Rheumatoid Arthritis: Salgado M

Santos MJ, Fonseca JE, Canhão H, Conde M, José Vieira M, Costa L, Costa M, Salgado M, Melo Gomes JA, Anonymous00046. · Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia, Lisboa. · Acta Reumatol Port. · Pubmed #17450764 links to  free full text

Abstract: The Pediatric RheumatologyWorking Group of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology recommends the use of biological treatments in children with polyarticular course Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) with active disease (5 or more active joints) refractory to subcutaneous or intramuscular methotrexate (MTX) 15 mg/m(2)/week during 3 to 6 months. If toxicity occurs, or if there is contraindication for the use of MTX in this optimum dose, biological treatment can be started, as a first option, or the use of other conventional Disease ModifyingAnti Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) either alone or in combination with MTX might be considered. Prior to starting treatment, children should be screened for latent tuberculosis through clinical evaluation, chest X ray and PPD skin test. The suspension of the biological treatment should be considered if the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) definition of improvement in JIA is not fulfilled in two consecutive visits 3 months apart. Etanercept is the only biological agent currently approved for JIA in Portugal. In refractory cases the use of infliximab is accepted, in accordance with preliminary published evidence. In case of systemic manifestations of JIA refractory to conventional treatment, anakinra can be considered.

Duarte C, Gomes C, Correia AJ, Salgado M. · Unidade de Nefrologia do Hospital Pediátrico de Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto, 3000, Coimbra, Portugal. · Clin Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16261284 No free full text.

Abstract: A 9-year-old girl presented with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosed at 3.5 of age and which was difficult to control despite several therapeutic trials. Five years after diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, nephrotic proteinuria was noticed. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of amyloidosis, and chlorambucil was initiated, with general improvement of the disease and reduction of proteinuria.

Melo-Gomes JA, Ruperto N, Canhao H, Fonseca JE, Quintal A, Salgado M, Santos MJ, Anonymous00079. · Infantile, Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology Unit-Instituto Português de Reumatologia, Lisbon, Portugal. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #11510315 No free full text.

Abstract: We report herein the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the Portuguese language of the parent's version of two health related quality of life instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific health instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well being of children independently from the underlying disease. The Portuguese CHAQ CHQ were fully validated with 3 forward and 3 backward translations. A total of 130 subjects were enrolled: 69 patients with JIA (32% systemic onset, 19% polyarticular onset, 26% extended oligoarticular subtype, and 23% persistent oligoarticular subtype) and 61 healthy children. The CHAQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic, polyarticular and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a higher degree of disability, pain, and a lower overall well being when compared to their healthy peers. Also the CHQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic onset, polyarticular onset and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a lower physical and psychosocial well being when compared to their healthy peers. In conclusion the Portuguese version of the CHAQ-CHQ is a reliable, and valid tool for the functional, physical and psychosocial assessment of children with JIA.

Vaz A, Veiga C, Estanqueiro P, Salgado M. · No affiliation provided · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #19032844 No free full text.

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