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To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture.Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded. We analyzed associations with risk factors for fracture in both populations and with disease-related variables in RA patients.Median age of RA patients was 64 years; median RA duration was eight years. Sixty-nine percent were in remission or on low activity. Eighty-five percent had received glucocorticoids (GCs); 85 %, methotrexate; and 40 %, ≥1 biologic DMARD. Fifty-four patients and 47 controls had ≥1 major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Incidence of MOFs was 3.55 per 100 patient-year in patients and 0.72 in controls (HR: 2.6). Risk factors for MOFs in RA patients were age, previous fracture, parental hip fracture, years since menopause, BMD, erosions, disease activity and disability, and cumulative dose of GCs. Previous fracture in RA patients was a strong risk for MOFs (HR: 10.37).Of every 100 postmenopausal Spanish women with RA, 3-4 have a MOF per year. This is more than double that of the general population. A previous fracture poses a high risk for a new fracture. Other classic risk factors for fracture, RA disease activity and disability, and the cumulative dose of GCs are associated with fracture development.

The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the general population is 1%. Not all asymptomatic patients with aPL antibodies have the same risk for thrombosis, and consequently routine prophylaxis with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is not justified in terms of risk-benefit in all asymptomatic carriers. Based on current evidence, primary prevention is indicated only in high-risk groups including the following: a) in patients with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) at persistently high titers, repeatedly positive lupus anticoagulant (LA) or aCL positivity, LA and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (triple positivity) regardless of titer; b) in situations of high thrombotic risk due to the concomitant presence of other thrombotic risk factors (hypertension, immobilization, surgery, etc.); c) in the presence of a systemic autoimmune disease, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, and d) during pregnancy. Prophylactic treatment in these patients is based on the use of ASA. In specific situations, low-molecular-weight heparin and hydroxychloroquine are also useful.

Objective To review and summarize the information available on the effectiveness and safety of biological therapies in refractory Felty's syndrome (FS). Methods We describe a case of FS with severe neutropenia and recurrent bacterial infections unresponsive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment and long-term administration with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, in which treatment with rituximab (RTX) was useful and resulted in a sustained neutrophil response. Current evidence on the use of biological therapies in FS is also analyzed through a systematic review of the English-language literature, based on a PubMed search. Results Available data on the use of biological therapies in refractory FS are based only on several case reports and are limited to the use of RTX and some anti-tumor necrosis factor α agents (etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab). Including the case described here, data are available on 8 patients treated with RTX. A sustained increase in the absolute neutrophil count (>1500/mm 3 ) was observed in 62.5% (5/8) of these patients after 1 cycle of treatment. In most of them, the hematological response was accompanied by a parallel improvement in biological markers of inflammation and other clinical manifestations of FS (arthritis, recurrent infections, systemic symptoms, etc). After a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 6-14), only 1 of these patients relapsed and neutropenia reappeared; in this patient, retreatment was rapidly effective. No significant adverse events related to RTX therapy were reported. Experience with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents is limited to 6 patients, none of whom presented any sustained increase in neutrophil count. Conclusions Although it is not yet possible to make definite recommendations, the global analysis of all cases reported to date only supports the use of RTX as a second-line therapy in patients with refractory FS.