Is There a Link Between Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy and Pulmonary Function Tests in Systemic Sclerosis Patients?: A 24-Month Follow-up Monocentric Study.

Background/objective: The aim of this study was to explore the associations between nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: This was a longitudinal study with follow-up of unselected Brazilian SSc patients. Baseline clinical examination, serological workup, high-resolution chest tomography, and NVC were performed.

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis: diagnosis by systematic screening and prognosis after three years follow-up.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disease, and the presence of pulmonary hypertension can be a determining factor in prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis, profile, and prognosis of systemic sclerosis pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH) diagnosed by systematic screening in a Brazilian population.

Methods: A cohort of SSc patients underwent systematic screening for SSc-PH.

The Brazilian Society of Rheumatology recommendations on investigation and diagnosis of systemic autoimmune myopathies.

Background: This research is recommended by the Myopathy Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the investigation and diagnosis of systemic autoimmune myopathies. BODY: A systematic literature review was performed in the Embase, Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane databases, including studies published until October 2018. PRISMA was used for the review, and the articles were evaluated, based on the Oxford levels of evidence.

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.

Guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the treatment of systemic autoimmune myopathies.

Background: Recommendations of the Myopathy Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the management and therapy of systemic autoimmune myopathies (SAM).

Main Body: The review of the literature was done in the search for the Medline (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane databases including studies published until June 2018. The Prisma was used for the systematic review and the articles were evaluated according to the levels of Oxford evidence.

Effects of treatment with rituximab on microcirculation in patients with long-term systemic sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of rituximab on microcirculation in long-term SSc.

Results: Four patients with diffuse SSc over 3 years of disease received rituximab cycles of two 1-g infusions every 6 months for 2 years. Videocapillaroscopy was performed at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months and semi-quantitative scoring of videocapillaroscopy abnormalities was performed and the microangiopathy evolution score (MES: range 0-9) was calculated.

Computed tomography trachea volumetry in patients with scleroderma: Association with clinical and functional findings.

Background: In scleroderma, excessive collagen production can alter tracheal geometry, and computed tomography (CT) volumetry of this structure may aid in detecting possible abnormalities. The objectives of this study were to quantify the morphological abnormalities in the tracheas of ​​patients with scleroderma and to correlate these findings with data on clinical and pulmonary function.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 28 adults with scleroderma and 27 controls matched by age, gender and body mass index underwent chest CT with posterior segmentation and skeletonization of the images.

Rituximab for the therapy of systemic sclerosis: a series of 10 cases in a single center.

Unlabelled: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high morbidity and mortality. Although cyclophosphamide is effective for severe and refractory cases, there is demand for new treatments. The biological treatment with B-cell depletion with rituximab (RTX) has demonstrated efficacy for this demand in open-label studies.

Rapidly progressive diffuse systemic sclerosis after local vitamins A, D and E complex injections: literature review and report of two cases.

The term autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) or Shoenfeld's syndrome refers to a wide group of immune-mediated diseases triggered by external agents. Several substances, such as vaccine adjuvants, squalene and silicone implants, are implied in the pathogenesis of ASIA syndrome. Treatment and prognosis of this complex condition are not completely known due to lack of good quality evidence.

Recommendations for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome.

The recommendations proposed by the Sjögren's Syndrome Committee of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome were based on a systematic review of literature in Medline (PubMed) and the Cochrane databases until October 2014 and on expert opinion in the absence of studies on the subject. 131 items classified according to Oxford & Grade were included. These recommendations were developed in order to guide the appropriate management and facilitate the access to treatment for those patients with an appropriate indication, considering the Brazilian socioeconomic context and pharmacological agents available in this country.

Polymyositis, a very uncommon isolated disease: clinical and histological re-evaluation after long-term follow-up.

The aim of the present study was to explore whether polymyositis may be considered as an isolated, organ-specific disease or more suitably as a secondary or associated entity. A retrospective re-evaluation of all the muscle biopsies performed at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona showing histopathological pattern of polymyositis from January 1997 to May 2012 was carried out. The medical records of the patients with the aforementioned pathological pattern were also reviewed.

Current Approach to Dry Eye Disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that causes tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. The prevalence of dry eye in the world population ranges from 6 to 34 %. It is more common in those aged over 50, and affects mainly women.

Clinical and laboratorial profile and histological features on minor salivary glands from patients under investigation for Sjögren's syndrome.

Unlabelled: Diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is complex and the usefulness of labial minor salivary glands biopsy in this process remains controversial.

Objective: to evaluate the clinical and laboratorial profile and histological features on labial minor salivary glands from patients under investigation of SS.

Study Design: clinical charts from 38 patients under suspicion of SS and submitted to labial minor salivary glands biopsies were reviewed.