comprised simple mathematical calculations, Student t and chi-square tests, and a significance level of 5% (α= 0.

Musculoskeletal disorders in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a great variety of musculoskeletal manifestations, many of which are subclinical and correlated with disease duration and its inadequate control. They should be recognized and treated properly, because their management improves the patients' quality of life. This review discusses the major musculoskeletal manifestations found in diabetes mellitus.

Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by etanercept: two case reports and literature review.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine, and its excess can lead to severe consequences. Those effects are known to be antagonized by TNF-alpha inhibitors. Etanercept is a fusion protein that inhibits TNF-alpha action.

Pulmonary changes on high-resolution computed tomography of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their association with clinical, demographic, serological and therapeutic variables.

Background: Extra-articular manifestations are found in up to 50% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To assess the prevalence of pulmonary changes on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with RA and their association with demographic, clinical, serological and therapeutic variables.

Method: Seventy-one patients with RA were assessed regarding their age at RA onset, duration of disease, gender, tobacco use, presence of rheumatoid nodules, secondary Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid factor, presence of anti-CCP and antinuclear factor, respiratory complaints, use of medications, and pulmonary changes on HRCT.

Association of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies with extra-articular manifestations, gender, and tabagism in rheumatoid arthritis patients from southern Brazil.

Gender and environmental factors are known to influence the clinical heterogeneity and outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some variables have been suggested to be associated with the severity of the disease, which can be of great value in the correct management of RA patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among anticyclic citrullinated antibody (anti-CCP2) positivity, extra-articular manifestations (EAM), gender, and tobacco exposure in a Brazilian RA population.

Autoantibodies for gastrointestinal organ-specific autoimmune diseases in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their relatives.

Background: Clustering of autoimmune diseases is common and may be due to genetic background and exposition to environmental triggers.

Objective: The aim is to carry out a laboratory and clinical study of the prevalence of gastrointestinal organ-specific autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their relatives.

Methods: Serum samples of 156 RA patients, 200 relatives, and 100 healthy controls were studied for anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA), anti-mitochondrial (AMA), anti-parietal cell (APCA), anti-liver-kidney microsome (LKM), and anti-endomysium antibodies (IgA-EmA) by indirect immunofluorescence.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis patients and relatives from Brazil.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and RF in RA patients and their relatives from Southern Brazil.

Methods: Anti-CCP2 and IgM-RF were evaluated in 156 RA patients and 200 relatives. Sera from 100 healthy unrelated individuals were used as control.

Safety and efficiency of influenza vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a higher infection rate than the general population. The role of influenza vaccination in SLE patients has been a matter of discussion due to the risk of disease exacerbation and to the influence of the disease and its treatment on vaccine efficacy.

Objective: To study safety and efficiency of influenza vaccination in SLE patients.

Antinucleosome antibodies in juvenile chronic arthritis.

A broad range of autoantibodies have been detected in juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) patients, although, none of them can be considered specific for this entity. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is routinely searched in these patients mainly because it is associated with uveitis, a comorbidity that is particularly frequent in the oligoarticular form. Nevertheless, the ANA specific antigen target in JCA is unknown.

Autoantibodies in silicosis patients and in silica-exposed individuals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of autoantibodies in silica-exposed patients with and without silicosis and without any known rheumatic disease. We studied 61 males exposed to silica for a mean time of 12.2 +/- 10.

Valvular involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Although pericarditis is the most commonly recognized cardiac lesion in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), this disease affects all the three cardiac layers.

Objective: To study valvular lesions in RA, trying to correlate them with other clinical variables, auto antibodies and functional class.

Methods: One hundred twenty two controls and 184 patients with RA without cardiac symptoms were studied using bidimensional echocardiography.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and anti-endomysial antibodies.

Background: Several autoimmune diseases may occur in the same patient. Celiac disease (CD) is found in patients with diabetes mellitus type-1 and thyroiditis. Few studies have addressed the association between CD and rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Intra ocular pressure in chronic users of oral glucocorticoids for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate intra ocular pressure (IOP) among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who are chronic oral glucocorticoid users in low to moderate doses.

Material And Methods: We have studied 125 subjects: 72 glucocorticoid users and 53 controls. The glucocorticoid users were RA patients treated with 5 to 40 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent.

Epidural steroids for low back pain syndromes.

Background And Objectives: Low back pain syndromes are major causes of morbidity and disability. Their therapeutic management is often based on conservative measures, such as rest, analgesia, physical therapy, and even surgical and rehabilitation procedures. This study aimed at describing the use of epidural steroids to treat low back pain syndromes.