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Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has a spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic disease to acute severe hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, and decompensated cirrhosis. The acute presentation is not rare and could represent genuine acute AIH (GAAIH) or acute exacerbation of chronic autoimmune hepatitis. We aimed to identify the prevalence, clinical features, and prognostic factors associated with GAAIH and compare these cases with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study evaluated patients with acute AIH presentation, defined as total bilirubin >5 times the upper limit of normality (xULN) and/or alanine aminotransferase >10 xULN, and no prior history of liver disease. Histology findings of acute disease defined GAAIH. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the GAAIH, when compared with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Results: Seventy-two patients with acute presentation of AIH were included and six (8.3%) of them presented GAAIH. Comparative analysis between patients with GAAIH and patients with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH revealed that prothrombin activity (96% [74-100] vs. 61% [10-100]; p = 0.003) and albumin levels (3.9 ± 0.2 g/dL vs. 3.4 ± 0.5 g/dL; p < 0.001) were higher in patients with GAAIH. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group score was higher in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH (18.5 [8-23] vs. 16.5 [15-17]; p = 0.010). Compared to 15.2% of acute exacerbation of chronic AIH, complete therapeutic response to treatment was achieved in 67.7% of cases with GAAIH (p = 0.018). Conclusions: GAAIH was rare (8.3%), and patients with this presentation exhibited more preserved liver function tests, suggesting that most cases presenting with loss of function are acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Additionally, patients with GAAIH had a better complete therapeutic response, suggesting a more preserved liver function at presentation, and early diagnosis has a positive therapeutic implication.

Introdução: A hepatite autoimune (HAI) apresenta um espectro de sintomas que varia de doença assintomática a hepatite aguda grave, hepatite crónica e cirrose descompensada. A apresentação aguda não é rara e pode representar hepatite autoimune aguda genuína (HAIAG) ou exacerbação aguda de hepatite autoimune crónica (EAHAIC). O nosso objetivo foi identificar a prevalência, caraterísticas clínicas e fatores prognósticos associados à HAIAG, e comparar esses casos com EAHAIC. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, incluindo doentes com apresentação aguda de HAI, definida como bilirrubina total > 5 vezes o limite superior da normalidade (xLSN) e/ou ALT > 10 xLSN, e sem história prévia de doença hepática. HAIAG foi definida pela presença de achados histológicos de doença aguda. Análises bivariadas foram realizadas para identificar fatores associados à HAIAG, quando comparado com o EAHAIC. Resultados: Foram incluídos setenta e dois doentes com apresentação aguda de HAI, dos quais seis (8.3%) com HAIAG. A análise comparativa entre doentes com HAIAG e doentes com EAHAIC mostrou que a atividade de protrombina (96% (74-100) versus 61% (10-100; p=0.003) e os níveis de albumina (3,9 ± 0,2 g/dL vs. 3,4 ± 0,5 g/dL; p < 0,001) foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes com HAIAG. O score do Grupo Internacional de Hepatite Autoimune foi mais elevado em doentes com EAHAIC (18.5 (8-23) versus 16.5 (15-17); p=0.010). A resposta terapêutica completa ao tratamento foi alcançada em 66.7% dos casos de HAIAG (vs. 15,2% na EAHAIC, p=0,018). Conclusões: A HAIAG é rara (8.3%), e os doentes com esta apresentação mostraram testes de função hepática mais preservados, sugerindo que a maioria dos casos com perda de função são EAHAIC. Além disso, os doentes com HAIAG tiveram maior taxa de resposta terapêutica completa, sugerindo que uma função hepática mais preservada na apresentação e o diagnóstico precoce tem uma implicação terapêutica positiva.

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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of antimalarial drugs in response to therapy, incidence of LN flares, and progression of kidney disease in a large LN cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 424 biopsy-proven LN patients followed for >3 years. We obtained demographic, clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and treatment variables. Antimalarial use was approached as 1) users versus no users, 2) according to prevalent vs incident use regarding the LN flare, and 3) according to the type of antimalarial. All outcomes were evaluated by time-to-event analyses. Adjusted hazard ratios were obtained by Cox regression. RESULTS: The cohort included 424 patients, median age of 29 years (IQR 23-37), 96% female, with a median eGFR of 81 ml/min/1.73m2 (IQR 48-118) and proteinuria of 3.4 g/g (IQR 1.9-5.5). Antimalarial use was associated with higher complete response (aHR 1.57, 1.08-2.27), lower incidence of kidney flares (aHR 0.63, 0.43-0.92), and lower progression to kidney failure (aHR 0.37, 0.23-0.53). The effect on these outcomes was modified by the presentation eGFR, histological class, and/or concomitant initial immunosuppressor. These protective effects were observed in patients with prevalent or incident use regarding the LN flare and patients using hydroxychloroquine. The incidence of toxic retinopathy was 1.7%, 5.7%, and 8.8% by 3-, 5-, and 7 years of continued antimalarial use. CONCLUSION: The use of antimalarial drugs is associated with increased response to therapy, lower incidence of kidney flares, and lower progression to kidney failure in LN patients. Conversely, this population is at high risk of toxic maculopathy, and yearly ophthalmologic examination is recommended.

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OBJECTIVE: Several strategies have been proposed for ovarian stimulation in older women, such as using an increased daily dose of gonadotropins (300-450 IU per day) with GnRH agonist (long or micro dose flare protocols), or using GnRH antagonist protocols. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of flexible GnRH antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist flare - pituitary block protocols for ovarian stimulation in women above 40 years old undergoing IVF. METHODS: This study was performed between January 2016 and February 2019. One hundred and fourteen women aged between 40 and 42 years who underwent IVF were divided into two groups; group I were treated by Flexible GnRH antagonist protocol (Antagonist group, n=68); and group II were treated by Flare GnRH agonist protocol (Flare group, n=46). RESULTS: Patients treated with the antagonist protocol had a significantly lower cancellation rate when compared with patients treated with flare agonist protocol (10.3% vs. 21.7%, p value 0.049). The other parameters evaluated did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding showed that both Flexible antagonist and Flare agonist protocols had comparable outcomes, with lower cycle cancellation rates for older patients treated with the antagonist protocol.

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With the advancement of knowledge in relation to the physiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), several new therapeutic forms have been developed. There are also new guidelines for self-care. On the other hand, there is still an underdiagnosis of AD in Mexico. Thus, the need was seen to develop a national guide, with a broad base among the different medical groups that care for patients with AD. The Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines for Mexico (GUIDAMEX) was developed with the ADAPTE methodology, with the endorsement and participation of ten national medical societies, from physicians in Primary Healthcare to allergists and dermatologists. Throughout the manuscript, key clinical questions are answered that lead to recommendations and suggestions for the diagnosis of AD (including differential diagnosis with immunodeficiency syndromes), the recognition of comorbidities and complications, non-pharmacological treatment including therapeutic education, treatment of flares and maintenance therapy. The latter encompasses general measures to avoid triggering factors, first-line treatment focussed on repair of the skin barrier, second-line treatment (topical proactive therapy), and third-line phototherapy or systemic treatment, including dupilumab and JAK inhibitors.

Con el avance de los conocimientos en relación con la fisiopatogenia de la dermatitis atópica (DA) se han desarrollado varias formas terapéuticas nuevas. Asimismo, existen nuevos lineamientos para el autocuidado. Por otro lado, aún existe un subdiagnóstico de la DA en México. Así, se vio la necesidad de desarrollar una guía nacional, con base amplia entre las diferentes agrupaciones médicos que atienden pacientes con DA. Se desarrolló la Guía de DA para México (GUIDAMEX) con la metodología ADAPTE, con el aval y la participación de diez sociedades médicas nacionales, desde médicos del primer contacto hasta alergólogos y dermatólogos. A lo largo del escrito se contestan preguntas clínicas clave que llevan a recomendaciones y sugerencias para el diagnóstico de la DA (incluyendo diagnóstico diferencial con síndromes de inmunodeficiencia), el reconocer de las comorbilidades y complicaciones, las medidas generales (tratamiento no farmacológico) incluyendo la educación terapéutica, el tratamiento de los brotes y el tratamiento de mantenimiento. Este último abarca las medidas generales de evitar agravantes, el tratamiento de primera línea reparador de la barrera cutánea, de segunda línea (manejo proactivo tópico), hasta la fototerapia y el tratamiento sistémico de la tercera línea, incluyendo dupilumab y los inhibidores de la cinasa de Jano.

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BACKGROUND: Repeated renal flares in lupus nephritis (LN) have been associated with worse long-term kidney function. This study aimed to assess the impact of repeated LN flares in response to therapy, kidney and patient prognosis. METHODS: All patients from a biopsy-proven LN cohort between 2008 and 2018 were segregated into three groups according to the number of LN flares when they entered our cohort: first LN flare, second LN flare or third LN flare. The following outcomes were evaluated by unadjusted and adjusted time-to-event analyses: complete and partial response, disease relapses, progression to decline of 30% of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage kidney disease and patient survival. RESULTS: A total of 441 patients were included: 257 (58%) in their first LN flare, 102 (23%) in their second LN flare and 82 (19%) in their third LN flare. There were significant differences in LN flare presentation in age, eGFR, serum albumin, pyuria and hematuria among groups. The National Institutes of Health chronicity indices and the percentage of patients with vascular lesions were higher in groups at progressive LN flares. In the adjusted analyses, complete and partial response rates decreased, as well as kidney and patient survival, at a progressive number of LN flares. No differences in the dynamic course of all surveillance laboratory parameters were observed in the first year after initial therapy among LN flare groups. CONCLUSIONS: A progressive number of LN flares is associated with a lower response to therapy and an adverse prognosis for kidney function and patient survival.

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Chemotherapy or involvement in a clinical trial remain the standard treatment for patients with EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer who have disease progression while receiving Osimertinib. Rapid progression, also known as flare-phenomenon, has been described after discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In this case, we describe a young woman who has extracranial progressive disease due to EGFR C797S resistance mutation while being treated with osimertinib, with a rapid neurological deterioration after osimertinib withdrawal due to flare-phenomenon progression in the brain, and a prompt intracranial response with osimertinib reintroduction in addition to chemotherapy to achieve extracranial diseases control.

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Introduction: One of the consequences of halting face-to-face educational activities during the COVID-19 pandemic was worse back pain. Objectives: To evaluate worse back pain in teachers working in elementary state schools in Montes Claros, MG. Methods: This is a websurvey-type epidemiological survey using an on-line questionnaire to assess sociodemographic characteristics, working conditions, health condition, and behaviors during the pandemic. Poisson regression was performed, with robust variance. Results: 15,641 teachers were included, and 35.4% reported worse back pain during the pandemic. It was found that the prevalence of a worse condition was higher among women (prevalence ratio = 1.15), between 40 and 49 years old (prevalence ratio = 1.14), teaching for more than 11 years (prevalence ratio = 1.11; 1.19), working more than 21 hours (PR = 1.05; 1.11), with difficulty to work remotely (prevalence ratio = 1.16), with poor quality of life (prevalence ratio = 1.30) or not (prevalence ratio = 0.84), obese (prevalence ratio = 1.07), sad or depressed (prevalence ratio = 1.21), anxious or nervous (prevalence ratio = 1.57), consuming alcoholic beverage (prevalence ratio = 1.16), with poor dietary habits (prevalence ratio = 1.07), more screen time (prevalence ratio = 1.24), sedentary lifestyle (prevalence ratio = 1.13), and social distancing (prevalence ratio = 1.08). Conclusions: The pandemic worsened back pain in teachers, demonstrating a need for addressing the issue, aiming at improving the quality of life of these professionals.

Introdução: Uma das consequências da suspensão das atividades presenciais educacionais durante a pandemia da covid-19 foi o aumento da dor nas costas. Objetivos: Avaliar o aumento da dor nas costas em professores, em atividade, na educação básica de escolas estaduais de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Métodos: Trata-se de inquérito epidemiológico do tipo websurvey, através de questionário on-line, para avaliação das características sociodemográficas, condições de trabalho, situação de saúde e comportamentos durante a pandemia. Foi realizada regressão de Poisson, com variância robusta. Resultados: Participaram 15.641 professores, sendo que 35,4% relataram piora da dor nas costas durante a pandemia. Houve prevalência da piora do quadro nos seguintes grupos: sexo feminino (razão de prevalência = 1,15), idade entre 40 e 49 anos (razão de prevalência = 1,14), acima de 11 anos na docência (razão de prevalência = 1,11; 1,19), jornada de trabalho superior a 21 horas (razão de prevalência = 1,05; 1,11), dificuldade no trabalho remoto (razão de prevalência = 1,16), qualidade de vida com piora (razão de prevalência = 1,30) ou não (razão de prevalência = 0,84), obesos (razão de prevalência = 1,07), tristes ou deprimidos (razão de prevalência = 1,21), ansiosos ou nervosos (razão de prevalência = 1,57), que consumiam bebidas alcóolicas (razão de prevalência = 1,16), com pior padrão alimentar (razão de prevalência = 1,07), tempo de tela aumentado (razão de prevalência = 1,24), ausência de atividades (razão de prevalência = 1,13) e adesão total ao distanciamento social (razão de prevalência = 1,08). Conclusões: O período pandêmico trouxe um agravo na dorsalgia em professores, o que demonstra uma necessidade de atenção à questão, visando uma melhoria na qualidade de vida desses profissionais.

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ABSTRACT Objective: Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are common causes of hospitalization. Various scoring systems have been proposed to classify the risk of clinical deterioration or mortality in hospitalized patients with AECOPD. We sought to investigate whether clinical deterioration and mortality scores at admission can predict adverse events occurring during hospitalization and after discharge of patients with AECOPD. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted with AECOPD. The National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), the NEWS288-92%, the Dyspnea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidemia, and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) score, and the modified DECAF (mDECAF) score were calculated at admission. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and overall performance of the scores for the following outcomes: in-hospital mortality; need for invasive mechanical ventilation or noninvasive ventilation (NIV); long hospital stays; hospital readmissions; and future AECOPD. Results: We included 119 patients admitted with AECOPD. The median age was 75 years, and 87.9% were male. The NEWS288-92% was associated with an 8.9% reduction in the number of individuals classified as requiring close, continuous observation, without an increased risk of death in the group of individuals classified as being low-risk patients. The NEWS288-92% and NEWS2 scores were found to be adequate in predicting the need for acute NIV and longer hospital stays. The DECAF and mDECAF scores were found to be better at predicting in-hospital mortality than the NEWS2 and NEWS288-92%. Conclusions: The NEWS288-92% safely reduces the need for clinical monitoring in patients with AECOPD when compared with the NEWS2. The NEWS2 and NEWS288-92% appear to be good predictors of the length of hospital stay and need for NIV, but they do not replace the DECAF and mDECAF scores as predictors of mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: As exacerbações agudas da DPOC (EADPOC) são causas comuns de hospitalização. Vários escores foram propostos para classificar o risco de deterioração clínica ou mortalidade em pacientes hospitalizados com EADPOC. Buscamos investigar se escores de deterioração clínica e mortalidade no momento da admissão podem prever eventos adversos durante a hospitalização e após a alta de pacientes com EADPOC. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo retrospectivo a respeito de pacientes admitidos com EADPOC. O National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), o NEWS288-92%, o escore Dyspnea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidemia, and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF, Dispneia, Eosinopenia, Consolidação, Acidemia e Fibrilação atrial) e o escore DECAF modificado (DECAFm) foram calculados no momento da admissão. Avaliamos a sensibilidade, a especificidade e o desempenho geral dos escores quanto aos seguintes desfechos: mortalidade hospitalar; necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva ou ventilação não invasiva (VNI); longas internações hospitalares; readmissões hospitalares e futuras AECOPD. Resultados: Incluímos 119 pacientes admitidos com EADPOC. A mediana da idade foi de 75 anos, e 87,9% eram do sexo masculino. O NEWS288-92% associou-se a uma redução de 8,9% no número de indivíduos classificados em pacientes com necessidade de observação atenta e contínua, sem aumento do risco de morte no grupo de indivíduos classificados em pacientes de baixo risco. O NEWS288-92% e o NEWS2 foram considerados adequados para prever a necessidade de VNI aguda e internações hospitalares mais longas. O DECAF e o DECAFm foram considerados melhores em prever a mortalidade hospitalar do que o NEWS2 e o NEWS288-92%. Conclusões: Em comparação com o NEWS2, o NEWS288-92% reduz com segurança a necessidade de monitoramento clínico em pacientes com EADPOC. O NEWS2 e o NEWS288-92% aparentemente são bons preditores do tempo de internação hospitalar e da necessidade de VNI, mas não substituem o DECAF e o DECAFm como preditores de mortalidade.

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ABSTRACT Objective: A substantial number of people with COPD suffer from exacerbations, which are defined as an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms. To minimize exacerbations, telehealth has emerged as an alternative to improve clinical management, access to health care, and support for self-management. Our objective was to map the evidence of telehealth/telemedicine for the monitoring of adult COPD patients after hospitalization due to an exacerbation. Methods: Bibliographic search was carried in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde/LILACS and Cochrane Library databases to identify articles describing telehealth and telemonitoring strategies in Portuguese, English, or Spanish published by December of 2021. Results: Thirty-nine articles, using the following concepts (number of articles), were included in this review: telehealth (21); telemonitoring (20); telemedicine (17); teleconsultation (5); teleassistance (4); telehomecare and telerehabilitation (3 each); telecommunication and mobile health (2 each); and e-health management, e-coach, telehome, telehealth care and televideo consultation (1 each). All these concepts describe strategies which use telephone and/or video calls for coaching, data monitoring, and health education leading to self-management or self-care, focusing on providing remote integrated home care with or without telemetry devices. Conclusions: This review demonstrated that telehealth/telemedicine in combination with telemonitoring can be an interesting strategy to benefit COPD patients after discharge from hospitalization for an exacerbation, by improving their quality of life and reducing re-hospitalizations, admissions to emergency services, hospital length of stay, and health care costs.

RESUMO Objetivo: Um número substancial de pessoas com DPOC sofre de exacerbações, definidas como uma piora aguda dos sintomas respiratórios. Para minimizar as exacerbações, a telessaúde surgiu como alternativa para melhorar o manejo clínico, o acesso aos cuidados de saúde e o apoio à autogestão. Nosso objetivo foi mapear as evidências de telessaúde/telemedicina para o monitoramento de pacientes adultos com DPOC após hospitalização por exacerbação. Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica nos bancos de dados PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde/LILACS e Cochrane Library para identificar artigos que descrevessem estratégias de telessaúde e telemonitoramento em português, inglês, ou espanhol, publicados até dezembro de 2021. Resultados: Trinta e nove artigos, utilizando os seguintes conceitos (número de artigos), foram incluídos nesta revisão: telessaúde (21); telemonitoramento (20); telemedicina (17); teleconsulta (5); teleassistência (4); telecuidado domiciliar e telerreabilitação (3 cada); telecomunicação e saúde móvel (2 cada); e gestão de e-saúde, e-coach, teledomicílio, cuidados de telessaúde e tele/videoconsulta (1 cada). Todos esses conceitos descrevem estratégias que utilizam chamadas telefônicas e/ou de vídeo para coaching, monitoramento de dados e educação em saúde levando à autogestão ou autocuidado, com foco na prestação de cuidados domiciliares remotos integrados, com ou sem dispositivos de telemetria. Conclusões: Esta revisão demonstrou que a telessaúde/telemedicina associada ao telemonitoramento pode ser uma estratégia interessante para beneficiar pacientes com DPOC após a alta hospitalar por exacerbação, por meio da melhora da qualidade de vida e da redução das re-hospitalizações, admissões em serviços de emergência, tempo de internação hospitalar e custos de cuidados de saúde.

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Objetivos: evaluar si los pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) al momento del diagnóstico con baja actividad de la enfermedad presentaron un curso más benigno de la enfermedad vs. aquellos que tuvieron actividad moderada/severa. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, analítico, de cohorte retrospectiva. Se revisaron historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de LES según criterios del American College of Rheumatology (ACR 1982/1997), del Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC 2012) o del ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR 2019), con un seguimiento mínimo de un año, que acudieron a la Sección de Reumatología del Hospital Rivadavia de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Resultados: se incluyeron 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de LES, de los cuales el 44% presentaba actividad leve, mientras que el 56% tenía actividad moderada o severa al diagnóstico. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos en la cantidad de brotes a lo largo de la evolución de la enfermedad (mediana del grupo con actividad leve 0 (RIC 0-1) vs. mediana del grupo actividad moderada o severa 1 (RIC 1-2); p<0,01). Se detectó un menor compromiso de órganos durante la evolución de la enfermedad en aquellos con actividad basal leve en comparación con actividad basal moderada/severa, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el compromiso renal (15,91% vs. 55,36%; p<0,01). Conclusiones: los pacientes con actividad basal baja tuvieron un curso más benigno de la enfermedad y una menor cantidad de brotes severos, en comparación con quienes presentaron actividad moderada/severa al inicio de la enfermedad.

Objectives: to assess whether patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and low disease activity at the time of diagnosis have a more benign course of the disease vs those who have moderate/severe activity at the time of diagnosis. Materials and methods: observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study. Clinical records of patients diagnosed with SLE according to ACR 1982/1997 Criteria, SLICC 2012 or ACR/EULAR 2019, who attended the Rheumatology Section of Rivadavia hospital in CABA, Argentina, were reviewed. Results: a total of 100 patients diagnosed with SLE were included, of which 44% had mild activity, while the remaining 56% had moderate or severe activity at diagnosis. Statistically significant differences were observed between the group that had mild baseline activity vs the group that presented moderate/severe baseline activity, with the first group presenting fewer flares throughout the course of the disease (median of the first group 0 (IQR 0-1) vs median of the second, 1 (IQR 1-2); p<0.01). Less organ involvement was observed throughout the course of the disease in those with mild baseline activity compared with moderate/severe baseline activity, with statistically significant differences in renal involvement (15.91% versus 55.36%; p<0.01). Conclusions: patients with low baseline activity had a more benign disease course, presenting fewer severe flares compared to patients who presented moderate to severe activity at disease onset.

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Objective: To estimate the frequency of infections and to describe the pattern of these infections among patients diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) treated at the Central Military Hospital (HOMIL). Methods: A descriptive study was carried out using an administrative database of the military hospital, we used a validated algorithm that classifies patients as having SLE in administrative databases. Infection was defined as an event with main diagnosis using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) coding algorithm or by searching the antibiotics prescription database, additionally, we abstracted some variables related to SLE status in the group of patients in whom infections were documented during the infection event. Results: 237 SLE patients were identified. The mean age was 41.9 years (CI 29.0-54.3), 80% were female, 97.7% used conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Of these 237 patients, 22 (9.4%) met the operative definition of infection, in this group the mean age was 44.3 years (SD 16.4). All the 22 patients received conventional DMARDs and none of them had concomitant biologic therapy. In this group of patients, the most common type of infection was bacterial (72.7%), followed by viral (9.1%) including a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Hospital administrative databases can be a useful source of information for monitoring outcomes that generate significant morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE, in the group of patients in whom infections were documented, bacterial infections were the most frequent. The most documented clinical findings were leukopenia, systemic steroid therapy, and concomitant disease activity.

Objetivo: Estimar la frecuencia de las infecciones y describir su patrón de presentación en pacientes con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) atendidos en el Hospital Militar Central (Homil) en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el que se utilizó una base de datos administrativa del Hospital Military se empleó un algoritmo validado que clasificó a los pacientes con LES en las bases de datos administrativas. La infección se definió a partir de los códigos CIE-10 o por la búsqueda en la base de datos de la prescripción de antibióticos; adicionalmente, en las historias clínicas del grupo de pacientes en los que se documentaron infecciones, se revisaron algunas variables relacionadas con el estado de LES durante el evento de la infección. Resultados: Se identificaron 237 pacientes con LES, cuya edad media fue de 41,9 años (IC 29,0-54.3), el 80% eran mujeres y el 97,7% usaba medicamentos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad (DMARD) convencionales. De estos 237 pacientes, 22 (9,4%) cumplieron con la definición operativa de infección; en este grupo la edad media fue de 44,3 anos (DE = 16.4). Los 22 pacientes recibieron DMARD convencionales y ninguno recibió terapia biológica concomitante. En este grupo, el tipo de infección más común fue la bacteriana (72,7%), seguida de la viral (9,1%), incluido un paciente con infección por SARS-CoV-2. Conclusiones: Las bases de datos administrativas hospitalarias pueden ser una fuente útil de información para el seguimiento de los eventos que generan una morbimortalidad significativa en los pacientes con LES. En el grupo de pacientes en los que se documentaron infecciones, las infecciones bacterianas fueron las más frecuentes y los hallazgos clínicos más comúnmente documentados fueron la leucopenia, la terapia con esteroides sistémicos y la actividad de la enfermedad concomitante.

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We have previously reported that urinary excretion of serpin-A3 (uSerpA3) is significantly elevated in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN). Here, we evaluated the course of uSerpA3 during the first year of treatment and its association with response to therapy in patients with proliferative LN. The observational longitudinal study included 60 Mexican adults with proliferative LN followed during the first year after LN flare. uSerpA3 was detected by Western blot analysis at flare and after 3, 6, and 12 mo. The response to therapy was determined 1 yr after the LN flare. We evaluated the correlation between uSerpA3 and histological parameters at LN flare. The temporal association between uSerpA3 and response to therapy was analyzed with linear mixed models. uSerpA3 prognostic performance for response was evaluated with receiver-operating characteristic curves. Among the 60 patients studied, 21 patients (35%) were class III and 39 patients (65%) were class IV. uSerpA3 was higher in class IV than in class III LN (6.98 vs. 2.89 dots per in./mg creatinine, P = 0.01). Furthermore, uSerpA3 correlated with the histological activity index (r = 0.29, P = 0.02). There was a significant association between the temporal course of uSerpA3 and response to therapy. Responders showed a significant drop in uSerpA3 at 6 mo compared with LN flare (P < 0.001), whereas nonresponders persisted with elevated uSerpA3. Moreover, uSerpA3 was significantly lower at flare in responders compared with nonresponders (2.69 vs. 6.98 dots per in./mg creatinine, P < 0.05). Furthermore, uSerpA3 was able to identify nonresponders since 3 mo after LN flare (area under the curve: 0.77). In conclusion, uSerpA3 is an early indicator of kidney inflammation and predictor of the clinical response to therapy in patients with proliferative LN.NEW & NOTEWORTHY LN requires aggressive immunosuppression to improve long-term outcomes. Current indicators of remission take several months to normalize, prolonging treatment regiments in some cases. Serpin-A3 is present in urine of patients with proliferative LN. We evaluated the excretion of serpin-A3 in serial samples of patients with proliferative LN during the first year after flare. We found that uSerpA3 correlates with kidney inflammation and its decline at early points predicts the response to therapy 1 yr after flare.

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A flare stack is an indispensable device in the oil and gas industry for allowing the safe combustion of gases into the atmosphere, especially during emergencies. However, it is not ideal for the routine disposal of gaseous waste, as it is subject to meteorological influences and poor operational control. In addition, it can be affected by toxic currents and thus pose a potential risk of odors; in view of this, an assessment must be made of the implications of burning on the environment and health. Atmospheric dispersion modelling has proved to be a very useful tool for this purpose. In light of this, an attempt has been made in this work to evaluate the impact of H2S on the well-being (odor perception) of the community in the surrounding area of an oil refinery, where the temporary burning of rich gas in H2S occurs in a chemical flare, and operational factors have an influence on atmospheric dispersion. The odor assessment was carried out with the aid of AERMOD which was adapted to estimate the maximum odor concentration for very short periods by means of peak-to-mean ratios. The results showed that H2S detection can reach a probability rate of 42% at 3.5 km distance from the flare (in a time interval of 5 s) with a relatively high degree of annoyance (3.0 AU). However, some operational procedures can reduce the probability of odor detection to 29% and the degree of annoyance to 2.6 AU.

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Objetivo: avaliar o comportamento de parâmetros do sistema respiratório durante internação para antibioticoterapia intravenosa (AIV) como tratamento da exacerbação pulmonar aguda (EPA) em escolares com fibrose cística (FC). Métodos: estudo do tipo analítico observacional, before-after, realizado no Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis ­ Santa Catarina. Foram incluídas crianças com diagnóstico de FC, entre seis e 15 anos, em internação para tratamento da exacerbação pulmonar aguda, no início (T1), durante (T2) e ao final (T3) da internação foi conduzida avaliação de escores específicos de EPA, dados antropométricos e realizada avaliação dos parâmetros do sistema respiratório pelo sistema de oscilometria de impulso (IOS) e espirometria. Foram obtidos, em prontuário, dados de colonização bacteriana, genótipo, gravidade da doença (Escore de Schwachman-Doershuk-ESD) e espirometria mais recente em estabilidade clínica. Aplicou-se o teste Shapiro-Wilk para análise da distribuição dos dados e os testes ANOVA de medidas repetidas, teste de Friedman, teste T pareado e Wilcoxon, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: participaram 16 crianças/adolescentes (68.8% meninas, 12.88±1.67anos). Houve aumento dos parâmetros da espirometria e dados antropométricos (p<0.005) no T3, bem como redução dos escores de EPA e do X5 (p<0.005) no T3. Conclusão: os dados apresentados nesse trabalho mostram melhora dos escores de EPA, dados antropométricos, parâmetros da espirometria e do parâmetro de recolhimento elástico do IOS (X5).RESUMODescritores: Fibrose cística, Exacerbação dos sintomas, Testes de função pulmonar, Mecânica respiratória (AU)

Objective: Evaluate the respiratory system parameters of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) during hospitalization for acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) treatment. Methods: observational study before-after that occurred at the CF reference center. There were included children with cystic fibrosis (CF) between six to 15 years old hospitalized due to APE. The registration of the APE clinical scores, anthropometric data, and respiratory system (IOS and spirometry) evaluation occurred at the beginning (T1), during (T2), and at the end (T3) of the hospitalization. There were registered pathogens, genetic mutation, disease severity (Schwachman-Doershuk Score), and the most recent spirometry when they were clinically stable. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to analyze data distribution, and the repeated measure ANOVA, Friedman test, Tpaired test, and Wilcoxon test were performed to compare data, with a significance level set at 5%. Results: sixteen children/adolescents participated in the study (68.8% girls, 12.88±1.67 years old). The spirometric parameters, X5 parameter, and anthropometric data increased (p<0.005) and the APE scores decreased (p<0.005) at T3. Conclusion: APE scores, anthropometric data, spirometric parameters, and IOS elastic recoil parameter (X5) improved at the end of hospitalization (AU)

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BACKGROUND: Our objective was to investigate the value of ultrasound (US) detected synovitis and tenosynovitis as risk factors for short term flare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical remission. METHODS: Consecutive RA patients in clinical remission (DAS28 ERS < 2.6) for at least 3 months underwent Power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) examination of 1st to 6th extensor compartments at the wrist, 2nd to 5th finger flexor, posterior tibial tendon, and peroneal tendons. To assess synovitis, carpal joints, 1st to 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and 2nd to 5th interphalangeal proximal (IPP) joints were bilaterally examined. Synovitis and tenosynovitis were defined according to OMERACT. Patients were followed for 1 year. Disease flare was defined as an increase in disease activity generating the need for a change in therapy by the attending rheumatologist. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. After 1 year of follow-up, 26 patients (29%) experienced a flare. At baseline 39%, 23% and 8% had US-detected synovitis, tenosynovitis or both, respectively. In the 1-year period after the baseline US examination, US-detected tenosynovitis (RR: 4.9; 95% CI: 2.2-10.8) was associated with an increased risk of exacerbation. This association was not shown with US-detected synovitis (RR: 1.3; 95% CI: 0.76-2.2). In the multivariate analysis, only subclinical tenosynovitis (OR: 9.8; 95% CI: 2.5-39.1; p = 0.001) and baseline DAS28 (OR: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.1-31.6; p = 0.047) were significantly associated with an increased risk of having a flare. CONCLUSION: In our study, subclinical tenosynovitis was associated with disease flare in patients with RA in clinical remission. KEY POINTS: • Synovitis and tenosynovitis are risk factors for short term flare in RA patients in clinical remission. • Subclinical tenosynovitis, but not synovitis, was associated with disease flare in patients with unstable remission. • Ultrasound-detected tenosynovitis could be useful to predict relapses in RA patients in clinical remission.

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RESUMO: Objetivo: avaliar o comportamento de parâmetros do sistema respiratório durante internação para antibioticoterapia intravenosa (AIV) como tratamento da exacerbação pulmonar aguda (EPA) em escolares com fibrose cística (FC). Métodos: estudo do tipo analítico observacional, before-after, realizado no Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis ­ Santa Catarina. Foram incluídas crianças com diagnóstico de FC, entre seis e 15 anos, em internação para tratamento da exacerbação pulmonar aguda, no início (T1), durante (T2) e ao final (T3) da internação foi conduzida avaliação de escores específicos de EPA, dados antropométricos e realizada avaliação dos parâmetros do sistema respiratório pelo sistema de oscilometria de impulso (IOS) e espirometria. Foram obtidos, em prontuário, dados de colonização bacteriana, genótipo, gravidade da doença (Escore de Schwachman-Doershuk-ESD) e espirometria mais recente em estabilidade clínica. Aplicou-se o teste Shapiro-Wilk para análise da distribuição dos dados e os testes ANOVA de medidas repetidas, teste de Friedman, teste T pareado e Wilcoxon, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: participaram 16 crianças/adolescentes (68.8% meninas, 12.88±1.67anos). Houve aumento dos parâmetros da espirometria e dados antropométricos (p<0.005) no T3, bem como redução dos escores de EPA e do X5 (p<0.005) no T3. Conclusão: os dados apresentados nesse trabalho mostram melhora dos escores de EPA, dados antropométricos, parâmetros da espirometria e do parâmetro de recolhimento elástico do IOS (X5).RESUMODescritores: Fibrose cística, Exacerbação dos sintomas, Testes de função pulmonar, Mecânica respiratória. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Objective: Evaluate the respiratory system parameters of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) during hospitalization for acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) treatment. Methods: observational study before-after that occurred at the CF reference center. There were included children with cystic fibrosis (CF) between six to 15 years old hospitalized due to APE. The registration of the APE clinical scores, anthropometric data, and respiratory system (IOS and spirometry) evaluation occurred at the beginning (T1), during (T2), and at the end (T3) of the hospitalization. There were registered pathogens, genetic mutation, disease severity (Schwachman-Doershuk Score), and the most recent spirometry when they were clinically stable. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to analyze data distribution, and the repeated measure ANOVA, Friedman test, Tpaired test, and Wilcoxon test were performed to compare data, with a significance level set at 5%. Results: sixteen children/adolescents participated in the study (68.8% girls, 12.88±1.67 years old). The spirometric parameters, X5 parameter, and anthropometric data increased (p<0.005) and the APE scores decreased (p<0.005) at T3. Conclusion: APE scores, anthropometric data, spirometric parameters, and IOS elastic recoil parameter (X5) improved at the end of hospitalization.ABSTRACTKeywords: Cystic fibrosis, Symptom flare up, Respiratory function tests, Respiratory mechanics.1. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina ­ UDESC ­ Florianópolis, (SC) ­ Brasil https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.rmrp.2022.183755Tayná Castilho1, Renata Maba Gonçalves Wamosy1, Camila Isabel Santos Schivinski1Este é um artigo publicado em acesso aberto (Open Access) sob a licença Creative Commons Attribution, que permite uso, distribuição e reprodução em qualquer meio, sem restrições, desde que o trabalho original seja corretamente citado. (AU)

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OBJECTIVE: Low hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels are predictors of flare in adult lupus. Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) has high morbidity with renal involvement in up to 80% of cases. The aim of this study is to determine the HCQ cut-off levels which predicts flare in childhood-onset lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: Sixty LN patients on HCQ use for at least 6-months were prospectively evaluated at baseline (BL) and about 6-months later for cSLE flare and HCQ blood levels (ng/mL) measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: There were 19 patients (32%) with flare, during the study with median SLEDAI increase of 4 (0-8). Median (IQR) BL HCQ levels of the flare group were lower compared to stable patients [557.5 (68.6-980.3) vs. 1061.9 (534.8-1590.0 ng/mL); p=0.012]. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that HCQ levels≤1075 ng/mL were associated with a 5.08 (95%CI 1.28-20.13; p=0.021) times increased risk of flare. Six-month HCQ levels revealed that most patients 24/54 (44%) had persistently low levels (≤1075) during follow-up. Among those, 11/24 (46%) had flare. Multiple logistic regression analysis including prednisone use, baseline SLEDAI-2K, adherence based on pharmacy refill and BL HCQ blood levels as possible predictors of flare revealed that only HCQ blood level was independently associated with flare (OR 0.999, 95%CI 0.998-1.0, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that HCQ blood cut-off level under 1075 ng/mL predicts flare in childhood-onset LN patients under prescribed HCQ dose of 4.0-5.5 mg/kg/day. We further observed that most of these patients have compliance issues reinforcing the need for a close surveillance particularly in those with levels below the defined cut-off.

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Physical inactivity and peripheral muscle dysfunction are considered two of the main contributors to hospitalizations due to exacerbation and, above all, predictors of mortality for these requirements in patients with COPD. Therefore, longitudinal studies are needed to determine the impact of exacerbations during hospitalization on these two factors, especially after three months of hospital discharge. The objectives of the present study were to assess the level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) and isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps in patients hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD and to verify changes after 3 months of hospital discharge. This is a longitudinal observational study that assessed the PADL level with an accelerometer, after 24 h of the hospitalization and the beginning of the drug treatment and assessed the quadriceps muscle strength with a manual dynamometer, after 72 h of hospitalization, in 32 patients with COPD (66 ± 7.61 years), in addition to repeating both assessments with 30 days of hospital discharge and after 3 months of follow-up. Cognition, dyspnea, general health, physical performance and lung function were assessed to characterize the sample. As main results, there was increase in active time (344 ± 260 - 447 ± 199 min; p = 0.04) and number of steps (4.241 ± 374 - 6.216 ± 400 steps; p = 0.02) after three months. In addition, inactive time showed significant reduction 30 days after hospital discharge (1.151 ± 249 - 1.065 ± 198 min; p = 0.02). The level of physical activity showed significant improvement due to the increase in active time and number of steps after three months of hospital discharge and to the reduction of inactive time 30 days after hospital discharge.

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BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic corticosteroids to prevent pain flare (PF) in bone metastases treated with radiotherapy performing a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: RCTs were identified on Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the proceedings of annual meetings through June 2020. We followed the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. A meta-analysis was performed to assess if corticosteroids reduce the PF, pain progression, and the mean of days with PF compared with the placebo. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Three RCTs with a total of 713 patients treated were included. The corticosteroids reduced the occurrence of early PF 20.5% (51/248) versus 32% (80/250) placebo, OR = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.36-0.82, p = 0.002). The mean days of PF were reduced to 1.6 days (95% CI: 1.3-1.9, p = 0.0001). Prophylactic corticosteroids had more patients with no PF and no pain progression, OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.14-2.32, p = 0.007). No significant corticosteroids effect was observed for pain progression (p = ns) and late PF occurrence (p = ns). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic corticosteroids reduced the incidence of early PF, the days with PF, resulting in a superior rate of patients with no PF and no pain progression, but with no significant benefit for reducing pain progression or late PF occurrence.

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RESUMEN El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune que afecta múltiples órganos; el compromiso renal se encuentra en el 50% de los pacientes y es variable de acuerdo con el grupo racial y étnico. Se estima que el 10% de los pacientes con nefritis lúpica (NL) desarrollan enfermedad renal terminal (ERT) y, una vez que se da la progresión, el 80% de los pacientes negativizan los marcadores de actividad. Sin embargo, aunque es inusual, la reactivación de la enfermedad puede presentarse en compromiso renal avanzado y es importante diagnosticarla oportunamente para definir la causa, tratarla y evitar complicaciones. Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 45 arios, con ERT en diálisis peritoneal, que se encontraba en remisión de la enfermedad y posteriormente desarrolló actividad lúpica.

ABSTRACT Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, and renal involvement is found in 50% of patients and is variable according to racial and ethnic group. It is estimated that 10% of patients with lupus nephritis (NL) develop end-stage renal disease (ERT), and once progression occurs, 80% of patients are negative for activity markers. However, although it is rare, the reactivation of the disease can occur in advanced renal involvement, and it is important to diagnose it in a timely manner to define the cause and treat it, avoiding complications.

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