scholarly journals The clinical value of the delta finger to palm distance in systemic sclerosis

Reumatismo ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
A. Javinani ◽  
S. Mostafaei ◽  
F. Gharibdoost ◽  
A.R. Jamshidi ◽  
R. Atef Yekta ◽  
...  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagen-vascular disorder characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy. Delta finger to palm distance (delta FTP) is an index measuring the distance between the tip of the third finger to the distal palmar crease in the flexed and extended position. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of delta FTP and to assess the correlation of delta FTP with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) over the 12-month follow-up. This prospective longitudinal study began with 50 participants who were followed for twelve months. Lowess smoothing and linear regression were applied to detect and assess the relationship between delta FTP and mRSS. p-values were adjusted by the Benjamini-Hochberg method (BHM) as a control for false discovery rate. Delta FTP was lower among patients with higher disease duration (p-valueadj: 0.008), diffuse cutaneous SSc (p-valueadj: 0.006), digital ulcers (p-valueadj: 0.003), telangiectasia (p-valueadj: 0.006) and dysphagia (p-valueadj: 0.036). The mRSS has a significant negative linear effect on the delta FTP at the baseline and the end of the follow-up (r: -0.31 and -0.40, respectively). Moreover, changes of mRSS and delta FTP showed a negative linear association over time (r: -0.22). These linear effects remained significant after regrouping the patients based on their SSc subtype. Delta FTP and FVC were not correlated either at the baseline or at the end. It seems that the delta FTP can be a valuable clinical index, supported by its correlated changes with mRSS and other SSc clinical manifestations over the one-year follow-up.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (17) ◽  
pp. 1876-1886
Author(s):  
Giulia Stronati ◽  
Lucia Manfredi ◽  
Alessia Ferrarini ◽  
Lucia Zuliani ◽  
Marco Fogante ◽  
...  

Aims Cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is frequent and represents a negative prognostic factor. Recent studies have described subclinical heart involvement of both the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) via speckle-tracking-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS). It is currently unknown if SSc-related cardiomyopathy progresses through time. Our aim was to assess the progression of subclinical cardiac involvement in patients with SSc via speckle-tracking-derived GLS. Methods This was a prospective longitudinal study enrolling 72 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of SSc and no structural heart disease nor pulmonary hypertension. A standard echocardiographic exam and GLS calculations were performed at baseline and at follow-up. Results Traditional echocardiographic parameters did not differ from baseline to 20-month follow-up. LV GLS, despite being already impaired at baseline, worsened significantly during follow-up (from –19.8 ± 3.5% to –18.7 ± 3.5%, p = .034). RV GLS impairment progressed through the follow-up period (from –20.9 ± 6.1% to –18.7 ± 5.4%, p = .013). The impairment was more pronounced for the endocardial layers of both LV (from –22.5 ± 3.9% to –21.4 ± 3.9%, p = .041) and RV (–24.2 ± 6.2% to –20.6 ± 5.9%, p = .001). A 1% worsening in RV GLS was associated with an 18% increased risk of all-cause death or major cardiovascular event ( p = .03) and with a 55% increased risk of pulmonary hypertension ( p = .043). Conclusion SSC-related cardiomyopathy progresses over time and can be detected by speckle-tracking GLS. The highest progression towards reduced deformation was registered for the endocardial layers, which supports the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction is the main determinant of heart involvement in SSc patients and starts well before overt pulmonary hypertension.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
Arpana Neopane ◽  
Mona Sharma ◽  
Sumugdha Rayamajhi

Introduction: Polyarthritis is a common presentation of patients attending medicine outpatient department. Among various causes Rheumatoid arthritis is the commonest and a well established case has distinct characteristic features. However the early presentation of this disease has not been clear thus leading to delay in treatment. The objectives of this study was to identify the various causes of polyarthritis in our clinical practice, discuss the varied clinical presentation of rheumatoid arthritis including early Rheumatoid arthritis and to evaluate the treatment response during one year follow up. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study conducted in a teaching hospital over a two years period Results: Rheumatoid arthritis was the commonest cause of polyarthritis (77.8%) with a period prevalence of 0.7%. Early presentation included atypical features like asymmetry, unilateral presentation, manifesting within 2 months to 2 years of diagnosis. 43% (n=18) of the patients had swelling and tenderness in overused joints 1.5 years prior to full clinical manifestation. Flitting or migratory joint pain not considered to be a feature of rheumatoid arthritis was also present in 14.3% (n=6) patients with mean duration of 1.5 years prior to full blown presentation. MCPJ (metacarpophalyngeal joints) and PIP (proximal interphalyngeal joints) were involved in 90%. Treatment response with Methotrexate as a single DMARD was good as compared with DAS 28 ESR score. Conclusions: RA is a common arthritis with varied clinical presentation. Recognition of early symptoms is needed for early diagnosis and initiation of DMARD. Methotrexate as a DMARD is effective and should be initiated early. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v10i2.6459 Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital July-Dec 2011 10(2) 22-28


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijun Jian ◽  
Mi Tian ◽  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
Ling Sun ◽  
Yang Shen ◽  
...  

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the corneal biomechanical changes and topographic outcomes of accelerated transepithelial corneal cross-linking (ATE-CXL) in pediatric progressive keratoconus.Methods: In this prospective longitudinal study, 31 eyes of 28 pediatric patients with keratoconus (21 boys and 7 girls; mean age, 14.35 ± 2.68 years) undergoing ATE-CXL (epithelium-on procedure with 45 mW/cm2 for 320 s) were included. Corvis ST was used to measure dynamic corneal response parameters at baseline and at 12 month after ATE-CXL. Corneal keratometry and corneal thickness were measured using Pentacam pre-operatively and 1, 6, and 12 month post-operatively.Results: No serious complications occurred during or after ATE-CXL. The maximum keratometry values were 60.10 ± 7.51 D pre-operatively and 61.42 ± 8.92, 61.17 ± 7.96, and 60.02 ± 7.58 D at 1, 6, and 12 month after ATE-CXL (P > 0.05), respectively. Corneal thickness remained stable during the 12-month follow-up (P > 0.05). At post-operative 12 month, first applanation time (P < 0.001), first applanation length (P = 0.004), second applanation velocity (P = 0.014), highest concavity time (P = 0.022), and radius of curvature at highest concavity (P = 0.031) increased significantly. The value of stiffness parameter at first applanation was significantly increased from 57.70 ± 27.57 pre-operatively to 63.36 ± 27.09 at 12 months after ATE-CXL (P = 0.018).Conclusions: ATE-CXL is safe and effective in stabilizing the progression of pediatric keratoconus. Changes in corneal biomechanical response consistent with stiffening following ATE-CXL were observed in pediatric patients with keratoconus.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Gerardo Lima-Ramírez ◽  
David Benavides-Rodríguez ◽  
Juan Yahir Viera-Ordóñez ◽  
José Augusto Ruíz-Gurría ◽  
Iván del Castillo-Vergara ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: Describe the functional outcomes of patients with contained lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5, L5-S1) treated with manual percutaneous nucleotomy (MPN) and demonstrate that it remains a technique with good results. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study with 110 patients contained with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) treated with (MPN). The evaluation was pre-surgical and 4, 30, 180 and 365 days after the surgery. We used Numeric Pain Scale (NPS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Macnab criteria. Descriptive and inferential statistics for differences. Results: N=110: 58 (52.72%) men, 52 (47.27%) women; average age 37.95 years (14-56) ± 10.60; most affected level: L4-L5 in 63 (57.14%) patients. NPS preoperative average: 7.75 (5-9) ± 1.12, and at 365 days: 2.14 (0-7) ± 2.37. The mean preoperative ODI was 37% (28%-40%) + 3.06, and at 365 days 9.52% (0%-40%) + 13.92. The prognosis (ODI) was good to 79 (71.81%) patients at 365 days, regular in 26 (23.63%) and poor in 5 (4.57%), corresponding respectively to patients with no, mild, moderate and severe disability. The Macnab criteria showed similar results (p = 0.00, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.13 - Student's t). Conclusions: The results were good at one-year follow-up (p = 0.00), demonstrating that the MPN is still a good option for lumbosciatic pain relief.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1098.1-1099
Author(s):  
D. Benfaremo ◽  
G. Stronati ◽  
L. Manfredi ◽  
L. Zuliani ◽  
A. Ferrarini ◽  
...  

Background:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive autoimmune disease affecting the skin as well as internal organs, including the heart. A few studies have identified a subclinical heart involvement in patients with no pulmonary hypertension. Changes in myocardial deformation are consistent with the idea of SSc-related cardiomyopathy as a primary condition affecting the heart globally through microvascular dysfunction and subsequent myocardial fibrosis.Objectives:The aim of the present study is to describe the progression of myocardial deformation in patients with SSc and no overt cardiac disease.Methods:Prospective longitudinal study enrolling consecutive SSc patients referred to the Clinica Medica, University Hospital ‘Ospedali Riuniti’, Ancona, Italy, from February 2016 to December 2018. All patients fulfilled the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. Patients with structural heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation or pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Disease subset, antibodies pattern, cardiovascular risk factors and involvement of other organ systems were recorded for each patient. An echocardiographic exam was performed for all patients at baseline and during their follow-up evaluation. Standard and speckle-tracking derived variables for the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were acquired. Speckle tracking analysis software (EchoPAC 13.0; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA) was used to assess the GLS of the left and right ventricle, excluding the ventricular septum from right ventricular GLS calculations.Results:Seventy-two patients (68 females, age 56.6±15.4 years) were enrolled. Common echocardiographic parameters of left and right systolic function were within normal range at baseline and did not change during follow-up. Mean GLS, however, worsened for both left (from -19.8±3.5% to -18.7±3.5%, p=.034) and right ventricle (from -20.9±6.1% to -18.7±5.4%, p=.013) during a median follow-up of 20 months (1st-3rd quartile 12-24 months). The increased impairment registered in SSc patients was homogenous across endocardial layers (LV from -22.5±-3.9 to -21.4±3.9, p=.041; RV from -24.2±6.2 to -20.6±5.9, p=.001), mesocardial layers (LV -19.7±3.6 to -18.7±3.5, p=.043; RV from -21.3±5.9 to -18.8±5.7, p=.012) and epicardial layers (LV from -17.1±3.0 to -16.4±3.1, p=.112, RV -18.8±6.3 to -16.0±8.4, p=.035), as well as myocardial segments. No difference in progression rate was observed stratifying patients according to disease subset or other clinical parameters.Conclusion:GLS impairment progressed over a 20-month follow-up period in a cohort of SSc patients without clinically overt cardiac involvement. Further studies are needed to assess the significance of subclinical heart involvement and its progression in patients with SSc.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (suppl 4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Herreira Trigueiro ◽  
Jerferson Cleiton Ferrari ◽  
Silvana Regina Rossi Kissula Souza ◽  
Marilene Loewen Wall ◽  
Rute Barbosa

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the complications, acceptability and causes of discontinuation of women who inserted copper intrauterine devices at a usual risk maternity for one year. Methods: a longitudinal-prospective study, lasting 12 months. Eighty-three women who received the device by a doctor or nurse in a maternity hospital between September and October 2017 participated. Data were collected at one, six and 12 months after insertion and underwent descriptive analysis. Results: most were inserted by nurses and 71 continued with the device. Women chose IUD use because there is no risk of forgetfulness, it is non-hormonal and effective. The 12 who discontinued use reported dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, irregular bleeding, fall out, and endometrium perforation. Conclusion: the method was continued by most of participants and the complications found are common to the literature. There is a need to expand nursing training to increase the offer to the population.


VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asciutto ◽  
Lindblad

Background: The aim of this study is to report the short-term results of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDFS) in the treatment of axial saphenous vein incompetence. Patients and methods: Data of all patients undergoing CDFS for symptomatic primary incompetence of the great or small saphenous vein were prospectively collected. Treatment results in terms of occlusion rate and patients’ grade of satisfaction were analysed. All successfully treated patients underwent clinical and duplex follow-up examinations one year postoperatively. Results: Between September 2006 and September 2010, 357 limbs (337 patients) were treated with CDFS at our institution. Based on the CEAP classification, 64 were allocated to clinical class C3 , 128 to class C4, 102 to class C5 and 63 to class C6. Of the 188 patients who completed the one year follow up examination, 67 % had a complete and 14 % a near complete obliteration of the treated vessel. An ulcer-healing rate of 54 % was detected. 92 % of the patients were satisfied with the results of treatment. We registered six cases of thrombophlebitis and two cases of venous thromboembolism, all requiring treatment. Conclusions: The short-term results of CDFS in patients with axial vein incompetence are acceptable in terms of occlusion and complications rates.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa Tavares Dantas ◽  
Sayonara Maria Calado Gonçalves ◽  
Anderson Rodrigues de Almeida ◽  
Rafaela Silva Guimarães Gonçalves ◽  
Maria Clara Pinheiro Duarte Sampaio ◽  
...  

Objective. To determine active TGF-β1 (aTGF-β1) levels in serum, skin, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants and to understand their associations with clinical parameters in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Methods. We evaluated serum samples from 56 SSc patients and 24 healthy controls (HC). In 20 SSc patients, we quantified spontaneous or anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated production of aTGF-β1 by PBMC. The aTGF-β1 levels were measured by ELISA. Skin biopsies were obtained from 13 SSc patients and six HC, and TGFB1 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results. TGF-β1 serum levels were significantly higher in SSc patients than in HC (p< 0.0001). Patients with increased TGF-β1 serum levels were more likely to have diffuse subset (p= 0.02), digital ulcers (p= 0.02), lung fibrosis (p< 0.0001), positive antitopoisomerase I (p= 0.03), and higher modified Rodnan score (p= 0.046). Most of our culture supernatant samples had undetectable levels of TGF-β1. No significant difference in TGFB1 expression was observed in the SSc skin compared with HC skin.Conclusion. Raised active TGF-β1 serum levels and their association with clinical manifestations in scleroderma patients suggest that this cytokine could be a marker of fibrotic and vascular involvement in SSc.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afona Chernet ◽  
Nicole Probst-Hensch ◽  
Véronique Sydow ◽  
Daniel H. Paris ◽  
Niklaus D. Labhardt

Abstract Objective Eritrea is the most frequent country of origin among asylum seekers in Switzerland. On their journey through the desert and across the Mediterranean Sea, Eritrea refugees are often exposed to traumatizing experiences. The aim of this study is to assess the mental health status and resilience of Eritrean migrants in Switzerland upon arrival and one-year post-arrival, using standardized mental health screening and resilience assessment tools. Results At baseline, 107 refugees (11.2% female, median age 25) were interviewed: 52 (48.6%) screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (score ≥ 30), 10.3% for anxiety (≥ 10) and 15.0% for depression (≥ 10); 17.8% scored as risk/hazardous drinkers (≥ 8). The majority (94.4%) had a high resilience score (≥ 65). For one-year follow-up, 48 asylum seekers could be reached. In interviews 18 (38%) of these reported imprisonment in a transit country and 28 (58%) that they had witnessed the death of a close person along the migration route. At the one year assessment, rates of risky/hazardous alcohol use remained unchanged, rates of positive PTSD screening tended to be lower (50.0% (24/48) at baseline vs 25.0% (12/48) at follow-up), as were rates of positive screening for anxiety (8.3% vs 4.2%) and depression (14.6 vs 6.3%).


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