Correlation and agreement between physical and ultrasound examination after a training session dedicated to the standardization of synovitis assessment in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objectives: Assessing disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients requires comprehensive quantification of tender and swollen joints. We aimed to evaluate the correlation and agreement between rheumatologists after a training session dedicated to the standardization of synovitis assessment and compare its performance with a reference imaging modality such as musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 28 and 10 joints in RA patients were evaluated by physical examination and ultrasound (US), respectively.

Association of Obesity With Lower Rates of Remission in a Colombian Cohort of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Modifiable risk factors associated with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis have been studied, including the body mass index (BMI). The aim was to compare the evolution of disease activity during 24 months of follow-up in different initial BMI groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Method: Patients were classified based on their initial BMI (normal weight, overweight, and obese).

Does healthcare regime affiliation influence the clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Background/purpose: Adequate control of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depends, to a great extent, on the access to a rheumatologist. This study aimed to compare the disease outcomes of patients with RA, based on their healthcare regime affiliation.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of Colombian patients with RA in three outpatient services of different regimes: Contributory (CR, workers and their families with a monthly income above a yearly defined threshold, approximately US$ 220, who allocate a percentage of their income to financing the national health fund and to get access to healthcare services), subsidized (SR, a vulnerable population with a monthly income below the threshold, who have access to healthcare through the national health fund; comparable to the USA Medicaid population), and an excellence clinical care center (C3, access to specialized care, regardless of their healthcare affiliation regime).

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: Pathophysiological mechanisms related to innate immune system.

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are two highly prevalent autoimmune diseases that generate disability and low quality of life. The innate immune system, a long-forgotten issue in autoimmune diseases, is becoming increasingly important and represents a new focus for the treatment of these entities. This review highlights the role that innate immune system plays in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) capillaroscopy study group consensus for the format and content of the report in capillaroscopy in rheumatology.

Objective: The aim of this work was to produce a consensus-based report for capillaroscopy in rheumatology to be used in daily clinical practice.

Methods: A written Delphi questionnaire regarding capillaroscopy report was developed from a literature review and expert consensus. The Delphi questionnaire was sent to an international panel including 25 rheumatologists experts in capillaroscopy, asking them to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.

Vaccination Recommendations for Adults With Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases in Latin America.

Background/objective: Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) are at increased risk of contracting severe infections and suffering complications, particularly when they are receiving immunomodulating therapy. Vaccination is an important means to prevent many potential infections and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with AIRD. The purpose of this consensus document is to provide health care professionals with recommendations for the vaccination of AIRD patients who reside in Latin America.

Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Systemic Sclerosis: Current Concepts.

Introduction. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare entity with unique endoscopic appearance described as "watermelon stomach." It has been associated with systemic sclerosis but the pathophysiological changes leading to GAVE have not been explained and still remain uncertain.

Design and validation of LupusCol, an instrument for the evaluation of health-related quality of life in Colombian adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and validate LupusCol, an instrument for the evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Colombian adult patients with SLE.

Methods: Items and domains of the initial instrument were defined. Preliminary tests were made with the participation of patients.

Serum endoglin levels in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis and elevated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure.

Background. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the main cause of morbimortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Increased Eng expression has been demonstrated in SSc patients.

Single anti-P ribosomal antibodies are not associated with lupus nephritis in patients suffering from active systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: In clinical practice, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose a relapse in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) having potential complications, including renal failure and death. Some immunological markers can help to determine their association with LN and, therefore, diagnose the early onset of complications.

Objectives: Evaluating the association between systemic and/or kidney activity and anti-P ribosomal and anti-dsDNA antibodies in patients suffering from active SLE.

Systemic sclerosis: a world wide global analysis.

The objective of this study was to analyze epidemiological tendencies of systemic sclerosis (SSc) around the world in order to identify possible local variations in the presentation and occurrence of the disease. A systematic review of the literature was performed through electronic databases using the keywords "Systemic Sclerosis" and "Clinical Characteristics." Out of a total of 167 articles, 41 were included in the analysis.

Potential biomarkers for detecting pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the major complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the main cause of morbi-mortality. It is important to find predictors for this vascular problem. The objective of this study was to determine the serum levels of different biomarkers in patients with SSc and secondary PAH and to compare them with those of healthy control subjects to define their potential role as predictors of PAH.

Polyautoimmunity and familial autoimmunity in systemic sclerosis.

Characterization of the extent to which particular combinations of autoimmune diseases occur in excess of that expected by chance may offer new insights into possible common pathophysiological mechanisms. The goal of this study was to investigate the spectrum of polyautoimmunity (i.e.

Risk factors associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension in Colombian patients with systemic sclerosis: review of the literature.

Objective: Considering the significant morbidity and mortality of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the lack of precise information on disease in Latin America, we investigated the clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with PAH in Colombian patients with SSc and review the literature.

Methods: This multicenter study included patients followed at 5 rheumatology units that were systematically assessed using a pretested questionnaire on clinical and immunological variables, focusing on PAH. Conditional logistic regression was employed to assess association between PAH and specific clinical characteristics.