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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects the synovial membrane of small joints, which can cause cartilage damage and bone erosion. Ultrasonography with power Doppler (PD) is an important complementary diagnostic and follow-up method for these patients, especially for those in whom the clinical assessment is doubtful and disease activity indices may not clearly and objectively reflect the status of the disease. The objective of this study was to describe joint involvement due to active disease in patients with inconclusive clinical examination in routine visit.

Lupus retinopathy is a clinical manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus in the visual system. It is generally asymptomatic; however, it can become a threatening condition. It is closely associated with the inflammatory activity and higher mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus retinopathy has several different clinical presentations, such as lupus microangiopathy, vascular occlusion, vasculitis, hypertensive retinopathy associated with lupus nephritis, and autoimmune retinopathy. Although the prevalence and associated factors of lupus retinopathy have been well defined in some parts of the world, there are no data from Latin America, including Brazil. As lupus retinopathy is generally asymptomatic, without a routine fundoscopy, it has been probably underestimated. This review is intended to discuss the epidemiology and risk factors of lupus retinopathy.

International audience; Objective. Juvenile Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a rare, poorly defined, and possibly underdiagnosed condition affecting children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to characterize symptoms and clinical findings of juvenile SS and to explore the clinical application of major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) in patients with juvenile SS. Methods. A cross-sectional multicenter study recruited patients with disease onset until age 18 years (n = 67). Disease characteristics were recorded, and unstimulated whole sialometry and SGUS examination of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands were performed. Results. The female:male ratio was 58:9. The mean age at first symptom was 10.2 years and 12.1 years at diagnosis. Ocular and oral symptoms were noted in 42 of 67 patients (63%) and 53 of 66 patients (80%), respectively. The American-European Consensus Group or American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for primary SS were fulfilled by 42 of 67 patients (63%). Pathologic SGUS findings were observed in 41 of 67 patients (61%); 26 of 41 SGUS+ patients (63%) fulfilled primary SS criteria. Salivary gland enlargements/parotitis were noted in 37 of 58 patients and were nonsignificantly associated with SGUS+ status (P = 0.066). The mean levels of saliva were 5.6 ml/15 minutes in SGUS-patients compared to 3.3 ml/15 minutes in the SGUS+ patients (P = 0.049). A total of 36 of 41 SGUS+ patients (88%) were anti-Ro/La+ compared to 14 of 26 SGUS-patients (54%) (P = 0.001). In addition, 24 of 39 SGUS+ patients (62%) were positive for rheumatoid factor (RF), whereas only 5 of 25 SGUS-patients (20%) were RF+ (P = 0.001). Conclusion. Juvenile SS is characterized by a large spectrum of clinical symptoms and findings. Several glandular and extraglandular parameters such as hyposalivation, swollen salivary glands, and autoantibodies are associated with pathologic SGUS findings.

OBJECTIVE: Utilizing data obtained from a prospective, international, juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort, the present study was undertaken to determine if pulmonary screening with forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) is sufficient to assess the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in comparison to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in juvenile SSc. METHODS: The juvenile SSc cohort database was queried for patients enrolled from January 2008 to January 2020 with recorded pulmonary function tests (PFTs) parameters and HRCT to determine the discriminatory properties of PFT parameters, FVC, and DLco in detecting ILD. RESULTS: Eighty-six juvenile SSc patients had both computed tomography imaging and FVC values for direct comparison. Using findings on HRCT as the standard measure of ILD presence, the sensitivity of FVC in detecting ILD in juvenile SSc was only 40%, the specificity was 77%, and area under the curve (AUC) was 0.58. Fifty-eight juvenile SSc patients had both CT imaging and DLco values for comparison. The sensitivity of DLco in detecting ILD was 76%, the specificity was 70%, and AUC was 0.73. CONCLUSION: The performance of PFTs in juvenile SSc to detect underlying ILD was quite limited. Specifically, the FVC, which is one of the main clinical parameters in adult SSc to detect and monitor ILD, would miss ~60% of children who had ILD changes on their accompanying HRCT. The DLco was more sensitive in detecting potential abnormalities on HRCT, but with less specificity than the FVC. These results support the use of HRCT in tandem with PFTs for the screening of ILD in juvenile SSc.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:46:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Objective: To evaluate if the 2019-European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) criteria at diagnosis of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) are associated with higher rates of early damage scored by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index (SDI). Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 670 cSLE patients with ≤5 years of disease duration. All patients fulfilled both 2019-EULAR/ACR and 1997-ACR classification criteria. Total score of 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria and each of its specific domains were assessed at diagnosis as predictors of damage accrual at the last visit, according to the presence of any organ damage (defined by SDI ≥ 1). Results: Median disease duration was 2.8 (IQR 1.8–3.8) years and 200 (29.9%) patients had at least one organ damage (SDI ≥ 1). The most frequent domains were neuropsychiatric (12%), renal (7%), and musculoskeletal (6%). There was a higher frequency of renal (58% vs 43%, p = 0.0004) and neuropsychiatric domain (21% vs 7%, p < 0.0001) of 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria in patients with damage (SDI ≥ 1) compared to those without damage (SDI = 0). Patients scoring renal or neuropsychiatric domains of the 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria at diagnosis were associated with renal damage (odds ratio 9.701, 95% confidence interval 3.773–24.941, p < 0.001) or neuropsychiatric damage (OR 9.480, 95% CI 5.481–16.399, p25 was associated with more overall (SDI ≥ 1) (38% vs 25%, p = 0.0002) and renal damage (11% vs 5%, p = 0.023). Conclusions: The 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria at diagnosis were associated with a higher rate of early damage in cSLE patients, especially for renal and neuropsychiatric damage. Of note, damage was particularly associated with high disease activity at diagnosis and 2019-EULAR/ACR score >25. Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Children’s Institute Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Sao Paulo Division of Rheumatology Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Sao Paulo Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo Pediatric Rheumatology Division Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Janeiro Federal University (IPPMG-UFRJ) Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Hospital da Criança de Brasília Jose Alencar Post-graduation Program in Medical Science and Rheumatology Unit University of Brasilia Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Ribeirao Preto Medical School University of Sao Paulo Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Hospital Geral de Fortaleza Pediatric Rheumatology Unit University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Pedro Ernesto University Hospital Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Sao Paulo Rheumatology Division - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Federal University of Pará Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Federal University of Bahia Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Hospital Menino Jesus Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Federal University of Pernambuco Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul Pediatric Rheumatology Division Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Background There is a lack of information on the role of chronic use of hydroxychloroquine during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Our aim was to compare the occurrence of COVID-19 between rheumatic disease patients on hydroxychloroquine with individuals from the same household not taking the drug during the first 8 weeks of community viral transmission in Brazil. Methods This baseline cross-sectional analysis is part of a 24-week observational multi-center study involving 22 Brazilian academic outpatient centers. All information regarding COVID-19 symptoms, epidemiological, clinical, and demographic data were recorded on a specific web-based platform using telephone calls from physicians and medical students. COVID-19 was defined according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMH) criteria. Mann–Whitney, Chi-square and Exact Fisher tests were used for statistical analysis and two binary Final Logistic Regression Model by Wald test were developed using a backward-stepwise method for the presence of COVID-19. Results From March 29th to May 17st, 2020, a total of 10,443 participants were enrolled, including 5166 (53.9%) rheumatic disease patients, of whom 82.5% had systemic erythematosus lupus, 7.8% rheumatoid arthritis, 3.7% Sjögren’s syndrome and 0.8% systemic sclerosis. In total, 1822 (19.1%) participants reported flu symptoms within the 30 days prior to enrollment, of which 3.1% fulfilled the BMH criteria, but with no significant difference between rheumatic disease patients (4.03%) and controls (3.25%). After adjustments for multiple confounders, the main risk factor significantly associated with a COVID-19 diagnosis was lung disease (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.03–2.58); and for rheumatic disease patients were diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.19–6.63) and glucocorticoids above 10 mg/ day (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.31–3.19). In addition, a recent influenza vaccination had a protective effect (OR 0.674; 95% CI 0.46–0.98). Conclusion Patients with rheumatic disease on hydroxychloroquine presented a similar occurrence of COVID-19 to household cohabitants, suggesting a lack of any protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Trial registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; RBR – 9KTWX6).

Objectives To identify potential predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (C19-VH) in adults with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Methods A total of 1000 IMID patients were enrolled in this web-based cross-sectional study. A standardised and self-administered survey was designed by members of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology Steering Committee for Infectious and Endemic diseases and distributed to IMID patients spread across Brazil. Results Of the 908 (90.8%) respondents eligible for analysis, 744 (81.9%) were willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In our multivariable logistic regression model, concurrent malignancy, fibromyalgia, hydroxychloroquine use, and recent corticosteroid pulse therapy were independently associated with higher odds of C19-VH. The short duration of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was the main reason for C19-VH. Conclusion We identified novel characteristics potentially associated with C19-VH among adults with IMID. Greater awareness on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines is needed for both IMID patients and attending physicians.

Objective To evaluate the baseline clinical characteristics of juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients in the international juvenile SSc inception cohort, and to compare these characteristics between the classically defined juvenile diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) subtypes and among those with overlap features. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using baseline visit data. Information on demographic characteristics, organ system evaluation, treatment, and patient- and physician-reported outcomes was extracted and summary statistics applied. Comparisons between juvenile dcSSc and lcSSc subtypes and patients with and without overlap features were performed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results At data extraction, 150 juvenile SSc patients were enrolled across 42 centers; 83% were White, 80% were female, juvenile dcSSc predominated (72%), and 17% of the cohort had overlap features. Significant differences were found between juvenile dcSSc and juvenile lcSSc regarding modified Rodnan skin thickness score, the presence of Gottron's papules, digital tip ulceration, results of the 6-minute walk test, and composite pulmonary and cardiac involvement. All of these were more frequent in dcSSc except for cardiac involvement. Juvenile dcSSc patients had significantly worse scores for physician-rated disease activity and damage. A significantly higher occurrence of Gottron's papules and musculoskeletal and composite pulmonary involvement, and a significantly lower frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon, were seen in those with overlap features. Conclusion Results from a large international juvenile SSc cohort demonstrate significant differences between juvenile dcSSc and juvenile lcSSc patients, including more globally severe disease and increased frequency of interstitial lung disease in juvenile dcSSc patients, while those with lcSSc have more frequent cardiac involvement. Those with overlap features had an unexpected higher frequency of interstitial lung disease.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:24:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-11-11 Background: Concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) have led to contradictions and low vaccination coverage in this population, who are at a higher risk of infections, including by human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV vaccines have been recommended for immunocompromised patients, there is still a lack of data to support its use for AID patients, such as juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the quadrivalent HPV (qHPV) vaccine in a cohort of JDM patients. Methods: JDM patients aged from 9 to 20 years and healthy controls (HC) were enrolled to receive a 3-dose schedule of qHPV vaccine from March/2014 to March/2016. Study visits were performed before the first dose, 1 month after the second and third doses, and 6 months after the third dose. Participants completed a diary of possible adverse events for 14 days following each dose of vaccination (AEFV). Disease activity and current therapy were analyzed at each visit for JDM patients. In addition, serum samples from all participants were collected to test antibody concentrations against HPV16 and 18 at each visit. Participant recruitment was conducted in ten Brazilian centres. From 47 eligible JDM patients and 41 HC, 42 and 35, respectively, completed the 3-dose schedule of the vaccine, given that five JDM patients and two HC had received doses prior to their inclusion in the study. Results: The AEFVs presented by the participants were mild and in general did not differ between JDM and HC groups. No severe AEFVs were related to the vaccination. Disease activity was stable, or even improved during the follow-up. One month after the third dose of the vaccine the JDM group presented seropositivity of 100% for HPV16 and 97% for HPV18, similarly to the HC group, who presented 100% for both serotypes (p = 1.000). Six months after the third dose the seropositivity for the patient group was 94% for both HPV types. Conclusions: The HPV vaccination in this cohort of JDM patients was safe and immunogenic. Since the seropositivity against HPV16 and 18 was very high after the 3-dose schedule, this regimen should be recommended for JDM patients. Univ Med Ctr Utrecht, Wilhelmina Childrens Hosp, Dept Paediat Immunol & Rheumatol, Utrecht, Netherlands Univ Fed Parana, Hosp Clin, Dept Pediat, Gen Carneiro St 68,181, BR-80060900 Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Paediat, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Dept Paediat Rheumatol,Inst Crianca, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Estadual Infantil Nossa da Senhora, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Puericultura & Pediat Martagao Gesteira IPPM, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Estado Rio De Janeiro, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Hosp Infantil Albert Sabin, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil Univ Florida, Dept Paediat Immunol & Rheumatol, Coll Med, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA Hosp Crianca Brasilia Jose Alencar, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Brasilia, DF, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Natl Inst Publ Hlth & Environm RIVM, Ctr Infect Dis Control, Bilthoven, Netherlands Hosp Canc Barretos, Fac Ciencias Saude Dr Paulo Prata FACISB, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Canc Barretos, Inst Ensino & Pesquisa IEP, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T20:01:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-06-05 Objective This study aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccination in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients. Methods Volunteer cSLE patients aged 9-20 years and healthy controls (HC) were enrolled to receive a two- or three-dose qHPV vaccination schedule from March 2014 to March 2016. Study visits were performed before the first dose, one month after the second and third doses and one year after the first dose. In each study visit, disease activity and adverse events following vaccination were analyzed, and a serum sample was collected for testing antibody concentrations. Participant recruitment was conducted in 15 Brazilian paediatric rheumatology units. Of the 256 cSLE patients included, 210 completed the two- or three-dose schedules; 15 had previously received one dose, and 18 had received two doses of the vaccine. The analysis was based on intention-to-treat so that participants who did not complete the entire study protocol were also included. Results No severe adverse events were related to the vaccination. Disease activity was generally low and remained stable or even improved. The HC presented 100% seropositivity to HPV16 and HPV18, whereas the two- and three-dose cSLE groups presented 93% and 83% versus 97% and 91%, respectively. One year after the first dose, seropositivity of the three-dose cSLE group was 91% to HPV16 and 84% to HPV18. Conclusions HPV vaccination in cSLE patients is safe and immunogenic. Since the seropositivity to HPV16 and HPV18 was higher for the three-dose schedule group, this regimen should be recommended for cSLE patients. Univ Med Ctr Utrecht, Wilhelmina Childrens Hosp, Dept Paediat Immunol & Rheumatol, Utrecht, Netherlands Univ Fed Parana, Hosp Clin, Dept Paediat, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Paediat, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Estado Rio De Janeiro, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin, Inst Crianca, Dept Paediat Rheumatol,Fac Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Infantil Albert Sabin, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil Univ Florida, Coll Med, Dept Paediat Immunol & Rheumatol, Gainesville, FL USA Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Crianca Brasilia Jose Alencar, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Brasilia, DF, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Puericultura & Pediat Martagao Gesteira IPPM, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Hosp Infantil Darcy Vargas, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Estadual Infantil Nossa Senhora da Gloria, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Fac Med, Salvador, BA, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Hosp Pequeno Principe, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Natl Inst Publ Hlth & Environm RIVM, Ctr Infect Dis Control, Bilthoven, Netherlands Fac Med Barretos FACISB, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Barretos, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Paediat Rheumatol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

To assess childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus-related antiphospholipid syndrome(cSLE-APS) in a large Brazilian population.A retrospective observational cohort study was carried-out in 27 Pediatric Rheumatology university centers, including 1519 cSLE patients.cSLE-APS was observed in 67/1519 (4%) and was diagnosed at disease onset in 39/67 (58%). The median disease duration was 4.9 (0-17) years. Thrombosis recurrences were evidenced in 18/67 (27%) cSLE-APS patients. The most frequent thrombosis sites in cSLE-APS patients were: venous thrombosis in 40/67 (60%), especially deep vein thrombosis in 29/40 (72%); arterial thrombosis in 35/67 (52%), particularly stroke; small vessels thrombosis in 9/67 (13%) and mixed thrombosis in 3/67 (4%). Pregnancy morbidity was observed in 1/67 (1%). Non-thrombotic manifestation associated to cSLE-APS occurred in 21/67 (31%), mainly livedo reticularis in 14/67 (21%), valvar thickening in 4/67 (6%) and valvar vegetations not related to infections in 2/67 (3%). None of them had catastrophic APS. Further analysis demonstrated that the median of SLICC/ACR-DI [1(0-5) vs. 0(0-7),p 0.0001] was significantly higher in cSLE-APS patients compared to cSLE without APS. The frequencies of cerebrovascular disease (40% vs. 1%,p 0.0001), polyneuropathy (9% vs. 1%,p 0.0001), SLICC/ACR-DI ≥1 (57% vs. 27%, p 0.0001) and intravenous cyclophosphamide use (59% vs. 37%, p 0.0001) were significantly higher in the former group.Our large multicenter study demonstrated that cSLE-APS was a rare condition, occurring during disease course with a high accrual damage. Central and peripheral neuropsychiatric involvements were distinctive features of this autoimmune thrombosis.

Background: Concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccinations in patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases, such as juvenile dermatomyositis, have led to contradictions and low vaccination coverage in this group, who are at a higher risk of infections, including by human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV vaccine should be recommended for all juvenile dermatomyositis patients, there is a lack of data to support the safety of this vaccine. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the quadrivalent HPV vaccination in juvenile dermatomyositis patients.Methods: Juvenile dermatomyositis patients aged from 9-20 years and healthy controls were enrolled to receive a 3-dose schedule of quadrivalent HPV vaccination from March/2014 until March/2016. Study visits were performed before the first dose, one month after the second and third doses and one year after the first dose. Participants completed a diary of possible adverse events following each dose, and disease activity was measured. At each visit, serum samples was collected for testing antibody concentrations. Participants recruitment was conducted in ten Brazilian centers. From 48 eligible patients, 42 completed the 3 doses schedule of the vaccine (5 patients had received doses previously). The McNemar test and the Kappa concordance coefficient were applied to compare the disease activity scores used for juvenile dermatomyositis patients between quadrivalent HPV vaccine doses and before the vaccination. The software used was SAS 9.4.Results: No severe adverse events were related to the vaccination. The disease activity scores were usually low, and remained stable, or even improved during the follow-up. After three vaccine doses the juvenile dermatomyositis group presented seropositivity of 100% for HPV16 and 97% for HPV18, similarly to the control group who presented 100% for both. One year after the first dose the seropositivity for the patients group was 94% for both HPV types.Conclusions: The HPV vaccination in juvenile dermatomyositis patients is safe and immunogenic. Since the seropositivity against HPV16 and HPV18 was very high after the 3-dose schedule, this regimen should be recommended for juvenile dermatomyositis patients.