Abstract Oral complications of RA may include temporomandibular joint disorders, mucosa alterations and symptoms of dry mouth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary gland function of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comparing it to healthy controls. Subjects with other systemic conditions known to affect salivary functions were excluded. A questionnaire was applied for the evaluation of xerostomia. Resting and chewing-stimulated salivary flow rates (SFR) were obtained under standard conditions. There were 145 subjects included of the study (104 RA and 38 controls). About 66.7% of the RA subjects and 2.4% in control group presented xerostomia. The median resting SFR were 0.24 ml/min for RA subjects and 0.40 mL/min for controls (p = 0.04). The median stimulated SFR were 1.31 mL/min for RA subjects and 1.52 ml/min for controls (p = 0.33). No significant differences were found between resting and stimulated SFR of RA subjects not using xerogenic medications and controls. There was significantly higher number of subjects presenting hyposalivation in the RA group than among controls, even when subjects using xerogenic medications were eliminated from the analysis. In conclusion, hyposalivation and xerostomia were more frequent among RA subjects not using xerogenic medication than among controls, although there were no significant differences in the median SFR between groups.

A síndrome hemofagocítica, ou síndrome de ativação macrofágica (SAM), é uma complicação das doenças inflamatórias sistêmicas, podendo também estar relacionada a neoplasias, imunodeficiências e a uma variedade de infecções por agentes virais, bacterianos e fúngicos. Caracteriza-se pela excessiva ativação dos macrófagos e histiócitos com intensa hemofagocitose na medula óssea e no sistema retículo-endotelial, acarretando a fagocitose de eritrócitos, leucócitos, plaquetas e de seus precursores. As manifestações clínicas apresentam-se como febre, hepatoesplenomegalia, linfadenomegalia, envolvimento neurológico, graus variáveis de citopenias, hiperferritinemia, distúrbio hepático, coagulação intravascular e falência de múltiplos órgãos. Relatamos um caso raro de SAM em homem com diagnóstico de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico que teve recorrência dessa complicação após dois anos, e que evoluiu com melhora após tratamento com pulsoterapia com metilprednisolona e ciclofosfamida.

The macrophagic syndrome or reactive haemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) is a complication resulting from systemic inflammatory diseases and may also be related to malign neoplasias, immunodeficiencies and to a variety of infections caused by virus, bacteria, and fungus. It is characterized by an excessive activation of macrophages and histiocytes along with intense hemophagocytosis in bone marrow and reticulum-endothelial system, causing the phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and their precursors. The clinical manifestations are fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenomegalies, neurological involvement, variable degrees of cytopenias, hyperferritinemia, liver disorders, intravascular coagulation, and multiple organs failure. We report a rare case of recurrent RHS complication in a systemic lupus erythematosus male patient after two years. Although extremely rare it has evolved with an improvement after a pulse methilprednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapy.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a resposta dilatadora dependente e independente do endotélio em pacientes portadores de esclerose sistêmica limitada (ESL) com aquela de indivíduos sadios de mesmo gênero, idade e cor. MÉTODOS: Vinte mulheres adultas, não obesas, não tabagistas, não diabéticas, não dislipidêmicas, não hipertensas, que preencheram os critérios para esclerose sistêmica (ES) segundo o American College of Rheumatology, foram submetidas ao exame de Doppler de artéria braquial do membro superior direito. Foi analisada a resposta dilatadora, dependente do endotélio, após isquemia induzida com esfigmomanômetro por cinco minutos no braço direito, e a resposta dilatadora, independente do endotélio, após administração de 300 mcg de nitroglicerina (NTG) sublingual. Esses resultados foram comparados com a resposta obtida em indivíduos sadios. RESULTADOS: O diâmetro longitudinal da artéria braquial (DAB) foi significativamente menor na fase basal 1 nos pacientes com ESL (3,57 ± 0,52 mm e 3,93 ± 0,39 mm, respectivamente no grupo paciente (P) e grupo-controle (C), P = 0,005). Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a velocidade das hemácias (VH) após isquemia/hiperemia reativa (HR) e após NTG (110,2 ± 43,86 cm/s vs. 102,0 ± 25,89 cm/s e 63,80 ± 17,69 cm/s vs. 65,4 ± 12,90 cm/s nos grupos P e C, após HR e NTG, respectivamente). Também não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre o DAB após HR e após NTG (3,77 ± 0,59 mm vs. 4,14 ± 0,49 mm e 4,44 ± 0,64 mm vs. 4,70 ± 0,58 mm nos grupos P e C, após HR e NTG, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Embora o grupo de pacientes com ESL tenha apresentado menor DAB basal, a resposta dilatadora dependente e independente do endotélio se manteve preservada em ambos os grupos.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the brachial artery endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent dilating responses in patients with limited systemic sclerosis (LSSc) with those of healthy subjects of the same gender, age and color. METHODS: Twenty adult, non-obese, non-smoker, non-diabetic, non-dyslipidemic, and non-hypertensive women, who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of SSc, were submitted to right brachial artery Doppler ultrasound. The vasodilating responses were analyzed as follows: the endothelium-dependent dilating response, after a 5-minute ischemia in the right arm; and the endothelium-independent dilating response, after administering 300 mcg of nitroglycerin (NTG) sublingually. The results were compared with the response obtained in healthy subjects. RESULTS: Brachial artery longitudinal diameter was significantly low at baseline 1: 3.57 ± 0.52 mm and 3.93 ± 0.39 mm for the LSSc group and the control group, respectively, P = 0.005. The vascular reactivity after the ischemia/reactive hyperemia and the NTG showed no significant difference between the groups (8.60 ± 5.45 mm vs. 9.26 ± 5.91 mm and 25.01 ± 12.55 mm vs. 19.59 ± 7.94 mm for the LSSc and control groups, respectively). Also, no statistically significant difference was found between red blood cell velocity (RBCV) after reactive hyperemia and NTG (110.2 ± 43.86 cm/s vs. 102.0 ± 25.89 cm/s and 63.80 ± 17.69 cm/s vs. 65.4 ± 12.90 cm/s in the LSSc and control groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although the LSSc group showed lower brachial artery diameter, the endotheliumdependent and the endothelium-independent dilating responses were preserved in both groups.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação do medicamento inibidor do receptor de leucotrieno CysLT1 (montelucaste) nas alterações vasculares das mãos em pacientes com fenômeno de Raynaud. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas pacientes com fenômeno de Raynaud secundário à doença inflamatória do tecido conjuntivo, excluindo tabagismo, hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus. As pacientes mantiveram a medicação prévia e iniciaram o uso de montelucaste 10 mg/dia por 60 dias. Foi realizada capilaroscopia periungueal dos dedos das mãos antes do uso da medicação e após 30 e 60 dias. A análise estatística foi feita por meio de porcentagem, média, desvio-padrão e teste exato de Fisher, com intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Foram estudadas cinco pacientes mulheres, brancas, com fenômeno de Raynaud secundário a doenças do tecido conjuntivo, das quais três apresentavam esclerodermia e duas apresentavam doença mista do tecido conjuntivo. A média de idade foi de 42,4 ± 12,4 anos, e a média de tempo de doença foi de 9,6 ± 4,8 anos. As pacientes estavam em uso de até 20 mg/dia de prednisona (pacientes com doença mista do tecido conjuntivo), nifedipina, pentoxifilina. As medicações foram mantidas. Após o uso de inibidor de receptor de leucotrieno por dois meses, o controle com capilaroscopia ungueal demonstrou diminuição do edema e da palidez e normalização do número, tamanho e distribuição dos capilares. CONCLUSÃO: O uso do montelucaste modificou as alterações capilares observadas na capilaroscopia periungueal de pacientes com fenômeno de Raynaud

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the leukotriene receptor inhibitor (montelukast) on vascular alterations in fingers of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. METHODS: Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon of the hands secondary to inflammatory connective tissue disease were selected, and those with the following characteristics were excluded: smokers, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. All patients maintained their previous medications and started the use of montelukast, 10 mg/day, for 60 days. Naifold capillaroscopy of fingers was performed before the use of medication and after 30 and 60 days. Statistical analysis was performed with percentage, media, standard deviation, Fisher exact test, with 95% of confidence interval. RESULTS: The study assessed five Caucasian, female patients with Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to inflammatory connective tissue disease (three with scleroderma and two with mixed connective tissue disease), aged 42.4 ± 11.5 years, and with 9.6 ± 4.8 years of disease duration. Patients were on nifedipine and pentoxifylline, and those with mixed connective tissue disease were also on prednisone. The medications were maintained. After using montelukast for two months, nailfold capillaroscopy showed a reduction in edema and pallor, and normalization of capillary number, size, and distribution. CONCLUSION: The use of montelukast modified the capillary abnormalities observed on nailfold capillaroscopy of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) is frequently used for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). High doses of MTX frequently produce side effects. The aim of this study was to explore oral complications of low-dose MTX therapy in a population of RA patients. This is a cross-sectional study in which oral examination was performed on a population of RA patients. Patients undergoing MTX therapy (5-20 mg weekly) for at least six months were included in the study group, and RA patients being treated under another regimen were used as controls. The frequency of oral lesions was compared between groups. The chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Relative risk (RR) and its confidence interval (CI) were established. Significance level was set at 0.05. Twenty-eight RA patients on a low-dose MTX regimen and 21 controls were enrolled in the study. Oral lesions were found in 22 patients (78.6%) undergoing MTX therapy, and in 5 patients (23.8%) undergoing other therapies (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences regarding age, gender or dosage. The most common oral events observed in patients in the MTX group were ulcerative/erosive lesions (60.7%) and candidiasis (10.7%). Patients in the control group presented lower prevalence of the same lesions (p < 0.001). The RR for developing oral lesions was 11.73 (CI 2.57 - 58.98), with low-dose MTX therapy. In conclusion, the prevalence of oral mucosa lesions in RA patients receiving low doses of MTX therapy is higher than in RA patients not receiving the drug.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos em pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), do sexo feminino, e relacionar esses quadros com a atividade de doença. MÉTODOS: Estudo seccional em pacientes do sexo feminino, acima de 18 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de AR, conforme os critérios do American College of Rheumatology (ACR), com graus de incapacidade II a III, com mais de seis meses de doença. Para avaliação da atividade clínica, usou-se o DAS-28 (Disease Activity Score-28), definindo-se como remissão até 2,6 pontos; atividade moderada de 2,6 a 5,1 pontos e atividade intensa acima de 5,1 pontos. A avaliação psiquiátrica foi feita com o Structural Clinical Interiview for the DSM-IV (SCID), entrevista semi-estruturada, com base no DSM-IV TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), para diagnosticar a presença de transtornos ansiosos e depressivos. Na análise estatística, incluíram-se o teste do qui-quadrado, teste t, teste de Kruskall-Wallis e o teste de Kendall, com significância de 95%. RESULTADOS: Em 107 pacientes analisados, 36 (33,7%) apresentaram transtornos psiquiátricos. Em relação à atividade da doença, os dados do DAS-28 mostraram: 6 (5,6%) pacientes em remissão; 59 (55,1%) em atividade moderada e 42 (39,2%) com atividade acentuada. A média de pontos do DAS-28 foi de 4,56 entre pacientes sem diagnóstico psiquiátrico e 5,43 entre aqueles com diagnóstico psiquiátrico (p = 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de transtornos ansiosos e depressivos entre 107 pacientes com AR foi de 33,7%. A atividade de doença medida pelo DAS mostrou que pacientes com quadros psiquiátricos apresentavam, em média, maior atividade de doença. Não foram encontradas pessoas com diagnóstico psiquiátrico no grupo de pacientes em remissão.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in female patients, diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and relate this disorder to disease activity. METHODS: sectional trial study with female patients, aged 18 years old or older, diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (following American College of Rheumatology - ACR criteria), more than six months of disease and incapacity levels II and III. Disease activity was evaluated with DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score-28) (remission up to 2.6/moderate activity 2.6 to 5.1/severe degree over 5.1). Psychiatric evaluation was conducted using SCID protocol; interviews were held to diagnose the presence of depression and anxiety disorders following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR). Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Kendall test with a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: In the 107 patients analyzed, 36 subjects (33.7%) presented psychiatric disorders and 71(66.4%) no psychiatric disorders). Disease activity - DAS 28 score results; remission: 6 patients (5.6%); moderate activity: 59 patients (55.1%); severe disease: 42 patients (39.2%). The relationship between psychiatric disorders and disease activity (DAS 28) demonstrated: patients without psychiatric disorders - DAS 28 score: 4.56 and patients with psychiatric disorders, DAS 28 score: 5.43 (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among 107 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis was 33.7%. Disease activity, evaluated by the DAS 28 score, was higher in the group of patients with psychiatric disorders. No patients with psychiatric disorders were identified in the group in clinical remission.