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Biomedical subjects

E I Sato

Publications and source records attributed to E I Sato.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

High prevalence of vertebral deformity in premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

In this paper we searched for vertebral deformities in a group of 70 premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (31.8 +/- 8.1 years old) and compared them to a matched control group of 22 healthy women (32.0 +/- 8.9 years old). Patients and controls performed spine X-ray (XR) morphometry and lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). Clinical data was obtained by a questionnaire and charts review. Thoracic or lumbar spine fracture was observed in 15 (21.4%) SLE patients, while no deformities were found in the control group (P = 0.018). BMD was not different amongst SLE patients and controls and between SLE patients with or without deformities. Although BMD could not predict what patient have deformity, seven patients (46.6%) with deformity had a lumbar spine or femoral neck Z-score less than - 1 SD [median = -0.59 (-3.72 to +0.88) and -0.20 (-4.05 to + 1.87)] respectively. In addition, we found a negative correlation between number of fracture per patient and lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (R = 0.58, P = 0.04 and R = 0.84, P = <0.0001 respectively). No significant correlation was found between number of deformities and clinical data. This is the first study to search for vertebral deformities in SLE patients and to demonstrate a high prevalence of deformities in a relative young SLE population. These findings bring up the necessity to look for spine deformities in this group of women regardless the BMD.

Adult↗

Coronary artery angiography in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: According to published studies, 16-82% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have abnormal findings on myocardial perfusion tests, but it has not been established whether these patients also have abnormal findings on coronary angiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of abnormal findings on coronary angiography in SLE patients in whom myocardial perfusion scintigraphy revealed abnormalities. METHODS: Ninety female SLE patients (ages 20-55 years, disease duration >5 years, and current or previous steroid treatment for >/=1 year) underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with single-photon-emission computed tomography using (99m)Tc-sestamibi. Images were taken while the patient was at rest and after dipyridamole-induced stress. Myocardial perfusion defects were identified in 30 patients (33%). Twenty-one of these patients (mean +/- SD age 42 +/- 9; mean +/- SD disease duration 132 +/- 66 months) agreed to undergo coronary angiography. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic plaques were identified by angiography in 8 of the 21 patients (38%). The majority of coronary abnormalities were localized in the anterior descending artery. The mean +/- SD number of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) was significantly higher in the subgroup with (4.5 +/- 0.8) compared with the subgroup without (2.5 +/- 1.9) abnormal angiographic findings (P = 0.006). Arterial hypertension and postmenopause status were significantly associated with abnormal angiographic findings. Of the patients with at least 4 risk factors for CAD, coronary stenosis was present in 67% (P = 0.005). The number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE and scores on the SLE Disease Activity Index and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR damage index were also higher in the subgroup with coronary stenosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine coronary angiography results in SLE patients with abnormal findings on myocardial scintigraphy. Our data suggest that myocardial scintigraphy can be used to screen SLE patients and that all patients with abnormal findings plus at least 4 risk factors for CAD should undergo coronary angiography.

Adult↗

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary disease risk factors in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of myocardial perfusion abnormalities and the possible association between myocardial perfusion defects and traditional coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors as well as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) related risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Female patients with SLE, disease duration >5 years, age 18-55 years, who had used steroids for at least one year were enrolled. Traditional CAD risk factors evaluated were arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, postmenopausal status, smoking, obesity, and premature family CAD profile. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography with technetium 99m-sestamibi at rest and after dipyridamole induced stress. RESULTS: Eight two female patients with SLE without angina pectoris with mean (SD) age 37 (10) years, disease duration 127 (57) months, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score 6 (5), and SLICC/ACR-DI score 2 (2) were evaluated. Myocardial perfusion abnormalities were found in 23 patients (28%). The mean (SD) number of CAD risk factors was 2.2 (1.6). There was a significant positive correlation between age and number of CAD risk factors. Lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level showed a significant association with abnormal scintigraphy. Logistic regression analysis showed that lower HDL cholesterol level and diabetes mellitus were associated with myocardial perfusion abnormalities. Current vasculitis was also associated with abnormal scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Lower HDL cholesterol level and diabetes mellitus have a significant influence on abnormal myocardial perfusion results found in asymptomatic patients with SLE. Current vasculitis was associated with abnormal myocardial scintigraphy. These data suggest that abnormal myocardial scintigraphy may be related to subclinical atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

Scleroderma-like nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities are associated with anti-U1-RNP antibodies and Raynaud's phenomenon in SLE patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between nailfold capillary abnormalities and the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), anti-U1-RNP, and anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibodies in SLE patients. One-hundred SLE patients were studied. Widefield nailfold capillaroscopy was considered abnormal according to five criteria. Intercapillary distance, capillary width and capillary length were registered by videomorphometry in two fingers in 100 patients and in four fingers in 40 of these patients. Both the presence of alterated capillaroscopy and the presence of scleroderma-pattern (SD-pattern), characterized by the presence of avascular areas and enlarged or giant loops, were associated with the isolated presence of RP (P < 0.001) or anti-U1-RNP antibodies (P < 0.01), as well as with the simultaneous presence of RP and anti-U1RNP antibodies (P < 0.001). There was a negative association between the presence of aCL antibodies and SD-pattern (P < 0.05). Higher figures for the videomorphometric parameters capillary width, intercapillary distance and capillary length (measured on four fingers) were observed in patients with RP. Patients presenting both RP and anti-U1-RNP antibodies showed higher figures for intercapillary distance and capillary width. This study demonstrated significant association between nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities and either RP or anti-U1-RNP antibodies in SLE patients. The association of RP, anti-U1-RNP antibodies, and 'scleroderma-like' findings on nailfold capillaroscopy (SD-pattern) in patients with SLE may suggest a new SLE subset with subclinical features of systemic sclerosis.

Adult↗

Estimating the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in a tropical region (Natal, Brazil).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in a tropical urban community (Natal city, Brazil). Only patients living in Natal, a city in the northeastern area of Brazil, older than 15 years, and who fulfilled at least four of the American College of Rheumatology criteria between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000, were included. Four sources were used to identify new cases of SLE: (1) the University Hospital; (2) 'health units' and hospitals of the public health network; (3) specialists at private hospitals and outpatient clinics; and (4) three laboratories performing antinuclear antibody (ANA) determination. Census data from 2000 for Brazilian population was used to calculate incidence rate. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) method and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Forty-three patients were diagnosed as new SLE cases in 2000. The calculated incidence was 8.7/100,000/year (95% CI 6.3-11.7). Thirty-eight patients were female 14.1/100,000/year (95% CI 10.0-19.3) and five were male 2.2/100,000/year (95% CI 0.7-5.2). The mean age of new SLE cases was 31.8 years old. (95% CI 27.8-35.8). The mean age for females was 31.4 and for males was 35.0 years old. The median of disease duration (time between onset of the first ACR criterion for SLE and diagnosis) was 10 months (1-72 months). This study demonstrated a high incidence of SLE in Natal, apparently higher than reported in other places. The mean age at diagnosis seems lower than referred by other studies. The observed differences may be due to ethnic and/or environmental factors.

Adolescent↗

Vena cava thrombosis associated with nephrotic syndrome in the puerperal gestational cycle.

CONTEXT: The puerperal gestational cycle is accompanied by a state of physiological hypercoagulability. Thromboembolic phenomena may occur at this time. OBJECTIVE: To report on a clinic case involving a patient that presented a family history of thromboembolism and developed deep vein thrombosis in a lower limb and vena cava thrombosis during the puerperal gestational cycle, displaying nephrotic syndrome as the main complication. DESIGN: Case report.

Adult↗

Methotrexate therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

There are 12 non-controlled and only two controlled studies using methotrexate (MTX) in a total of 207 SLE patients in the literature. The majority of these studies evaluated mainly cutaneous and/or articular involvement and attained good results. Two studies evaluated a small number of patients with lupus nephritis, achieving discordant results. Two other studies in pediatric onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also presented conflicting results, it being relevant that the one with poor response had the majority of patients with nephritis. One of the controlled trials was retrospective and concluded that MTX was effective in the treatment of antimalarial-resistant lupus arthritis and that toxicity leading to discontinuation of MTX was infrequent. The other controlled study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated SLE patients with mild activity. The authors concluded that MTX was effective in controlling cutaneous and articular activity and permitted prednisone dose reduction. The side effects were frequent but only 10% of patients needed to discontinue the medication. The accumulative evidence suggests that MTX in a low weekly dose may be effective in SLE patients with articular and/or cutaneous involvement with no response to antimalarials and low-dose prednisone and in patients in whom we can not reduce prednisone dose due to articular or cutaneous activity. Caution is required concerning the side effects.

Humans↗

Takayasu arteritis. Treatment and prognosis in a university center in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment and evolution of TA patients in a University Center in Brazil. This is a retrospective and descriptive study, that included all patients with TAs who attended the out-patient clinic at the Universidade Federal de Sao Palo, between 1993 and 1998. Twenty-four patients were women and 22 where white. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 27 yo. Full arteriography was performed in 28 patients and carotid duplex ultrasound plus computed tomography of aorta was done in two patients. Type I was found in 4, type II-a and type II in one case each, the type IV in 4 cases and the type V in 20 patients. Regarding the treatment only three patients with quiescent disease did not receive any medications. Twenty-seven patients (90%) received prednisone and only ten of these patients achieved disease control. Forth-eight percent of patients who received prednisone showed some side effects. Twelve patients received methotrexate associated to prednisone and 58% of them had a good response. Two patients who did not control disease activity with prednisone plus methotrexate received cyclophosphamide without good results. Some surgical procedure was performed in ten TA patients. Three patients died during the follow-up. This study showed that the majority of TA patients attended at a University Center needed association of prednisone and methotrexate to control disease activity, 30% needed some surgical procedures and that may be a cause of death in a young patient.

Adult↗

Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial of methotrexate in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the capacity of methotrexate (MTX) to control mild activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the capacity of MTX to reduce steroid requirement, as well as to evaluate the side effects of MTX in patients with SLE. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind trial. Forty-one patients with SLE began and 37 completed the 6 months of study. The mean disease duration was 82.5 months. Twenty patients received MTX 15-20 mg/week (MTX group) and 21 received placebo (PL group). The dose of prednisone was maintained, increased, or reduced after the first month, according to monthly clinical and laboratory evaluation. Dose of prednisone, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, the score by visual analog scale (VAS) for articular pain, and laboratory results were recorded monthly. Both groups were homogeneous and comparable for clinical manifestations and laboratory results. RESULTS: Two placebo patients dropped out due to severe flare of disease requiring hospitalization, and 2 patients taking MTX dropped out due to side effects (one with pulmonary tuberculosis, one with urticaria and severe dyspepsia). Thirty-seven patients (18 MTX and 19 PL) completed the study. At the end of the study 16 PL patients and one MTX patient presented articular complaints (p < 0.001). VAS scores for pain were significantly higher in the PL group than in the MTX group after the first month of study. Sixteen PL patients and 3 MTX patients presented cutaneous lesions after 6 months of treatment (p < 0.001). At the end of the study 4 MTX patients and 11 PL patients presented hypocomplementemia (p < 0.001). Mean SLEDAI scores in PL patients were significantly higher than in MTX patients at Months 3, 4, 5, and 6. It was possible to decrease the prednisone dose for 13 MTX patients during the study but for only one PL patient (p < 0.001). Fourteen MTX patients (70%) presented side effects, mainly dyspepsia and increase in hepatic enzyme serum levels, and 3 PL patients (14%) presented dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: MTX 15 to 20 mg/week for 6 months was effective in controlling cutaneous and articular activity of SLE and permitted prednisone dose reduction. At these doses MTX presented frequent but mild side effects that did not result in drug discontinuation in the majority of patients.

Adult↗

Demographic, clinical, and angiographic data of patients with Takayasu arteritis in Brazil.

We collected clinical, demographic, and angiographic data of Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients followed at Rheumatology Division of three Public University Centers (UNIFESP, USP, and UNICAMP) located in São Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from 73 patients (61 female; 50 white) The mean age at time of diagnosis was 27 y.o. and the mean follow-up time was 5 years. The following clinical features were observed along the evolution of these patients: absent or reduced pulses in upper limbs (85%), arterial bruit (64.5%), claudication of upper members (57%), headache (45%), hypertension (35.5%), dizziness (29%), cardiac bruit (29%), weight loss (27.5%), arthralgia or arthritis (26%), fever (24.5%) and claudication of lower limbs (20.5%). According to new angiographic classification of Takayasu arteritis performed in 28 patients followed at UNTFESP, with routine full aortography, 21% were classified as type I, 4% as type IIa, 4% as type III, 14% as type IV and 57% as type V. No patients had type IIb. Patients with Takayasu arteritis in São Paulo State Brazil showed female predominance and arterial involvement pattern similar to the one observed in Japan, with more than 20% classified as type I with exclusive involvement of the branches from the aortic arch.

Adolescent↗

Clinical implications of autoantibodies in HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency and specificity of autoantibodies in HIV-infected subjects and their association with rheumatic manifestations, immunodeficiency, and prognosis. DESIGN: Prospective study of sequentially selected HIV-infected patients. Indirect immunofluorescence reading was performed by two independent observers blinded for the patient diagnosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed using coded serum samples. SETTING: The study was performed at the Infectious Disease and Rheumatology Divisions of a tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred sequentially selected HIV-infected patients formed group A. Controls included 80 non-HIV-infected high-risk individuals (group B), 20 herpesvirus-infected patients (group C), and 30 healthy blood donors (group D). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were followed for 2 years and evaluated for the presence of immunodeficiency, rheumatic manifestations, circulating autoantibodies and total CD4+ cell count. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to investigate antinuclear antibodies, antibodies to native DNA, smooth muscle, parietal cell, glomeruli, thyroid, and neutrophil cytoplasm. Agglutination was used to detect antibodies to erythrocytes and rheumatoid factor. ELISA was used to determine antibodies to cardiolipin and denatured DNA. CD4+ lymphocytes were counted by flow cytometry. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM and IgA serum levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: HIV-infected patients presented higher overall frequency of autoantibodies than the other groups. No difference was observed between immunodeficient and asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. The most frequent specificities were antibodies to cardiolipin and to denatured DNA. Ig serum levels did not correlate with the occurrence of autoantibodies. The presence of autoantibodies was associated with lower CD4+ cell counts and with higher mortality within 2 years. Rheumatic manifestations were observed in 35 HIV-infected patients and were not associated with the occurrence of autoantibodies or the presence of immunodeficiency. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection is associated with an increased incidence of autoantibodies. Although not related to the occurrence of rheumatic manifestations, the presence of autoantibodies was significantly associated with lower CD4+ lymphocyte counts and increased mortality, which implies prognostic significance to this phenomenon in the context of HIV infection.

Adolescent↗

C2 deficiency in blood donors and lupus patients: prevalence, clinical characteristics and HLA-associations in the Brazilian population.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and HLA association of C2 deficiency in the Brazilian population. The frequency of C2 deficiency profile (C2Q degree profile) was 2.2% among 1503 blood donors and 6.6% among 166 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A higher incidence of clinical manifestations possibly related to immune complex disease was observed among blood donors with C2Q degree profile and their relatives with C2Q degree profile when compared to the normal C2 relatives. The comparison of clinical and laboratory features between SLE patients with C2Q degree profile and those with normal C2 revealed earlier disease onset, higher frequency of oral ulcerations and lower frequency of anti-native DNA antibodies in the first group. The HLA study conducted on 18 individuals with C2Q degree profile (11 blood donors and 7 SLE patients) confirmed the previously reported association with the antigens HLA-A25, B18 and DR2, supporting the concept that probably most C2 deficiency cases, throughout the world, are due to a single mutation in the C2 gene in linkage disequilibrium with the A25B18DR2 haplotype.

Autoantibodies↗

Controlled trial with chloroquine diphosphate in systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: Antimalarials have been recognized as effective drugs for the treatment of articular and cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but its potential in the management of systemic features of the disease has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. OBJECTIVES: This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of chloroquine diphosphate (CDP) in preventing flares and in reducing the maintenance corticosteroid dose in patients with SLE without life-threatening manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four SLE patients with no life-threatening manifestation were enrolled in a 12-month double blind placebo-controlled trial with CDP (250 mg/day). Patients were subjected each month to clinical examination by a rheumatologist and to SLE-relevant laboratory tests. At each visit, prednisone dose could be adjusted according to the clinical status. Ophthalmologic examination was performed every six months. Outcome measures included SLEDAI score and the required prednisone dose. SLE flare was defined as an increase in SLEDAI score of at least three points. Prednisone dose reduction was defined as a minimum 50% dose decrease with no concomitant disease flare. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients completed the study. One patient in the placebo (PL) group dropped out due to severe dyspepsia. No major side-effect was observed in the remaining patients. PL and CDP groups showed no significant difference at the beginning of the study with regard to sex, age, ethnic classification, disease duration, SLEDAI and prednisone dose. Along the trial the prednisone dose became progressively lower in CDP group as compared to PL group and the difference reached statistical significance at 4, 6 and 12 months. SLEDAI score was higher in PL group in all evaluations, being the difference statistically significant at 4 months. Flare-up episodes were registered in two patients in CDP group and in ten patients in PL group. The estimated reactivation risk was 4.6 times greater in PL group as compared to CDP group. CONCLUSIONS: CDP at a 250 mg/day dose was able to prevent disease exacerbation, reduce the required prednisone dose, and help inducing a better control of patients with non life-threatening SLE. These data suggest that antimalarials might have a broader indication in the treatment of SLE other than solely the management of skin and articular manifestations.

Adult↗

Fibromyalgia versus rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal comparison of the quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Forty-four women with FM and 41 with RA were studied. There were 3 evaluations, with a 3-month interval. Besides special and general clinical examinations, the following tests were applied: pain numerical scale (PNS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Arthritis Helplessness Index (AHI), Modified Post-Sleep Inventory (PSI), and questions about sleep disorders and socioeconomic impact. RESULTS: Results include the following: tender points (TP): FM = 13.9, RA = 2.9; PNS: FM = 7.2, RA = 6.8; HAQ: FM = 0.90, RA = 1.22; FIQ: FM = 47.2, RA = 42.5; AHI: FM = 32.7, RA = 31.8; sleep quality--mean duration of daily sleep: FM = 6.7 h, RA = 6.1; PSI scores: FM = 64.6, RA = 57.2. On questioning regarding economic impact, there was a decrease in family income for 65% of patients with FM and 75.1% for those with RA. Fifty-five percent of patients with FM and 66.6% of those with RA received social security aid. At followup evaluation, there was a statistically significant improvement in the following items for the patients with FM: TP count, HAQ, and AHI. The patients with RA improved in number of TP and AHI. CONCLUSION: FM has a negative impact on quality of life, similar to RA. Clinical, functional, and economic problems related to the disease were observed. The alteration observed remained relatively stable during the study period, except for physical disability.

Adult↗

A study of the gram-negative bacterial flora in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

1. Twenty-eight patients with active definite primary ankylosing spondylitis and fifty-four healthy control subjects were studied. 2. The HLA-B27 antigen was found in 75% of patients and 3.7% of controls. 3. Fecal samples from these subjects were cultured for gram-negative enteric bacteria on two occasions within one month. Positive cultures for Klebsiella sp were found in 32.1% of patients and in 22.2% of healthy controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. All other microorganisms detected were qualitatively and quantitatively similar in both groups. 4. Significantly increased mean values of serum IgA levels were found in the patient group when compared with the control group (P less than 0.01). The mean serum IgG and IgM levels did not differ statistically between the two groups. There was no correlation between any laboratory or clinical parameter and presence of Klebsiella sp carriage in ankylosing spondylitis patients. 5. These data are consistent with the view that a long time elapses between exposure to a trigger factor and clinical manifestations of the disease.

Adolescent↗