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Are smoking and alcohol associated with peripheral musculoskeletal involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis? results from the asas-perspa study
No full textThe harmful effect of smoking on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in relation to radiographic progression is well known, but there are controversies regarding the role of cigarettes in other manifestations of spondyloarthritis (SpA), such as peripheral involvement. Additionally, an inverse association has been observed between alcohol consumption and disease activity and functional impairment, although its association with peripheral manifestations of SpA remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between smoking and/or alcohol intake and the prevalence of peripheral articular manifestations (arthritis, enthesitis, or dactylitis), as well as the location of such manifestations. Patients from the cross-sectional ASAS-PerSpA study with available data on both smoking status and alcohol intake were included. Mixed logistic regressions were used, with the peripheral manifestation (or its location) as the dependent variable, smoking status or alcohol intake as fixed effects, and country as a random effect; the interaction between smoking and alcohol was also tested. A total of 4,451 patients with either axSpA, peripheral SpA, or Psoriatic Arthritis were included, of whom 59.5% had smoked at some point and 42.7% had consumed alcohol. Patients who had ever experienced arthritis showed a lower frequency of smoking (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.82) and alcohol intake (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71–0.94). Among patients with arthritis, smoking was associated with predominantly upper limb versus lower limb involvement (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65–0.94), while alcohol intake was associated with predominantly mono/oligoarticular versus polyarticular involvement (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.94–1.36).S
Hospital admission and vaccination as predictive factors of long COVID-19 symptoms
No full textBackgroundSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a great variability of symptoms that affect all organs and systems of the body has been identified in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection; this symptomatology can sometimes persist over time, giving rise to the so-called long COVID or post-COVID. The aim of this study is to delve into the clinical characterization of these patients, as well as to take into account the influence of factors such as hospitalization, admission to ICU, history of pneumonia, or vaccination status on the persistence of symptoms. Material and methodsAn observational, descriptive, multicenter, and retrospective study was designed with a series of cases of people who presented long COVID, which includes univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Data were obtained from an online ad hoc questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Software Version 25 (IBM-Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). ResultsHospitalization, ICU admission, history of pneumonia, and vaccination were predictive factors (positive or negative) for the following long-COVID symptoms: headache, menstrual disorders, joint pain, cough, chills, nasal congestion, back pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, eye discomfort, facial erythema, itching, tremors, dizziness, seizures, sleeping difficulty, dry eyes, palpitations, fatigue, paresthesia, dyspnea, aphonia, chest pain, high blood pressure, vomiting, memory loss, brain fog, hypothermia, low blood pressure, sputum or phlegm, lack of concentration, hair loss, and erectile dysfunction. ConclusionThis study provides evidence on the clinical characterization of patients suffering from long COVID in order to offer them the most appropriate treatments.S
In vitro neutralizing activity of BNT162b2 mRNA-induced antibodies against full B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant
No full textSARS-CoV-2 variation represents a serious challenge to current COVID-19 vaccines. Recent reports suggest that B.1.351 and other variants may escape the neutralization activity of the antibodies generated by current vaccines. Ninety-nine healthcare workers undertaking BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination were sampled at baseline, on the day of the second dose, and 14 days after the latter. Neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 B.1, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 was investigated using a Vero-E6 model. Eleven of the study participants had prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. Neutralization titers against the B.1 and the B.1.1.7 variants were not statistically different and were significantly higher than titers against the B.1.351 variant across pre-exposed and non-pre-exposed vaccinated individuals (p 1/80 after a single dose, while only 11% of non-exposed vaccinated individuals had titers >1/80. BNT162b2 mRNA-induced antibodies show a lower in vitro neutralizing activity against B.1.351 variant compared to neutralization against B.1.1.7 or B.1 variants. Interestingly, for individuals pre-exposed to SARS-CoV-2, one dose of BNT162b2 mRNA may be adequate to produce neutralizing antibodies against B.1.1.7 and B.1, while two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA provide optimal neutralizing antibody response against B.1.351 too
Sex Hormone Receptor Expression in Craniopharyngiomas and Association with Tumor Aggressiveness Characteristics.
No full textCraniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare tumors of the sellar and suprasellar regions of embryonic origin. The primary treatment for CPs is surgery but it is often unsuccessful. Although CPs are considered benign tumors, they display a relatively high recurrence rate that might compromise quality of life. Previous studies have reported that CPs express sex hormone receptors, including estrogen and progesterone receptors. Here, we systematically analyzed estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression by immunohistochemistry in a well-characterized series of patients with CP (n = 41) and analyzed their potential association with tumor aggressiveness features. A substantial proportion of CPs displayed a marked expression of PR. However, most CPs expressed low levels of ERα. No major association between PR and ERα expression and clinical aggressiveness features was observed in CPs. Additionally, in our series, β-catenin accumulation was not related to tumor recurrence.S
A Six-Gene Prognostic and Predictive Radiotherapy-Based Signature for Early and Locally Advanced Stages in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
No full textNon-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, generating an enormous economic and social impact that has not stopped growing in recent years. Cancer treatment for this neoplasm usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted treatments, and ionizing radiation. The prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and the disparate therapeutic responses among patients can be explained, to a great extent, by the existence of widely heterogeneous molecular profiles. The main objective of this study was to identify prognostic and predictive gene signatures of response to cancer treatment involving radiotherapy, which could help in making therapeutic decisions in patients with NSCLC. To achieve this, we took as a reference the differential gene expression pattern among commercial cell lines, differentiated by their response profile to ionizing radiation (radiosensitive versus radioresistant lines), and extrapolated these results to a cohort of 107 patients with NSCLC who had received radiotherapy (among other therapies). We obtained a six-gene signature (APOBEC3B, GOLM1, FAM117A, KCNQ1OT1, PCDHB2, and USP43) with the ability to predict overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS), which could translate into a prediction of the response to the cancer treatment received. Patients who had an unfavorable prognostic signature had a median OS of 24.13 months versus 71.47 months for those with a favorable signature, and the median PFS was 12.65 months versus 47.11 months, respectively. We also carried out a univariate analysis of multiple clinical and pathological variables and a bivariate analysis by Cox regression without any factors that substantially modified the HR value of the proposed gene signature.S
Validation and functional characterization of GWAS-identified variants for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a CRuCIAL study.
No full textDuring the past years, considerable efforts have been made to uncover the genetic component of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) susceptibility. To date, several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and their meta- analysis have identified not only single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CLL risk [1] but also patient survival [2]. However, despite these noticeable results, it becomes evident that both validation and functional characterization of the genetic variations identified are still required before they can be used in a clinical setting. Hence, we decided to validate the association of 41 GWAS-identified hits for CLL in 1158 CLL cases and 1947 controls ascertained through the Consortium for Research in Chronic lymphocytIc Leukemia (CRuCIAL) and to investigate their impact on modulating host immune responses and their utility to predict disease onset. Study participants were of European ancestry and gave their written informed consent to participate in the study, which was approved by the ethical review committee of participant institutions. CLL patients had often Binet stage A and Rai stage I (67.00% and 79.83%) and, compared to controls, had a higher mean age (66.19 ± 12.66 vs. 55.60 ± 11.50) and an increased male/female ratio (1.54 vs. 0.91). SNPs selection was based on published GWAS, functionality according to HaploReg data, and linkage disequilibrium between the SNPs. Genotyping of genetic variants was performed using KASPTM and Taqman® assays. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was assessed in the controls (P > 0.001) and the association between CLL and SNPs was tested using a multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and country of origin. A meta-analysis of the CRuCIAL results with those from previous GWAS was conducted to validate genetic associations and the I [2] statistic was used to assess statistical heterogeneity between the studies (PHet > 0.01).S
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale in Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients.
No full textSymptoms of fatigue and lack of energy are very common in caregivers of palliative care (PC) patients, traditionally associated with variables such as burden or depression. There are no Spanish-language instruments validated for assessing fatigue levels in this population. The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) is a useful and simple instrument for assessing fatigue in this group. The aim of this study was to examine its psychometric properties (factor structure, reliability and validity) in a sample of caregivers of PC patients. Instrumental design for instrument validation was performed. One hundred and eight caregivers of PC patients participated and completed measures of fatigue, family functioning, life satisfaction, caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, resilience and quality of life. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed; non-linear reliability coefficient and Pearson correlations and t-tests were conducted to assess evidence of reliability and validity. The Spanish version of the FAS was found to have a one-dimensional structure. Reliability was 0.88. Validity evidence showed that FAS scores were positively associated with levels of burden, anxiety and depression. They were negatively associated with family functioning, life satisfaction, resilience and quality of life. The Spanish version of the FAS in caregivers of PC patients shows adequate psychometric properties.S
Antimalarials exert a cardioprotective effect in lupus patients: Insights from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Register (RELESSER) analysis of factors associated with heart failure.
No full textFactors associated with chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have received little attention. Recent data on the use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection have cast doubt on its cardiac safety. The factors associated with CHF, including therapy with antimalarials, were analyzed in a large multicenter SLE cohort. Cross-sectional study including all patients with SLE (ACR-1997 criteria) included in the Spanish Society of Rheumatology Lupus Register (RELESSER), based on historically gathered data. Patients with CHF prior to diagnosis of SLE were excluded. A multivariable analysis exploring factors associated with CHF was conducted. The study population comprised 117 patients with SLE (ACR-97 criteria) and CHF and 3,506 SLE controls. Ninety percent were women. Patients with CHF were older and presented greater SLE severity, organ damage, and mortality than those without CHF. The multivariable model revealed the factors associated with CHF to be ischemic heart disease (7.96 [4.01-15.48], p Patients with SLE and CHF experience more severe SLE. Treatment with antimalarials appears to confer a cardioprotective effect
Body Image Dissatisfaction as a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression.
No full textBackground and Objectives: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods that imply numerous physical and psychological changes that could lead to mental health consequences. The aim of the present study is to identify whether women who had body image dissatisfaction had a higher incidence of postpartum depression 6 months after birth than women who did not have body image dissatisfaction. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 450 women from two hospitals in Andalusia. Quantitative variables were age and scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) for body image dissatisfaction. The qualitative variables used were marital status, self-perceived health status, diet or physical exercise, type of delivery, and others. Results: Body dissatisfaction was positively correlated with the symptomatology of postpartum depression. Thus, for each point increased in body dissatisfaction, the occurrence of depression also increased. There was a relationship between the study variables, so women who were more dissatisfied with their body image were more frequently depressed. Conclusions: In conclusion, it can be established that postpartum depression seems to be related to the presence of poor body image
Impact of Systemic Comorbidities on Ocular Hypertension and Open-Angle Glaucoma, in a Population from Spain and Portugal.
No full textOpen-angle glaucoma (OAG), the most prevalent clinical type of glaucoma, is still the main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. OAG is a neurodegenerative illness for which the most important risk factor is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Many questions remain unanswered about OAG, such as whether nutritional or toxic habits, other personal characteristics, and/or systemic diseases influence the course of glaucoma. As such, in this study, we performed a multicenter analytical, observational, case-control study of 412 participants of both sexes, aged 40-80 years, that were classified as having ocular hypertension (OHT) or OAG. Our primary endpoint was to investigate the relationship between specific lifestyle habits; anthropometric and endocrine-metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory events; and commonly used psychochemicals, with the presence of OHT or OAG in an ophthalmologic population from Spain and Portugal. Demographic, epidemiological, and ocular/systemic clinical data were recorded from all participants. Data were analyzed using the R Statistics v4.1.2 and RStudio v2021.09.1 programs. The mean age was 62 ± 15 years, with 67-80 years old comprising the largest subgroup sample of participants in both study groups. The central corneal thickness (ultrasound pachymetry)-adjusted IOP (Goldman tonometry) in each eye was 20.46 ± 2.35 and 20.1 ± 2.73 mmHg for the OHT individuals, and 15.8 ± 3.83 and 16.94 ± 3.86 mmHg for the OAG patients, with significant differences between groups (both p = 0.001). The highest prevalence of the surveyed characteristics in both groups was for overweight/obesity and daily coffee consumption, followed by psychochemical drug intake, migraine, and peripheral vasospasm. Our data show that overweight/obesity, migraine, asthma, and smoking are major risk factors for conversion from OHT to OAG in this Spanish and Portuguese population