scholarly journals The effect of hydroxychloroquine against SARS-CoV-2 infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okan Küçükakkaş ◽  
Teoman Aydın
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Laboratory Parameters ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Adequate Data ◽  
Rheumatology Practice

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and treatment is still controversial. In this study, our aim is to investigate the potential effects of hydroxychloroquine therapy on patients with diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.METHOD: We included patients who were followed up with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and whose SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed. The patients were divided into two groups as those who previously used hydroxychloroquine and those who did not, and were compared in terms of clinical and laboratory data.RESULTS: Our study included 17 patients with adequate data (2 males, 15 females). The mean age of the patients was 57.2 ± 11.6 years. 7 (41.2%) patients were receiving hydroxychloroquine regularly for the last 6 months. When the effect of hydroxychloroquine on clinical and laboratory parameters of patients was examined, there was no significant difference between the groups of patients using and not using hydroxychloroquine. The patients using and not using hydroxychloroquine were compared for the presence of typical SARS-CoV-2 infection findings on computed tomography images, admission to the hospital and intensive care. No significant differences were observed between these two groups.CONCLUSIONS: Many studies on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine use in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still ongoing. Due to its importance in rheumatology practice, it is very important to clarify the position of hydroxychloroquine in SARS-CoV-2 therapy. Our findings suggest that having previously used hydroxychloroquine does not have any negative or positive effect on the infection.

scholarly journals Measurement of the Endotracheal Tube Diameter Using Computed Tomography Images for Pediatric Patients: Comparison with Classic Formulas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatice Dilek Özcanoğlu ◽  
Berna Türkay ◽  
Neşe Kutlutürk Şahin ◽  
Zahide Özlem Ulubay ◽  
Ayşe Sevinç Revanlı ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Transverse Diameter ◽  
External Diameter ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Objective: In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the compatibility of endotracheal tube (ETT) size used during surgery with tracheal diameter measured by computed tomography(CT) and classic formulas in children who underwent CT imaging preoperatively due to surgical indications. Methods: The study included preoperatively CT scanned, 0-3 year-old patients who were operated due to congenital heart diseases between June 1-October 1, 2018.Using the CT scans, transverse and anteroposterior tracheal diameters were measured from the subglottic level. As these diameters reflect the external diameter of the ETT, the inner diameter-which corresponds the ETT size-was calculated using a correction formula. Besides, Cole’s formula was used to calculate the ETT size for each child, and the tube sizes used during surgeries were obtained from anesthesia charts.ETT sizes were compared. Results: 43 patients (22 girls [51.2%],21 boys [48.8%]) were included.The mean age was 10.5±9.6 months. 18 patients (41.9%) had cyanotic, 25 patients (58.1%) had acyanotic heart disease.Mean corrected transverse and anteroposterior tracheal diameters at CT images were 4.35±0.69mm and 4.30±0.71 mm, respectively. The mean diameter calculated by Cole’s formula was 4.22±0.20 mm. The mean tube size used during surgeries was 4.37±0.60 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the tube sizes used during the surgeries and the corrected transverse tracheal diameters from CT measurements (p>0.05). But the tube sizes used during the surgeries found significantly larger than the diameters obtained by Cole’s formula (p<0.05). Conclusion: In 0-3 years of age pediatric patients who undergo a congenital heart surgery,corrected tracheal transverse diameter measured by CT is more effective,reliable and less invasive than classic formulas for determining appropriate ETT size

scholarly journals Comparing the Use of 3D Photogrammetry and Computed Tomography in Assessing the Severity of Single-Suture Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia A. Ho ◽  
Nikoo Saber ◽  
Derek Stephens ◽  
April Clausen ◽  
James Drake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
3D Photogrammetry ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Single Suture

Purpose: Single-suture nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is diagnosed using clinical assessment and computed tomography (CT). With increasing awareness of the associated risks of radiation exposure, the use of CT is particularly concerning in patients with craniosynostosis since they are exposed at a younger age and more frequently than the average child. Three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry is advantageous—it involves no radiation, is conveniently obtainable within clinic, and does not require general anaesthesia. This study aims to assess how 3D photogrammetry compares to CT in the assessment of craniosynostosis severity, to quantify surgical outcomes, and analyze the validity of 3D photogrammetry in craniosynostosis. Methods: Computed tomography images and 3D photographs of patients who underwent craniosynostosis surgery were assessed and aligned to best fit. The intervening area between the CT and 3D photogrammetry curves at the supraorbital bar (bandeau) level in axial view was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals were determined and equivalence margins were applied. Results: In total, 41 pairs of CTs and 3D photographs were analyzed. The 95% confidence interval was 198.16 to 264.18 mm2 and the mean was 231.17 mm2. When comparisons were made in the same bandeau region omitting the temporalis muscle, the 95% confidence interval was 108.94 to 147.38 mm2, and the mean was 128.16 mm2. Although statistically significant difference between the modalities was found, they can be attributable to the dampening effect of soft tissue. Conclusion: Within certain error margins, 3D photogrammetry is comparable to CT in assessing the severity of single-suture nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. However, a dampening effect can be attributable to the soft tissue. Three-dimensional photogrammetry may be more applicable for severe cases of craniosynostosis but not milder deformity. It may also be beneficial for assessing the overall appearance and aesthetics but not for determining underlying bony severity.

scholarly journals THU0517 THE ROLE OF ULTRASOUND-DEFINED SYNOVITIS GRADE I IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRALGIA, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 497.2-497
Author(s):  
J. Arroyo Palomo ◽  
M. Arce Benavente ◽  
C. Pijoan Moratalla ◽  
B. A. Blanco Cáceres ◽  
A. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Inflammatory Arthritis ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Painful Joint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specialized Unit

Background:Musculoeskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is frequently used in several rheumatology units to detect subclinical inflammation in patients with joint symptoms suspected for progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA). Synovitis grade I (EULAR-OMERACT combined score) is known to be a casual finding in healthy individuals, but studies headed to unravel its possible role on rheumatic diseases are sparse.Objectives:To investigate the correlation between synovitis grade I, and the diagnosis of IA made after a year follow-up period since MSUS findings, in patients of an MSUS-specialized unit of a Rheumatology Department.Methods:We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and unicentric study. 30 patients were selected from the MSUS-specialized unit of our Rheumatology Department from July-18 to January-19. Patients presenting synovitis grade 0 (exclusively), 2 and/or 3 on combined score were excluded. Data collection at baseline included age, sex, immunological profile and previous physical examination to the MSUS findings, as well as the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist in 1-year visit follow-up: dividing the patient sample into two groups: those who were diagnosed with IA and those not. Non-parametric statistical tests for comparing means were used.Results:The mean age was 51,6 years and 70% were females. 6 (20%) patients were diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis after a year follow-up: 2 (4,8%) psoriatic arthritis, 1 (3,3%) undifferentiated arthritis, 1 (3,3%) rheumatoid arthritis, 1 (3,3%) Sjögren’s syndrome. Non-inflammatory arthropathies were also found 24 (80%), of which, 12 (40%) were non-specific arthralgias and 8 (19%) osteoarthritis.In the group of patients who did not developed an IA the mean C-reactive protein (CPR) value was 3,12 mg/L and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 8,2 mm; all of them were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and ACPA-negative except one patient. 5 (31,3%) patients presented low antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) levels. In those who HLA B-27 and Cw6 were tested (4,25%); both were negative except for one that was HLA B-27 positive. The median number of swollen and painful joint count was 0, and the mean of joints with MSUS involvement was 3,5; the mean involved metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was 1,83; proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was 1,48 and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints 0,21.Among the group of patients that developed an IA the mean of CPR and ESR was 9,27 mg/L and 14,17 mm respectively; 2 (33%) patients were RF- positive, and 1 ACPA-positive. ANAs were positive in 3 cases (50%). The median of swollen joint count was 2 and for painful joint count was 0, the median of joints with MSUS involvement was 4,5. The mean of MSUS involvement was for MCP, PIP and DIP joints: 1,67, 2 and 0. Comparing the means of CPR values in the two groups with Student’s t-test we obtained a statistically significant difference (p=0,023). No other significant differences were found.Conclusion:Despite the limitations and possible statistical bias, the presence of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I and elevated CRP levels could be related to further diagnoses of inflammatory arthropathy. Besides, the absence of synovitis in DIP joints might have a diagnostic role. Normal physical exploration and normal levels of CRP might suggest low MSUS value. However, further research is needed to clarify the role of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I.References:[1]D’Agostino MA et al. Scoring ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a EULAR-OMERACT ultrasound taskforce-Part 1: definition and development of a standardized, consensus-based scoring system. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000428.[2]Van den Berg R et al. What is the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients presenting with arthralgia to predict inflammatory arthritis development? A systematic literature review. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2018) 20:228.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals POS0586 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS AN INFLAMMATORY DISEASE WITH A HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 526.1-526
Author(s):  
L. Nacef ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
Y. Mabrouk ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
External Carotid ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right

Background:Hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are traditional risk factors of cardiac events. Carotid ultrasonography is an available way to detect subclinical atherosclerosis.Objectives:This study aimed to compare the intima-media thickness in RA patients based on their personal cardiovascular (CV) history of hypertension (hypertension), diabetes, and dyslipidemia.Methods:The present study is a prospective study conducted on Tunisian RA patients in the rheumatology department of Mohamed Kassab University Hospital (March and December 2020). The characteristics of the patients and those of the disease were collected.The high-resolution B-mode carotid US measured the IMT, according to American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The carotid bulb below its bifurcation and the internal and external carotid arteries were evaluated bilaterally with grayscale, spectral, and color Doppler ultrasonography using proprietary software for carotid artery measurements. IMT was measured using the two inner layers of the common carotid artery, and an increased IMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm. A Framingham score was calculated to predict the cardiovascular risk at 10-year.Results:Forty-seven patients were collected, 78.7% of whom were women. The mean age was 52.5 ±11.06 [32-76]. The rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 57.8% of cases, and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 62.2% of cases. RA was erosive in 81.6% of cases. Hypertension (hypertension) was present in 14.9% of patients, diabetes in 12.8% of patients, and dyslipidemia in 12.8% of patients. Nine patients were active smokers. The mean IMT in the left common carotid (LCC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left internal carotid (LIC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left external carotid (LEC) was 0.060 ±0.023. The mean IMT was 0.068 ±0.01 in the right common carotid (RCC), 0.062 ±0.02 in the right internal carotid (RIC), and 0.060 ±0.016 in the right external carotid (REC). The IMT was significantly higher in the left common carotid (LCC) in patients with hypertension (p=0.025). There was no significant difference in the other ultrasound sites (LIC, LEC, RCC, RIC, and REC) according to the presence or absence of hypertension. The IMT was also significantly increased in patients with diabetes at LCC (p=0.017) and RIC (p=0.025). There was no significant difference in the IMT at different ultrasound sites between patients with and without dyslipidemia.Conclusion:Hypertension was significantly associated with the increase in IMT at the LCC level in RA patients. Diabetes had an impact on IMT in LCC and RIC. However, dyslipidemia did not affect the IMT at the different ultrasound sites.References:[1]S. Gunter and al. Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2018; 36: Clinical E.xperimental.[2]Aslan and al. Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL, 2017.[3]Martin I. Wah-Suarez and al, Carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: A case-control study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018;1–7.[4]Gobbic C and al. Marcadores subclínicos de aterosclerosis y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en artritis temprana. Subclinical markers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in early arthritis marcadores subclínicos de aterosclerose e fatores de risco cardiovascular na artrite precoce.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Three-dimensional assessment of the anterior and inferior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve using computed tomography images in patients with and without mandibular asymmetry

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Young Kim ◽  
Michael D. Han ◽  
Kug Jin Jeon ◽  
Jong-Ki Huh ◽  
Kwang-Ho Park
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Symmetry Group ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Inferior Alveolar Nerve ◽  
Mental Foramen ◽  
3D Analysis ◽  
Mandibular Asymmetry ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mandibular Body

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in configuration and dimensions of the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve (ALIAN) in patients with and without mandibular asymmetry. Method Preoperative computed tomography images of patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery from January 2016 to December 2018 at a single institution were analyzed. Subjects were classified into two groups as “Asymmetry group” and “Symmetry group”. The distance from the most anterior and most inferior points of the ALIAN (IANant and IANinf) to the vertical and horizontal reference planes were measured (dAnt and dInf). The distance from IANant and IANinf to the mental foramen were also calculated (dAnt_MF and dInf_MF). The length of the mandibular body and symphysis area were measured. All measurements were analyzed using 3D analysis software. Results There were 57 total eligible subjects. In the Asymmetry group, dAnt and dAnt_MF on the non-deviated side were significantly longer than the deviated side (p < 0.001). dInf_MF on the non-deviated side was also significantly longer than the deviated side (p = 0.001). Mandibular body length was significantly longer on the non-deviated side (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in length in the symphysis area (p = 0.623). In the Symmetry group, there was no difference between the left and right sides for all variables. Conclusion In asymmetric patients, there is a difference tendency in the ALIAN between the deviated and non-deviated sides. In patients with mandibular asymmetry, this should be considered during surgery in the anterior mandible.

scholarly journals Multi-Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Networks for Edge Denoising of Computed Tomography Images

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Xiaowe Xu ◽  
Jiawei Zhang ◽  
Jinglan Liu ◽  
Yukun Ding ◽  
Tianchen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Image Denoising ◽  
Ct Images ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Ct Image ◽  
Paired Data ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Global Cycle

As one of the most commonly ordered imaging tests, the computed tomography (CT) scan comes with inevitable radiation exposure that increases cancer risk to patients. However, CT image quality is directly related to radiation dose, and thus it is desirable to obtain high-quality CT images with as little dose as possible. CT image denoising tries to obtain high-dose-like high-quality CT images (domain Y ) from low dose low-quality CT images (domain X ), which can be treated as an image-to-image translation task where the goal is to learn the transform between a source domain X (noisy images) and a target domain Y (clean images). Recently, the cycle-consistent adversarial denoising network (CCADN) has achieved state-of-the-art results by enforcing cycle-consistent loss without the need of paired training data, since the paired data is hard to collect due to patients’ interests and cardiac motion. However, out of concerns on patients’ privacy and data security, protocols typically require clinics to perform medical image processing tasks including CT image denoising locally (i.e., edge denoising). Therefore, the network models need to achieve high performance under various computation resource constraints including memory and performance. Our detailed analysis of CCADN raises a number of interesting questions that point to potential ways to further improve its performance using the same or even fewer computation resources. For example, if the noise is large leading to a significant difference between domain X and domain Y , can we bridge X and Y with a intermediate domain Z such that both the denoising process between X and Z and that between Z and Y are easier to learn? As such intermediate domains lead to multiple cycles, how do we best enforce cycle- consistency? Driven by these questions, we propose a multi-cycle-consistent adversarial network (MCCAN) that builds intermediate domains and enforces both local and global cycle-consistency for edge denoising of CT images. The global cycle-consistency couples all generators together to model the whole denoising process, whereas the local cycle-consistency imposes effective supervision on the process between adjacent domains. Experiments show that both local and global cycle-consistency are important for the success of MCCAN, which outperforms CCADN in terms of denoising quality with slightly less computation resource consumption.

scholarly journals Jones Fractures Identified at the National Football League Scouting Combine: Assessment of Prognostic Factors, Computed Tomography Findings, and Initial Career Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596711879074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Spang ◽  
Daniel B. Haber ◽  
Brendin R. Beaulieu-Jones ◽  
Kristen L. Stupay ◽  
George Sanchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
Incomplete Healing ◽  
Bony Healing ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Career Performance

Background: Jones fractures result in subsequent dysfunction and remain an issue for athletes. Purpose: To (1) describe the epidemiology, treatment, and impact of Jones fractures identified at the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine on players’ early careers and (2) establish the value of computed tomography (CT) to determine bony healing after a fracture in prospective players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All players who attended the combine between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed to identify their history of Jones fractures. The playing position, treatment method, and number of missed collegiate games were recorded. The mean overall draft pick number, number of games started and played, snap percentage, and position-specific performance scores (fantasy score) over the first 2 years in the NFL were compared between players with fractures and controls. An imaging classification system was applied based on grading of each quadrant of the fifth metatarsal (plantar, dorsal, medial, lateral), with a score of 0 for not healed or 1 for healed. Results: Overall, the number of Jones fractures identified was 72 in 2285 athletes (3.2%), with all treated via intramedullary screw fixation. The mean overall draft pick number for players with fractures was 111.2 ± 67.9 compared with 99.0 ± 65.9 for controls ( P = .12). Performance scores for players with fractures were lower than those for controls across all positions, with a significant difference in running backs (2.6 vs 4.0, respectively; P < .001) and defensive linemen (1.4 vs 2.3, respectively; P = .02). The mean CT score was 2.5 ± 1.3. Of the 32 athletes who underwent imaging, 16 Jones fractures (50.0%) were healed or nearly healed, 12 (37.5%) were partially healed, and 4 (12.5%) showed little or no healing. The plantar cortex demonstrated the least healing (18/32; 56.3%), followed by the lateral cortex (15/32; 46.9%). Players with a mean score <1 were found to have fewer games started (2.7 ± 2.5) than those with 1 to 3 cortices healed (17.4 ± 10.4) or all cortices healed (8.7 ± 11.2). Conclusion: Based on CT, 50% of all players with a previous Jones fracture demonstrated incomplete healing. Moreover, position-specific performance scores over the first 2 years of a player’s career were lower across all positions for those with fractures compared with controls. Players with CT scores <1 were found to start fewer games and were drafted later than controls.

scholarly journals THU0521 EVALUATION OF LIVER FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS UNDER METHOTREXATE TREATMENT. UTILITY OF FIBROSCAN AND BIOMARKERS IN ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 499.2-500
Author(s):  
A. De Diego Sola ◽  
M. Vaamonde Lorenzo ◽  
A. Castiella Eguzkiza ◽  
M. J. Sánchez Iturri ◽  
N. Alcorta Lorenzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Type I ◽  
Concomitant Treatment ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Apri Score ◽  
The Mean

Background:Despite therapeutic advances in recent years, methotrexate (MTX) remains the gold standard for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among the side effects that have been blamed on it are liver fibrosis (LF) and cirrhosis, although late studies have failed to show such a relation1,2. The only validated test in the diagnosis of LF is biopsy. Given the relevance of MTX in the treatment of RA, it is important to evaluate non-invasive diagnostic options for LF such as transitional elastography (FibroScan, FS).Objectives:To evaluate the percentage of LF in RA patients treated with MTX. Secondly, to assess the correlation between altered liver function, RA activity, and LF. To determine whether dose and/or duration of treatment with MTX may affect the development of LF in such patients.Methods:We did a prospective study between February 2019 and January 2020. Patients affected of RA treated with MTX were included. Patients with basal liver disease (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and steatohepatitis), alcohol consumption, type I diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, heart failure, obesity and concomitant treatment with leflunomide or antiretrovirals were excluded. Demographic, clinical, analytical and therapeutic variables were collected. Liver fibrosis was assessed by FS in kilopascals (kpa) and using the APRI score. RA activity was assessed by DAS28 score. Continuous variables are described with mean and standard deviation (SD), and qualitative variables are shown with absolute value and percentage. Spearman’s and Mann-Whitney’s U tests were used for the bivariate analysis.Results:Fifty patients were included (Table 1 and 2). Of these, 38 were women (76%) with mean age of 61.8 years (SD 11.7) and mean RA evolution time of 13.7 years (SD 8.2). The mean DAS28 at the visit was 2.39 (SD 1.1). The FS showed an average of 4.8 kpa (SD 2). The mean duration of treatment with MTX was 85.8 months (SD 93.3) and that of AD-MTX was 5414.6mg (SD 5011). Patients were divided into those with DA-MTX greater than 4000mg (21, 42%) and less than 4000mg (29, 58%) and no significant differences were found in terms of LF in FS (p 0.637) or APRI scale (p 0.806). No significant differences were found in terms of treatment duration either. Six patients (12%) had elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and 9 (18%) had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). No significant difference was found in FS values in relation to ALT, but it was with elevated AST (p 0.021). Similarly, differences were found in APRI based on AST (p 0.045). Metabolic syndrome was collected in 4 patients (8%) without significant differences with FS or APRI values. There were no significant differences in LF depending on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) values.Conclusion:FS and APRI score are useful for the determination of LF in RA patients treated with MTX. There is no evidence of a relationship between AD-MTX and LF by FS or APRI. AST values may be related to the presence of fibrosis as determined by FS or APRI. and the presence of the metabolic syndrome are not.References:[1]G.L. Erre, et al. Methotrexate therapy is not associated with increased liver stiffness and significant liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A cross-sectional controlled study with real-time two-dimensional shear wave elastography. European Journal of Internal Medicine 69 (2019) 57–63. Internet.[2]R. Conway et al. Risk of liver injury among methotrexate users: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2015 Oct;45(2):156–62. Internet.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Interleukin-37 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine: does its relation to disease activity suggest its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis therapy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman A. Baraka ◽  
Mona G. Balata ◽  
Shereen H. Ahmed ◽  
Afaf F. Khamis ◽  
Enas A. Elattar
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tender Joint ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF MANDIBULAR ASYMMETRY IN SKELETAL CLASS I ADULT PATIENTS

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Frazão Gribel ◽  
Guilherme Thiesen ◽  
Tássia Silvana Borges ◽  
Maria Perpétua Mota Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Calculation Method ◽  
Significant Error ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Class I ◽  
Cone Beam ◽  
Skeletal Class ◽  
Mandibular Asymmetry ◽  
Computed Tomography Images ◽  
Significant Difference

AIM: The objective of this study was evaluating the prevalence of mandibular asymmetry in skeletal Class I adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was composed by cone-beam computed tomography images of 250 skeletal Class I patients with age from 18 to 70 years old. The side deviation of mandibular asymmetry was evaluated (right and left), as well as the intensity of this asymmetry. People with gnathic deviation until 2mm were considered as patients with slight asymmetry; deviation between 2 and 5mm was considered moderate asymmetry and those higher than 5mm as severe asymmetries. The error calculation method was performed and there was not significant error in the measurements. To verify the association between the prevalence of mandibular asymmetry and the gender of individuals, the Χ2 was carried out and the significant level adopted was 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that mandibular deviation occurred more frequently to the left side in both genders (male 56.5% e female 58.2%), without statistically significant difference between them (p=0.792). Besides, the prevalence of slight, moderate and severe asymmetries were, respectively 61%, 27% and 12% for males and 54%, 28% and 18% for female; and there was not statistically significant difference (p=0.366) between the gender of the sample evaluated. CONCLUSION: In this study, both deviation and intensity of mandibular asymmetry did not present preference regarding to the gender.

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