No description available.

No description available.

No / AIM: The aim of the study was to determine, objectively and non-invasively, whether changes in accommodative demand modify differentially the peripheral refraction in emmetropic and myopic human eyes. METHODS: Forty subjects (19 male, 21 female) aged 20-30 years (mean 22.7 (SD 2.8) years), 21 emmetropes (mean spherical equivalent refractive error (MSE) -0.13 (SD 0.29) D) and 19 myopes (MSE -2.95 (SD 1.76) D) participated in the study. Ametropia was corrected with soft contact lenses (etafilcon A, 58% water content). Subjects viewed monocularly a stationary, high contrast (85%) Maltese cross at 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 D of accommodative demand and at 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees field angle (nasal and temporal) through a +3.0 D Badal optical system. Static recordings of the accommodation response were obtained for each accommodative level, at each field angle, with an objective, open-view, infrared optometer. RESULTS: Peripheral mean spherical equivalent (M) data showed that the emmetropic cohort exhibited relative myopic shifts into the periphery, while the myopic group showed hypermetropic shifts. Increasing accommodative demand did not alter the peripheral refractive profile in either the temporal (p = 0.25) or nasal (p = 0.07) periphery with no differential accommodative effect between refractive groups in either the temporal (p = 0.77) or nasal (p = 0.73) field. Significant shifts in the J(0) astigmatic component were seen in the temporal (p<0.0005) and nasal (p<0.0005) fields with increasing eccentricity. Interaction effects between eccentricity and accommodative demand illustrated that increasing accommodative demand significantly altered the peripheral refractive profile in the temporal J(0) astigmatic component (p<0.0005). The nasal periphery, however, failed to show such an effect (p = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in peripheral refraction augmented by changes in ocular accommodation are relatively unaffected by refractive error for young, healthy human eyes.

Objetivo: A taxa de falha terapêutica para dor crônica em ombros de hemiplégicos (DOH) pós acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é significante. Diversas abordagens terapêuticas têm sido propostas, porém os resultados dos estudos que as têm investigado demostram resultados controversos. Objetivo: Elaborar um protocolo para avaliar a eficácia da injeção de dexametasona via transforaminal (TF) na DOH. Métodos: Ensaio clínico randomizado, controlado por placebo, com cegamento de pacientes e avaliadores de desfecho. Ambiente clínico: Departamento de Ortopedia e Neurocirurgia de um hospital terciário. Participantes: Pacientes (N = 38) com DOH refratária ao tratamento conservador e escore de dor em repouso superior a quatro centímetros na escala visual analógica de dor (EVA) de 0 a 10 centímetros. Intervenção: TF no nível C5-C6. Comparador: Intervenção sham. Medida de desfecho principal: Variação na EVA três meses após a intervenção. Seguimento: As avaliações foram realizadas imediatamente antes, uma semana após e três meses depois das intervenções. Resultados: TF com dexametasona reduziu significantemente a intensidade da dor quando comparado com o grupo sham (p < 0,001). Adicionalmente, a Medida de Independência Funcional, a algometria do músculo trapézio, a algometria dos dermátomos de C4 e C5 e a algometria dos ligamentos interespinhosos de C6-7 e C7-T1 melhoraram ao término do tratamento no grupo TF (p < 0,05). Não foram relatados efeitos colaterais significantes. Conclusões: TF com dexametasona demonstrou ser eficaz no alívio da dor no ombro em pacientes pós-AVE quando comparado com placebo. Ensaios clínicos maiores são necessários para confirmar esses achados / Objective: Because of the lack of effective treatment today for hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) we designed a protocol to evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal epidural dexamethasone injection (TFESI) in relieving it. Design: A randomized, blind, sham-controlled trial with assessments before and after TFESI. Setting: Orthopedics and Neurosurgery department of a tertiary hospital. Participants: Patients (N=38) with HSP refractory to standard treatments and pain score at rest greater than 4cm on a pain visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 to 10cm. Intervention: TFESI at the C5-6 level. Main Outcome Measure: Variation in VAS score 3 months after interventions. Methods: We performed a randomized, sham-controlled, double blind clinical trial in which 38 patients were randomized to receive TFESI (\"TFESI\" group) or sham (\"sham\" group). Assessments were performed immediately before, 1 week after and 3 months after by a blinded rater. Results: At baseline, groups did not differ regarding any of the outcome variables. After 3 months pain intensity was significantly better in the TFESI group as compared to Sham (p < 0.05). For the secondary outcome measures, the functional independency, the algometry of the trapezius muscle and at the C4 and at the C5 levels and the algometry of the ligment at the C6-7 and at the C7-T1 levels also improved after the TFESI treatment (p < 0.05). No side effects were found. Conclusions: TFESI is effective for pain relief and functional independency in patients with HSP. The results of this study suggest that TF has a superior effect compared with Sham intervention. Larger randomized controlled trials should be made to confirm efficacy of TFESI in patients with refractory HSP

Objetivo: A taxa de falha terapêutica para dor crônica em ombros de hemiplégicos (DOH) pós acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é significante. Diversas abordagens terapêuticas têm sido propostas, porém os resultados dos estudos que as têm investigado demostram resultados controversos. Objetivo: Elaborar um protocolo para avaliar a eficácia da injeção de dexametasona via transforaminal (TF) na DOH. Métodos: Ensaio clínico randomizado, controlado por placebo, com cegamento de pacientes e avaliadores de desfecho. Ambiente clínico: Departamento de Ortopedia e Neurocirurgia de um hospital terciário. Participantes: Pacientes (N = 38) com DOH refratária ao tratamento conservador e escore de dor em repouso superior a quatro centímetros na escala visual analógica de dor (EVA) de 0 a 10 centímetros. Intervenção: TF no nível C5-C6. Comparador: Intervenção sham. Medida de desfecho principal: Variação na EVA três meses após a intervenção. Seguimento: As avaliações foram realizadas imediatamente antes, uma semana após e três meses depois das intervenções. Resultados: TF com dexametasona reduziu significantemente a intensidade da dor quando comparado com o grupo sham (p < 0,001). Adicionalmente, a Medida de Independência Funcional, a algometria do músculo trapézio, a algometria dos dermátomos de C4 e C5 e a algometria dos ligamentos interespinhosos de C6-7 e C7-T1 melhoraram ao término do tratamento no grupo TF (p < 0,05). Não foram relatados efeitos colaterais significantes. Conclusões: TF com dexametasona demonstrou ser eficaz no alívio da dor no ombro em pacientes pós-AVE quando comparado com placebo. Ensaios clínicos maiores são necessários para confirmar esses achados / Objective: Because of the lack of effective treatment today for hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) we designed a protocol to evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal epidural dexamethasone injection (TFESI) in relieving it. Design: A randomized, blind, sham-controlled trial with assessments before and after TFESI. Setting: Orthopedics and Neurosurgery department of a tertiary hospital. Participants: Patients (N=38) with HSP refractory to standard treatments and pain score at rest greater than 4cm on a pain visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 to 10cm. Intervention: TFESI at the C5-6 level. Main Outcome Measure: Variation in VAS score 3 months after interventions. Methods: We performed a randomized, sham-controlled, double blind clinical trial in which 38 patients were randomized to receive TFESI (\"TFESI\" group) or sham (\"sham\" group). Assessments were performed immediately before, 1 week after and 3 months after by a blinded rater. Results: At baseline, groups did not differ regarding any of the outcome variables. After 3 months pain intensity was significantly better in the TFESI group as compared to Sham (p < 0.05). For the secondary outcome measures, the functional independency, the algometry of the trapezius muscle and at the C4 and at the C5 levels and the algometry of the ligment at the C6-7 and at the C7-T1 levels also improved after the TFESI treatment (p < 0.05). No side effects were found. Conclusions: TFESI is effective for pain relief and functional independency in patients with HSP. The results of this study suggest that TF has a superior effect compared with Sham intervention. Larger randomized controlled trials should be made to confirm efficacy of TFESI in patients with refractory HSP

Paraplegia or paraparesis caused by temporary cross-clamping of the aorta is a devastating sequela in patients after surgery of the thoracoabdominal aorta. No effective clinical method is available to protect the spinal cord from ischemic reperfusion injury. A small animal (rat) model of spinal cord ischemia is established to better understand the pathophysiological events and to evaluate potential treatments. Eighty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 g to 350 g were used for model development (45) and treatment evaluation (36). The heparinized and anesthetized rat was supported by a respirator following tracheostomy. The thoracic aorta was cannulated via the left carotid artery for post-clamping intra-aortic treatment solution administration. After thoracotomy, the aorta was freed and temporarily clamped just distal to the left subclavian artery and just proximal to the diaphragm for different time intervals: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 minutes (five animals per group). The motor function of the lower extremities postoperatively showed consistent impairment after 30 minutes clamping (5/5 rats were paralyzed), and this time interval was used for treatment evaluation. For each treatment, six animals per group were used, and direct local intra-aortic infusion of physiologic solution (2 mL) at different temperatures with or without buffer substances was given immediately after double cross-clamp to protect the ischemic spinal cord. Arterial blood (2 mL) was infused in the control group. The data indicate that the addition of HCO3-(20 mM) to the hypothermic (15 degrees C) solution offered complete protection of the spinal cord from ischemic injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PURPOSE: Gait during obstacle negotiation is adapted in visually normal subjects whose vision is temporarily and unilaterally blurred or occluded. This study was conducted to examine whether gait parameters in individuals with long-standing deficient stereopsis are similarly adapted. METHODS: Twelve visually normal subjects and 16 individuals with deficient stereopsis due to amblyopia and/or its associated conditions negotiated floor-based obstacles of different heights (7-22 cm). Trials were conducted during binocular viewing and monocular occlusion. Analyses focused on foot placement before the obstacle and toe clearance over it. RESULTS: Across all viewing conditions, there were significant group-by-obstacle height interactions for toe clearance (P < 0.001), walking velocity (P = 0.003), and penultimate step length (P = 0.022). Toe clearance decreased (approximately 0.7 cm) with increasing obstacle height in visually normal subjects, but it increased (approximately 1.5 cm) with increasing obstacle height in the stereo-deficient group. Walking velocity and penultimate step length decreased with increasing obstacle height in both groups, but the reduction was more pronounced in stereo-deficient individuals. Post hoc analyses indicated group differences in toe clearance and penultimate step length when negotiating the highest obstacle (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion of either eye caused significant and similar gait changes in both groups, suggesting that in stereo-deficient individuals, as in visually normal subjects, both eyes contribute usefully to the execution of adaptive gait. Under monocular and binocular viewing, obstacle-crossing performance in stereo-deficient individuals was more cautious when compared with that of visually normal subjects, but this difference became evident only when the subjects were negotiating higher obstacles; suggesting that such individuals may be at greater risk of tripping or falling during everyday locomotion.

On estime qu'approximativement 20 millions de personnes dans le monde souffrent d'insuffisance cardiaque et la prévalence de cette pathologie ne cesse d'augmenter avec le vieillissement croissant de la population. L'évaluation de la fonction ventriculaire gauche par la mesure de la fraction d'éjection permet en fait de distinguer deux populations distinctes de patients insuffisants cardiaques : l'une avec et l'autre sans altération de la fraction d'éjection, encore dénommées respectivement Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (IC-FEr) et Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (IC-FEp). On ne sait pas aujourd'hui si ces deux entités représentent deux pathologies distinctes ou, au contraire, deux entités intimement liées. L'IC-FEp est actuellement observée chez environ 40 à 50% des patients présentant une insuffisance cardiaque et son évolution est semblable à celle des patients IC-FEr.Le concept d'IC-FEp soulève toutefois des difficultés conceptuelles : d'une part car la notion d'une fraction d'éjection préservée implique la connaissance de sa valeur de base et d'autre part, les valeurs dites "normales" de la fraction d'éjection sont encore à établir. Par ailleurs, la vision mécanique du cœur comme une pompe hémodynamique ou musculaire conditionne la compréhension de la physiopathologie de la IF-FEp.Dans ce contexte, nous avons mis au point un modèle porcin de dysfonction diastolique avec éjection préservée secondaire à une hypertension artérielle induite par une perfusion continue d'angiotensine II pendant 28 jours. Dans ces conditions, nous avons démontré une altération de la fonction ventriculaire gauche alors même que l'éjection était préservée. Ceci était objectivé par 1) une augmentation paradoxale des durées relatives de contraction et de relaxation isovolumiques, 2) des réponses inappropriées des phases isovolumiques du cycle cardiaque à des augmentations de la fréquence et de l'inotropisme cardiaques et 3) une étroite relation entre ces deux phases isovolumiques (couplage contraction-relaxation). L'inadéquation entre les niveaux de fréquence cardiaque et des phases isovolumiques nous a amené à évaluer les effets de la modulation pharmacologique de la fréquence cardiaque sur le couplage contraction-relaxation. Ainsi la réduction sélective de la fréquence cardiaque par l'administration d'ivabradine, un inhibiteur des canaux If, a réduit significativement la durée de ces deux phases et favorisé le remplissage. Cependant, cette normalisation n'était qu'apparente puisque le ratio entre la contraction et la relaxation isovolumiques restait augmenté à J28, en défaveur de la contraction isovolumique.En conclusion, le développement d'une dysfonction diastolique avec une éjection préservée s'accompagne d'une dysfonction systolique qui entrave une réponse adéquate du myocarde à un stress dans un contexte d'hypertension chronique. / Approximately 20 millions individuals in the world experience heart failure symptoms; heart failure prevalence is continuously rising with population aging. Left ventricular function evaluation by the ejection fraction allows distinguishing two different patient sets: one with and one other without ejection fraction alteration, respectively named Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HF-rEF) and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HF-pEF). It is unknown if these two clinical presentations represent two different pathologies or two manifestations of the same clinical entity. HF-pEF is found in about 40-50% of patients with heart failure and its evolution is similar to that of patients with HF-rEF.However, several conceptual difficulties deal with the HFpEF: on one hand, talking about preserved ejection fraction implies the knowledge of its basal value; on the other, the normality needs to be established. Moreover, considering the heart either as a hemodynamic pump or as a muscular pump may modify the understanding of HFpEF physiopathology.We therefore set up a swine model of diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection induced by chronic hypertension, which was obtained by continuous perfusion of angiotensin II during 28 days. In these conditions, we clearly demonstrated a LV function impairment, while the ejection phase parameters remained preserved. The LV impairment is demonstrated by: 1) the paradox increase of the relative durations of isovolumic contraction and relaxation; 2) the blunted responses of the isovolumic phases of cardiac cycle to heart rate augmentation and cardiac inotropisme; 3) a straight relationship between these two isovolumic phases (contraction-relaxation relationship).The mismatch between the heart rate and the isovolumic phases behaviour led us to investigate the possible effects of the heart rate pharmacological modulation on the contraction-relaxation coupling. The selective reduction of the heart rate by ivabradine administration (a selective If channel inhibitor) was able to significantly reduce the isovolumic contraction and relaxation phases' durations, thus improving filling phase dynamics. Anyway, this “normalisation” was only apparent, because the contraction to relaxation ratio was increased at day 28, to the detriment of the isovolumic contraction.In conclusion, chronic hypertension induces a diastolic dysfunction with a preserved ejection fraction paralleled by a systolic dysfunction which is responsible of a blunted myocardial response to stress.

A palavra DOR é definida como uma percepção consciente do indivíduo de impulsos nociceptivos modulados que originam uma experiência emocional e sensitiva desagradável, associada à lesão tecidual real ou potencial, ou descrita em termos de tal lesão. Considerando-se que a dor é um dos motivos mais comuns que levam um paciente a procurar por atendimento em consultório odontológico, este estudo teve como objetivo quantificar e qualificar a analgesia da musculatura mastigatória e da articulação temporomandibular proporcionada por medicamentos antiinflamatórios não esteroidais, associados ou não a outros agentes terapêuticos. O estudo clínico foi desenvolvido em pacientes que sofriam de algias crônicas na musculatura mastigatória, decorrentes de disfunções temporomandibulares. Foram selecionados, após anamnese e avaliação com a ferramenta RDC/TMD traduzido para a língua Portuguesa (PEREIRA JUNIOR, 2007), 18 voluntários para avaliar o efeito terapêutico (entendendo-se como efeito terapêutico o alívio da sintomatologia dolorosa e do restabelecimento da amplitude dos movimentos bordejantes mandibulares), dos três tratamentos coadjuvantes abaixo-relacionados, sendo dois medicamentos e um placebo para eliminar o efeito psicológico. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: um antiinflamatório não-esteroidal (AINES) Flanaren® (diclofenaco sódico), uma panacéia Sedilax® composta por AINES, miorrelaxante e analgésicos (diclofenaco sódico + carisoprodol + paracetamol + cafeína), ambos produzidos pelo laboratório Teuto® ; e um placebo, que consistia de pílulas preenchidas com 110 g de amido de milho, produzidas pela Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto - USP. A administração de cada medicamento consistia de 1 unidade a cada 12 horas, durante um período de 10 dias, precedido e sucedido por avaliações de dor dos pacientes. Foi estabelecido um período de washout de 11 dias entre cada troca de tratamento. A avaliação dos tratamentos medicamentosos foi desenvolvida com diferentes ferramentas, como o McGill Pain Questionnaire (VAROLI; PEDRAZZI, 2006), para qualificar e quantificar dor não provocada, a escala visual analógica para dor à palpação, escala numérica para a quantificação da dor durante o tratamento, além de mensurações de amplitude de movimentos excursivos mandibulares. Foram colhidas também informações sobre possíveis efeitos colaterais indesejáveis relacionados aos tratamentos. O projeto foi submetido e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa envolvendo Seres Humanos da Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto da USP, Processo n.2006.1.558.58.0, Caae n.0022.0.138.000-06. Os resultados mostraram que a analgesia para a dor em repouso foi melhor com a utilização do Flanaren® e para a dor à palpação, igual para ambos os tratamentos. Os medicamentos Sedilax® e Flanaren® reduziram significantemente a dor após três dias de tratamento, enquanto o placebo, após oito dias. Não foram observadas melhoras na amplitude dos movimentos limítrofes da mandíbula. Também não foram observados efeitos colaterais significantes estatisticamente. Concluiu-se que o tratamento utilizando o diclofenaco sódico como adjuvante reduziu a dor em repouso; todos os tratamentos promoveram analgesia à dor à palpação, mas tanto o diclofenaco isolado como associado agiram no terceiro dia e o placebo, apenas no oitavo. Nenhum efeito colateral observado foi estatisticamente significante. / The word PAIN is defined as a conscious perception of modulated nociceptive input from an unpleasant emotional and sensitive experience, associated to a real or potential, or described in terms of such lesion. Considering that pain is one of main reasons which motivate patients to search for dental treatment, the aim of this study was quantify and qualify analgesia in masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints by administration of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, isolated or associated to other therapeutic agents. This clinical trial has been developed treating patients who had been suffering with chronic pain in masticatory muscles due to temporomandibular disorders. Eighteen volunteers were selected after anamnesis exam and assessment using RDC/TMD translated to Portuguese (PEREIRA JUNIOR, 2007), to evaluate the therapeutics effect (pain relief and maximum eccentric jaw movement recovery) of three adjuvant treatment: two medicines and one placebo, to eliminate psychological effects. Assessed treatments were: a non steroidal anti-inflammatory Flanaren® (sodium diclofenac), a panacea composed by an anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant and analgesics (sodium diclofenac + carisoprodol + acetaminophen + caffeine), both produced by pharmaceutical laboratory Teuto® ; and a placebo, that were pills filled by 110 g of corn starch, produced by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto USP. The dosage of all medicines was one pill every 12 hours, during 10 days, preceded and succeeded by patients` pain assessment. An 11 days washout period among each therapy has been established. The assessment of drug therapies were done using distinct instruments, as McGill Pain Questionnaire (VAROLI; PEDRAZZI, 2006), to qualify and quantify unprovoked pain; visual analogue scale for pain on palpation, numerical scale to quantify pain during treatment, and measurement of range of motion during maximum eccentric jaw movements. It has been obtained information about side effects related to treatments. The research project was submitted and approved by Ethics in Research Committee of Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto USP, Lawsuit n.2006.1.558.0, CAAE n. 0022.0.138.000-06. Data analysis has shown that relief of unprovoked pain was better using Flanaren® , and reduction of pain on palpation was equal in all treatments. Both, diclofenac alone, also diclofenac associate to other drugs, reduced significantly pain after three days of treatment, while placebo, after eight days. It has not been observed increase of range of motion during maximum jaw excursive movements, neither statistically significant side-effect. It has been concluded that treatment using diclofenac as an adjuvant reduced unprovoked pain; all therapies relief pain on palpation, but it was observed on third day for diclofenac and diclofenac associated and on eighth day for placebo. There was not any statistically significant side effect.

Introdução: A hanseníase é uma doença infecciosa crônica causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae. É considerada um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública nos países em desenvolvimento. Os principais sinais clínicos são manchas de pele com perda de sensibilidade e envolvimento de nervos periféricos. Manifestações musculoesqueléticas são descritas em adultos, mas este envolvimento é raramente descrito na população pediátrica. Objetivo: Avaliar envolvimento musculoesquelético e auto-anticorpos em pacientes pediátricos com hanseníase. Métodos: Foram avaliados 50 pacientes com hanseníase e 47 crianças e adolescentes saudáveis de acordo com manifestações musculoesqueléticas (artralgia, artrite e mialgia), síndromes dolorosas musculoesqueléticas (fibromialgia juvenil, síndrome de hipermobilidade articular benigna, síndrome miofascial e tendinite) e painel de auto-anticorpos e crioglobulinas. Escores de avaliação de saúde e tratamento foram realizados nos pacientes com hanseníase. Resultados: A frequência de manifestações musculoesqueléticas foi maior em pacientes com hanseníase comparada aos controles (14% vs. 0%, p=0,0012). Cinco pacientes com hanseníase tinham poliartrite assimétrica das pequenas articulações das mãos (10% vs. 0%, p=0,057). Comprometimentos da função do nervo, reação tipo I hansênica, e neuropatia silenciosa foram observados nos pacientes com hanseníase (p=0,0006; p=0,003; p=0,0059; respectivamente). Nenhum dos pacientes e controles apresentou síndromes de dor musculoesquelética e as frequências dos anticorpos e crioglobulinas foram semelhantes nos dois grupos (p > 0,05). Comprometimentos da função nervosa, reação hansênica tipo I e neuropatia silenciosa foram observados em pacientes com versus sem manifestações musculoesqueléticas (p=0,0036; p=0,0001; p=0,309; respectivamente), bem como subtipos de hanseníase multibacilar (86% vs. 42%, p=0,045). A escala visual analógica do médico (VAS), dos pacientes (VAS), de dor (VAS) e CHAQ foram maiores em pacientes com manifestações musculoesqueléticas (p=0,0001; p=0,002; p=0002; p=0,001, respectivamente). Conclusão: Este foi o primeiro estudo a identificar manifestações musculoesqueléticas associadas com disfunção de nervos periféricos em pacientes pediátricos. A hanseníase deve ser incluída no diagnóstico diferencial de artrite assimétrica, principalmente em regiões endêmicas / Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It is considered one of major public health issue in developing countries. The important clinical signs of leprosy are hypopigmented or reddish localized skin lesions with loss of sensation and peripheral nerves involvement. Musculoskeletal manifestations were described in leprosy adult patients and these involvements were rarely described in pediatric leprosy population. Objective: To evaluate musculoskeletal involvement and autoantibodies in pediatric leprosy patients. Methods: 50 leprosy patients and 47 healthy children and adolescents were assessed according to musculoskeletal manifestations (arthralgia, arthritis and myalgia), musculoskeletal pain syndromes (juvenile fibromyalgia, benign joint hypermobility syndrome, myofascial syndrome and tendinitis) and a panel of autoantibodies and cryoglobulins. Health assessment scores and treatment were performed in leprosy patients. Results: The frequency of at least one musculoskeletal manifestation was significantly higher in leprosy patients compared to controls (14% vs. 0%, p=0.0012) and five leprosy patients had asymmetric polyarthritis of small hands joints (10% vs. 0%, p=0.057), Nerve function impairment, type I leprosy reaction and silent neuropathy were significantly observed in leprosy patients (p=0.0006; p=0.003; p=0.0059; respectively). None of the patients and controls presented musculoskeletal pain syndromes and the frequencies of all antibodies and cyoglobulins were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Further analysis of leprosy patients showed that the frequencies of nerve function impairment, type I leprosy reaction and silent neuropathy were significantly observed in patients with versus without musculoskeletal manifestations (p=0.0036; p=0.0001; p=0.309; respectively), as well as multibacillary subtypes in leprosy (86% vs. 42%, p=0.045). The median of physician visual analogue scale (VAS), patients VAS, pain VAS and CHAQ were significantly higher in leprosy patients with musculoskeletal manifestations (p=0.0001; p=0.002; p=0002; p=0.001; respectively). Conclusions: This was the first study to identify musculoskeletal manifestations associated with nerve dysfunction in pediatric leprosy patients. Hansen´s disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of asymmetric arthritis, especially in endemic regions