Effectiveness of methotrexate and leflunomide as corticoid-sparing drugs in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Objectives: The need for glucocorticoid-sparing drugs (GCSD) remains an important issue and is an unmet need in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). We therefore aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of methotrexate (MTX) and of leflunomide (LEF) in daily clinical practice in PMR patients from Argentina.

Methods: A multicentre and observational study (medical records review) of PMR patients seen between 2007 and 2023, who had at least three months of follow-up after starting a GCSD, either MTX or LEF, was performed.

Risk Factors for Relapse and/or Prolonged Glucocorticoid Therapy in Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Multicenter Study in 185 Patients.

Background: In polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) relapses and long-term GC dependency are common. We assessed risk factors for higher relapse rate and/or prolonged glucocorticoid therapy in PMR patients.

Methods: A multicenter and observational study (chart review) of PMR patients seen between 2006 and 2021 who had at least a 3-month follow-up period after starting GCs was performed.

How are rheumatologists from Argentina managing patients with arthralgias suspicious for progressing to rheumatoid arthritis?

Patients with arthralgias who could be at risk of progressing to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represent a clinical challenge. Recommendations for their management and treatment are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to determine how Argentinean rheumatologists deal with these patients.

Sustained remission after long-term biological therapy in patients with large vessel vasculitis: an analysis of ten cases.

Objectives: To describe the results obtained in clinical practice with the use of biological therapy (BT) in patients diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Retrospective single center study of TA/GCA patients who received BT (infliximab [IFX], etanercept [ETN] and tocilizumab [TCZ]). In TA, active disease was defined according to a previous National Institutes of Health study.

Analysis of 65 Renal Biopsies From Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (1976-2015): Change in Treatment Strategies Decreased Frequency and Modified Histopathological Findings.

Introduction: No inherent renal lesions are known in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but urinary abnormalities and renal dysfunction have been described.

Objective: First, we describe the histopathological findings of renal biopsies (RBs) in patients with RA and associated clinical manifestations. Second, we evaluated time evolution of RA and the relationship between drugs and renal disease.

Lupus nephritis in Latin American patients: 10-year results from a single medical center in Argentina.

Introduction: Several studies have shown that Hispanic patients generally experience a worse renal prognosis than non-Hispanic white patients with lupus. To date, there is no report on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) renal response criteria (ACR-RRC) in patients from Latin America.

Objective: To evaluate treatment response in patients with proliferative and membranous lupus nephritis (LN) according to ACR-RRC.

Complete regression of myocardial involvement associated with lymphoma following chemotherapy.

Cardiac involvement as an initial presentation of malignant lymphoma is a rare occurrence. We describe the case of a 26 year old man who had initially been diagnosed with myocardial infiltration on an echocardiogram, presenting with a testicular mass and unilateral peripheral facial paralysis. On admission, electrocardiograms (ECG) revealed negative T-waves in all leads and ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads.

Invasive fungal infections in Argentine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Invasive fungal infections (IFI) comprise a group of diseases caused by Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Aspergillus and Candida. Few studies of IFI have been published in patients with SLE and associated factors have not been completely defined.