BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammatory polyarthritis, typically of the small joints. Obesity, a serious global epidemic, has been shown to increase systemic inflammatory biomarkers, several of which are related to RA pathophysiology. Associations have been observed between obesity and worsened RA disease activity outcomes in crosssectional studies. Limited longitudinal studies investigated the effects of weight change on RA disease activity measures. Surgical interventions for weight loss in RA patients showed marked improvement in RA disease activity measures and outcomes but typical weight change in a clinical setting has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of typical weight change on RA disease activity measures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 178 RA patients seen in typical clinical practice that met the inclusion criteria for the study, which included patients with a minimum of two clinical disease activity assessments (CDAI) with corresponding body mass index (BMI) measures. Medical record review was conducted for each clinic visit where CDAI and BMI were measured, and at each of these visits, sociodemographic, lifestyle, medication usage, questionnaire data, RA characteristics, laboratory values, and comorbidities were collected. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between ΔBMI and ΔCDAI, defined at the dates of minimum and maximum BMI for each subject, adjusting for confounders including sex, age, disease duration, smoking status, serologic status, and steroid usage. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate whether ΔBMI was associated with low/remission RA disease activity according to accepted CDAI cutoffs. RESULTS: Unadjusted linear regression was performed on all 178 subjects to analyze the overall trend within the sample population. For every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, CDAI increased by 0.49 points, but these results were not statistically significant (p=0.155, 95%CI -0.176, 1.097). Subjects were stratified into BMI gain, stable, and loss groups. Within the BMI loss group (defined as those whose BMI decreased by more than 1 kg/m2), a significant association was found with ΔCDAI (β= -2.61 [p=0.028, 95%CI -4.91, -0.298]). Unadjusted linear regression on the BMI gain and stable groups was found to be not statistically significant. This association remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, disease duration, smoking status, serologic status, and steroid usage (β=-2.499 [p=0.044, 95%CI -4.94, -0.061]). There was no association between ΔBMI and low/remission RA disease activity (OR 0.990, (95%CI 0.855, 1.146). When stratified by BMI gain, stable, and loss groups there was no significant association with low/remission RA disease activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that weight loss may be associated with improved disease activity among patients with RA seen in a typical clinical setting. Weight loss has the potential to be a non-pharmacologic intervention to improve RA disease activity. Prospective studies of weight loss and RA disease activity are necessary to replicate these results.

Submitted by Haroudo Xavier Filho (haroudo.xavierfo@ufpe.br) on 2016-01-08T18:39:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Laurindo Ferreira da Rocha Junior_Programa de Pós Graduação em Inovação Terapêutica_2013.pdf: 3307978 bytes, checksum: 5e34b9890902ecde22940446891759b7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-08T18:39:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Laurindo Ferreira da Rocha Junior_Programa de Pós Graduação em Inovação Terapêutica_2013.pdf: 3307978 bytes, checksum: 5e34b9890902ecde22940446891759b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-02 / A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença autoimune inflamatória sistêmica que tem como característica principal o acometimento articular. As citocinas estão diretamente implicadas na patogênese da AR. Este trabalho objetivou determinar os níveis de citocinas da via Th17, particularmente IL-17A e IL-22 e correlacionar seus níveis séricos com dados clínicos, demográficos, radiológicos e laboratoriais de pacientes com AR, bem como avaliar a atividade imunomoduladora do novo derivado tiazolidínico LPSF/TM17. Os pacientes foram provenientes do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). A coleta de dados clínico-demográficos foi realizada por questionário específico e os pacientes que preencheram os critérios de inclusão realizaram coleta do sangue periférico. A quantificação de citocinas foi realizada em 83 pacientes e 30 controles saudáveis por ELISA. Os níveis de IL-22 mostraram-se aumentados nos pacientes (média 432,37 pg/ml) quando comparados aos controles (67,45 pg/ml), p<0,001. Houve correlação da IL-22 com os índices clínicos de atividade de doença DAS28 (p = 0.037) e CDAI (p = 0.013). Houve correlação dos níveis desta citocina com a presença de erosões radiográficas (p = 0.0001) e com a presença do autoanticorpo fator reumatoide (p = 0.001). Visando avaliar o efeito imunomodulador do LPSF/TM17, foram dosadas citocinas em sobrenadantes de culturas de células mononucleares periféricas após estimulação com PMA e Ionomicina de parte destes pacientes com AR (IFNγ, IL-17A, IL-6 e IL-22). O LPSF/TM17 inibiu significativamente a produção de IFNγ na concentração de 100μM e de IL-17A e IL-22 nas concentrações de 1, 10 e 100 μM (p<0,05). Este estudo foi pioneiro em associar os níveis de IL-22 com a gravidade da doença implicando importante papel desta citocina na patogênese da AR. O presente estudo mostrou a associação da IL-22 na patogênese da AR e que, nessa doença, o LPSF/TM17 pode ser importante na abordagem terapêutica, uma vez que inibiu citocinas envolvidas na doença (IFNγ, IL-17ª e IL-22). / Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory systemic autoimune disease with joint involvement as main clinical feature.Cytokines are directed implicated in RA pathogenesis.This study aimed to assess the citokine profile of Th17 pathway, paticularly IL-17A and IL-22 as well as correlate these cytokines serum levels with clinical, demographic, radiographic e laboratory data from patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and we also evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of the new thiazolidinedione LPSF/TM17. The patients were recruited at Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). Clinical and demographic data were recorded in standard questionnaire and patients who fullfilled the inclusion criteria had their blood collected. Cytokines were assayed with ELISA in 83 RA patients and 30 healthy controls. IL-22 levels were increased in patients with RA compared with controls (mean 432.37 pg/ml and 67.45 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Levels of IL-22 correlated with the composites indices of disease activity DAS28 (p=0.037) and CDAI (p=0.013). Rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity and the presence of bone erosions correlated with higher levels of IL-22 in patients with RA, p=0.001 and p=0.0001, respectively. The immunomodulatory effect of LPSF/TM17 was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients after cytokines assays (IFNγ, IL-17A e IL-22) in culture supernatants after stimulation with PMA and Ionomycin. This was the first study to associate IL-22 serum levels with disease severity suggesting an important role of this cytokine in RA pathogenesis. Importantly, LPSF/TM17 significantly inhibited IFNγ productionin the concentration of 100 μM and induced lower levels of IL-17A and IL-22 in the concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μM (p<0,05). The role of the thiazolidinediones, synthetics agonists of PPARγ, in RA and in other autoimmune diseases has been described suggesting that these compounds may be of great importance in the therapeutic approach of theses diseases.

Für die Therapie chronisch entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen (CED) ist die Diagnostik befallener Darmabschnitte und enteraler Komplikationen ebenso von Bedeutung, wie die Einschätzung der klinischen und endoskopischen Entzündungsaktivität. In einer Studie soll die Wertigkeit der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) untersucht werden, die Entzündungsaktivität CED anhand visueller Befunde und Komplikationen einzuschätzen. Außerdem soll überprüft werden, ob auf eine Kontrastierung des Darmes zugunsten eines höheren Patientenkomforts und einer schnelleren Untersuchung verzichtet werden kann. 64 Patienten mit bekannter oder vermuteter CED wurden vor und nach intravenöser Gd-DTPA-Injektion mit dem MR-Tomographen untersucht. Während 35 Patienten eine orale und rektale Kontrastierung mit Endoskopielösung erhielten, wurden 31 nicht enteral kontrastiert. 53 der untersuchten Patienten wurden zeitnah koloskopiert. Ein neu entwickelter MR-Aktivitätsindex (MRAI), die Kontrastmittelanreicherung in der Darmwand sowie die gemessenen Darmwanddicken wurden mit klinischen Indizes (CAI, CDAI) und dem Endoskopie-Aktivitätsindex (EAI) korreliert. Weiterhin wurden koronare Bilder aller Patienten bezüglich der Distension des Darmes und der Abgrenzbarkeit der Darmwand begutachtet. Im Vergleich mit dem EAI konnten signifikante Unterschiede für die Verteilung des Darmwand-Enhancements und der gemessenen Darmdicken nachgewiesen werden. Der MRAI zeigte eine Korrelation von Eta = 0,43 mit der klinischen Aktivität. Für Colitis ulcerosa-Patienten konnte ein Eta = 0,64 erstellt werden. Untersuchte, die eine Kontrastierung des Darmes erhielten, wiesen eine exzellente Korrelation (Eta = 0,76) zwischen MRAI und CAI / CDAI auf, während dieser Zusammenhang für Patienten ohne enterale Auffüllung fehlte. Weiterhin konnten signifikante Zusammenhänge zwischen enteraler Kontrastierung und der Distension des Darmes sowie der Abgrenzbarkeit der Darmwand gezeigt werden. Die Arbeit macht deutlich, daß es möglich ist, CED mittels MRT zuverlässig zu diagnostizieren und mit Hilfe des MRAI in ihrer klinischen und endoskopischen Entzündungsaktivität einzuschätzen. Dabei sollte auf die Anwendung eines enteralen Kontrastmittels nicht verzichtet werden. Ein Einsatz der MRT ist somit nicht nur bei der Diagnostik sondern auch zur Verlaufskontrolle der CED sinnvoll. / For the therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), not only the diagnosis of affected bowel segments and enteral complications but also the assessment of the clinical and endoscopic activity is important. The value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to asses the activity of IBD by visual findings and complications shall be determined by a clinical study. Furthermore shall be tested how the application of enteral contrast media affects patient comfort and examination time. 64 patients with known or supposed IBD were examined by MRI before and after intravenous injection of Gd-DTPA. 35 patients received oral and rectal contrast medium (2,5% mannitol solution) while 31 patients remaining without enteral replenishment. 53 patients underwent colonoscopy.A newly developed MR Activity Index (MRAI), based on visual findings, contrast-enhancement of the bowel wall and measured wall thickness were correlated with clinical (Crohn�s Disease Activity Index, CDAI; Colitis Activity Index, CAI) and endoscopic (Endoscopy Activity Index, EAI) activity. Coronal images of all patients were evaluated referring to bowel distension and demarcation of the bowel wall. The comparision with EAI shows significant differences in the distribution for wall contrast-enhancement and wall thickness. A good correlation is determined between the MRAI and the clinical activity (Eta = 0,43). Considering only patients with Ulcerative Colitis the correlation between MRAI and CAI shows Eta = 0,64. An excellent correlation of Eta = 0,76 between MRAI and CDAI / CAI for all patients with oral and enteral replenishment was found, while there was no correlation in the group, which did not receive mannitol solution. Significant correlations were also seen between the enteral mannitol solution replenishment and bowel distension and demarcation of the bowel wall. MRI shows good accuracy in detecting the changes the of IBD. The new developed MRAI allows an assessment of the activity of IBD. The results demonstrate that oral and enteral contrast media should be applied for MR examination of the abdomen. The utilization of MRI is furthermore useful in the follow up of IBD.