BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis and extra-articular involvement. Comorbidities are highly prevalent in patients with RA, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is responsible for over 50% of premature deaths. This study aimed to describe cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

To describe cardiovascular (CV) diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was done in the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) inpatient and outpatient services. The study included patients 18 years old and above diagnosed with RA and fulfills the 1987 American College of Rheumatology or 2010 American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria with no overlap features with other autoimmune connective tissue diseases and with complete records of the information required for the study from January 2019-December 2022. The primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of CV diseases and CV risk factors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

There were 123 patients in the study, 93.4% outpatients, and 95.1% females, with a mean age and disease duration of 51.3 and 9.8 years, respectively. Disease activity was moderate in 35% and high in 9.7%, based on disease activity score (DAS 28) or clinical disease activity index (CDAI) scores. Methotrexate (54%) was the most commonly used conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD). Glucocorticoid use was observed in 51.2%. None of the patients were receiving a biologic DMARD. There were 24 (19.5%) patients with CV diseases, namely myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. There were 87 (70%) patients with at least one CV risk factor and 62 (50.4%) with multiple risk factors. The risk factors identified were: dyslipidemia (43.1%), hypertension (40.7%), elevated body mass index (35.7%), and diabetes mellitus (15.4%). There were f ive deaths in the hospitalized patients (4%), one due to a myocardial infarction.

The majority (70%) in our cohort had at least one CV risk factor, 19.5% had an identified CV disease, and one died from a myocardial infarction. Dyslipidemia was the most common CV risk factor. The high proportion of patients with CV disease and CV risk factors highlights the need to add the screening and management of CV diseases and risk factors as a priority among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Weber-Christian Disease (WCD), or relapsing febrile nodular panniculitis is a rare form of subcutaneous fat inflammation commonly affecting women aged 40-75 years old. It is rarer in children with only 1 previously reported case in the Philippines. It presents as erythematous nodules, frequently affecting the lower extremities. There is no standard treatment, but reportedly improves with steroid therapy, cyclosporine, and immunomodulators.

This is a case of a 12-year-old-female, who presented with a 4-month history of palpable facial nodules, thigh pains, and recurrent fever. Work-up for hypersensitivity reaction, autoimmune condition, hematologic problem, or infectious etiology yielded unremarkable findings, and corresponding management had no significant response. Patient developed firm lesions on the abdomen which was sent for biopsy and showed results consistent with WCD. Steroid, hydroxychloroquine, and topical indomethacin were then started and noted gradual improvement of the lesions. Patient was then discharged improved with lesions noted to progressively decrease in size and with no appearance of newer lesions upon follow-up.

WCD is a rare form of nodular panniculitis, more so in the younger age group. It is characterized by presence of cutaneous lesions associated with systemic symptoms. Skin biopsy is necessary to confirm its diagnosis. Visceral organ involvement and failure to respond to treatment may result to poor prognosis, and occasionally leads to death.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) are used in the diagnosis and prognostication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We wanted to determine the specific contributions of RF and ACPA to the biological nature of RA and whether they act synergistically. METHODS: We identified 731 patients from our prospective multi-ethnic RA cohort and categorised them into four groups: ACPA-positive, RF-positive, doubly positive and doubly negative. We compared the demographics, Disease Activity Score-28, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, quality of life using Short Form 36 and the use of prednisolone and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) of these patient groups. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-one patients (67.2%) were ACPA+RF+, 54 (7.4%) were ACPA+RF-, 82 (11.2%) were ACPA-RF+ and 104 (14.2%) were ACPA-RF-. Mean disease duration before the study entry was not different in the four groups. Patients with older age of onset were less likely to be positive for RF and ACPA. Fewer ACPA+RF+ patients were in remission compared to those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher at study entry in the ACPA+RF+ group (40.4 mm/h vs. 30.6-30.9 mm/h, P < 0.05). Prednisolone and number of DMARDs used were higher in the ACPA+RF+ group compared to the doubly negative group. There were no differences in the functional status and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS RA patients who were positive for both ACPA and RF had lower remission rate, higher baseline ESR and required more corticosteroid and DMARD treatment compared to those who were singly positive or doubly negative. Being doubly positive confers a worse outcome to RA patients.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatoid Factor/blood* ; Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies/blood* ; Adult ; Quality of Life ; Prospective Studies ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Peptides, Cyclic/immunology* ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Severity of Illness Index ; Prognosis

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with heightened cardiovascular disease and increased susceptibility to osteoporosis, with shared underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the association between vascular function and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 49 patients with RA at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. Endothelial function was measured as reactive hyperaemia index (RHI)-endothelial peripheral arterial tonometry and aortic stiffness as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) using SphygmoCor. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between BMD and vascular function. We used natural logarithm RHI (lnRHI) and cf-PWV as response variables, and each BMD as covariate, adjusting for body mass index, positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, cumulative prednisolone dose, hydroxychloroquine use and Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2. RESULTS: We recruited 49 patients (mean age 61.08 ± 8.20 years), of whom 44 (89.80%) were women and 39 (81.25%) were Chinese. Significant associations were found between lnRHI and BMD at the lumbar spine (β = 0.4289, P = 0.037) and total hip (β = 0.7544, P = 0.014) in univariable analyses. Multivariable analyses confirmed these associations, showing that lower BMD at the lumbar spine (β = 0.7303, P = 0.001), femoral neck (β = 0.8694, P = 0.030) and total hip (β = 0.8909, P = 0.010) were significantly associated with worse lnRHI. No significant associations were found between BMD and cf-PWV. CONCLUSION Lower BMD is associated with endothelial dysfunction, but not aortic stiffness in patients with RA. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and understand the underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Bone Density ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Vascular Stiffness ; Aged ; Singapore ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Osteoporosis/complications* ; Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/complications* ; Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity ; Hyperemia

Weber-Christian Disease (WCD), or relapsing febrile nodular panniculitis is a rare form of subcutaneous fat inflammation commonly affecting women aged 40-75 years old. It is rarer in children with only 1 previously reported case in the Philippines. It presents as erythematous nodules, frequently affecting the lower extremities. There is no standard treatment, but reportedly improves with steroid therapy, cyclosporine, and immunomodulators.

This is a case of a 12-year-old-female, who presented with a 4-month history of palpable facial nodules, thigh pains, and recurrent fever. Work-up for hypersensitivity reaction, autoimmune condition, hematologic problem, or infectious etiology yielded unremarkable findings, and corresponding management had no significant response. Patient developed firm lesions on the abdomen which was sent for biopsy and showed results consistent with WCD. Steroid, hydroxychloroquine, and topical indomethacin were then started and noted gradual improvement of the lesions. Patient was then discharged improved with lesions noted to progressively decrease in size and with no appearance of newer lesions upon follow-up.

WCD is a rare form of nodular panniculitis, more so in the younger age group. It is characterized by presence of cutaneous lesions associated with systemic symptoms. Skin biopsy is necessary to confirm its diagnosis. Visceral organ involvement and failure to respond to treatment may result to poor prognosis, and occasionally leads to death.

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis and extra-articular involvement. Comorbidities are highly prevalent in patients with RA, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is responsible for over 50% of premature deaths. This study aimed to describe cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

To describe cardiovascular (CV) diseases and their risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was done in the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) inpatient and outpatient services. The study included patients 18 years old and above diagnosed with RA and fulfills the 1987 American College of Rheumatology or 2010 American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria with no overlap features with other autoimmune connective tissue diseases and with complete records of the information required for the study from January 2019-December 2022. The primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of CV diseases and CV risk factors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

There were 123 patients in the study, 93.4% outpatients, and 95.1% females, with a mean age and disease duration of 51.3 and 9.8 years, respectively. Disease activity was moderate in 35% and high in 9.7%, based on disease activity score (DAS 28) or clinical disease activity index (CDAI) scores. Methotrexate (54%) was the most commonly used conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD). Glucocorticoid use was observed in 51.2%. None of the patients were receiving a biologic DMARD. There were 24 (19.5%) patients with CV diseases, namely myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. There were 87 (70%) patients with at least one CV risk factor and 62 (50.4%) with multiple risk factors. The risk factors identified were: dyslipidemia (43.1%), hypertension (40.7%), elevated body mass index (35.7%), and diabetes mellitus (15.4%). There were f ive deaths in the hospitalized patients (4%), one due to a myocardial infarction.

The majority (70%) in our cohort had at least one CV risk factor, 19.5% had an identified CV disease, and one died from a myocardial infarction. Dyslipidemia was the most common CV risk factor. The high proportion of patients with CV disease and CV risk factors highlights the need to add the screening and management of CV diseases and risk factors as a priority among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical experience of using Ilizarov wrist joint distraction technique in the treatment of a case of rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist. METHODS: In January 2019, a 49-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the left wrist, complicated by ulnar impaction syndrome, was admitted for treatment. Preoperatively, the active range of motion of the left wrist was as follows: extension 0°-flexion 0°, pronation 65°-supination 35°, and grip strength of 4.0 kg. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 9, and the Cooney wrist function score was 15, indicating poor function. As conservative treatment failed to achieve symptom relief, Ilizarov wrist joint distraction surgery was performed. Postoperatively, joint distraction was applied at 2 mm increments on postoperative days 2 and 7, in 4 separate sessions. RESULTS: Postoperative X-ray film examination at 7 days revealed a distraction of 3.6 mm in the affected wrist joint compared to the contralateral side. The external fixator was removed 2.5 months postoperatively. At 22 months postoperatively, X-ray film and MRI examinations revealed that the joint space of the left wrist had returned to near-normal, with significant reduction in joint effusion and synovial proliferation. The active range of motion of the left wrist improved to extension 15°- flexion 30°, pronation 90°-supination 90°, with a grip strength of 18.0 kg. The wrist pain VAS score decreased to 0, and the Cooney wrist function score improved to 90, indicating excellent function. At 50 months postoperatively, follow-up X-ray film, MRI, and functional assessments showed the results similar to those at 22 months. CONCLUSION Ilizarov wrist joint distraction may be a viable treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist.
Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Wrist Joint/physiopathology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/physiopathology* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Ilizarov Technique ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided high fascia iliaca compartment block (HFICB) in managing tourniquet-related pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 84 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who underwent unilateral TKA between March 2024 and December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups ( <i>ni>=42) using a random number table. In the trial group, ultrasound-guided HFICB was performed preoperatively, with 0.2% ropivacaine injected into the fascia iliaca compartment. No intervention was administered in the control group. Baseline characteristics, including gender, age, surgical side, body mass index, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and during movement, showed no significant difference between the two groups ( <i>Pi>>0.05). In both groups, a tourniquet was applied after osteotomy and before pulsed lavage, and removed after the closure of the first layer of the joint capsule. Postoperative assessments were conducted at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, including VAS scores at the tourniquet site (at rest and during movement), Bromage motor block scores, Ramsay sedation scores, and Bruggrmann comfort scale (BCS) scores to evaluate patient comfort. Additionally, the average tramadol consumption and incidence of nausea and vomiting within 48 hours postoperatively were recorded and compared. RESULTS: In the trial group and control group, VAS scores during movement at the tourniquet site significantly improved at all postoperative time points compared to preoperative levels ( <i>Pi><0.05). VAS scores at rest increased transiently at 6 hours after operation in both groups, and then gradually decreased to the preoperative level. Except that there was no significant difference at 48 hours after operation in the trial group ( <i>Pi>>0.05), there were significant differences at other time points of two groups compared to preoperative score ( <i>Pi><0.05). Except for VAS score at rest at 6 hours, VAS score during movement at 48 hours, and BCS comfort score at 48 hours ( <i>Pi>>0.05), the trial group showed significantly better outcomes than the control group in terms of VAS score at rest, VAS score during movement, Ramsay sedation scores, and BCS comfort scores at all other time points ( <i>Pi><0.05). No significant difference was found in Bromage motor block scores between the groups ( <i>Pi>>0.05). Tramadol was used in 3 patients in the trial group and 7 patients in the control group within 48 hours after operation, the dosage was (133.30±14.19) mg and (172.40±22.29) mg, showing significant difference ( <i>Pi><0.05). Nausea and vomiting occurred in 4 patients (9.5%) in the trial group and 3 patients (7.1%) in the control group, with no significant difference in incidence between groups ( <i>Pi>>0.05). CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided HFICB provides effective analgesia for tourniquet-related pain following TKA, facilitates early postoperative functional recovery of the knee joint, and may serve as a valuable clinical option for postoperative pain management in TKA patients.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Nerve Block/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Pain, Postoperative/etiology* ; Tourniquets/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Ropivacaine/administration & dosage* ; Aged ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage* ; Pain Measurement ; Fascia ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC <i>in vivoi> was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

INTRODUCTION: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), originally an antimalarial drug, is currently used to treat multiple disorders, especially rheumatic diseases. Given its good efficacy and safety, HCQ is widely administered in pregnant patients. However, the safety profile of HCQ during pregnancy remains controversial due to limited research. In addition, HCQ has been reported to reduce preeclampsia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and could potentially alleviate the symptom of preeclampsia. However, the clinical profile and molecular mechanism of HCQ in preeclampsia is yet to be fully understood. METHOD: We reviewed the literature on HCQ treatment in pregnancy with rheumatic diseases and preeclamp-sia in PubMed and Web of Science. We also discussed the safety of long-term therapy with HCQ during pregnancy. RESULTS: HCQ mainly modulates autoimmune response through inhibition of lysosomal function, toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-mediated oxidative stress and autophagy. Benefits of HCQ in treating rheumatic diseases, including antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome during pregnancy, has been demonstrated in clinics. In particular, multiple clinical guidelines recommend HCQ as an indispensable therapeutic drug for pregnant patients with SLE. Additionally, it may potentially function in preeclampsia to improve clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION HCQ is effectively used for rheumatic diseases during pregnancy. The benefits of HCQ treatment in rheumatic diseases outweigh the risk of adverse reactions it induces in pregnant women.
Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine/pharmacology* ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacology* ; Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy* ; Pre-Eclampsia/prevention & control* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Sjogren's Syndrome/drug therapy*