Abstract Background: Patients using immunosuppressive drugs may have unfavorable results after infections. However, there is a lack of information regarding COVID 19 in these patients, especially in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with COVID 19 hospitalizations in patients with RA. Methods: This multicenter, prospective cohort study is within the ReumaCoV Brazil registry and included 489 patients with RA. In this context, 269 patients who tested positive for COVID 19 were compared to 220 patients who tested negative for COVID 19 (control group). All patient data were collected from the Research Electronic Data Capture database. Results: The participants were predominantly female (90.6%) with a mean age of 53 ±12 years. Of the patients with COVID 19, 54 (20.1%) required hospitalization. After multiple adjustments, the final regression model showed that heart disease (OR =4.61, 95% CI 1.06–20.02. P < 0.001) and current use of glucocorticoids (OR =20.66, 95% CI 3.09–138. P < 0.002) were the risk factors associated with hospitalization. In addition, anosmia was associated with a lower chance of hospitalization (OR =0.26; 95% CI 0.10–0.67, P < 0.005). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that heart disease and the use of glucocorticoids were associated with a higher number of hospital admissions for COVID 19 in patients with RA. Trial registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR 33YTQC.

Abstract The objective of this document is to provide a comprehensive update of the recommendations of Brazilian Society of Rheumatology on drug treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on a systematic literature review and on the opinion of a panel of rheumatologists. Four general principles and eleven recommendations were approved. General principles: RA treatment should (1) preferably consist of a multidisciplinary approach coordinated by a rheumatologist, (2) include counseling on lifestyle habits, strict control of comorbidities, and updates of the vaccination record, (3) be based on decisions shared by the patient and the physician after clarification about the disease and the available therapeutic options; (4) the goal is sustained clinical remission or, when this is not feasible, low disease activity. Recommendations: (1) the first line of treatment should be a csDMARD, started as soon as the diagnosis of RA is established; (2) methotrexate (MTX) is the first-choice csDMARD; (3) the combination of two or more csDMARDs, including MTX, may be used as the first line of treatment; (4) after failure of first-line therapy with MTX, the therapeutic strategies include combining MTX with another csDMARD (leflunomide), with two csDMARDs (hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine), or switching MTX for another csDMARD (leflunomide or sulfasalazine) alone; (5) after failure of two schemes with csDMARDs, a bDMARD may be preferably used or, alternatively a tsDMARD, preferably combined, in both cases, with a csDMARD; (6) the different bDMARDs in combination with MTX have similar efficacy, and therefore, the therapeutic choice should take into account the peculiarities of each drug in terms of safety and cost; (7) the combination of a bDMARD and MTX is preferred over the use of a bDMARD alone; (8) in case of failure of an initial treatment scheme with a bDMARD, a scheme with another bDMARD can be used; in cases of failure with a TNFi, a second bDMARD of the same class or with another mechanism of action is effective and safe; (9) tofacitinib can be used to treat RA after failure of bDMARD; (10) corticosteroids, preferably at low doses for the shortest possible time, should be considered during periods of disease activity, and the risk-benefit ratio should also be considered; (11) reducing or spacing out bDMARD doses is possible in patients in sustained remission.

Abstract Background: Fibromyalgia is a common chronic disease characterized by persistent diffuse pain, fatigue, sleep disorders and functional symptoms. The disease can have negative consequences in personal and social life, in addition to significant public health expenses caused by treatment and work leave. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the number of social security benefits granted due to incapacity for work in Brazil in patients with ICD M79 and variants in the period 2006-2015. There has been no previous study with data referring to work withdrawals caused by fibromyalgia in Brazil. Methods: Data for this study were obtained through an official Social Security platform. The disability and retirement benefits were analyzed. Results: A total of 95,882 social security disability benefits were granted to ICD M79 and variants in the period from 2006 to 2015. Regarding gender, 69,420 benefits (72.3%) were granted to women and 26,562 (27.7%) to men. Regarding the types of benefits, we found 93,556 (97.5%) temporary withdrawals from work and 2426 (2.5%) permanent withdrawals. When comparing the initial and final years, we observed a significant reduction in the number of awards: 15,562 in 2006 to 6163 in 2015. Conclusion: Fibromyalgia was an important cause of withdrawal due to incapacity for work in Brazil, with consequent public health expenditure. These data may serve as a basis for new studies and can alert professionals of the need for adequate management of fibromyalgia to reduce work withdrawal and its consequences.

Resumo A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória autoimune, sistêmica, de curso progressivo, caracterizada por exuberante sinovite crônica, que pode gerar deformidades e incapacidade funcional, cujo tratamento precoce minimiza o dano às juntas. Sua etiopatogenia ainda não está completamente elucidada, mas compreende respostas imunológicas com a participação de células T auxiliares (Th1). Uma aparente menor gravidade da AR em pacientes de regiões com menor renda poderia estar associada a maior prevalência de parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases. A rigor, um desvio na resposta imune para o predomínio de células T auxiliares (Th2), decorrente da exposição crônica a helmintos, modularia negativamente a inflamação em doentes com AR, e levaria a menor gravidade e dano articular. A revisão de aspectos da influência da reposta imunológica nas parasitoses intestinais, especialmente as helmintíases, em pacientes com artrite reumatoide é o objetivo desse trabalho.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a progressive course, characterized by chronic synovitis that may evolve with deformities and functional disability, and whose early treatment minimizes joint damage. Its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated but comprises immunologic responses mediated by T helper cells (Th1). An apparent minor severity of RA in patients from regions with lower income could be associated with a higher prevalence of gut parasites, especially helminths. Strictly, a shift in the immune response toward the predominance of T helper cells (Th2), due to the chronic exposure to helminths, could modulate negatively the inflammation in RA patients, resulting in lower severity/joint injury. The interaction between the immunological responses of parasitic helminths in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the purpose of this paper.

A granulomatose de Wegener é uma vasculite sistêmica que acomete vasos de pequeno e médio calibres. As manifestações clássicas ocorrem no trato respiratório superior, inferior e rins, mas outros órgãos podem ser envolvidos. O sistema auditivo pode ser freqüentemente acometido nas suas várias porções (orelha externa, média e/ou interna) com manifestações diversas. A perda auditiva neurossensorial pode ser conseqüência de alterações na orelha interna e deve ser precocemente reconhecida. O tratamento rápido e efetivo pode evitar danos irreversíveis. Descrevemos três casos de granulomatose de Wegener e hipoacusia sensorial, com respostas diferentes ao tratamento.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a primary systemic vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized vessels. The classical manifestations occur in the upper and lower respiratory tract and in the kidneys, but other organs may be involved. The auditory system can be frequently affect in its various portions (outer, middle and/or inner ear), showing different manifestations. Neurosensory hearing loss might be a consequence of changes in the inner ear and should be recognized early. Rapid and effective treatment may prevent irreversible damage. We report herein three cases of Wegener's granulomatosis and sensory hypoacusis, which responded differently to treatment.

Sarcoidose é uma doença granulomatosa sistêmica de ocorrência rara em crianças. Vasculite associada à sarcoidose é incomum e pode acometer vasos de pequeno a grande calibres. Envolvimento sintomático do sistema nervoso central e periférico ocorre em 5% a 10% dos pacientes e acometimento ósseo em 3% a 13%. Sarcoidose do trato geniturinário é extremamente rara. Descrevemos o caso de uma criança de 12 anos com diagnóstico de sarcoidose associada à vasculite, acometimento do sistema nervoso central, ósseo e genital. O amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas raras neste caso ilustra o caráter multissistêmico e multifacetário da sarcoidose.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with rare occurrence in children. Vasculitis associated to sarcoidosis is uncommon and can affect small, medium or large-sized vessels. Symptomatic involvement of the central nervous and peripheral system occurs in 5% to 10% of the patients and osseous in 3% to 13%. Sarcoidosis of the genitourinary tract is extremely rare. We describe a case of a 12-year-old child with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis associated with vasculitis and with involvement of the central nervous system, osseous and genital. This case illustrates the wide spectrum of rare clinical manifestations in sarcoidosis.

A granulomatose de Wegener é uma vasculite sistêmica dos vasos de médio e pequeno calibre. Classicamente, há formação de granulomas com necrose no trato respiratório e glomerulonefrite necrosante. Embora seu acometimento mais comum envolva o trato respiratório superior, pulmões e rins, uma vasta gama de manifestações em vários órgãos e tecidos é descrita. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que, paralelamente às manifestações típicas da doença, desenvolveu algumas alterações raras como a parotidite e a paquimeningite hipertrófica. Diante de quadros graves, atípicos e/ou refratários ao tratamento convencional, torna-se necessário o aprofundamento no estudo e uso de novas armas terapêuticas.

The wegener's granulomatosis is a systemic angiitis of small and medium caliber vessels. Normally, it is characterized by the formation of granulomas with necrosis in the respiratory system and necrosing glomerulonephritis. even though it is more common in the upper respiratory system, in the lung and in the kidney, a great range of manifestation in other different organs and tissues can be described. we report the case of a patient who, in parallel with the typical symptoms of this disease, developed some rare alteration such as the parotiditis and the hypertrophic pachymeningitis. in face of serious situations, severe disease, atypical or non responsive to conventional treatments, it is necessary a more detailed study of the case and the use of new therapeutic drugs.