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Antonio Naranjo,1 Daniel Prieto-Alhambra,2 Julián Sánchez-Martín,3 Alejandro Pérez-Mitru,3 Max Brosa3 1Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35011, Spain; 2NIHR Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; 3Market Access Area, Pharmalex Spain, Barcelona, SpainCorrespondence: Alejandro Pérez-Mitru, Market Access Area, Pharmalex Spain, C/ Comte d’Urgell, 240, 2-D, Barcelona, 08036, Spain, Tel +34 932 521 377, Fax +34 937 379 984, Email alejandro.perez@pharmalex.comPurpose: To assess the cost-effectiveness of a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) compared with standard care for the secondary prevention of fragility fractures in Spain.Methods: Patients with osteoporosis and an initial fragility fracture who were candidates to initiate osteoporosis treatment (mean age 65 years, 90.7% female) were included in the model. Disease progression was simulated with a Markov model through seven health states (with and without osteoporosis treatment, subsequent hip, vertebral, forearm and humerus fracture, and death). A time horizon of 10 years and a 6-month duration per cycle was set. Clinical, economic, and quality of life parameters were estimated from the literature and Spanish clinical practice. Resource use and treatment patterns were validated by an expert panel. The Spanish National Health System (SNS) perspective was adopted, taking direct costs (€; 2020) into account. Effectiveness was measured in life-years gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life years gained (QALYs). A discount rate of 3% was applied to costs and outcomes. The uncertainty of the parameters was assessed using deterministic, scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (1000 iterations).Results: Setting up a FLS for the secondary prevention of fragility fractures in Spain would provide better osteoporosis treatment initiation and persistence. This would reduce subsequent fragility fractures, disutilities and deaths. FLS would have greater clinical benefits (0.008 and 0.082 LYG and QALY gained per patient, respectively) and higher costs (€ 563.69 per patient) compared with standard care, leading to an incremental cost-utility ratio of € 6855.23 per QALY gained over the 10 years horizon. The sensitivity analyses showed limited dispersion of the base case results, corroborating their robustness.Conclusion: From the SNS perspective and considering Spanish willingness-to-pay thresholds, the introduction of FLS for the secondary prevention of fragility fractures would be a cost-effective strategy.Keywords: economic evaluation, osteoporotic fracture prevention, fracture liaison service, Spain

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities to move the completion of university studies online. Spain's National Conference of Medical School Deans coordinates an objective, structured clinical competency assessment called the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which consists of 20 face-to-face test sections for students in their sixth year of study. As a result of the pandemic, a computer-based case simulation OSCE (CCS-OSCE) has been designed. The objective of this article is to describe the creation, administration, and development of the test. Materials and methods: This work is a descriptive study of the CCS-OSCE from its planning stages in April 2020 to its administration in June 2020. Results: The CCS-OSCE evaluated the competences of anamnesis, exploration, clinical judgment, ethical aspects, interprofessional relations, prevention, and health promotion. No technical or communication skills were evaluated. The CCS-OSCE consisted of ten test sections, each of which had a 12-minutes time limit and ranged from six to 21 questions (mean: 1.1 minutes/question). The CCS-OSCE used the virtual campus platform of each of the 16 participating medical schools, which had a total of 2,829 students in their sixth year of study. It was jointly held on two dates in June 2020. Conclusions: The CCS-OSCE made it possible to bring together the various medical schools and carry out interdisciplinary work. The CCS-OSCE conducted may be similar to Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

Resumen Introduccion Los estudios de opinion sobre la percepcion del reumatologo de la practica asistencial en osteoporosis (OP) pueden ayudar a identificar areas de mejora en la gestion de esta patologia. Objetivo Conocer y analizar el enfoque organizativo que adoptan los reumatologos espanoles ante la OP para definir prioridades estrategicas y establecer unos estandares de calidad. Material y metodo Un grupo de expertos diseno una encuesta sobre creencias y conductas en OP en la practica del reumatologo. La encuesta se remitio a los socios de la Sociedad Espanola de Reumatologia (SER). Mediante ronda Delphi se consensuaron las prioridades estrategicas en OP. Resultados El grupo de expertos consensuo como prioridades estrategicas en OP: 1) La SER deberia impulsar la inclusion de la OP en el conjunto de prestaciones de todos los servicios de reumatologia, asi como ampliar la oferta formativa especifica para medicos y enfermeras; 2) Los servicios de reumatologia debieran fomentar el papel de la enfermera en OP, impulsar la implantacion y el seguimiento de indicadores de calidad e implantar protocolos de derivacion consensuados con atencion primaria ademas de impulsar su formacion en esta area; 3) La SER y los servicios de reumatologia deberian impulsar la implantacion de la consulta electronica y la consulta monografica o dedicada a OP asi como la participacion del reumatologo en unidades de fractura, Fracture Liaison Service. Conclusiones Las prioridades estrategicas en OP derivadas de la encuesta a los reumatologos espanoles ayudan a identificar las areas de mejora a nivel organizativo, estructural y de estandares de calidad en esta patologia.

Objectives To describe the therapeutic management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in patients initiating treatment with biological agents. Materials and methods Observational, retrospective, longitudinal study in 33 Spanish hospitals. Patients with RA, PsA and AS starting treatment with biological agents between September 2009 and August 2010 and a follow-up longer than 3 years were included. Clinical-demographic characteristics, drugs, biological therapy survival, and reasons for discontinuation or switching were analysed. Results Four hundred and sixty-three patients were included (183 RA, 119 PsA and 161 AS), with a mean follow-up of 3.8 years. At the end of follow-up, a high proportion continued with the first biological prescribed (41.0% of RA, 59.7% of PsA and 51.6% of AS), 31.1%, 47.9% and 42.9% of RA, PsA and AS patients requiring dosage adjustments, respectively. There was temporary discontinuation in 8.2%, 8.4% and 15.5% of patients, and a switch of biologic agent was required in 37.7%, 26.1% and 24.2%. Definitive discontinuation occurred in 13.1%, 5.9% and 8.7% of RA, PsA and AS patients, respectively. Mean time to discontinuation or switching was 30.1 months for RA and 35.7 months for PsA and AS. Conclusions Our results suggest that, in practice, half of patients with RA and two thirds with PsA or AS maintained the first biological, but with frequent dose adjustments.

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most frequent chronic polyarthritis. The current goal of RA treatment is to achieve clinical remission. Objective The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of remission in a cohort of patients from clinical practice, and to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with remission. Methods A retrospective study was performed on a cohort of RA patients seen at the first consultation at the HUGC Rheumatology Service Dr. Negrin (HUGCDN) between first of January 2000 and thirtieth of April 2014. Sustained remission was defined as DAS28 less than 2.6 in the last two available visits in the medical history. Results A total of 463 patients were consecutively included, most (75%) women, with a mean age at the onset of RA of 50 years and a mean duration of the disease at follow-up of 8 years. 46% of the patients achieved sustained remission. Multiple logistic regression analyses found male sex (P = .031, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.05–2.82), diagnosis in the first year of symptoms (P = .023, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.07–2.69) and the initial DAS28 (P = .035) to be independent predictors for sustained remission. Conclusions The 46% of the patients with RA followed in the HUGC Dr. Negrin are in persistent remission, being the early diagnosis a modifiable factor predictor of remission. Thus, an objective of the Rheumatology Service should be to improve the diagnostic delay of RA in the health area.

Abstract The Anthropological Theory of Didactics has been applied to the field of didactics of mathematics with remarkable success. Fluid Mechanics is a discipline with a strong mathematical background, where mathematics is used for modeling the continuous nature. In addition, the Fluid Mechanics concepts are essential for the future engineer or scientist. For this reason, it is worth thinking whether the content that developed in engineering schools or science faculties are those demanded by the future professionals. The analysis has been done within the context of a case study framed in the Spanish noosphere, more particularly Universities and Companies. In this direction, the objective of this article is to know the institutional distance between the University and society as a demander of technologies based on Fluid Mechanics. To this end, the methodology based on the issuance of a questionnaire to experts focused on aspects such as present and emerging content associated with the Fluid Mechanics of an engineering degree is used. Note that the number of experts selected is reduced so as to consider the study as a sourcing for introducing expert thoughts on the fluid mechanics conception between university and companies. The results highlight the existence of an institutional distance between the University and the Enterprise (as a technology executor) in the conception of contents, thus establishing an area of potential improvement within the noosphere associated with fluid mechanics in Spain. Highlights Questionnaire to experts to understand the current institutional relations between University and Company in the Spanish system. Application of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics (ATD) techniques to Fluid Mechanics. Confirmation of an institutional distance between University and Companies in Fluid Mechanics conceptions.

Background Long-term adherence to antiosteoporosis medication (AOM) in the setting of a fracture liaison service (FLS) are not well known. Methods Patients ≥50 with hip fracture seen in an FLS and recommended for treatment to prevent new fractures were analyzed. Baseline data included demographics, identification mode, previous treatment and FRAX® items. Patient records were reviewed 3-8 years later, and these data were collected: 1) survival; 2) major refracture; 3) initiation of treatment, proportion of days covered (PDC) and persistence with AOM. Results 372 patients (mean age, 79 years; 76% women) were included. Mean follow-up was 47 months, 52 patients (14%) had a refracture (22 hip) and 129 (34.5%) died. AOM was started in 283 patients (76.0%). Factors associated with initiation of AOM were previous use of bisphosphonate (OR9.94;95%CI:1.29-76.32) and a lower T-score lumbar (OR 0.80;95%CI:0.65-0.99). Persistence decreased to 72.6%, 60% and 47% at 12, 36 and 60 months. A PDC>80% was confirmed in 208 patients (55.7%) and associated with previous use of bisphosphonate (OR3.38;95%CI:1.34-8.53), treatment with denosumab (OR2.69;95%CI:1.37-5.27), and inpatient identification (OR2.26; 95%CI:1.18-4.34). Conclusions Long-term persistence with AOM was optimal in patients with hip fracture seen at an FLS. A PDC>80% was associated with inpatient identification and prescription of denosumab.

Objective To update the recommendations on osteoporosis (OP) of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) based on the best possible evidence. Methods A panel of nine expert rheumatologists in OP was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call. The phases of the work were: identification of the key areas for updating the previous consensus, analysis and synthesis of the scientific evidence (using the SIGN levels of evidence) and formulation of recommendations based on this evidence and consensus techniques. Results This revision of the recommendations implies an update in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of OP. It proposes some criteria to consider the high risk of fracture and some indications to start treatment. The recommendations also address issues related to the safety of treatments and the management of special situations such as inflammatory diseases and treatment with glucocorticoids. Conclusions We present an update of SER recommendations on OP.

Resumen Objetivo El paradigma actual en el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide (AR) contempla el diagnostico temprano y el uso precoz de farmacos modificadores de enfermedad (FAME) para alcanzar la remision o baja actividad inflamatoria, lo cual, se conoce como «treat to target» (T2T). El objetivo del trabajo es desarrollar un indicador compuesto (IC) para evaluar la calidad asistencial en el manejo de los pacientes con AR atendiendo a la estrategia T2T y a otras recomendaciones generales para la atencion de estos pacientes. Material y metodo La construccion del IC siguio las fases: 1) seleccion de los criterios de calidad mediante un juicio de expertos ; 2) priorizacion de los criterios, a partir de un Delphi con 20 expertos; 3) diseno de los indicadores de calidad, y 4) calculo del IC ponderado. La fuente de informacion para el calculo del IC son las historias clinicas de los pacientes con AR. Resultados De los 37 criterios seleccionados, 12 necesitaron una segunda ronda Delphi. Se priorizaron 31 criterios, los cuales presentaron una mediana en relevancia y factibilidad, en las rondas Delphi, mayor o igual a 7,5, con un rango intercuartilico inferior a 3,5, y un grado de acuerdo (puntuacion mayor o igual a 8) igual o superior al 80%. Conclusiones El IC construido, consensuado y ponderado, permite evaluar la calidad asistencial de los pacientes con AR, en las Unidades de Reumatologia de hospitales espanoles, ofreciendo una medida resumen valida y facilmente interpretable.

[Abstract] Objective. To determine and analyse the organisational approach adopted by Spanish rheumatologists to osteoporosis (OP) to define strategic priorities. Material and method. A group of experts designed a questionnaire on OP in the rheumatologist practice. The survey was sent to the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) members. Through the Delphi round, strategic priorities were agreed upon in OP. Results. The priorities are: 1) The SER should promote the inclusion of OP in 100% of the services and expand the training offer; 2) Rheumatology services should promote the role of the nurse in OP, promote quality indicators and referral protocols agreed with primary care in addition to promoting their training in this area; 3) The SER and Rheumatology services should promote electronic consultation, OP monographic clinics and participation in Fracture Liaison Service units. Conclusions. Strategic priorities in OP help identify areas of improvement at organisational, structural and quality standards level in this pathology. [Resumen] Introducción. Los estudios de opinión sobre la percepción del reumatólogo de la práctica asistencial en osteoporosis (OP) pueden ayudar a identificar áreas de mejora en la gestión de esta patología. Objetivo. Conocer y analizar el enfoque organizativo que adoptan los reumatólogos españoles ante la OP para definir prioridades estratégicas y establecer unos estándares de calidad. Material y método. Un grupo de expertos diseñó una encuesta sobre creencias y conductas en OP en la práctica del reumatólogo. La encuesta se remitió a los socios de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (SER). Mediante ronda Delphi se consensuaron las prioridades estratégicas en OP. Resultados. El grupo de expertos consensuó como prioridades estratégicas en OP: 1) La SER debería impulsar la inclusión de la OP en el conjunto de prestaciones de todos los servicios de reumatología, así como ampliar la oferta formativa específica para médicos y enfermeras; 2) Los servicios de reumatología debieran fomentar el papel de la enfermera en OP, impulsar la implantación y el seguimiento de indicadores de calidad e implantar protocolos de derivación consensuados con atención primaria además de impulsar su formación en este área; 3) La SER y los servicios de reumatología deberían impulsar la implantación de la consulta electrónica y la consulta monográfica o dedicada a OP así como la participación del reumatólogo en unidades de fractura Fracture Liaison Service (FLS). Conclusiones. Las prioridades estratégicas en OP derivadas de la encuesta a los reumatólogos españoles ayudan a identificar las áreas de mejora a nivel organizativo, estructural y de estándares de calidad en esta patología.

Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha obligado a completar los estudios universitarios online. La Conferencia Nacional de Decanos de Facultades de Medicina coordina una prueba de evaluacion de competencias clinicas objetiva y estructurada (ECOE) de 20 estaciones presenciales a los estudiantes de sexto del grado. Como consecuencia de la pandemia se ha disenado una ECOE sustitutoria con casos-clinicos computarizados simulados (ECOE-CCS). El objetivo del articulo es describir la elaboracion, la ejecucion y el desarrollo de la prueba. Materiales y metodos Estudio descriptivo de la ECOE-CCS conjunta desde su gestacion en abril 2020 hasta su ejecucion en junio 2020. Resultados La ECOE-CCS evaluo las competencias de anamnesis, exploracion, juicio clinico, aspectos eticos, relaciones interprofesionales, prevencion y promocion de la salud. No se evaluaron habilidades tecnicas ni de comunicacion. La ECOE-CCS consistio en 10 estaciones de 12 minutos de duracion, con un numero de preguntas de seis a 21 (media: 1,1 minutos/pregunta). En la ECOE-CCS se utilizo la plataforma virtual del campus de cada una de las 16 facultades de Medicina que participaron, con un total de 2.829 estudiantes de sexto curso. Se realizo de una forma conjunta en dos fechas de junio del 2020. Conclusiones La experiencia de la ECOE-CCS permitio llevar a cabo una integracion y el trabajo interdisciplinar de las diferentes facultades de Medicina. La ECOE-CCS realizada podria asemejarse al Step 3 CCS de la United States Medical Licensing Examination.

Prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal RA women were assessed in 323 patients and compared with 660 age-matched women. Of patients, 24.15% had at least one vertebral fracture vs.16.06% of controls. Age, glucocorticoids and falls were the main fracture risks. Vertebral fractures were associated with disease severity. Introduction There is little quality data on the updated prevalence of fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may have changed due to advances in the therapeutic strategy in recent years. This study was aimed at analysing the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with RA and comparing it with that of the general population. Methods We included 323 postmenopausal women diagnosed with RA from 19 Spanish Rheumatology Departments, randomly selected and recruited in 2018. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained to evaluate morphometric vertebral fractures and the spinal deformity index. We analysed subject characteristics, factors related to RA, and fracture risk factors. The control group consisted of 660 age-matched Spanish postmenopausal women from the population-based Camargo cohort. Results Seventy-eight (24.15%) RA patients had at least one vertebral fracture. RA patients had increased fracture risk compared with controls (106 of 660, 16.06%) (p = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.27-4.00), glucocorticoids (OR 3.83; 95% CI 1.32-14.09) and falls (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.91-6.86) were the independent predictors of vertebral fractures in RA patients. The subgroup with vertebral fractures had higher disease activity (DAS28: 3.15 vs. 2.78, p = 0.038) and disability (HAQ: 0.96 vs. 0.63, p = 0.049), as compared with those without vertebral fractures. Conclusion The risk of vertebral fracture in RA is still high in recent years, when compared with the general population. The key determinants of fracture risk are age, glucocorticoids and falls. Patients with vertebral fractures have a more severe RA.

La fragmentación del conocimiento distancia a las organizaciones educativas de la realidad y pone en entredicho la legitimidad de la academia ante la sociedad. Esta investigación busca contribuir en la resolución de problemas asociados a la gestión del conocimiento y el trabajo interdisciplinar en una Facultad de Artes. El estudio fue de tipo exploratorio y descriptivo, analizó el conocimiento implícito y explícito de los docentes mediante la aplicación de una encuesta estructurada y entrevistas realizadas a los docentes. La muestra estuvo conformada por 22 docentes de una universidad colombiana. Se encontró que existe un potencial de interacción entre los integrantes del equipo que puede ser explorado en el desarrollo de proyectos, para lo cual es necesario enfocar la visión y generar espacios para la construcción colectiva de proyectos desde una perspectiva sistémica

Objective: To describe the incidence of bacteremia in a large multicentric cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical characteristics and to identify risk factors. Methods: All bacteremic episodes from the Spanish RELESSER registry were included. Clinical and laboratory characteristics concerning bacteremia and SLE status, as well as comorbidities at the time of infection, were retrospectively collected. A comparison with sex- and age-matched SLE controls without bacteremia was made. A logistic regression was conducted. Results: The study included 114 episodes of bacteremia in 83 patients. The incidence rate was 2.7/1000 patient-years. At the time of bacteremia, the median age was 40.5 (range: 8-90) years, and 88.6% of patients were female. The Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index was 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 8]; 41% had an SLE flare (66% severe); Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index was 3 (IQR 4). A comorbidity was recorded in 64% of cases. At the time of bacteremia, 88.6% received corticosteroids (68.6% > 10 mg/day) and 57% immunosuppressors. Gram-negative bacilli, most frequently Escherichia coli (29.8%), caused 52.6% of the episodes. The bacteremia-related mortality was 14% and bacteremia was recurrent in 27.2% of cases. A dose-response relationship was found between corticosteroids and bacteremia risk. In the multivariate analysis, these factors were associated with bacteremia: elevated creatinine (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01-1.70; p = 0.045), diabetes (OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.26-15.95; p < 0.001), cancer (OR 5.32, 95% CI 2.23-12.70; p < 0.001), immunosuppressors (OR 6.35, 95% CI 3.42-11.77; p < 0.001), and damage (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.31-2.09; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Bacteremia occurred mostly in patients with active SLE and was frequently associated with severe flares and corticosteroid use. Recurrence and mortality were high. Immunosuppressors, comorbidities, and disease-related damage were associated with bacteremia. This work was supported by the Spanish Foundation of Rheumatology. JMPR is supported by grant 316265 (BIOCAPS) from the European Union 7th Framework Programme (FP7/ REGPOT-2012-2013.1) and FIS/ISCIII-Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo regional (FEDER) (Grant number PI11/02857).

Resumen Objetivos Desarrollar recomendaciones sobre el uso de metotrexato (MTX) en pacientes con artritis psoriasica (APs) basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia. Metodos Se selecciono un grupo de 12 expertos reumatologos en el manejo de MTX. Los coordinadores generaron 14 preguntas sobre el uso de MTX en pacientes con APs (perfiles de indicacion, eficacia y seguridad) para ser contestadas mediante una revision sistematica de la literatura. En funcion de las preguntas se definieron los criterios de inclusion y exclusion y las estrategias de busqueda (para interrogar Medline, Embase y la Cochrane Library). Dos revisores seleccionaron los articulos resultantes de la busqueda. Se generaron tablas de evidencia. Paralelamente se evaluaron abstracts de congresos de EULAR y ACR. Con toda esta evidencia los coordinadores generaron 12 recomendaciones preliminares que se evaluaron, discutieron y votaron en una reunion de grupo nominal con el resto de expertos. Para cada recomendacion se establecio el nivel de evidencia, grado de recomendacion, y grado de acuerdo mediante un Delphi. Se definio acuerdo si al menos el 80% de los participantes contestan si a la recomendacion (si o no). Resultados De las 12 recomendaciones preliminares se aceptaron 9 recomendaciones sobre el uso de MTX en la APs. Una se englobo en otra y otras 2 no se llegaron a votar porque se decidio no incluirlas, pero se comentan en el texto final. Conclusiones Estas recomendaciones pretenden resolver algunos interrogantes clinicos habituales y facilitar la toma de decisiones con el uso de MTX en la APs.

Actualmente existe una enorme generacion de hidrocarburos residuales originados por la utilizacion de combustibles fosiles, que afectan negativamente a organismos y ecosistemas. De manera particular, los aceites lubricantes automotrices usados representan uno de los contaminantes mas recalcitrantes por su larga permanencia y lento proceso de degradacion. Esta situacion hace urgente el desarrollo de trabajos que permitan evaluar la toxicidad de este tipo de residuos. En el presente trabajo se demostro la respuesta que tienen dos sistemas biologicos vegetales: Vicia faba y Phaseolus coccineus , durante su desarrollo, al crecer en suelo contaminado con aceite automotriz usado. Se realizo el monitoreo de los parametros temperatura, pH y humedad del sustrato a lo largo del todo el proceso de crecimiento de ambas especies. Se observo un mayor porcentaje de germinacion en las plantulas de P. coccineus (78 %), las variables que determinan el monitoreo de toxicidad para estas especies (altura de la planta, grosor del tallo, longitud radicular, volumen radicular y concentracion de clorofila) mostraron diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos de suelo con aceite usado y el suelo testigo (p ≤ 0.05). El analisis de correlacion mostro que las variables mas relacionadas fueron altura y longitud radicular (R 2 = 0.74) y longitud radicular y volumen radicular (R 2 = 0.85). La especie que tuvo mayor tolerancia a las concentraciones de aceite fue P. coccineus , lo que nos permite verificar que aun con una biodegradacion microbiana previa, el suelo tratado contienen trazas de hidrocarburos que puede inhibir el crecimiento de V. faba y P. coccineus .

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased premature prevalence of atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors between SLE and RA. We also analysed the effect of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in both conditions and if some disease-characteristic features are associated with these traditional cardiovascular risk factors.This was a cross-sectional study encompassing 602 individuals, 276 SLE and 326 RA patients. Subclinical atherosclerosis (presence of carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT]) was determined by carotid ultrasonography. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether classic cardiovascular-related risk factors differentially influence subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in SLE compared to RA patients.Age (interaction factor [if] p=0.000), hypertension (if p=0.034), and diabetes (if p=0.037) had a higher effect on cIMT in RA than in SLE subjects. However, these traditional cardiovascular factors did not yield different effects on the presence of carotid plaques in RA and SLE when the univariate interaction was analysed. In addition, no differences were found in the influence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia or current smoking on cIMT or carotid plaque after adjusting for demographics, the presence of other traditional cardiovascular factors, and disease-related data. Moreover, the additive effect of several cardiovascular risk factors on the subclinical carotid atherosclerosis did not differ between the two diseases.The influence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on cIMT and carotid plaque is similar in RA and SLE.

Background Secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture is more efficient with the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model. Objectives To describe the characteristics of male patients attended in a FLS Methods Prospective observational study. The program consists of: 1) recruitment from the emergency records, hip fracture admitted or referral to outpatient rheumatology; 3) baseline visit: questionnaire including demographCI variables, FRAX and previous treatments; 4) DXA; 5) patient education; 6) report of results to the patient and the PC doctor, with specifCI management recommendations; complex patients are referred to rheumatology; and 7) follow-up through telephone survey plus prescription check in electronCI records. The characteristCIs of male patients are described and compared with women. Results 2,135 patients have been included, 382 male (18%). The recruitment was in 300 cases (78%) from the emergency list, in 55 cases (14%) admission for hip fracture and in 25 cases (6%) from outpatient clinCI. The characteristCIs of the patients are shown in the table. The average age was similar in men and women. Hip fracture was more frequent in men (34% vs. 25%, OR 1.63 CI 95% 1.50-1.75) as opposed to forearm fracture (18% vs. 33%, OR 0.46 CI 95% 0.32-0.60). Male had previous DXA (6% vs 25%, OR 0.22 CI 95% 0.00-0.43) and previous treatment with bisphosphonate (4% vs 19%, OR 0.17 CI 95% 0, 0-0.44) less frequently. Of the variables included in the FRAX, in men was less frequent the previous fracture (13% vs 24%, OR 0.48 CI 95% 0.32-0.64), the hip fracture of the parents (9% vs. 13%; OR 0.66 CI 95% 0.47-0.85) and the use of corticoids (6% vs 10%, OR 0.61 CI 95% 0.39-0.84). However, active smoking was more frequent in men (21% vs 14%, OR 1.67 CI 95% 1.53-1.81) as well as consumption >2 daily units of alcohol (18% vs 5%; OR 3.96 CI 95% 3.78-4.13). The percentage of osteoporosis was lower in men compared to women (30% vs 46%, OR 0.49 CI 95% 0.30-0.68) as well as the percentage of patients with >1 fall in the last year (29% vs 45%, OR 0.51 CI 95% 0.30-0.71). In addition, after the visit to the FLS, a bisphosphonate was indicated less frequently to men than to women (68% vs. 77%, OR 0.64 CI 95% 0.51-0.76) and were referred less frequently to PC (64% vs. 76%; OR 0.55 95% CI 0.41-0.70). Finally, persistence at 12 months was lower in men than in women (53% vs. 68%, OR 0.53 CI 95% 0.30-0.76). Conclusion Compared with women, men seen in an FLS present hip fracture more frequently and a forearm fracture less frequently. Men also have a lower frequency of personal and family history of fracture and a greater frequency of smoking and alcohol intake. The percentage of patients who are candidates for treatment and persistence is lower than in women. These data should be taken into account in the identification and treatment of fragility fracture in men. Acknowledgement Fabiola Santana and Carmen Alonso Disclosure of Interests Antonio Naranjo Grant/research support from: Amgen, Consultant for: UCB, Speakers bureau: Amgen, UCB, Soledad Ojeda Grant/research support from: AMGEN, Speakers bureau: AMGEN, Aida Saavedra: None declared, Cristina Sepulveda: None declared, Francisco Rubino: None declared, Amparo Molina Speakers bureau: AMGEN, Olga Suarez: None declared, Casimira Dominguez: None declared, Jose A. Lorenzo: None declared, Nieves Martin: None declared, Carlos Rodriguez-Lozano: None declared

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) is an encapsulated gram-positive bacterium that can be found in the nasopharynx as part of the normal flora. However, is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in adults and can also cause invasive diseases such as bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media. Pneumococcal cellulitis and fasciitis are uncommon. Several factors are associated with a predisposition to infections in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: To describe and analyze all documented cases of cellulitis or fasciitis caused by SPN in SLE patients. Methods: In the framework of the study of a 24-years-old woman that during the SLE onset presented left tight cellulitis and fasciitis caused by SPN, a systematic review was conducted (until September 2018). The search included terms to identify any SPN infection in SLE patients and all those articles that reported cellulitis or fasciitis were selected (Table 1). Results: A total of 313 articles were obtained. Eight of them (1-8) and 1 article identified in a manual search (9) described a total of 15 cases presenting SLE and cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis caused by SPN; our case is the 16th described. Documented infections (n=16): – Cellulitis (n=8): neck, face or chest (n=5, 62.5%); extremities (foot or hand) (n=2, 25%); breast (n=1, 12.5%). – Fasciitis (n=8): neck, face ot chest (n=5, 62.5%); tights (n=3, 37.5%). Description of the documented cases: – Demographic characteristics (n=13): female sex (n=11, 85%); – Time of SLE evolution at the moment of the infection (n=9): ≤ 1 month (n=3, 33.3%); ≤ 3 years (n=3, 33.3%); ≤ 8 years (n=3, 33.3%). – Associated conditions (n=12): previous high doses of prednisone (n=5, 45%); recent respiratory sympthoms (n=4, 33.3%); renal insufficiency (n=2, 16.6%); previous SPN infections (n=1, 8.3%); recent surgery in the affected area (n=1, 8.3%). – Microbiological diagnosis (n=12): blood cultures (n=11, 91.6%); other cultures (n=5, 41.6%). – Treatment (n=12): beta–lactams (n=12, 100%); intensive care support (n=6, 50%); surgical debridment (n=5, 41%). – Outcome (n=15): death (n=3, 20%); reccurrent SPN infections (n=2, 13.3%). Conclusion: – Pneumococcal cellulitis and fasciitis in SLE were predominantly presented in young women and in a high rate of cases during the disease onset. – Almost half of the cases were previously treated with high doses of steroids. Nevertheless, no other potential predictors of pneumococcal cellulitis or fasciitis were identified; in addition, only one patient presented a previous surgery in the affected anatomical area, previous trauma were not described in any case, and a low number of cases reported associated respiratory symptoms. This supports the importance of the intrinsic immune dysregulation in SLE patients. – Pneumococcal cellulitis and fasciitis in SLE patients present poor prognosis, requiring intensive care support and surgical debridement in a high rate of cases, and presenting a fatal outcome in a fifth of them. References [1] DiNubile; 1991. [2] Hill; 1997. [3] Isik; 2007. [4] McDonald; 1993. [5] Page; 2003. [6] Patel; 1994. [7] Sabio; 2006. [8] Sanchez; 2016. [9] Kamran; 2008. Disclosure of Interests: Martin Greco: None declared, Inigo Rua-Figueroa: None declared, Antonio Naranjo Grant/research support from: Amgen, Consultant for: UCB, Speakers bureau: Amgen, UCB, Sabrina Ghiglione: None declared, Maria Celia Erausquin: None declared, Juan Carlos Quevedo-Abeledo: None declared, Carlos Rodriguez-Lozano: None declared, Cristina Almeida: None declared, Paola Leon: None declared, Estibaliz Loza Grant/research support from: Roche, MSD, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, UCB, Actelion, Celgene, Grunenthal and Sanofi

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a risk factor for the development of fragility fractures, but there is little quality data on its prevalence. Conversely, osteoporosis is one of the most frequent comorbidities of RA. Objectives To determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with RA and to analyse their characteristics and associated risk factors. Methods We included 346 postmenopausal women diagnosed with RA according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria in 19 Spanish Rheumatology Departments, randomly selected from the registry of RA patients in each center, recruited during 2018. Lateral radiographs of the dorsal and lumbar spine were obtained from all patients, to evaluate morphometric vertebral fractures. Expert rheumatologists identified vertebral fractures and classified them into mild (grade 1: reduction of height of 20-25%), moderate (grade 2: reduction of 26-40%) and severe (grade 3: reduction > 40%), according to the Genant grading scale. The spinal deformity index (SDI) was calculated by assigning numbers 1, 2 and 3 to each fractured vertebra and adding the total score of each patient. The study variables were: a) age, body mass index (BMI), b) factors related to RA: time of evolution, FR, ACPA, and c) fracture risk factors: prior fragility fracture, parental hip fracture, glucocorticoids, smoking, alcohol intake ≥3 units daily, secondary osteoporosis and time since menopause. Results The mean age was 66.8 (SD: 10.1) years and the median evolution of the disease, 8.00 [RIQ: 3.00-15.5] years. 77.2% (n: 267) and 75.7% (n: 252) had FR and ACPA +, respectively. The mean duration of the postmenopausal period was 15.0 (SD: 9.6) years. 23.4% (n: 79) of patients had at least one vertebral fracture; 10.7% (n: 36) had a single fracture and 12.7% (n: 43), multiple fractures. The most fractured vertebrae were D12, L1 and L2 (fractured in > 5% of patients). The median SDI was 3 [RIQ: 2-5]. The vertebrae with the highest mean IDE were D8, D10, D11 and L1 (all mean IDE ≥ 2).An association was found between the presence of vertebral fractures and age, height, postmenopausal period, time of disease progression, glucocorticoid treatment and parental hip. No linear association was found between SDI and age, time of evolution of the disease, BMI and time since menopause. Conclusion One out of every 4 postmenopausal women with RA has at least one vertebral fracture. Vertebrae of the dorso-lumbar hinge are the most frequently involved and the magnitude of the spinal deformity is relevant. Vertebral fractures are related to the time of evolution of RA and to the risk factors for fracture. Disclosure of Interests Carmen Gomez Vaquero: None declared, Dacia Cerda: None declared, Cristina Hidalgo: None declared, JA Martinez Lopez: None declared, Luis Marcelino Arboleya Rodriguez: None declared, Javier Aguilar del Rey: None declared, Silvia Martinez Pardo: None declared, Inmaculada Ros: None declared, Xavier Suris Speakers bureau: Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, Dolors Grados: None declared, Chesus Beltran: None declared, Evelyn Suero-Rosario: None declared, Inmaculada Gomez Gracia: None declared, Asuncion Salmoral: None declared, Irene Martin-Esteve: None declared, Helena Florez: None declared, Antonio Naranjo: None declared, Santos Castaneda Consultant for: Amgen, BMS, Pfizer, Lilly, MSD, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Soledad Ojeda Grant/research support from: AMGEN, Speakers bureau: AMGEN, S Garcia Carazo: None declared, Alberto Garcia-Vadillo: None declared, Laura Lopez Vives: None declared, A Martinez-Ferrer: None declared, Helena Borrell: None declared, Pilar Aguado: None declared, Raul Castellanos-Moreira Speakers bureau: MSD, Lilly, Nuria Guanabens Consultant for: Advisory Boards from Amgen, Alexion and UCB, Speakers bureau: Fees and lectures from Eli Lilly

Smoking is associated with a higher prevalence of many diseases. When a health professional is well informed of the risks of smoking in rheumatic diseases, the advice given to the patient about quitting smoking could be more effective. It is known that smokers in the general population have an increased frequency of elevated rheumatoid factor (RF). Since 1987, we have known that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in men with RF-positive who are heavy smokers. Later, it could be verified that cigarette smoking is implicated in the pathogenesis of RA particularly when associated with antibodies, cyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPA) and the shared epitope. Smoking increases the risk of both subsets of RA with a more pronounced influence on the risk of ACPA positive RA. The polyclonal immune response against modified antigens in patients with RA is not exclusively citrulline-specific, carbamylation of antigens like vimentin could be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Thus, smoking is a risk factor for breaking tolerance to multiple autoantigens in RA. In RA patients, cigarette smoking correlated with an increased risk of joint erosions, extra-articular manifestations and cardiovascular disease, in addition to the established effects of longstanding disease activity on the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is also associated with smoking. A strong and specific connection of current smoking and >10 pack-years of smoking with dsDNA+ SLE has been observed. In patients with SLE, smoking exposure has deleterious effects on lupus morbidity and is related to cumulative chronic damage. In mucocutaneous SLE, smoking have a negative impact on the efficacy of belimumab and a 2-fold decrease in the proportion of patients achieving cutaneous improvement with antimalarials. Published data indicate that smoking has a dose-dependent impact on structural damage progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis. In a large UK cohort, smoking was positively associated with the risk of psoriatic arthritis in the general population, but negatively associated among patients with psoriasis. In addition, smokers with psoriatic arthritis had a poorer response to TNFi”s compared to non-smokers. Regarding osteoporosis, smoking has been identified as a predictor of ten-year fracture risk in men and women, largely independent of the densitometric results. This finding has eventually lead to incorporation of this risk factor into FRAX®. The impact of smoking on bone status is mainly associated with the number of smoking years. In a few reports, it has been observed an association between smoking and carpal tunnel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Finally, current smoking in patients with fibromyalgia is associated with greater pain, possibly as a function of depression. Disclosure of Interests: Antonio Naranjo Grant/research support from: Amgen, Consultant for: UCB, Speakers bureau: Amgen, UCB

Background The enigma of fragility fracture with normal bone mass; Experience of a Liaison Service Fracture Unit Objectives To describe the characteristics of patients with fragility fracture and normal DXA treated in an FLS unit. Methods Prospective 6-year observational study of a FLS fracture unit. Demographic variables, FRAX items, DXA and TBS were collected. The characteristics of patients with normal and abnormal DXA are described. The statistical analysis was performed by means of a descriptive, comparing the normal DXA/osteopenia/osteoporosis groups by means of contingency tables, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t test or ANOVA, as appropriate, as well as regression analysis. Results 1,631 patients were included, 205 with normal DXA (12.5%), 747 with osteopenia (45.8%) and 680 with osteoporosis (41.6%). Patients with normal DXA were characterized by a higher percentage of males, a younger age and a higher BMI. Hip fracture was less frequent in patients with normal DXA, while the frequency of other fractures was higher. The frequency of previous fracture, history of hip fracture of the parents and secondary osteoporosis was lower in patients with normal DXA. The TBS and FRAX values were higher in the cases of normal DXA compared to osteopenia and osteoporosis. In the multiple regression analysis, excluding TBS, remained significant associated with abnormal DXA age (OR 1.04; 1.03-1.06), sex (OR 2.48; 1.71-3.58), BMI (OR 0.91; 0.89-0.94),) and parent hip fracture (OR 1.99; 1.11-3.58). Including TBS Conclusion Patients with fragility fracture and normal DXA are younger, with more frequent males and with BMI and higher TBS values. Acknowledgement Fabiola Santana y Carmen Alonso Disclosure of Interests Antonio Naranjo Grant/research support from: Amgen, Consultant for: UCB, Speakers bureau: Amgen, UCB, Soledad Ojeda Grant/research support from: AMGEN, Speakers bureau: AMGEN, Aida Saavedra: None declared, Cristina Sepulveda: None declared, Amparo Molina Speakers bureau: AMGEN, Tatiana Marrero: None declared, Maria Pino Afonso: None declared, Margarita Ramirez: None declared, Nieves Martin: None declared, Alicia Olivares: None declared, Carlos Rodriguez-Lozano: None declared