Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Mexican Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

We estimate the prevalence and identified the associated factors of sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cross-sectional survey was applied to 100 women with RA and compared with 100 healthy, sexually active, adult women. Assessments included an interview using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Assessment of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), adiponectin, and other adipokines as potential markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: To date, the association of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and serum adipokines with lupus nephritis is controversial.

Objective: To assess the utility of serum MIF, leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels as markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 196 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs).

Anti-nucleosome antibodies increase the risk of renal relapse in a prospective cohort of patients with clinically inactive systemic lupus erythematosus.

An important goal in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prediction of relapses. This study assesses whether anti-nucleosome antibodies (anti-NCS) increase the risk of renal relapse in inactive SLE. A prospective cohort of 115 patients with inactive SLE (M-SLEDAI ≤ 2) were followed for 12 months to assess the development of relapse (increase of M-SLEDAI ≥ 4) and specific renal flare (renal SLEDAI ≥ 4).

Prognostic Factors for Permanent Work Disability in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Received Combination Therapy of Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: There is limited information about the factors related with the development of long-term permanent work disability (PWD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with a combination of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cs-DMARDs).

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence and factors associated with the development of PWD in RA treated with combination therapy using conventional synthetic cs-DMARDs.

Methods: We assessed in multivariate models the effect of clinical and demographic factors in the development of PWD in a long-term retrospective cohort of 180 workers with RA who were treated with a combination of cs-DMARDs.

Influence of Anti-TNF and Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Therapy on Pulmonary Forced Vital Capacity Associated to Ankylosing Spondylitis: A 2-Year Follow-Up Observational Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of anti-TNF agents plus synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) versus DMARDs alone for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with reduced pulmonary function vital capacity (FVC%).

Methods: In an observational study, we included AS who had FVC% <80% at baseline. Twenty patients were taking DMARDs and 16 received anti-TNF + DMARDs.