Rheumatoid Arthritis: Uribe M

Estradas J, Pascual-Ramos V, Martínez B, Uribe M, Torre A. · Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico. · Ann Hepatol. · Pubmed #19221538 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Giant-cell hepatitis (GCH), also known as postinfantile or syncytial giant cell hepatitis, is a frequent pattern of liver injury in the neonate, primarily seen in the first three months of life. Few cases in adults have been reported, some of them associated to autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis. METHODS: We present a case of autoimmune hepatitis with giant cell transformation in a 39 year old male with polyarthritis. We discuss his clinical presentation and course. We made a review of the literature of agents associated to this diagnosis, the mechanisms involved in the formation of giant hepatocytes, the histological findings, clinical course, treatment options and prognosis of this rare entity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the clinical course varies from normalization of hepatic histology to progression to cirrhosis and liver failure. The prognosis is dictated by the underlying liver disease and in the setting of autoimmune hepatitis the clinical course is usually severe with most of the patients progressing to cirrhosis. Prolonged treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants is usually effective in rendering the cirrhosis inactive.

Camargo JF, Tobón GJ, Fonseca N, Diaz JL, Uribe M, Molina F, Anaya JM. · Rheumatology Unit, Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia, South America. · Lupus. · Pubmed #15864918 No free full text.

Abstract: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) are not uncommon in the general population and up to one third of hospitalized patients with AIRD may need admission to intensive care unit (ICU). This paper describes the causes of admission, the clinical features and outcome of 24 AIRD patients admitted to a medical ICU from a third level hospital. Thirteen patients had systemic lupus erythematosus (54.2%), three rheumatoid arthritis (12.5%), three pulmonary renal syndrome (12.5%), two dermatopolymyositis (8.3%), two scleroderma (8.3%) and one antiphospholipid syndrome (4.2%). The main causes for ICU admission were rheumatic disease flare-up (37.5%), infection (37.5%) and complications derived from rheumatic disease (29.1%). Mortality during ICU stay was 16.7% (four patients). Excluding shock requiring vasopressor support, no statistical difference was found between survivors and nonsurvivors; although there was a trend to higher test severity scores (APACHE II, ODIN) in nonsurvivors. Our results reveal a lower mortality rate in AIRD patients admitted to the ICU than reported previously. Severity scores such as APACHE II are predictors of mortality in patients with AIRD in the ICU.

Montaño-Loza AJ, Crispín-Acuña JC, Remes-Troche JM, Uribe M. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico. · Ann Hepatol. · Pubmed #17786140 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome may present liver involvement. Our goals were to establish the prevalence of abnormal hepatic biochemistries and clinical liver disease in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and correlate their presence with other clinical and laboratory features. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome were studied. Data on gender, age, clinical features, liver biochemistries, tests of inflammation and autoimmunity, and concomitant diseases were collected. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (44%) had abnormal hepatic biochemistries, and of these 19 patients (20%) had clinical liver disease. Patients with abnormal hepatic biochemistries had higher frequency of autoimmune hypotiroidism, arthritis, vasculitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, higher sedimentation rate,and higher frequency of antinuclear and antimitochondrial antibodies than patients with normal liver biochemistries (P < 0.05 for each). Patients with clinical liver disease had higher frequency of arthritis, vasculitis, and higher frequency of antimitochondrial antibodies than patients without clinical liver disease (P < 0.05 for each). Twenty-one patients had diagnosis of a specific liver disease, such as hepatitis C virus infection (n = 11), autoimmune hepatitis (n = 2), primary biliary cirrhosis (n =5),nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 2), and hepatitis B virus infection (n = 1). In half of patients with liver involvement a definitive cause could not be identified. CONCLUSION: Liver involvement is frequently found in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, and its presence is associated with clinical features of systemic disease, and markers of autoimmunity and inflammation. There may be a subgroup of patients with liver involvement secondary to primary Sjögren's syndrome.