RESUMEN
After a quick description of the anatomopathology and physiopathology of renal failure, the Authors delve into the problem of assessing its medicolegal aspects in the fields of civil invalidity and social security. In Italy, civil invalidity involves protecting the psychological and physical welfare of the disabled, as sanctioned by law 118 of 1971; this law protects all citizens with a debilitating condition, including those who do not work or are not of working age. A disabled person is someone who, if of working age (between 18 and retirement) has a reduction of more than â (34%) of their general work capacity; if under or over the retirement age, they have a persistent difficulty in carrying out age-appropriate functions and tasks. In support of an application for being awarded civil invalidity, people can also refer to law no. 104 of 1992, which assesses social, relational and work disadvantages of a disabled person. INPS (Italian Social Security Institute) protection, on the other hand, is a social security protection based on health requirements (having a capacity for work which is reduced by more than â , as established by law no. 222 of 1984), as well as on the following administrative requirement: having paid, as a worker, at least 260 weekly contributions, equivalent to five years of contribution and insurance, of which 156, equal to three years of contribution and insurance, were made in the five-year period preceding the date of submitting the application. If this is the case, the protected person, thus insured, can enjoy protection for their illness by virtue of the stipulations for social security.
Asunto(s)
Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Personas con Discapacidad/legislación & jurisprudencia , Insuficiencia Renal/diagnóstico , Seguridad Social , Factores de Edad , Peso Corporal , Creatinina/sangre , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Humanos , Medicina Interna , Italia , Masculino , Nefrología , Insuficiencia Renal/etiología , Insuficiencia Renal/patología , Insuficiencia Renal/fisiopatología , Factores Sexuales , Evaluación de Capacidad de TrabajoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum levels of relaxin (RLX), a hormone with acknowledged antifibrotic activity, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: We performed a pilot study of 50 outpatients with SSc and 50 healthy subjects. Serum RLX was measured using the relaxin ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test. RESULTS: Serum RLX appeared to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with SSc compared to controls. RLX appeared significantly increased (p < 0.001) in male patients compared to male controls, and in female patients compared to female controls. RLX was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in female patients and female controls compared to male patients and male controls. CONCLUSION: In patients with SSc, the increased level of RLX represents a defensive response against the fibrotic process.
Asunto(s)
Relaxina/sangre , Esclerodermia Sistémica/metabolismo , Esclerodermia Sistémica/patología , Biomarcadores , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Fibrosis , Humanos , Masculino , Menopausia , Menstruación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can be associated with many autoimmune disorders such as antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The most common neurologic complication is represented by peripheral neuropathies, but its pathogenesis is still unknown. We report the clinical case of a 44-year-old woman with HIV infection, peripheral polyneuropathy and arterial thrombosis, in which high serum levels of antiphospholipid antibodies were repeatedly documented. We suggest that the evaluation of serum antiphospholipid antibodies levels in HIV infection is fundamental both from an exploratory point of view and for starting the best treatment.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antifosfolípidos/inmunología , Infecciones por VIH/complicaciones , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Periférico/etiología , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Periférico/inmunología , Trombosis/etiología , Trombosis/inmunología , Adulto , Anticuerpos Antifosfolípidos/sangre , Femenino , HumanosRESUMEN
HCV chronic liver disease can be associated with a plethora of immune and autoimmune perturbations and many authors claim that HCV chronic infection can play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. To compare our experience with literature reports, we performed a retrospective study on the case histories of 265 patients with HCV chronic liver disease, evaluating the type and prevalence of the associated immune and autoimmune manifestations. We found that the patients with HCV chronic liver disease can present arthromyalgias (7.1% of the patients), Sjörgen's syndrome (5.2%), thyroiditis (4.1%), rheumatoid arthritis (2.2%), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (2.6%), mixed cryoglobulinemia (1.5%), autoimmune anemia (0.3%) and oral lichen planus (0.3%). We claim that HCV liver infection is able to induce immune and autoimmune perturbations, without playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of a well-defined disorder.