RESUMO
Background: The relationship between serum glycoprotein syndecan-1 and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum syndecan-1 concentrations are associated with moderate/severe disease activity. Methods: Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Seventy-five adult women with RA were classified into (a) moderate/severe RA based on the disease activity score, using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR ≥ 3.2, n = 50), and (b) RA in remission (DAS28-ESR < 2.6, n = 25). Twenty-five healthy women were taken as the reference group. Syndecan-1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High values of serum syndecan-1 levels (≥24 ng/mL) were used to identify the utility values of this biomarker. Results: The patients with RA had higher levels of syndecan-1 than the controls (p < 0.001). RA patients with active disease had higher syndecan-1 levels than RA patients in remission (57.6 vs. 23.5 ng/mL, respectively; p = 0.002). High syndecan-1 concentrations demonstrated the following utility values for identifying disease activity: sensitivity, 84% (95%CI: 71-93); specificity, 52% (95%CI: 31-72); positive predictive value, 78% (95%CI: 70-84); and negative predictive value, 62% (95%CI: 44-77). Conclusions: High syndecan-1 levels have good sensitivity and positive predictive value for identifying disease activity; however, their specificity is limited. Future prospective studies are needed to assess whether syndecan-1 levels can predict treatment failure in RA.
RESUMO
Breast cancer is the second most common diagnosed type of cancer in women. Chronic neuropathic pain after mastectomy occurs frequently and is a serious health problem. In our previous single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study, we demonstrated that the combination of serratus anterior plane block (SAM) and pectoral nerve block type I (PECS I) with general anesthesia reduced acute postoperative pain. The present report describes a prospective follow-up study of this published study to investigate the development of chronic neuropathic pain 12 months after mastectomy by comparing the use of general anesthesia alone and general anesthesia with SAM + PECS I. Additionally, the use of analgesic medication, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and possible correlations between plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 collected before and 24 h after surgery as predictors of pain and depression were evaluated. The results showed that the use of SAM + PECS I with general anesthesia reduced numbness, hypoesthesia to touch, the incidence of patients with chronic pain in other body regions and depressive symptoms, however, did not significantly reduce the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain after mastectomy. Additionally, there was no difference in the consumption of analgesic medication and quality of life. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 levels and pain and depression. The combination of general anesthesia with SAM + PECS I reduced the occurrence of specific neuropathic pain descriptors and depressive symptoms. These results could promote the use of SAM + PECS I blocks for the prevention of specific neuropathic pain symptoms after mastectomy.Registration of clinical trial: The Research Ethics Board of the Hospital Sirio-Libanes/Brazil approved the study (CAAE 48721715.0.0000.5461). This study is registered at Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos (ReBEC), and ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02647385.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Neuralgia , Nervos Torácicos , Feminino , Humanos , Mastectomia/efeitos adversos , Neoplasias da Mama/cirurgia , Neoplasias da Mama/complicações , Seguimentos , Interleucina-10 , Estudos Prospectivos , Qualidade de Vida , Interleucina-6/uso terapêutico , Dor Pós-Operatória/tratamento farmacológico , Neuralgia/complicações , MúsculosRESUMO
Background: Myostatin is a regulator of muscle size. To date, there have been no published studies focusing on the relation between myostin levels and myopenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective: Evaluate the value of serum myostatin as a biomarker of cachexia and low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) in RA patients, along with whether high serum myostatin is associated to these conditions after adjusting for potential confounders. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 161 female RA patients and 72 female controls. In the RA group, we assessed several potential risk factors for LSMM and rheumatoid cachexia. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to quantify the skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) (considering LSMM ≤ 5.5 kg/m2) and the presence of rheumatoid cachexia (a fat-free mass index ≤ 10 percentile and fat mass index ≥ 25 percentile of the reference population). Serum myostatin concentrations were determined by ELISA. To identify a cut-off for high serum myostatin levels, we performed ROC curve analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for LSMM and rheumatoid cachexia. The risk was expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Compared to the controls, the RA group had a higher proportion of LSMM and exhibited high serum myostatin levels (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that a myostatin level ≥ 17 ng/mL was the most efficient cut-off for identifying rheumatoid cachexia (sensitivity: 53%, specificity: 71%) and LSMM (sensitivity: 43%, specificity: 77%). In the multivariable logistic regression, RA with high myostatin levels (≥17 ng/mL) was found to increase the risk of cachexia (OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.24-6.29; p = 0.01) and LSMM (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.17-7.89; p = 0.02). Conclusions: High serum myostatin levels increase the risk of LSMM and rheumatoid cachexia. We propose that high myostatin levels are useful biomarkers for the identification of patients in risk of rheumatoid cachexia and myopenia.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide , Caquexia , Biomarcadores , Caquexia/etiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Músculo Esquelético , MiostatinaRESUMO
Surgery is the first-line treatment for early, localized, or operable breast cancer. Regional anesthesia during mastectomy may offer the prevention of postoperative pain. One potential protocol is the combination of serratus anterior plane block (SAM block) with pectoral nerve block I (PECS I), but the results and potential benefits are limited. Our study compared general anesthesia with or without SAM block + PECS I during radical mastectomy with axillary node dissection and breast reconstruction using evaluations of pain, opioid consumption, side effects and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10. This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Fifty patients were randomized to general anesthesia only or general anesthesia associated with SAM block + PECS I (25 per group). The association of SAM block + PECS I with general anesthesia reduced intraoperative fentanyl consumption, morphine use and visual analog pain scale scores in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) and at 24 h after surgery. In addition, the anesthetic protocol decreased side effects and sedation 24 h after surgery compared to patients who underwent general anesthesia only. IL-6 levels increased after the surgery compared to baseline levels in both groups, and no differences in IL-10 and IL-1 beta levels were observed. Our protocol improved the outcomes of mastectomy, which highlight the importance of improving mastectomy protocols and focusing on the benefits of regional anesthesia.
Assuntos
Anestesia Geral/métodos , Neoplasias da Mama/cirurgia , Mamoplastia/métodos , Mastectomia Radical Modificada/métodos , Bloqueio Nervoso/métodos , Dor Pós-Operatória/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Idoso , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias da Mama/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Interleucina-10 , Interleucina-1beta/sangue , Interleucina-6/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Medição da Dor/efeitos dos fármacos , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Solanum crispum Ruiz & Pav. (S. crispum) is a southern South American native plant that is usually used in traditional medicine for the treatment of symptoms associated with both, acute and chronic ailments. Enema and infusion of leaves and stems are used to treat fever, headache, inflammation and hypertension. In this study, we aim to assess the vasoactive effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of S. crispum on isolated rat aorta rings. The hydroalcoholic extract of S. crispum induced a vasodilatory effect (42.6 +/- 4.1 percent) in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (0.1 μM). The aortic relaxation was largely endothelium-dependent and mediated by nitric oxide (NO). The endothelium- and NO-dependence was demonstrated by a drastic fall in the dilatation induced by the extract when the endothelium was removed (10.6 +/- 2.3 percent) and when nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was inhibited (12.3 +/- 2.5 percent) by nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). This result supports the popular use of S. crispum in the treatment of hypertension that may be due, at least in part, to the vasodilator effect of one o more compounds present in their leaves and stems. Further studies should be performed to clarify this phenomenon.
Solanum crispum Ruiz & Pav. (S. crispum) es una planta nativa de América del Sur meridional que se utiliza generalmente en medicina tradicional para el tratamiento de los síntomas asociados con dolencias agudas y crónicas. El enema y la infusión de las hojas y tallos se utilizan para tratar la fiebre, el dolor de cabeza, la inflamación y la hipertensión. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto vasoactivo de un extracto hidroalcohólico de S. crispum en anillos aislados de aorta de rata. El extracto hidroalcohólico de S. crispum indujo un efecto vasodilatador (42,6 +/- 4,1 por ciento) en anillos aórticos precontraídos con fenilefrina (0,1 μM). La relajación de la aorta fue en gran parte dependiente del endotelio y mediada por el óxido nítrico (NO). La dependencia de endotelio y NO se demostró por una caída drástica de la dilatación inducida por el extracto cuando el endotelio fue removido (10,6 +/- 2,3 por ciento) y cuando se inhibió la óxido nítrico sintasa (NOS) (12,3 +/- 2,5 por ciento) mediante nitro-L-arginina (L-NNA). Este resultado apoya el uso popular de S. crispum en el tratamiento de la hipertensión que puede ser debido, al menos en parte, al efecto vasodilatador de uno o más compuestos presentes en sus hojas y tallos. Se deben realizar más estudios para aclarar este fenómeno.
Assuntos
Masculino , Animais , Ratos , Aorta , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Solanum/química , Vasodilatadores/farmacologia , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether serum titers of second-generation anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP2) are associated with the severity and extent of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD). METHODS: In across-sectional study, 39 RA-ILD patients confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were compared with 42 RA without lung involvement (RA only). Characteristics related to RA-ILD were assessed in all of the patients and serum anti-CCP2 titers quantified. RESULTS: Higher anti-CCP2 titers were found in RA-ILD compared with RA only (medians 77.9 versus 30.2 U/mL, P < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, disease duration (DD), smoke exposure, disease activity, functioning, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and methotrexate (MTX) treatment duration, the characteristics associated with RA-ILD were higher anti-CCP2 titers (P = 0.003) and + RF (P = 0.002). In multivariate linear regression, the variables associated with severity of ground-glass score were anti-CCP2 titers (P = 0.02) and with fibrosis score DD (P = 0.01), anti-CCP2 titers (P < 0.001), and MTX treatment duration (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCP2 antibodies are markers of severity and extent of RA-ILD in HRCT. Further longitudinal studies are required to identify if higher anti-CCP2 titers are associated with worst prognosis in RA-ILD.
Assuntos
Anticorpos/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/imunologia , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/patologia , Peptídeos Cíclicos/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Antirreumáticos/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/sangue , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Biomarcadores/sangue , Estudos Transversais , Eritrócitos/imunologia , Eritrócitos/patologia , Feminino , Fibrose/tratamento farmacológico , Fibrose/imunologia , Fibrose/patologia , Humanos , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/sangue , Metotrexato/uso terapêutico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication in progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc), being present in 25% to 90% of cases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether serum levels of procollagen typei and iii aminoterminal propeptide (PINP and PIIINP) correlate with severity and patterns of ILD in Mexican women with SSc. METHODS: Thirty three SSc patients were assessed for disease characteristics and anti-topoisomerase antibodies (topoi), and also underwent pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Nineteen patients had ILD+SSc, and 14 had no lung involvement (no ILD-SSc); data were compared with those from 45 healthy controls. PINP and PIIINP were assessed in all 3 groups. RESULTS: Patients with SSc had higher PINP and PIIINP vs controls (P=.001, P<.001, respectively). Compared to no ILD-SSc patients, those with ILD+SSc had longer disease duration in years (P=.005), higher modified Rodnan skin score (P<.001), higher Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability-Index scores (P<.001), higher topoi U/mL (P<.001), PINP (49.28±28.63 vs. 32.12±18.58µg/L, P=.05), and PIIINP (4.33±1.03 vs. 2.67±1.26µg/L, P<.001) levels. ILD severity based on total HRCT correlated with PINP (r=.388, P=.03) and PIIINP (P=.594, P<.001). On adjusted analysis, ILD severity was associated with disease duration (P=.037), PIIINP (P=.038), and topoi (P=.045). CONCLUSIONS: PINP and PIIINP are useful markers for severe ILD+SSc, suggesting they could play a role in the follow-up of this complication in SSc.
Assuntos
Colágeno Tipo I/sangue , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/sangue , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/etiologia , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/sangue , Pró-Colágeno/sangue , Escleroderma Sistêmico/sangue , Escleroderma Sistêmico/complicações , Estudos Transversais , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the modifications in lipids between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving etanercept plus methotrexate (ETA + MTX) versus methotrexate (MTX) and their relationship with serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: In an observational cohort study, we compared changes in lipid levels in patients receiving ETA + MTX versus MTX in RA. These groups were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 24 weeks, measuring clinical outcomes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TNF-α. RESULTS: Baseline values for lipid levels were similar in both groups. HDL-C levels increased significantly only in the ETA + MTX group (from 45.5 to 50.0 mg/dL at 4 weeks, a 10.2% increase, P < 0.001, and to 56.0 mg/dL at 24 weeks, a 25.1% increase, P < 0.001), while other lipids underwent no significant changes. ETA + MTX also exhibited a significant increase in TNF-α (44.8 pg/mL at baseline versus 281.4 pg/mL at 24 weeks, P < 0.001). The MTX group had no significant changes in lipids or TNF-α. Significant differences in HDL-C between groups were observed at 24 weeks (P = 0.04) and also in TNF-α (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: HDL-C levels increased significantly following treatment with ETA + MTX, without a relationship with decrease of TNF-α.
Assuntos
Antirreumáticos/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Imunoglobulina G/uso terapêutico , Lipídeos/sangue , Metotrexato/uso terapêutico , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/uso terapêutico , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Adulto , Antirreumáticos/administração & dosagem , Artrite Reumatoide/sangue , Artrite Reumatoide/epidemiologia , Quimioterapia Combinada , Etanercepte , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Metotrexato/administração & dosagem , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/administração & dosagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Conclusive evidence has yet to emerge regarding the association between markers of hyperinsulinemia and breast cancer. We determined the effect of insulin resistance (IR) on breast cancer risk in Latinas of Mexican origin who did not have a direct family history of breast cancer and had not been previously diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes. METHODS: This was a case-control study in which a case (n=124) was defined as a patient with a recent histopathologic diagnosis of breast cancer and a control (n=197) was defined as a participant who had recently undergone a mammography and had either a Breast Imaging, Reporting & Data System (BI-RADS)-1 or a BI-RADS-2 score. Plasma glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured. IR was determined by using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) criterion. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined using unconditional binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: IR was detected in 33.9% of cases and 41.6% of controls, based on a HOMA-IR ≥3.5. Although multivariate analysis did not show any association between IR and breast cancer risk (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31-1.01), it showed that an HbA1c ≥5.7% increased the risk of breast cancer (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.93-6.01), regardless of menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that IR had no effect on breast cancer risk; however HbA1c increased the risk in Latinas of Mexican origin who had not been diagnosed previously with prediabetes or diabetes and had no direct family history of breast cancer. Prospective studies are required to establish the impact of IR over time.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/sangue , Neoplasias da Mama/etiologia , Resistência à Insulina , Adulto , Idoso , Glicemia/metabolismo , Índice de Massa Corporal , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Hemoglobinas Glicadas/metabolismo , Humanos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Obesidade Abdominal/sangue , Obesidade Abdominal/complicações , Obesidade Abdominal/patologia , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Determination of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) plays a relevant role in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To date, it is still unclear if the use of several tests for these autoantibodies in the same patient offers additional value as compared to performing only one test. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of using two assays for ACPA: second-generation anti-citrullinated cyclic peptides antibodies (anti-CCP2) and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies for the diagnosis of RA. We compared three groups: RA (n = 142), chronic inflammatory disease (CIRD, n = 86), and clinically healthy subjects (CHS, n = 56) to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios (LR) of these two assays for the presence of RA. A lower frequency of positivity for anti-CCP2 was found in RA (66.2%) as compared with anti-MCV (81.0%). When comparing RA versus other CIRD, sensitivity increased when both assays were performed. This strategy of testing both assays had high specificity and LR+. We conclude that adding the assay of anti-MCV antibodies to the determination of anti-CCP2 increases the sensitivity for detecting seropositive RA. Therefore, we propose the use of both assays in the initial screening of RA in longitudinal studies, including early onset of undifferentiated arthritis.
Assuntos
Anticorpos/isolamento & purificação , Artrite Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Febre Reumática/diagnóstico , Vimentina/imunologia , Adulto , Anticorpos/sangue , Anticorpos/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Citrulina/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peptídeos Cíclicos/sangue , Peptídeos Cíclicos/imunologia , Febre Reumática/imunologia , Febre Reumática/patologiaRESUMO
Centaurium cachanlahuen (Mol.) Robinson is a chilean native plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. Studies carried out in normal and hypertensive rats suggested that extract of Centaurium cachanlahuen has antihypertensive effect. In this work, we aim to evaluate the effect of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Centaurium cachanlahuen on the vascular reactivity using rat aorta rings precontrated with phenylephrine (0.1 uM). Results showed that both aqueous (3 mg/mL) and hydroalcoholic extracts (3 mg/mL) produced rat aorta vasodilatation that was higher (P < 0.001) in the hydroalcoholic extract compared to the aqueous extract. This effect had an important endothelium-dependent component that was mediated by nitric oxide (NO), as supported by the inhibition of the response in the presence of N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 uM), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. We suggest that xanthones present in the plant may play a key role in the vasodilator effect of Centaurium cachanlahuen extracts. The present study provides experimental evidence supporting the folkloric use of Centaurium cachanlahuen as hypotensive agent.
Centaurium cachanlahuen (Mol) Robinson es una planta nativa chilena ampliamente utilizada en medicina tradicional para el tratamiento de varias enfermedades, que incluyen alteraciones cardiovasculares. Estudios llevados a cabo en ratas normales e hipertensas sugieren que el extracto de Centaurium cachanlahuen tiene efecto antihipertensivo. El propósito de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de extractos acuosos e hidroalcohólicos de Centaurium cachanlahuen sobre la reactividad vascular de aorta de rata precontraída con fenilefrina (0.1 uM). Tanto el extracto acuoso (3 mg/mL) como el extracto hidroalcohólico (3 mg/mL) produjeron relajación de aorta de rata, la cual fue de mayor magnitud (P < 0.001) con el extracto hidroalcohólico respecto del extracto acuoso. El efecto observado tuvo un importante componente mediado por óxido nítrico (NO), tal como lo demuestra la inhibición de esta respuesta en presencia de N-nitro-L-arginina (L-NNA, 100 uM), un inhibidor de la óxido nítrico sintasa (NOS). Se sugiere que las xantonas presente en la planta pueden jugar un papel clave en el efecto vasodilatador observado por los extractos de Centaurium cachanlahuen. Este estudio constituye una evidencia experimental que apoya el uso popular de Centaurium cachanlahuen como agente hipotensor.
Assuntos
Animais , Ratos , Aorta , Centaurium/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Vasodilatadores/farmacologia , Chile , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
Este estudio examina la contribución del bienestar, las expectativas y las actitudes de crianza maternos (BEC) al logro escolar de los niños. Su objetivo es el de explorar si estas contribuciones pueden ayudar a explicar las confusas relaciones entre la participación de los padres (PP) y el logro escolar de los niños. Participaron 621 madres y sus niños de primero, segundo y tercer grado escolar, de los cuales 322 eran de sexo femenino y 299 masculino, y estaban distribuidos de manera semejante en las cinco ciudades mexicanas de procedencia. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de conglomerados que generó dos grupos de madres con calificaciones bajas o altas en las medidas de BEC. Los grupos nombrados BEC bajo o alto, mostraron diferencias en las distribuciones de las variables socioeconómicas y, por esto, se formaron seis nuevos grupos tomando en cuenta la influencia de estas variables. Los resultados indicaron que tres factores, ingresos familiares, escolaridad materna, y BEC, esta-ban relacionados con el logro de los niños, pero se relacionaban pobremente con las medidas de PP. La única excepción importante fue la relación con la medida de promoción de la lectura en los niños. Los hallazgos sugieren que otros factores más que el concepto tradicional de PP tienen efectos diferenciales en el logro académico de los niños.
The present study examines the contribution of mothers well-being, parenting expectations, and parenting attitudes (BEC) to their childrens school achievement. Its aim was to examine if these contributions may help to explain the unclear relationships between parenting involvement and childrens school achievement. A total of 621 mothers and their children from first, second, and third grade participated in the study. In the sample of children, 322 were females and 299 were males. They were divided in five groups of similar size, each group representing a different city of origin in Mexico. Using cluster analysis, the authors found two groups of mothers with low or high scores on the measures tested. These groups, named low or high BEC, showed differences in the distributions of socioeconomic variables. Based on that finding, six new groups were formed taking into account such socioeconomic influences. It was found that three factors, family income, mothers schooling, and BEC were related directly to childrens school achievement, but they were poorly related to measures of parenting involvement, with the exception of promotion of reading in children. The findings of this study suggest that other factors rather than the traditional concept of parental involvement have differential effects on childrens academic achievement.