Clinical and subclinical pancreatitis in a cohort of patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To evaluate amylase and lipase levels in a cohort of patients diagnosed with SLE, identify patients with subclinical and clinical pancreatitis and investigate factors associated.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected, including recent clinical symptoms possibly related to pancreatitis, use of medication, disease activity (SLEDAI-2K), and serum amylase and lipase levels. Patients with pancreatic enzyme levels ≥ 1.

Tophus gout and chronic kidney disease in a young female patient: report of familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy in three generations of the same family.

A 20-year-old female was admitted with tophus gout and chronic kidney disease (CKD), progressing to dialysis need and death. The familial investigation evidenced several cases of hyperuricemia, gout and CKD, as well as several cases of early death due to CKD. After analyzing these cases, it was concluded that the diagnosis was familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy.

Health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.

Objectives: To examine health-related quality of life in Brazilian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compare patients using cyclophosphamide (CP) pulse therapy with those who do not use it.

Methods: Patients with SLE using or not CP completed the SF-36 and SRQ-20 (psychological morbidity) questionnaire. The Lupus Activity Criteria Count (LAAC) assessed SLE disease activity.

Assessment of the burden of caregiving for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: To determine the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the quality of life of caregivers.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with forty-two COPD patients and their primary caregivers. Patients were assessed with the medical outcome survey short form (SF-36), the physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS), Saint George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), 6-min walking test, and spirometric and blood gas measurements.