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Biomedical subjects

E Martín Mola

Publications and source records attributed to E Martín Mola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings related to knee pain in osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine clinical and sonographic factors associated with painful episodes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: In this cross-sectional controlled study, patients with primary knee OA (ACR criteria) were prospectively placed into two groups. Group A: 81 patients with knee pain during physical activity >or=30 mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain for at least 48 h prior to inclusion; Group B: 20 patients without knee pain from at least 1 month prior to inclusion. Clinical parameters, knee radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were collected. The sonographic study assessed joint effusion in the suprapatellar pouch, infrapatellar superficial and deep bursitis, meniscal lesions, anserine tendinobursitis, and Baker's cyst. RESULTS: Group A patients tended to be older and heavier women than group B (P<0.05). The most frequent radiographic stage was III (57%) in group A, and I (35%) and II (35%) in group B, showing differences in the distribution of each radiographic stage (P<0.005). The most frequent ultrasonographic finding in group A was suprapatellar effusion (79%), and in group B it was meniscal lesions (40%). Ultrasonographic findings showed in group A a significant increase of suprapatellar effusion (P<0.001) and a tendency towards an increase of Baker's cyst (P=0.06). Suprapatellar effusion, Baker's cyst, and body mass index (BMI) were the factors associated with the appearance of pain after the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Suprapatellar effusion, Baker's cyst, and higher BMI are more frequent and seem to be risk factors of painful flare in OA of the knee.

Aged↗

Abnormalities in the bone mineral metabolism in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bone mineral metabolism in HIV infected and asymptomatic patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing protease inhibitors (PI) and naïve patients. METHODS: We studied 30 asymptomatic HIV infected male patients, 13 in the naive group and 17 in the IP group, both without differences in demographics characteristics. We excluded women and patients with any known factor associated to osteopenia. We did a nutritional questionnaire, a DEXA scan in lumbar spine and femur, a study of CD4 lymphocytes, viral load and an analysis of bone formation and resorption markers in all patients. We compared vitamin D and PTH levels with a control group of healthy male volunteers age-pareated. For the statistical analysis we used the SPSS program. RESULTS: Osteopenia was present in 17/30 (57%), 8/13 (61.5%) in the naïve group and 9/17 (53%) in the PI group (not significant differences). We found a vitamin D deficiency in 86% of patients, with mean serum levels that was found to be significantly lower than those from a healthy control group (p=0.04). Testosterone level was significantly related to bone mineral density in lumbar spine (p</=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HIV may be an individual risk factor in bone disorders, requiring calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

Adult↗

Polymorphism in the type I collagen (COLIA1) gene and risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.

Twin and family studies have demonstrated that a large part of a population's variance in bone mineral density (BMD) is attributable to genetic factors. A polymorphism in the collagen type I alpha1 (COLIA1) gene has recently been associated with low bone mass and fracture incidence. We analyzed the relationship between COLIA1 gene polymorphism, lumbar spine and hip BMD, and fracture prevalence in a population of 319 postmenopausal women classified by WHO standards, including 98 nonosteoporotic women (NOPW) and 221 osteoporotic postmenopausal women (OPW), divided into 139 osteoporotic women without fracture (OPWnF) and 82 osteoporotic women with fracture (OPWwF). The COLIA1 genotype was assessed by polymerase chain reaction and BalI endonuclease digestion. Genotype frequencies for the total group were 49.2% GG homozygotes, 39.5% GT heterozygotes, and 11.3% TT homozygotes. We found significant differences in the percentage of homozygous TT between NOPW and OPW (6.1% and 13.6%, respectively). Significantly, the occurrence of genotype TT in OPWnF was 6.2%, and 28% in OPWwF. We observed no associations between the COLIA1 genotype and lumbar spine and hip BMD. The prevalence of fractures varied significantly by genotype: GG, 26.1%; GT, 15.9%; and TT, 58.3%. Logistic regression analysis of fracture prevalence showed that, for prevalent fractures, the women with the TT genotype had a 5.9-fold increased risk when compared with the other genotypes (GG + GT). When prevalence was adjusted for age, body mass index, and BMD, the fracture risk was 4.8 for the TT group vs. the genotype GG, whereas it was 0.6 for the GT genotype. In conclusion, we found the COLIA1 Sp1 TT genotype to be associated with an increased fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Interestingly, this genotype-dependent risk could not be explained completely by BMD differences.

Aged↗

[High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women at a rheumatology office in Madrid. Evaluation of 2 vitamin D prescription regimens].

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been frequently observed in the elderly population in Europe. However few information is available about the vitamin D status in postmenopausal women in the Mediterranean countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status assessed by serum 25(OH)D3 (calcidiol) in postmenopausal women who attended a Rheumatology practice in Madrid area, and to evaluate calcidiol serum levels through one year after two forms of vitamin D administration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Calcidiol serum levels were measured in 171 postmenopausal women (111 with osteoporosis and 60 without osteoporosis). 82 women with calcidiol serum levels < 10 ng/ml were distributed in two groups: Group I received 800 U/day of vitamin D3 associated with calcium (1 g/day) and group II, one dose of 80,000 U vitamin D orally as calcidiol and latter a daily dose of 800 U vitamin D3 plus 1 g calcium. Calcidiol serum levels were measured by RIA in both groups at basal condition and after three, six and twelve months under treatment. RESULTS: Three cut-offs were considered: 10, 15 and 20 ng/ml of calcidiol. Percentages of postmenopausal women with vitamin D deficiency for such cut-offs were: 35.3%, 64.1% and 87.1%, respectively. After three months of treatment, women from group II showed calcidiol serum levels higher than group I. At six and twelve months calcidiol serum levels were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in a group of postmenopausal women who attended a rheumatology practice in Madrid area. Both forms of vitamin D administration seem not sufficient to maintain the adequate calcidiol serum levels in postmenopausal deficient women. A dose of 80,000 U of calcidiol twice a year should be considered.

Aged↗

Low vitamin D levels in outpatient postmenopausal women from a rheumatology clinic in Madrid, Spain: their relationship with bone mineral density.

To evaluate a possible relationship between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of hypovitaminosis in a population of postmenopausal women from a rheumatologic outpatient clinic in Madrid, Spain, 171 postmenopausal women (aged 47-66 years) divided into two groups (osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic, according to WHO criteria) were studied between November and June. Liver and kidney function were normal in all subjects. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcidiol levels were determined and bone densitometry carried out at the lumbar spine and hip level. PTH and calcidiol serum levels did not show any correlation. Serum PTH was inversely related to BMD at both hip and lumbar spine in the total group, and at the hip with calcidiol levels lower than 37 nmol/l. Calcidiol was directly related to hip BMD only when levels were lower than 37 nmol/l. Results of a stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the single factor which affected BMD at the hip was calcidiol in the subgroup with serum calcidiol levels below 37 nmol/l, while in the subgroup with serum calcidiol levels above 37 nmol/l, the main factor affecting hip BMD was serum PTH. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency at a cutoff of 37 nmol/l was 64%. In summary, calcidiol serum levels below 37 nmol/l seem to affect bone mass, regardless of the effect of PTH. Vitamin D deficiency is a frequent finding in the postmenopausal women who attend a rheumatology outpatient clinic in Madrid. Vitamin D supplementation should therefore be considered in this population during the winter season.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase↗

[Polymorphism of the gene of vitamin D receptor and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women].

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have been reported on the association between restriction fragment length polymorphism at the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene locus and bone mineral density (BMD). Population differences in environmental factors, such as calcium intake and calcidiol levels which have strong influence in BMD, may alter this association. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the Bsml RFLP at the eight introm of the VDR gene in a population sample (n = 204) of postmenopausal Spanish women aged 50-65 years being seen clinically and studied calcium intake (dietetic questionnaire) and biochemical parameters (PTH and calcidiol). In parallel bone densitometry were measured in lumbar spine and proximal femur. RESULTS: We identified low BMD of the proximal femur in the BB group. This effect was not observed at other body locations. The calcium intake was lees than 500 mg/day in 60% of the studied population as calcidiol levels were lower than 10 ng/l in 36% of it. The total group population with normal calcium intake (> 1,000 mg/day) showed higher BMD (proximal femur and spine) than the group with low calcium intake, this variation not being observed in group BB alleles. Interestingly, we observed significant differences in BMD proximal femur between genotype groups BB versus Bb + bb when calcidiol levels were < 10 ng/l. Moreover, within the BB subgroup, those subjects with normal calcidiol levels have higher proximal femur BMD compared with those with low calcidiol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an effect of the VDR genotype on BMD proximal femur which is clearly influenced by calcium intake and calcidiol serum levels.

Aged↗

[Prevalence of psychiatric disturbances and psychopathologic status in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some authors consider that these disorders can be associated with cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to establish the particular prevalence of psychiatric disorders in these patients and to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, life quality, psychological status and adjustment to illness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study is reported of 46 spanish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending the outpatients clinics of the Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Departments at a University Hospital. The following instruments were used: a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, the Nottingham Health Profile, the Symptom Check-List 90-Revised, the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale and the Integrated Program of Neuropsychological Assessment Test-Barcelona. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders at interview was 33%. The most common diagnoses were affective disorders and psycho-organic syndrome. Affective disorders were associated with a poorer life quality, number of hospitalizations and psychiatric background. Adjustment to illness accounted for the psychologic status of the patients.

Adult↗

Evidence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in the cryoprecipitate of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features of 8 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: A clinical study of the patients was performed. Anti-HCV antibodies were determined by ELISA and confirmed by immunoblot (RIBA) in the sera and in the cryoprecipitate. RESULTS: All patients had liver dysfunction, while most had arthralgias and/or arthritis, purpura, peripheral nervous system involvement and renal disorders. Cryocrits ranged from 1 to 6%. Six patients had type III mixed cryoglobulinemia and the remaining 2 had type II. History of blood transfusion was recorded in 2 patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were negative in all sera samples. The cryoprecipitate of 7 patients was negative for HBV markers, but anti-HCV antibodies were positive by both ELISA and RIBA. CONCLUSION: After reviewing published reports and discussing the possible role that hepatitis C virus plays in the pathogenesis of mixed cryoglobulinemia, we conclude that HCV may stimulate immune complex formation and produce cryoglobulinemia. Therefore its investigation is recommended before the diagnosis of "essential" mixed cryoglobulinemia is established.

Adult↗

Osteoarticular infection in intravenous drug abusers: influence of HIV infection and differences with non drug abusers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine (a) the influence of HIV in developing osteoarticular infections in intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) and (b) the differences between the clinical features of osteoarticular infections in IVDAs and a control group of non-IVDAs. METHODS: A comparative study of the clinical features of osteoarticular infections in all HIV positive and HIV negative IVDAs admitted to the departments of rheumatology and internal medicine during a 10 year period was carried out. The joint infections of all IVDAs, irrespective of HIV status, were compared with those of a control group of non-IVDAs lacking risk factors for HIV infection. RESULTS: A total of 482 HIV positive and 85 HIV negative IVDAs was studied, in whom 25 (5%) and six (7%) osteoarticular infections were found respectively. There were no differences in age, sex, joints affected, and causative agents between these two groups. A comparison of the 31 (5.5%) osteoarticular infections in all IVDAs with 21 infections in 616 (3.4%) non-IVDAs showed significant differences in the mean age (27.5 v 54), the frequency of affection of the axial joints (hip, sacroiliac, and sternocostal joints) (64.5% v 16.6%), and in the incidence of Candida albicans (19% v 0%). CONCLUSIONS: (1) HIV may not predispose to osteoarticular infections in IVDAs. (2) The hip, sacroiliac, and sternocostal joints (axial joints) were most commonly affected in IVDAs. (3) In Spain, unlike other countries, Gram positive bacteria and C albicans seem to be predominant agents in osteoarticular infections in IVDAs, with a low incidence of Gram negative bacteria.

Adolescent↗