Performance of the RABBIT infection risk score in an Argentinian rheumatoid arthritis cohort.

Patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases have a higher risk of infections compared with age-and sex-matched controls. In Latin America, there are no validated tools to assess the risk of serious infection. The objectives were to estimate the incidence of serious infections in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed for 12 months and to validate the RABBIT risk score for serious infections.

Usefulness of antibodies and minor salivary gland biopsy in the study of sicca syndrome in daily clinical practice.

Objectives: To assess the association between histologic findings in the minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) and anti La (La/SS-B)y antiRo antibodies (Ro/SS-A), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF),and compare the value of the latter as diagnostic tests with MSGB, considered as the gold standard.

Material And Method: Patients with suspected Primary Sjögren Syndrome (PSS) referred for MSGB were included. Antibody measurements were performed.

Frequency of complications and usefulness of the minor salivary gland biopsy.

Unlabelled: Findings of specific antibodies and histopathology data are essential for the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome (SS). Although the minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is technically simple, it needs to be performed in a medical institution to avoid complications.

Objective: To determine the frequency of complications and the usefulness of this technique.