Abstract Introduction Although Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) extra-articular manifestations (ExtRA) occurrence has been decreasing over time, they are still a major mortality risk factor for patients. Objective To determine the prevalence of ExtRA in a large cohort, and its association with demographic and clinical variables. Method Cross-sectional and observational study, based on a multi-centric database from a prospective cohort, in which 11 public rheumatology centres enrolled RA patients (1987 ARA or 2010 ACR-EULAR). Data collection began in 08-2015, using a single online electronic medical record. Continuous variables were compared using Mann–Whit-ney U-test, and Fisher's exact test or chi-square test, as appropriate, were used for categorical variables. The level of significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Results 1115 patients were included: 89% women, age [mean ± SD] 58.2 ± 11.5 years, disease duration 14.5 ± 12.2 years, positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF, n = 1108) in 77%, positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACPA, n = 477) in 78%. Regarding ExtRA, 334 occurrences were registered in 261 patients, resulting in an overall prevalence of 23.4% in the cohort. The comparison among ExtRA and Non-ExtRA groups shows significant higher age (p < 0.001), disease duration (p < 0.001), RF high titers (p = 0.018), Clinical Disease Activity index (CDAI) (p < 0.001), Disease Activity Index 28 (DAS 28) (p < 0.001), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (p < 0.001) in ExtRA group. Treatment with Azathioprine (p = 0.002), Etanercept (p = 0.049) Glucocorticoids (GC) (‘p = 0.002), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (p < 0.001) were more frequent in ExtRA group. Conclusions ExtRA manifestations still show an expressive occurrence that should not be underestimated. Our findings reinforce that long-term seropositive disease, associated with significant disability and persistent inflammatory activity are the key factors related to ExtRA development.

Abstract Objective: To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice. Materials and methods: This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism ( Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo , ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals. Conclusion: This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

A febre reumática (FR) se caracteriza por um processo inflamatório não supurativo que se instala após uma infecção pelo estreptococo beta-hemolítico do grupo A de Lancefield. Sua prevalência é maior nos países em desenvolvimento como o Brasil. Em nosso país, entretanto, dados epidemiológicos sistemáticos sobre a doença são incompletos e escassos. Estima-se uma prevalência de FR ao redor de 3% entre as crianças e os adolescentes brasileiros. Neste artigo, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática dos principais estudos brasileiros, utilizando como fonte de pesquisa as bases de dados do LILACS, Scielo e Medline, tendo como palavras-chave Febre Reumática e Rheumatic Fever. Foram selecionados 10 trabalhos epidemiológicos e a análise comparativa não demonstrou diferenças em relação a predominância de sexo, quadro clínico, laboratorial e radiológico dos pacientes nas diversas regiões do país.

Rheumatic fever (RF) is characterized by a non-suppurative inflammatory process that begins after a group A betahemolytic streptococci infection. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries, such as Brazil. However, in our country, systematic epidemiologic data on the disease are scarce and incomplete. Rheumatic fever has an estimated incidence of 3% among Brazilian children and adolescents. We undertook a systematic review of the main Brazilian studies using the LILACS, Scielo, and Medline databases searching for expressions like Febre Reumática and Rheumatic Fever. Ten epidemiological studies were selected and comparative analysis did not show a predominance of gender, clinical presentation, and laboratorial and radiological parameters in the different regions of the country.