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Roberts WN, Lew ER, Liang MH. Hal Holman of Stanford. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2024; 50:133-146. [PMID: 37973281 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Before age 35, Holman hit over 0.500 at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); was recruited by professional baseball; led the Association of Interns and Medical Students and the International Union of Students in Denmark; had his passport confiscated; was stripped of a prestigious internship; shadowed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation ; grilled before a Senate committee on subversive activities; made a major medical discovery; and was recruited to be the new Chief of Medicine at Stanford. Holman was involved in building a leading academic institution. He expanded what medical students and graduates learned and what they researched. Holman saw the collision course between the technological capacity to do more and the growing expectations of the public. Moreover, he anticipated the monetization of health care and how it would widen the gap between what we know and what we practice in health care. He reinvented himself in population health. In contrast to reductionist laboratory-based research, his work embraced complexity and made action researchable and research action-oriented. Some innovations did not survive as originally conceived, but their ethos became mainstream. These included evidence-based management, shared physician-patient decision-making, self-management, critical evaluation of medical technology and diagnostics, and chronic disease management. Through the rise of the twentieth century American biomedical medicine, medical education, and slow-motion health care delivery crises that still occur, Holman changed the debate in a time when the funding, the people, the technology, and the need made all things seem possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Neal Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | - Edward R Lew
- Department of Political Science and Legal Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Matthew H Liang
- Rheumatology Section, Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Bagnato G, Imbalzano E, Ioppolo C, La Rosa D, Chiappalone M, De Gaetano A, Viapiana V, Irrera N, Nassisi V, Tringali MC, Singh EB, Falcomatà N, Russo V, Neal Roberts W, Di Micco P, Versace AG. Stratification of COVID-19 Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure for Response to High-Flow Nasal Cannula: A Retrospective Observational Study. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 60:71. [PMID: 38256332 PMCID: PMC10819134 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In patients with COVID-19, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are widely applied as initial treatments for moderate-to-severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The aim of the study was to assess which respiratory supports improve 28-day mortality and to identify a predictive index of treatment response. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center retrospective observational study including 159 consecutive adult patients with COVID-19 and moderate-to-severe hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. Results: A total of 159 patients (82 in the CPAP group and 77 in the HFNC group) were included in the study. Mortality within 28 days was significantly lower with HFNC compared to CPAP (16.8% vs. 50%), while ICU admission and tracheal intubation within 28 days were significantly higher with CPAP compared to HFNC treatment (32% vs. 13%). We identified an index for survival in HFNC by including three variables easily available at admission (LDH, age, and respiratory rate) and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio at 48 h. The index showed high discrimination for survival with an AUC of 0.88, a negative predictive value of 86%, and a positive predictive value of 95%. Conclusions: Treatment with HFNC appears to be associated with greater survival and fewer ICU admission than CPAP. LDH, respiratory rate, age, and PaO2/FiO2 at 48 h were independently associated with survival and an index based on these variables allows for the prediction of treatment success and the assessment of patient allocation to the appropriate intensity of care after 48 h. Further research is warranted to determine effects on other outcomes and to assess the performance of the index in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Egidio Imbalzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Carmelo Ioppolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Daniela La Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Marianna Chiappalone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Alberta De Gaetano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Valeria Viapiana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Veronica Nassisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Maria Concetta Tringali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Emanuele Balwinder Singh
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Nicola Falcomatà
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Medical Translational Sciences, Division of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Pierpaolo Di Micco
- Emergency Department, Rizzoli Hospital, Health Authority NA2, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Versace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (E.I.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (M.C.); (A.D.G.); (N.I.); (V.N.); (M.C.T.); (E.B.S.); (N.F.); (A.G.V.)
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Bagnato G, Bitto A, Irrera N, Pizzino G, Sangari D, Cinquegrani M, Roberts WN, Atteritano M, Altavilla D, Squadrito F, Bagnato G, Saitta A. Retraction Note: Propylthiouracil prevents cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis in the reactive oxygen species murine model of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:272. [DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02973-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-022-02973-w.
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Bagnato G, Imbalzano E, Aragona CO, Ioppolo C, Di Micco P, La Rosa D, Costa F, Micari A, Tomeo S, Zirilli N, Sciacqua A, D’Angelo T, Cacciola I, Bitto A, Irrera N, Russo V, Roberts WN, Gangemi S, Versace AG. New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Early Mortality Rate in COVID-19 Patients: Association with IL-6 Serum Levels and Respiratory Distress. Medicina (Kaunas) 2022; 58:medicina58040530. [PMID: 35454369 PMCID: PMC9032834 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58040530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: COVID-19 is associated with an aberrant inflammatory response that may trigger new-onset cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to assess the mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients according to IL-6 serum levels and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) according to PaO2/FiO2 stratification. Materials and Methods: 175 COVID-19 patients (25 new-onset AF, 22 other types of AF and 128 no-AF) were included in this single-center, retrospective study; clinical and demographic data, vital signs, electrocardiograms and laboratory results were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate the mortality rate in new-onset AF patients according to IL-6 serum levels and PaO2/FiO2 stratification. Results: The incidence of new-onset AF in the study population was 14.2%. Compared to the no-AF group, new-onset AF patients were older with a positive history of chronic kidney disease and heart failure, had higher IL-6, creatinine and urea serum levels whereas their platelet count was reduced. After PaO2/FiO2 stratification, 5-days mortality rate was higher in new-onset AF patients compared to patients with other types of AF and no-AF patients, and mortality risk increases 5.3 fold compared to no-AF (p = 0.0014) and 4.8 fold compared to other forms of AF (p = 0.03). Conclusions: New-onset AF is common in COVID-19 patients and is associated with increased IL-6 serum levels and early mortality. Further studies are needed to support the use of IL-6 as an early molecular target for COVID-19 patients to reduce their high rate of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Egidio Imbalzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Caterina Oriana Aragona
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Carmelo Ioppolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Pierpaolo Di Micco
- Department of Medicine, Buonconsiglio Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 80122 Naples, Italy;
| | - Daniela La Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Francesco Costa
- BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.C.); (A.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Antonio Micari
- BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.C.); (A.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Simona Tomeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Natalia Zirilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Angela Sciacqua
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Tommaso D’Angelo
- BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (F.C.); (A.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Irene Cacciola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Medical Translational Sciences, Division of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
| | - Antonio Giovanni Versace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.B.); (C.O.A.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (S.T.); (N.Z.); (I.C.); (A.B.); (N.I.); (S.G.); (A.G.V.)
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Aragona CO, Versace AG, Ioppolo C, La Rosa D, Lauro R, Tringali MC, Tomeo S, Ferlazzo G, Roberts WN, Bitto A, Irrera N, Bagnato G. Emerging Evidence and Treatment Perspectives from Randomized Clinical Trials in Systemic Sclerosis: Focus on Interstitial Lung Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020504. [PMID: 35203713 PMCID: PMC8962255 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex rare autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Currently, interstitial lung disease (ILD) and cardiac involvement (including pulmonary arterial hypertension) are recognized as the leading causes of SSc-associated mortality. New molecular targets have been discovered and phase II and phase III clinical trials published in the last 5 years on SSc-ILD will be discussed in this review. Details on the study design; the drug tested and its dose; the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study; the concomitant immunosuppression; the outcomes and the duration of the study were reviewed. The two most common drugs used for the treatment of SSc-ILD are cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil, both supported by randomized controlled trials. Additional drugs, such as nintedanib and tocilizumab, have been approved to slow pulmonary function decline in SSc-ILD. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic alternatives for SSc management, offering the option to customize the design of future studies to stratify SSc patients and provide a patient-specific treatment according to the new emerging pathogenic features of SSc-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Oriana Aragona
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Antonio Giovanni Versace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Carmelo Ioppolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Daniela La Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Rita Lauro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Maria Concetta Tringali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Simona Tomeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | | | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
| | - Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (C.O.A.); (A.G.V.); (C.I.); (D.L.R.); (R.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (N.I.)
- Correspondence:
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Versace AG, Bitto A, Ioppolo C, Aragona CO, La Rosa D, Roberts WN, D'Angelo T, Cinquegrani A, Cirmi S, Irrera N, Navarra M, Corrao S, Gangemi S, Bagnato G. IL-13 and IL-33 Serum Levels Are Increased in Systemic Sclerosis Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:825567. [PMID: 35252259 PMCID: PMC8891529 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.825567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) mortality is extremely variable in its internal organ involvement. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs in up to 30% of the cases. Animal models provide evidence that IL-33 is able to induce both cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis via increased IL-13 and in SSc patients the levels of IL-33 correlate with skin fibrosis. Our aim was to test whether both IL-33 and IL-13 are higher in patients with diffuse SSc and interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) compared to SSc patients without ILD and healthy controls. Methods Serum levels of IL-13 and IL-33 were measured in 30 SSc patients with diffuse disease and 30 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed according to HRCT Warrick score. Pulmonary function tests included lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity. Results Both IL-13 and IL-33 levels were increased in SSc patients compared to controls and significantly associated each other. DLco, FVC and TLC scores were inversely associated with IL-33 and IL-13 levels. Both IL-33 and IL-13 levels were significantly associated with the Warrick severity score and higher in the group of SSc patients with reduced pulmonary function compared to SSc patients with normal pulmonary function tests. Conclusion The IL-13/IL-33 axis needs to be further explored in longitudinal studies of SSc-ILD patients to assess its validity as a biomarker and future treatment target, as does downstream mediator ST2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Ioppolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Daniela La Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso D'Angelo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonella Cinquegrani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Santa Cirmi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Michele Navarra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Corrao
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust, Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gianluca Bagnato
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Bagnato G, La Rosa D, Ioppolo C, De Gaetano A, Chiappalone M, Zirilli N, Viapiana V, Tringali MC, Tomeo S, Aragona CO, Napoli F, Lillo S, Irrera N, Roberts WN, Imbalzano E, Micari A, Ventura Spagnolo E, Squadrito G, Gangemi S, Versace AG. The COVID-19 Assessment for Survival at Admission (CASA) Index: A 12 Months Observational Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:719976. [PMID: 34660631 PMCID: PMC8514624 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.719976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease with a high rate of progression to critical illness. However, the stratification of patients at risk of mortality is not well defined. In this study, we aimed to define a mortality risk index to allocate patients to the appropriate intensity of care. Methods: This is a 12 months observational longitudinal study designed to develop and validate a pragmatic mortality risk score to stratify COVID-19 patients aged ≥18 years and admitted to hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Main outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: 244 patients were included in the study (mortality rate 29.9%). The Covid-19 Assessment for Survival at Admission (CASA) index included seven variables readily available at admission: respiratory rate, troponin, albumin, CKD-EPI, white blood cell count, D-dimer, Pa02/Fi02. The CASA index showed high discrimination for mortality with an AUC of 0.91 (sensitivity 98.6%; specificity 69%) and a better performance compared to SOFA (AUC = 0.76), age (AUC = 0.76) and 4C mortality (AUC = 0.82). The cut-off identified (11.994) for CASA index showed a negative predictive value of 99.16% and a positive predictive value of 57.58%. Conclusions: A quick and readily available index has been identified to help clinicians stratify COVID-19 patients according to the appropriate intensity of care and minimize hospital admission to patients at high risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela La Rosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Ioppolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alberta De Gaetano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marianna Chiappalone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Natalia Zirilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Viapiana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Simona Tomeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Napoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sara Lillo
- BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Egidio Imbalzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Micari
- BIOMORF Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elvira Ventura Spagnolo
- Department for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Bagnato G, Pigatto E, Bitto A, Pizzino G, Irrera N, Abignano G, Ferrera A, Sciortino D, Wilson M, Squadrito F, Buch MH, Emery P, Zanatta E, Gangemi S, Saitta A, Cozzi F, Roberts WN, Del Galdo F. The PREdictor of MAlnutrition in Systemic Sclerosis (PREMASS) Score: A Combined Index to Predict 12 Months Onset of Malnutrition in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:651748. [PMID: 33816531 PMCID: PMC8010181 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.651748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Malnutrition is a severe complication in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and it is associated with significant mortality. Notwithstanding, there is no defined screening or clinical pathway for patients, which is hampering effective management and limiting the opportunity for early intervention. Here we aim to identify a combined index predictive of malnutrition at 12 months using clinical data and specific serum adipokines. Methods: This was an international, multicentre observational study involving 159 SSc patients in two independent discovery (n = 98) and validation (n = 61) cohorts. Besides routine clinical and serum data at baseline and 12 months, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score and serum concentration of leptin and adiponectin were measured for each participant at baseline. The endpoint of malnutrition was defined according to European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommendation. Significant parameters from univariate analysis were tested in logistic regression analysis to identify the predictive index of malnutrition in the derivation cohort. Results: The onset of malnutrition at 12 months correlated with adiponectin, leptin and their ratio (A/L), MUST, clinical subset, disease duration, Scl70 and Forced Vital Capaciy (FVC). Logistic regression analysis defined the formula: -2.13 + (A/L*0.45) + (Scl70*0.28) as the best PREdictor of MAlnutrition in SSc (PREMASS) (AUC = 0.96; 95% CI 0.93, 0.99). PREMASS < -1.46 had a positive predictive value (PPV) > 62% and negative predictive value (NPV) > 97% for malnutrition at 12 months. Conclusion: PREMASS is a feasible index which has shown very good performance in two independent cohorts for predicting malnutrition at 12 months in SSc. The implementation of PREMASS could aid both in clinical management and clinical trial stratification/enrichment to target malnutrition in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Erika Pigatto
- Department of Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Venice, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Abignano
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
| | - Antonino Ferrera
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Sciortino
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Wilson
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maya H Buch
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Emery
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Saitta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Franco Cozzi
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Del Galdo
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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9
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Giuffrida G, Bagnato G, Campennì A, Giovinazzo S, Keller KP, Alibrandi A, Roberts WN, Trimarchi F, Ruggeri RM. Non-specific rheumatic manifestations in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a pilot cross-sectional study. J Endocrinol Invest 2020; 43:87-94. [PMID: 31301020 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-019-01083-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is often associated with rheumatic disorders (arthritis, etc.), but many HT patients report non-specific rheumatic signs and symptoms in the absence of clinically evident rheumatic diseases. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of non-specific rheumatic manifestations (RMs) in HT subjects without classified autoimmune comorbidities. METHODS 500 HT patients (467 F, 33 M; median age 41 years, range 14-69) and 310 age- and sex-matched controls, consecutively referred to the Endocrine Unit of Messina University Hospital, were evaluated for non-specific RMs. None took L-thyroxine. EXCLUSION CRITERIA autoimmune comorbidities, infectious, and/or inflammatory diseases, history of neoplasia, BMI > 30 kg/m2. RESULTS In our HT cohort, 100 patients (20%) complained of one or more RMs, vs 21 controls (6.8%; P < 0.001). There were minimal differences between the manifestations recorded in the two groups, the most common being polyarthralgias and myalgias/fibromyalgia, but non-specific RMs occurred threefold more in HT patients. Comparing HT patients with RMs (96 F and 4 M) with those affected by HT alone, female sex was prevalent (F:M ratio 24:1 vs 5:1) with higher age at diagnosis (median 43 vs 37 years; P < 0.001). HT patients with RMs (62%) were mostly euthyroid (median TSH 2.0 µIU/L) and only 7% overtly hypothyroid, discouraging a possible causal relationship between thyroid dysfunction per se and RMs. CONCLUSIONS A significant percentage of HT patients complains of non-specific rheumatic signs and symptoms, in the absence of other diagnosed systemic comorbidities and regardless of thyroid functional status, deserving careful evaluation and prolonged follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Giuffrida
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Gaetano Martino University Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy.
- Endocrine Unit at University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - G Bagnato
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - A Campennì
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Giovinazzo
- Endocrine Unit at University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - K P Keller
- Unit of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - A Alibrandi
- Department of Economics, Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - W N Roberts
- Unit of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - F Trimarchi
- Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti at the University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R M Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Gaetano Martino University Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
- Endocrine Unit at University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Abstract
Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease that is associated with significant mortality and an increased risk of hospitalization. Several validated instruments are available to measure disease activity in SLE patients. However, these instruments were not designed to screen for SLE patients at an increased risk of hospitalization. These instruments also fail to incorporate some data that are easily obtainable from electronic health records, such as the frequency of missed outpatient appointments. Methods All patients at a single academic medical center with an International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) code for SLE (M32) that were seen at least once between 2010 and 2017 were identified. Of these 3552 patients, 813 were randomly selected for chart review using a random number generator, and 226 were verified to have seen an outpatient rheumatologist and met the American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for SLE. Physician notes, laboratory values, and appointment information were reviewed, and relevant data were extracted. Weighted Cox regression models were used to estimate the risk of hospitalization and develop a screening algorithm, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the algorithm. Results There were 160 patients with no lupus-related hospitalizations and 66 patients with such a hospitalization. In a multivariate analysis accounting for age, gender, and race, serum creatinine >1.20 mg/dL, white blood cell count > 10 (thousand)/µL, hemoglobin <11 g/dL, platelets < 180 (thousand)/µL, high risk immunosuppression use, missing between 0 and 20% of appointments, and missing ≥ 20% of appointments were associated with an increased risk of hospitalizations. Our proposed screening algorithm does well identifying SLE patients at risk of hospitalization (area under the curve (AUC): 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86-0.94). We recommend flagging patients with a score of ≥ 3 (sensitivity: 0.95; specificity: 0.54). Conclusions A new screening algorithm accounting for serum creatinine, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelets, high-risk immunosuppression, and the proportion of missed appointments may be useful in identifying SLE patients at an increased risk of hospitalization. Missing appointments may be a proxy for an underlying variable (such as access to health care) that is directly related to an increased risk of hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Li
- 1 The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA
| | - H M Madhoun
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA
| | - W N Roberts
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA
| | - W Jarjour
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA
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11
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Bagnato G, Roberts WN, Roman J, Gangemi S. A systematic review of overlapping microRNA patterns in systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Eur Respir Rev 2017; 26:26/144/160125. [PMID: 28515040 PMCID: PMC9488120 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0125-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung fibrosis can be observed in systemic sclerosis and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, two disorders where lung involvement carries a poor prognosis. Although much has been learned about the pathogenesis of these conditions, interventions capable of reversing or, at the very least, halting disease progression are not available. Recent studies point to the potential role of micro messenger RNAs (microRNAs) in cancer and tissue fibrogenesis. MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNA sequences (20–23 nucleotides) that are endogenous, evolutionarily conserved and encoded in the genome. By acting on several genes, microRNAs control protein expression. Considering the above, we engaged in a systematic review of the literature in search of overlapping observations implicating microRNAs in the pathogenesis of both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our objective was to uncover top microRNA candidates for further investigation based on their mechanisms of action and their potential for serving as targets for intervention against lung fibrosis. Our review points to microRNAs of the -29 family, -21-5p and -92a-3p, -26a-5p and let-7d-5p as having distinct and counter-balancing actions related to lung fibrosis. Based on this, we speculate that readjusting the disrupted balance between these microRNAs in lung fibrosis related to SSc and IPF may have therapeutic potential. miR-21-5p and the miR-29 family group cluster in systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosishttp://ow.ly/D6B030bg2vn
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- Division of Rheumatology, Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - William Neal Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Dept of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine and Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jesse Roman
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Dept of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine and Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), Pozzuoli Unit, Italy
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12
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Bagnato GL, Fiorenza A, Cordova F, Roberts WN, Moore C, Greco D, Monaco C, Muscatello MRA, Bruno A, Zoccali R, Bagnato G. Clinical, autoimmune, and psychiatric parameters correlate with sleep disturbance in patients with systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2016; 34 Suppl 100:49-55. [PMID: 27192425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sleep disturbance is an important contributor to poor quality of life in rheumatic disorders. This study aims to test whether clinical, autoimmune and psychological factors are associated with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls. METHODS 101 female subjects (SSc=33, RA=34, healthy controls=34) participated in this observational, cross-sectional, parallel group study. Sleep disturbance was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Other assessments included the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Clinical parameters, therapeutic regimen, and serologic status were recorded. RESULTS In SSc patients, PSQI scores were higher than in RA patients and controls. Linear regression analysis showed that in SSc patients PSQI scores was associated with BDI, disease duration, modified Rodnan skin score and VAS, while DAS28 and BDI were associated with PSQI scores in RA patients. Anti-Scl70 and ANA positive SSc patients showed higher PSQI scores compared to those ANA positive only, while no differences were observed in RA patients classified according to rheumatoid factor positivity. SSc patients treated with immunosuppressants had lower PSQI scores compared to those not on therapy, whereas only corticosteroid treatment was significantly associated with higher PSQI scores in RA patients. RA patients with disease activity higher than moderate (DAS28≥3.2) had higher PSQI scores than those with lower than moderate (DAS28<3.2). CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal studies are needed to identify disease-specific patterns associated with sleep disturbances and the influence on sleep function induced by immunosuppressive therapy among rheumatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luca Bagnato
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
| | - Alessia Fiorenza
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Cordova
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy
| | - William Neal Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Charles Moore
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Domenica Greco
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Monaco
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Bruno
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Zoccali
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Gianfilippo Bagnato
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
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13
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Bitto A, Bagnato GL, Pizzino G, Roberts WN, Irrera N, Minutoli L, Russo G, Squadrito F, Saitta A, Bagnato GF, Altavilla D. Simvastatin prevents vascular complications in the chronic reactive oxygen species murine model of systemic sclerosis. Free Radic Res 2016; 50:514-22. [PMID: 26846205 DOI: 10.3109/10715762.2016.1149171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aims Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vasculopathy and organ fibrosis. Although microvascular alterations are very well characterized, structural and functional abnormalities of large vessels are not well defined. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of simvastatin administration on aortic and small renal arteries thickening, and on myofibroblasts differentiation in a murine model of SSc. Methods and results SSc was induced in BALB/c mice by daily subcutaneous injections of hypochlorous acid (HOCl, 100 μl) for 6 weeks. Mice (n = 23) were randomized to receive: HOCl (n = 10); HOCl plus simvastatin (40 mg/kg; n = 8); or vehicle (n = 5). Simvastatin administration started 30 min after HOCl injection, and up to week 6. Aortic and small renal arteries intima-media thickness was evaluated by histological analysis. Immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and CD31 in aortic tissues was performed to evaluate myofibroblast differentiation and endothelial markers.In HOCl-treated mice, intima-media thickening with reduced lumen diameter was observed in the aorta and in small renal arteries and simvastatin administration prevented this increase. Aortic and renal myofibroblasts count, as expressed by α-SMA + density, was lower in the group of mice treated with simvastatin compared to HOCl-treated mice. Simvastatin prevented the reduction in VEGFR2 and CD31 expression induced by HOCl. Conclusions The administration of simvastatin regulates collagen deposition in the aortic tissues and in the small renal arteries by modulating myofibroblasts differentiation and vascular markers. Further studies are needed to better address the effect of statins in the macrovascular component of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bitto
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Gian Luca Bagnato
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzino
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | | | - Natasha Irrera
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Letteria Minutoli
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Giuseppina Russo
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Francesco Squadrito
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Antonino Saitta
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Gian Filippo Bagnato
- a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Domenica Altavilla
- c Department of Paediatric, Gynaecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences , University of Messina , Messina , Italy
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14
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Bagnato GL, Roberts WN, Fiorenza A, Arcuri C, Certo R, Trimarchi F, Ruggeri RM, Bagnato GF. Skin fibrosis correlates with circulating thyrotropin levels in systemic sclerosis: translational association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Endocrine 2016; 51:291-7. [PMID: 25994300 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-015-0600-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease, characterized by cutaneous and multi-organ fibrosis, and vascular abnormalities. Skin thickening is a characteristic feature of SSc and resembles myxedematous skin. Our aim was to correlate the degree of skin involvement in SSc patients with serum TSH levels, since TSH receptors are widely expressed in human tissues, including the skin. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 70 SSc patients, all females with a mean age of 47 ± 11 year. Thirty-five age- and sex-matched HT patients were recruited, as controls. Subjects under L-thyroxine therapy and/or with positive anti-TSH receptor antibodies were excluded. In all subjects, we measured serum TSH, FT4, and free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) levels. Skin thickness was evaluated using the modified Rodnan total skin score (mRSS). mRSS averaged 14 ± 9 for SSc and 4 ± 6 for HT patients. TSH levels positively correlated with skin scores in both SSc and HT patients groups. In SSc patients, FT3 and FT4 showed an inverse correlation with mRSS, while in HT only FT4 levels showed this inverse significance. When divided by cutaneous extent, SSc patients with diffuse disease form had higher TSH serum levels compared to those with the limited form; additionally, the correlations between TSH, FT4, and mRSS reached statistical significance. Our preliminary data clearly indicate that serum TSH is higher in SSc patients with more severe skin disease, and significantly correlate with the mRSS. Therefore, TSH could play a role in the development of cutaneous changes in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luca Bagnato
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - William Neal Roberts
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Alessia Fiorenza
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Arcuri
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Certo
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Trimarchi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Maddalena Ruggeri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Gian Filippo Bagnato
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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15
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Bagnato G, De Andres I, Sorbara S, Verduci E, Corallo G, Ferrera A, Morgante S, Roberts WN, Bagnato G. Pain threshold and intensity in rheumatic patients: correlations with the Hamilton Depression Rating scale. Clin Rheumatol 2014; 34:555-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-013-2477-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
A 23-year-old African-American woman with a history of recurrent pneumonias presented to the hospital with 2 weeks of shortness of breath, chest pain, fevers, and lightheadedness. The histologic diagnosis proved to be lupus aortitis. Optimal Framingham risk factor management by itself may not be a completely successful approach in diminishing the extra risk of atherosclerosis conferred by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore it remains possible that important modifiable cardiovascular risk factors may include low-grade SLE disease activity in medium-sized vessels. The implication of the idea that subclinical vessel inflammation is widespread in patients with lupus-and that this inflammation confers a significant part of the patients' risk of accelerated atherosclerosis-might be a lowering of the threshold for aggressive disease-modifying treatment of lupus, essentially a "treat-to-target" approach to systemic lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Sokalski
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, TN, USA
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Bagnato G, Bitto A, Irrera N, Pizzino G, Sangari D, Cinquegrani M, Roberts WN, Atteritano M, Altavilla D, Squadrito F, Bagnato G, Saitta A. Propylthiouracil prevents cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis in the reactive oxygen species murine model of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2013; 15:R120. [PMID: 24286160 PMCID: PMC3978728 DOI: 10.1186/ar4300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent advances suggest that the cellular redox state may play a significant role in the progression of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Another, and as yet poorly accounted for, feature of SSc is its overlap with thyroid abnormalities. Previous reports demonstrate that hypothyroidism reduces oxidant stress. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of propylthiouracil (PTU), and of the hypothyroidism induced by it, on the development of cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis in the oxidant stress murine model of SSc. METHODS Chronic oxidant stress SSc was induced in BALB/c mice by daily subcutaneous injections of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for 6 weeks. Mice (n = 25) were randomized into three arms: HOCl (n = 10), HOCl plus PTU (n = 10) or vehicle alone (n = 5). PTU administration was initiated 30 minutes after HOCl subcutaneous injection and continued daily for 6 weeks. Skin and lung fibrosis were evaluated by histologic methods. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in cutaneous and pulmonary tissues was performed to evaluate myofibroblast differentiation. Lung and skin concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), rat sarcoma protein (Ras), Ras homolog gene family (Rho), and transforming growth factor (TGF) β were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Injections of HOCl induced cutaneous and lung fibrosis in BALB/c mice. PTU treatment prevented both dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. Myofibroblast differentiation was also inhibited by PTU in the skin and lung. The increase in cutaneous and pulmonary expression of VEGF, ERK, Ras, and Rho in mice treated with HOCl was significantly prevented in mice co-administered with PTU. CONCLUSIONS PTU, probably through its direct effect on reactive oxygen species or indirectly through thyroid function inhibition, prevents the development of cutaneous and pulmonary fibrosis by blocking the activation of the Ras-ERK pathway in the oxidant-stress animal model of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Internal
Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100,
Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Donatella Sangari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Maurizio Cinquegrani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Internal
Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100,
Messina, Italy
| | - William Neal Roberts
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of
Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, Kentucky, USA
| | - Marco Atteritano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Domenica Altavilla
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Gianfilippo Bagnato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology,
University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100, Messina,
Italy
| | - Antonino Saitta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Internal
Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria n°1, 98100,
Messina, Italy
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Rahbar L, Moxley G, Carleton D, Barrett C, Brannen J, Thacker L, Waterhouse EJ, Roberts WN. Correlation of rheumatology subspecialty choice and identifiable strong motivations, including intellectual interest. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2010; 62:1796-804. [PMID: 20597115 DOI: 10.1002/acr.20284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe motivations correlating with subspecialty choices, particularly rheumatology. METHODS A total of 179 respondents answered queries about various aspects affecting specialty and subspecialty choice with ordinal ratings of importance. Likert scale response data were analyzed to determine independent predictors of being a rheumatology fellow. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to develop models predicting rheumatology fellowship. Factor analysis methods to condense the individual responses into fewer underlying variables or factors were employed. RESULTS While every group ranked intellectual interest as more important than all other responses, its score in the rheumatology fellow group was significantly higher than that in the medical student group. A model using 4 composite variables based on prior literature did not fit well. Exploratory factor analysis identified 5 underlying motivations, which were designated as time, money, external constraints, practice content, and academics. All motivations except money were statistically significant, with the rheumatology fellow group attributing greater importance than medical students to time, practice content, and academics, and lesser importance than medical students to external constraints. CONCLUSION Values and motivations leading toward rheumatology subspecialty choice can be traced to identifiable factors. Intellectual interest appears to be split between 2 distinct significant variables: practice content and academics. Time or controllable lifestyle, external constraints, practice content, and academic issues appear to be important influences on the choice of rheumatology fellowship. Such variables appear to reflect underlying values and motivations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rahbar
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Rivest C, Lew RA, Welsing PM, Sangha O, Wright EA, Roberts WN, Liang MH, Karlson EW. Association between clinical factors, socioeconomic status, and organ damage in recent onset systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 2000; 27:680-4. [PMID: 10743808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and socioeconomic and clinical predictors of early organ damage in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of 2-7 years' duration randomly sampled at 5 centers and balanced by socioeconomic status and race. METHODS The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index was measured in 200 patients who met the ACR criteria for SLE with a mean disease duration of 3.8 years. The SLICC/ACR scores for each organ system and the prevalence of damage within organ systems were assessed. Logistic regression analyses evaluated the simultaneous effects of age at diagnosis, disease duration, disease activity, and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS Sixty-one percent of the patients had damage within 7 years of onset (mean 3.8 yrs). Neuropsychiatric (20.5%) and musculoskeletal (18.5%) systems were the most frequently involved, followed by renal (15.5%) and skin (12.5%) systems, all with median SLICC/ACR organ system scores of 1. In multivariate models, African-American race was associated with skin damage but not with damage in other specific organ systems. Socioeconomic status was not associated with organ system damage. Older age at diagnosis correlated with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, ocular, and pulmonary damage. Clinical factors such as longer disease duration correlated with higher renal and cardiovascular damage, and greater disease activity at diagnosis of SLE correlated with greater renal, musculoskeletal, and pulmonary damage. CONCLUSION There is evidence of organ system damage in SLE within a mean of 3.8 years after onset. We found little evidence for differences in early organ damage according to race or socioeconomic status. Damage to most organ systems was related to age at diagnosis of SLE and clinical factors such as disease duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rivest
- Department of Medicine, Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Furst DE, Lindsley H, Baethge B, Botstein GR, Caldwell J, Dietz F, Ettlinger R, Golden HE, McLaughlin GE, Moreland LW, Roberts WN, Rooney TW, Rothschild B, Sack M, Sebba AI, Weisman M, Welch KE, Yocum D. Dose-loading with hydroxychloroquine improves the rate of response in early, active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind six-week trial with eighteen-week extension. Arthritis Rheum 1999. [PMID: 10025931 DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(199902)42:2<357::aid-anr19>3.0.co;2-j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the usefulness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose-loading to increase the percentage of responders or rate of response in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Two hundred twelve patients with early RA (mean duration 1.5 years) were enrolled in a 24-week trial. Patients were stabilized with 1,000 mg naproxen/day and then began a 6-week, double-blind trial comparing treatment with HCQ at 400 mg/day (n = 71), 800 mg/day (n = 71), and 1,200 mg/day (n = 66), followed by 18 weeks of open-label HCQ treatment at 400 mg/day. RESULTS All patients had mild, active disease at the time of initiation of HCQ treatment (31-43% rheumatoid factor positive; no previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; mean swollen joint count 8.6-10.4). Based on the Paulus criteria, response during the 6-week double-blind portion of the study was 47.97%, 57.7%, and 63.6% in the 400 mg/day, 800 mg/day, and 1,200 mg/day groups, respectively (P = 0.052). Discontinuations for adverse events were dose related (3 in the 400 mg/day group, 5 in the 800 mg/day group, 6 in the 1,200 mg/day group). Most involved the gastrointestinal (GI) system, with the background naproxen treatment possibly contributing. Ocular abnormalities occurred in 17 of 212 patients (8%) but were not dose related. CONCLUSION Dose-loading with HCQ increased the degree of response at 6 weeks in this group of patients with early, predominantly seronegative RA. Adverse GI events were dose related, while adverse ocular events were not.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Furst
- Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA
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Furst DE, Lindsley H, Baethge B, Botstein GR, Caldwell J, Dietz F, Ettlinger R, Golden HE, McLaughlin GE, Moreland LW, Roberts WN, Rooney TW, Rothschild B, Sack M, Sebba AI, Weisman M, Welch KE, Yocum D. Dose-loading with hydroxychloroquine improves the rate of response in early, active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind six-week trial with eighteen-week extension. Arthritis Rheum 1999; 42:357-65. [PMID: 10025931 DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(199902)42:2<357::aid-anr19>3.0.co;2-j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the usefulness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose-loading to increase the percentage of responders or rate of response in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Two hundred twelve patients with early RA (mean duration 1.5 years) were enrolled in a 24-week trial. Patients were stabilized with 1,000 mg naproxen/day and then began a 6-week, double-blind trial comparing treatment with HCQ at 400 mg/day (n = 71), 800 mg/day (n = 71), and 1,200 mg/day (n = 66), followed by 18 weeks of open-label HCQ treatment at 400 mg/day. RESULTS All patients had mild, active disease at the time of initiation of HCQ treatment (31-43% rheumatoid factor positive; no previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; mean swollen joint count 8.6-10.4). Based on the Paulus criteria, response during the 6-week double-blind portion of the study was 47.97%, 57.7%, and 63.6% in the 400 mg/day, 800 mg/day, and 1,200 mg/day groups, respectively (P = 0.052). Discontinuations for adverse events were dose related (3 in the 400 mg/day group, 5 in the 800 mg/day group, 6 in the 1,200 mg/day group). Most involved the gastrointestinal (GI) system, with the background naproxen treatment possibly contributing. Ocular abnormalities occurred in 17 of 212 patients (8%) but were not dose related. CONCLUSION Dose-loading with HCQ increased the degree of response at 6 weeks in this group of patients with early, predominantly seronegative RA. Adverse GI events were dose related, while adverse ocular events were not.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Furst
- Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE To examine rheumatology subspecialty practice patterns, determinants of referral to rheumatologists, and utilization of aspiration and injection procedures in a population-based sample of elderly individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We obtained Medicare physician claims for all visits to rheumatologists among beneficiaries aged 65 years and older in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Virginia in 1993, and for visits to all providers by patients with coded diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined variations in visit frequency and aspiration/injection procedures, and we analyzed determinants of referral to a rheumatologist for RA or SLE. RESULTS In 1 year, 144,797 visits were made to rheumatologists by 38,443 patients in the three states. An inflammatory disorder was coded in 45% of visits and a noninflammatory disorder in 50%. Half of patients with RA were seen three or fewer times in the year. For RA and SLE, African Americans were about 60% as likely to be seen by a rheumatologist as whites. Utilization of rheumatologist services for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus was highest in the state (Virginia) with the lowest per capita supply of rheumatologists. Among patients with bursitis, tendinitis, and osteoarthritis, African-American women were more likely to receive an injection or aspiration procedure than whites or African-American men. CONCLUSION Elderly patients with rheumatologic disorders were seen by specialists less frequently than recommended by a recent rheumatology manpower survey. African-Americans with RA and SLE had fewer rheumatology visits than whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Katz
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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24
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Breitbach SA, Alexander RW, Daltroy LH, Liang MH, Boll TJ, Karlson EW, Partiridge AJ, Roberts WN, Stern SH, Wacholtz MC, Straaton KV. Determinants of cognitive performance in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 1998; 20:157-66. [PMID: 9777469 DOI: 10.1076/jcen.20.2.157.1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may have a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes. Assessment of cognitive functioning for these patients is complicated by increased prevalence and disease severity among groups obtained lower scores on measures of cognitive functioning in normative national samples. Cognitive ability was quantified in a diverse cohort of patients with SLE and a demographically matched group of control participants. Hierarchical regression demonstrated a small increase (6%) in explained variation in cognitive functioning when presence of SLE was added to the equation derived from demographic variables. No significant interaction was found between race and disease. These results suggest that increased frequency of cognitive impairment in African Americans with SLE is due to the additive effects of psychosocial variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Breitbach
- Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903-2495, USA.
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Partridge AJ, Karlson EW, Daltroy LH, Lew RA, Wright EA, Fossel AH, Straaton KV, Stern SH, Kavanaugh AF, Roberts WN, Liang MH. Risk factors for early work disability in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a multicenter study. Arthritis Rheum 1997; 40:2199-206. [PMID: 9416857 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780401214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the risk factors for early work disability in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS A sample of 159 SLE patients who had been employed at some time since diagnosis was drawn from a multicenter study of outcome in SLE. Disease activity, organ damage, education, income, source of health insurance, and work-related factors were measured in a standardized interview. Work disability was defined by patient self-report of not working because of SLE. The outcome measure was current work status. Seven patients were excluded from the analysis because their choice not to work was unrelated to SLE. RESULTS An average of 3.4 years after diagnosis, 40% had quit work completely, and job modification was substantial. Univariate analysis (chi-square and t-test) showed that significant predictors of early work disability included having a high school education or less, receiving Medicaid or having no health insurance, having a job which required more physical strength, having an income below poverty level, and having greater disease activity at diagnosis. In multivariate models, significant predictors were education level (P = 0.0004), higher physical demands of the job (P = 0.0028), and higher disease activity at diagnosis (P = 0.0078). Race, sex, cumulative organ damage at diagnosis, and disease duration were not significant. CONCLUSION Early work disability in SLE is strongly associated with some sociodemographic factors that might be amenable to intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Partridge
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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26
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Katz JN, Barrett J, Liang MH, Bacon AM, Kaplan H, Kieval RI, Lindsey SM, Roberts WN, Sheff DM, Spencer RT, Weaver AL, Baron JA. Sensitivity and positive predictive value of Medicare Part B physician claims for rheumatologic diagnoses and procedures. Arthritis Rheum 1997; 40:1594-600. [PMID: 9324013 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780400908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of Medicare physician claims for select rheumatic conditions managed in rheumatology specialty practices. METHODS Eight rheumatologists in 3 states abstracted 378 patient office records to obtain information on diagnosis and office procedures. The Medicare Part B physician claims for these patient visits were obtained from the Health Care Financing Administration. The sensitivity of the claims data for a specific diagnosis was calculated as the proportion of all patients whose office records for a particular visit documented that diagnosis and who also had physician claims for that visit which identified that diagnosis. The positive predictive value was evaluated in a separate sample of 331 patient visits identified in Medicare physician claims. The positive predictive value of the claims data for a specific diagnosis was calculated as the proportion of patients with that diagnosis coded in the claims for a particular visit who also had the diagnosis documented in the medical record for that visit. RESULTS Ninety percent of abstracted office medical records were matched successfully with Medicare physician claims. The sensitivity of the Medicare physician claims was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-0.95) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 0.85 (95% CI 0.73-0.97) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 0.85 (95% CI 0.78-1.0) for aspiration or injection procedures. The sensitivity for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee was < or = 0.50 if 5-digit codes specifying anatomic site were required. The sensitivity for fibromyalgia (FM) was 0.48 (95% CI 0.28-0.68). The positive predictive values were at least 0.90 for RA, SLE, and aspiration or injection procedures. Positive predictive values for FM and the 5-digit site-specific codes for OA of the knee were 0.83 (95% CI 0.66-1.0) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.75-1.0), respectively, while the positive predictive value of the 5-digit site-specific codes for OA of the hip was zero (95% CI 0-0.26). The positive predictive value of OA at any site was 0.83 (95% CI 0.76-0.90). CONCLUSION In specialty practice, Medicare physician claims had high sensitivity and positive predictive value for RA, SLE, OA without specification of anatomic site, and injection or aspiration procedures. The claims had lower sensitivity and predictive value for FM and for OA of the hip. The accuracy of Medicare physician claims for other conditions and in the primary care setting requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Katz
- Robert Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Abstract
The keys to coping with the variability seen in SLE are accurate differentiation of active disease from past damage and consistent monitoring for new disease manifestations and medication side effects. Common clinical problems are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine, Richmond, USA
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Karlson EW, Daltroy LH, Lew RA, Wright EA, Partridge AJ, Fossel AH, Roberts WN, Stern SH, Straaton KV, Wacholtz MC, Kavanaugh AF, Grosflam JM, Liang MH. The relationship of socioeconomic status, race, and modifiable risk factors to outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1997; 40:47-56. [PMID: 9008599 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780400108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the relationship of race, socioeconomic status (SES), clinical factors, and psychosocial factors to outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS A retrospective cohort was assembled, comprising 200 patients with SLE from 5 centers. This cohort was balanced in terms of race and SES. Patients provided information on socioeconomic factors, access to health care, nutrition, self-efficacy for disease management, health locus of control, social support, compliance, knowledge about SLE, and satisfaction with medical care. Outcome measures included disease activity (measured by the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure), damage (measured by the SLICC/ACR damage index), and health status (measured by the SF-36). RESULTS In multivariate models that were controlled for race, SES, center, psychosocial factors, and clinical factors, lower self-efficacy for disease management (P < or = 0.0001), less social support (P < 0.005), and younger age at diagnosis (P < 0.007) were associated with greater disease activity. Older age at diagnosis (P < or = 0.0001), longer duration of SLE (P < or = 0.0001), poor nutrition (P < 0.002), and higher disease activity at diagnosis (P < 0.007) were associated with more damage. Lower self-efficacy for disease management was associated with worse physical function (P < or = 0.0001) and worse mental health status (P < or = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Disease activity and health status were most strongly associated with potentially modifiable psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy for disease management. Cumulative organ damage was most highly associated with clinical factors such as age and duration of disease. None of the outcomes measured were associated with race. These results suggest that education and counseling, coordinated with medical care, might improve outcomes in patients with SLE.
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Roberts WN, Brodeur JP, DeWitt J, Carr SZ, Wise CM, Carr ME. Comparison of factor VIII-related antigen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in outpatient management of vasculitis. Angiology 1996; 47:1081-7. [PMID: 8921757 DOI: 10.1177/000331979604701108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Electroimmunodiffusion (Laurell rocket) determinations of factor VIII-related antigen in plasma were ordered to determine the cost/benefit ratio for factor VIII-related antigen as a putative test for endothelial damage in suspected vasculitis. Twenty-seven consecutive patients referred for vasculitis or suspected vasculitis were identified and followed up for an average of 9.1 +/- months (range: one to thirty-three months) in a prospective, unblinded study performed in a clinic, associated with a 1054-bed inner-city university hospital. There was no difference in Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (WESR) in patients with final diagnosis of systemic vasculitis (SV) (38 +/- 12 mm/hour) compared to those without vasculitis (NV) (27 +/- 7) as the final diagnosis. The mean plasma concentration of factor VIII-related antigen was significantly elevated in SV (344 +/- 100%) when compared with NV (147 +/- 39%) (P < 0.016). The factor VIII-related antigen test in this study was 2.56 times more likely (crude odds ratio) than the WESR to contribute to a change in diagnosis or therapy (P = 0.016). Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for factor VIII-related antigen (abnormal at greater than 220% of the normal value) were both 70%. PPV and NPV for WESR were 56% and 86%, respectively. The factor VIII-related test was less cost-effective than the WESR in the follow-up period unless it was important to define complete remission or differentiate vasculitis flare from infection. The authors conclude that factor VIII-related antigen is a useful test in the initial diagnosis of vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
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Roberts WN, Babcock EA, Breitbach SA, Owen DS, Irby WR. Corticosteroid injection in rheumatoid arthritis does not increase rate of total joint arthroplasty. J Rheumatol 1996; 23:1001-4. [PMID: 8782130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between frequent intraarticular corticosteroid injection and subsequent joint replacement surgery. METHODS A 1987 database of patients with rheumatic diseases was reviewed to find patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had received 4 or more intraarticular injections in an asymmetric pattern in a single year. RESULTS A subset of 13 patients with an average of 7.4 years of followup was established as the cohort of a 5 year prospective study. In this highly selected cohort of patients with RA in a university practice who received 1622 injections, joint replacement surgery was not significantly more common in the heavily injected joints. CONCLUSIONS A strategy of frequent intraarticular steroid injection does not greatly increase, through added risk of joint replacement, the risk inherent in continued disease activity for patients with established RA. Frequent corticosteroid injection may offer some chondroprotection when the alternative is continuous disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0647, USA
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Wise CM, Vuyyuru S, Roberts WN. Methotrexate in nonrenal lupus and undifferentiated connective tissue disease--a review of 36 patients. J Rheumatol Suppl 1996; 23:1005-10. [PMID: 8782131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy, tolerability, and steroid sparing effect of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in clinical practice. METHODS From a database of 467 patients, we identified all patients with SLE and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD, 2-3 criteria for SLE) who had received MTX. Details of previous therapy, indications for MTX, efficacy, toxicity, and steroid reduction during MTX therapy were recorded. RESULTS 21 patients with SLE who had been treated with MTX were identified. The mean weekly MTX dose rose from 7.5 mg at initiation to 13.6 mg at 6 mo and 17.1 mg at 12 mo. A response was seen in 12 of 21 patients, and 7 patients had a sustained 50% reduction in disease activity at the final evaluation. Response was best in patients with dermatitis (5/6), arthritis (6/13), and myositis (1/1), but minimal in patients with central nervous system dysfunction (1/4), serositis (1/3), and isolated fatigue (0/1). Toxicity was noted in 62% of patients, but only 33% discontinued due to toxicity. MTX was continued in 74% of patients at 6 mo and 40% at 12 mo. Steroid dosage was reduced to half the original dose in 9 of 16 patients. A similar pattern of MTX efficacy and toxicity was observed in 15 patients with UCTD. CONCLUSION MTX is useful in the treatment of some patients with mild manifestations of SLE, with an acceptable toxicity profile, but only modest steroid sparing potential. Patients with dermatitis and arthritis appear to have the best chance of responding to MTX therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Wise
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298-0647, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE To determine and illustrate the causes of unproductive arthrocentesis of the knee. PATIENTS AND METHODS Consecutive patients were studied who had inflammatory (rheumatoid or psoriatic) arthritis affecting the knees and experienced unproductive arthrocentesis during a randomized, controlled trial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used, supplemented first by intravenous gadolinium contrast and subsequently by manual mixing of the diffused contrast to outline the furthest possible penetration of contrast within the joint cavity. RESULTS In 4 out of 5 patients studied, failed arthrocentesis was due to combinations of inspirated joint fluid too viscous to be withdrawn or to mix with contrast, adipose tissue, and lipoma arborescens (thickened synovium with fat replacement). One MRI exam was normal. More free synovial fluid was imaged on the lateral side. CONCLUSIONS Failure to aspirate synovial fluid from the knee is explicable to anatomic terms; in particular, fluid viscosity and lipoma arborescens play a role in chronic effusions. Although surface anatomic landmarks for knee arthrocentesis may be more visible medially, the lateral approach is more likely to yield fluid for synovial analysis in difficult cases. Internal medicine trainees should be taught the lateral approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298, USA
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Evans TI, Wheeler MT, Small RE, Breitbach SA, Sanders KM, Roberts WN. A comprehensive investigation of inpatient intravenous colchicine use shows more education is needed. J Rheumatol Suppl 1996; 23:143-8. [PMID: 8838523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that colchicine therapy for patients in whom treatment was guided by rheumatology consultation was more appropriately prescribed than therapy for patients not receiving consultation. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all inpatients with acute crystal induced arthritis who received intravenous (iv) colchicine was performed to assess iv colchicine prescribing errors and any adverse outcomes of iv colchicine therapy. RESULTS Errors in the prescribing of iv colchicine occurred in 5 of 19 patients (26%). A rheumatology consultation was not obtained in any of these cases. Overall, there was a significant increase in the prescribing error rate in the no-consultation versus the consultation groups (p = 0.045). These 5 errors did not lead to serious adverse outcomes, but leukopenia occurred in one patient and the white blood cell count decreased from 7.3 to 4.3 cells/mm3 in another patient. Leukopenia also occurred in 3 patients in whom iv colchicine was used appropriately. CONCLUSION (1) Previously published guidelines for iv colchicine use appeared successful at preventing serious colchicine toxicity. (2) These guidelines do not protect against leukopenia occurring from colchicine use. (3) Rheumatology consultation may help prevent errors in the use of iv colchicine. (4) Further education is needed in the correct use of iv colchicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- T I Evans
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
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Karlson EW, Daltroy LH, Lew RA, Wright EA, Partridge AJ, Roberts WN, Stern SH, Straaton KV, Wacholtz MC, Grosflam JM. The independence and stability of socioeconomic predictors of morbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1995; 38:267-73. [PMID: 7848318 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780380217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied the relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) morbidity and socioeconomic status (SES) at 5 centers. METHODS Ninety-nine patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE were randomly sampled at each center, balancing by race and insurance status. Subjects were interviewed for current and past SES factors, such as insurance, occupation, employment, education, and income. SLE disease activity was measured by the SLE Activity Measure (SLAM). RESULT Higher education, private insurance/Medicare, and higher income were associated with less disease activity at diagnosis. Controlling for SES, race, and center, the best predictors of less active disease at diagnosis were private insurance/Medicare (P = 0.002) and higher education (P = 0.007). From the time of diagnosis to the study visit (mean 3.5 years), insurance, income, and employment status changed for a significant number of subjects (37%, 16%, and 21%, respectively). CONCLUSION Private insurance or Medicare and higher education are associated with less active disease at diagnosis of SLE. Health insurance, income, and employment status are unstable measures of socioeconomic status and may explain the variability in conclusions of previous studies on the role of SES in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Karlson
- Department of Rheumatology/Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE We report a case of large vessel vasculitis, compare imaging techniques, and briefly review the literature. METHODS Anticardiolipin antibody titers, acute-phase response, and ischemic symptoms in a 50-year-old man admitted for treatment of vasculitis-related ischemia of the fingers were monitored over a 14-month period. Images from serial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were compared with images from conventional arteriography in the evaluation of peripheral arterial circulation. RESULTS The acute-phase response and anticardiolipin antibody levels were found to vary in parallel with slow resolution of ischemic symptoms following monthly treatment with pulse methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSION Attribution of ischemic symptoms to anticardiolipin antibody is supported by the correlation of anticardiolipin antibody titers, acute-phase response parameters, and ischemic symptoms. The serial images from MRA demonstrate its usefulness as a noninvasive tool for followup studies of both large and medium-sized vessels affected by vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
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Vandenberg MK, Moxley G, Breitbach SA, Roberts WN. Gout attacks in chronic alcoholics occur at lower serum urate levels than in nonalcoholics. J Rheumatol 1994; 21:700-4. [PMID: 8035396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if patients with gout with chronic alcoholism have lower serum urate levels than nonalcoholic patients. METHODS Of 95 consecutive consults for acute gout at a VA medical center, 42 were excluded from study due to lack of crystal documentation, lack of urate value within 2 years, or treatment with allopurinol or probenecid. The remaining 53 patients were grouped by alcohol use and a retrospective chart review was done for these patients. RESULTS Mean intercritical serum urate values for chronic alcoholics and nonalcoholics were similar at 9.7 +/- 2.1 for alcoholics and 9.5 +/- 2.1 for nonalcoholics. Yet, despite these similar intercritical serum urate values, and despite no difference between chronic alcoholics and nonalcoholics in frequency or severity of acute gout flares, patients with chronic alcoholism had index serum urate levels which were significantly lower than those of nonalcoholics. These mean index values, with standard deviations, were 7.7 +/- 1.3 for 15 chronic alcoholics and 10.1 +/- 1.3 for 34 nonalcoholics; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Alcoholics and nonalcoholics had comparable intercritical values. However, on presentation with acute arthritis, the index serum urate values for alcoholics were lower than in nonalcoholics. Values for serum urate below 8.5 mg/dl are of less value in excluding gout in chronic alcoholics than in nonalcoholics presenting with acute gout flares.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Vandenberg
- McGuire Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Rheumatology Section, Richmond, VA
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Roberts WN, Roberts PC. Evaluation of the elderly driver with arthritis. Clin Geriatr Med 1993; 9:311-22. [PMID: 8504381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Examination focusing upon the two clusters of function necessary for turning and braking is important as is nonthreatening questioning about driving. The effects of drugs used for arthritis on the CNS and a heightened emphasis upon the psychosocial implications of immobility complicate the management of older drivers with arthritis. Assuming optimal treatment of the arthritis, the two most important management tools are actually power-steering and automatic transmission. Less expensive adaptive available thorough rehabilitation services (e.g., auxiliary mirrors) are also of value.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond
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Abstract
We describe a single case of Kawasaki's disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome) with the rare complication of a hepatic artery aneurysm which was surgically repaired. Unusual features include arterial aneurysmal formation in the hepatic arteries rather than in coronary arteries, the unusual morphology of the hepatic artery aneurysm, and the expansion of the aneurysm after corticosteroid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Caputo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298
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Hauptman HW, Ruddy S, Roberts WN. Reversal of the vasospastic component of lupus vasculopathy by infusion of prostaglandin E1. J Rheumatol 1991; 18:1747-52. [PMID: 1787501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The responses of 3 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and progressive digital ischemia to intravenous prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were studied prospectively in an open 3-day trial. All patients were unresponsive to corticosteroids, one had vasculitis proven by biopsy. Digital ischemia diminished in all 3 patients. In one patient, angiograms documented reappearance of a previously obstructed deep palmar arch. Vasospasm plays a role in the outcome of SLE vasculitis even in the absence of Raynaud's phenomenon. As suggested by animal models of necrotizing and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and by case reports, intravenous PGE1 may be a relatively nontoxic, adjunctive treatment for vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Hauptman
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298
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Hernández Avila M, Liang MH, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Rosner B, Roberts WN, Hennekens CH, Speizer FE. Reproductive factors, smoking, and the risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Epidemiology 1990; 1:285-91. [PMID: 2083305 DOI: 10.1097/00001648-199007000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis were examined in a cohort of 121,700 female nurses aged 30-55, followed in the Nurses' Health Study. Baseline information on reproductive variables, cigarette smoking, obesity, and other variables was obtained in 1976 and updated every 2 years. Cases of rheumatoid arthritis were defined by standardized questionnaire and review of medical records. During 883,187 person-years of follow-up, 217 new cases of rheumatoid arthritis were identified (115 had definite rheumatoid arthritis and 102 had "undifferentiated polyarthritis"). When compared with women who experienced menarche at age 13 years, the age-adjusted relative risk of rheumatoid arthritis among women with early menarche was 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-2.4). There were, however, no significant associations between parity, age at birth of the first child, menopause, or obesity and the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. Cigarette smokers had a slight apparent increase in the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Among current smokers, the age-adjusted relative risk for RA rheumatoid arthritis was 1.3 (0.9-2.1); among former smokers, the relative risk was 1.5 (0.9-2.3).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hernández Avila
- Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Duckworth FP, Szucs RA, Roberts WN. Takayasus' arteritis. Va Med 1989; 116:218-9, 222-3. [PMID: 2567097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Roberts WN, Larson MG, Liang MH, Harrison RA, Barefoot J, Clarke AK. Sensitivity of anthropometric techniques for clinical trials in ankylosing spondylitis. Br J Rheumatol 1989; 28:40-5. [PMID: 2645008 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/28.1.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
To determine whether anthropometric techniques widely used for assessment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) would be useful outcome measures in long-term clinical trials, 52 AS patients at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases were studied. All patients had well documented AS with a mean age of 38.1 years, and had been diagnosed for an average of 7.6 years. Measurements were taken before (B) and after (A) 3-week intensive inpatient physical therapy (PT). Short-term therapeutic effects (over 3 weeks) were significant (adjusted p less than 0.0001) for all five measures tested (chest expansion, finger-to-floor distance, height, lumbar flexion, and cervical rotation). Height (adjusted p less than 0.0001), finger-to-floor distance (adjusted p = 0.047) and cervical rotation (adjusted p = 0.012) diminished over the course of follow-up. Therefore, 3 weeks of hospitalization with intensive physical therapy produces measurable short-term change; minute but measurable change with treatment occurs even in long-standing AS; and detectable changes in physical measurements occur over a 5-year period even in long-standing AS. Anthropometric measurements are useful outcome variables for long-term clinical trials in AS, but the potential for improvement in clinical measurements in long-standing AS is predictably small.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, England
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Robb-Nicholson C, Chang RW, Anderson S, Roberts WN, Longtine J, Corson J, Larson M, George D, Green J, Bryant G. Diagnostic value of the history and examination in giant cell arteritis: a clinical pathological study of 81 temporal artery biopsies. J Rheumatol 1988; 15:1793-6. [PMID: 3230565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
To determine the value of the history and examination in predicting a temporal artery biopsy result, 81 temporal artery biopsies between 1974-1980 were studied. Each biopsy was scored blindly and independently by 2 pathologists and correlated with clinical data and the indications for biopsy at the time of the biopsy. Thirteen biopsies had giant cells and were considered positive, 8 had mononuclear inflammatory cells in the wall (7 cases) or healed arteritis (1 case) and were considered probable, and 60 were negative. In patients with an elevated sedimentation rate, the presence of a sign (tenderness or abnormal temporal artery), or a symptom (visual change or headache) predicted 18 of 21 (86%) positive-probable biopsies, but misclassified 32 of 60 negative biopsies. Attempts to derive a clinical decision rule with improved specificity resulted in unacceptably low sensitivity (missing 5 of 21 positive-probable biopsies). A minimum 5-year followup showed that those patients treated with steroids had a 6-fold increase in fractures and a 4-fold increase in cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Robb-Nicholson
- Departments of Rheumatology/Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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Roberts WN, Williams RB. Hip pain. Prim Care 1988; 15:783-93. [PMID: 3068695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hip pain can be categorized as either anterior groin pain, lateral trochanteric pain, or posterior buttock pain. Reproduction of the pain during passive and active range of motion of the hip against resistance provides the most accurate localization. The very important intra-articular diagnoses with poorer prognoses and more urgent requirement for treatment, such as a septic joint and hip fracture, often present with anterior groin pain. Trochanteric bursitis is the most common cause of lateral pain next to osteoarthritis. Buttock pain occasionally represents a radiation from lumbar disc or facet joint disease but more commonly is muscular in origin. Management of osteoarthritis of the hip successively challenges the primary care physician to provide effective patient education regarding NSAIDs, assistive devices for walking, and optimal timing of total hip arthroplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Liang
- Department of Rheumatology/Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Boston, MA 02115
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Roberts WN, Liang MH, Pallozzi LM, Daltroy LH. Effects of warming up on reliability of anthropometric techniques in ankylosing spondylitis. Arthritis Rheum 1988; 31:549-52. [PMID: 3358812 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780310413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
To determine the effect of warm-up on anthropometric measures, 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 10 normal control subjects were measured over a 1-hour period by one therapist. A series of 4 measures--a modified Schober's test, finger-to-floor with the subject standing on a 23-cm stool, chest expansion, and cervical rotation using an arthrodial protractor--were repeated completely 4 times. Subjects exercised between each series (except between the third and fourth series). Intra-rater reliability was determined by comparing measurement 3 with measurement 4, and the warm-up effect was determined by comparing measurement 1 with measurement 3. The Schober's test and chest expansion are stable measures and are not affected by warm-up. However, the finger-to-floor and cervical rotation exercises require warm-up to ensure stable values for clinical or research followup of spondylitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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Abstract
We reviewed the records of 44 patients, retrospectively selected because they had had persistently active rheumatoid arthritis for more than 5 years (mean +/- SD followup 9.8 +/- 2.6 years) and because they met the American Rheumatism Association criteria for classic disease, to determine the change in extent of the anatomic distribution of joint involvement over time. The positive predictive value of a lack of inflammation in a joint during the first year for the lack of involvement over the ensuing 4 years was 87%. Thirty-eight of the 43 joints that required replacement were inflamed in the first year of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Roberts
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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Roberts WN, Liang MH, Stern SH. Colchicine in acute gout. Reassessment of risks and benefits. JAMA 1987; 257:1920-2. [PMID: 3820512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Colchicine is an effective and relatively specific treatment for acute gout and has a long, venerable history. Serious toxic reactions to colchicine could be prevented if guidelines for its use were followed strictly, but because of its relatively infrequent use and conflicting recommendations, considerable toxic effects might occur and still be undetected by passive surveillance. A review of a teaching hospital's four years' experience showed two deaths (2% incidence) due to inappropriate use. Colchicine has the smallest benefit-to-toxicity ratio of drugs that are effective for acute gout. This article gives specific recommendations for the use of colchicine in different clinical settings.
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Liang MH, Cullen KE, Larson MG, Thompson MS, Schwartz JA, Fossel AH, Roberts WN, Sledge CB. Cost-effectiveness of total joint arthroplasty in osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1986; 29:937-43. [PMID: 3091041 DOI: 10.1002/art.1780290801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Although total joint replacement (TJR) is a major advance in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis, its cost-effectiveness has been questioned. We report the results of a study of the costs and benefits of TJR in consecutive osteoarthritis patients, 6 months after the surgery. Health status was measured by the Index of Well-Being. Costs of services for arthritis were determined by interview and billing records. Six months after TJR, significant improvements were seen in global health and in functional status. The average cost of care for the 6 months prior to TJR was $933. The average cost during the 6 months beginning with the TJR was $22,730 per patient--due almost entirely to costs of surgery. In general, the surgery did not change work status, probably because the mean age of the patients was 66.4 years. There were large effectiveness/cost differentials (the larger the effectiveness/cost differential, the higher the degree of cost-effectiveness [CE]). At 6 months, for all patients, the CE was associated with initial health status. The highest CE was observed in 10 patients who initially had the poorest health. TJR is more cost-effective for patients with the most to gain and less effective for those with better preoperative health status.
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Roberts WN, Wilson JG, Wong W, Jenkins DE, Fearon DT, Austen KF, Nicholson-Weller A. Normal function of CR1 on affected erythrocytes of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The Journal of Immunology 1985. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.134.1.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired hemolytic anemia in which affected erythrocytes (E) are abnormally sensitive to lysis by autologous complement. Affected E from patients with PNH (PNH-E) are deficient in an E membrane regulatory protein of complement, decay-accelerating factor (DAF). Because a functional defect in a second membrane regulatory protein of complement, CR1 (C3b receptor), has also been hypothesized, severely affected PNH-E (type III PNH-E) were tested for abnormalities in CR1 by four methods. E from two patients with 100% type III PNH-E had 3201 and 6783 sites per cell for binding of 125I-labeled rabbit polyclonal F(ab')2 anti-CR1. These values fall within the normal range of CR1 antigenic sites per cell (1267 to 7915, mean = 5,014 +/- 155 SEM) established by assaying the E from 113 healthy donors. The Ka of CR1 on type III PNH-E for 125I-labeled C3b dimer was 2.06 X 10(7) M-1, and the Ka values for the binding of the same ligand to the E from two healthy individuals were 2.45 X 10(7) M-1 and 1.58 X 10(7) M-1. In an assay designed to measure the capacity of human E (Eh) to accelerate the decay of the classical C3 convertase deposited on 1 X 10(7) bystander sheep E (EAC1gp,4bh,2agp), the half-life (t 1/2) of this convertase was diminished from 18.1 min (range 15.2 to 22.9) to 8.1 min (range 7.4 to 8.5) by the addition of 1 X 10(7) normal Eh, to 6.2 min by 100% type III PNH-E, and to 7.5 min by Eh pretreated with an IgG fraction of human antiserum directed against the D antigen of the Rh system. In contrast, Eh (t 1/2 = 7.4) pretreated with a saturating dose of F(ab')2 anti-CR1, and CR1-deficient Eh (less than 10 CR1 molecules/E) from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, showed a loss of convertase decay-accelerating capacity to t 1/2 = 11.6 and t 1/2 = 12.4, respectively. Type III PNH-E pretreated with anti-CR1 demonstrated a total loss of their decay-accelerating capacity (t 1/2 = 19.9). In an assay of I cofactor activity, soluble C3b was rapidly converted to iC3b by purified I plus Eh or type III PNH-E, whereas CR1-deficient Eh exhibited less than 5% the I cofactor activity of normal Eh.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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