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M Ingelmo

Publications and source records attributed to M Ingelmo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombophilic factors in giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of thrombophilic risk factors known to induce intravascular clotting and to assess their relationship with ischemic manifestations in giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients with established GCA were included: 36 with isolated temporal arteritis (TA), 14 with isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and 30 with TA and PMR. Forty-four patients (67%) had ischemic phenomena due to GCA. Twelve patients (15%) had thrombotic events unrelated to GCA (6 strokes, 5 deep venous thrombosis, and 1 myocardial infarction). A control group of 100 age- and sex-matched individuals without autoimmune disease, bleeding disorders, thrombosis, or clinical picture of TA or PMR also was analyzed. All participants were tested for the antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile, protein C, protein S, antithrombin activity, factor V Leiden mutation, and prothrombin gene G20210A mutation. We also studied fibrinolysis parameters: plasminogen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, t-PA activity, type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen, PAI-1 activity, and the 4G/5G polymorphism of the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene. RESULTS: Eleven patients (18%) tested positive for lupus anticoagulant, 24 (30%) for anticardiolipin antibodies, 9 (11%) for anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibodies, and 29 (36%) for antiprothrombin antibodies. No relationship was found between these autoantibodies and ischemic manifestations. None of the patients had decreased protein C, protein S or antithrombin activity. Two patients and 2 controls were heterozygous for factor V Leiden, and only 1 patient and 2 controls were heterozygous for the prothrombin gene G20210A mutation. No statistically significant correlation was found between any thrombophilic factor and GCA-related or GCA-unrelated ischemic events. CONCLUSION: GCA patients have a high prevalence of aPL that is not related to ischemic manifestations. Moreover, GCA-related or GCA-unrelated ischemic manifestations do not appear to be due to congenital thrombophilic risk factors. Semin Arthritis Rheum 31:12-20.

Aged↗

Cardiovascular risk factors and the long-term outcome of lupus nephritis.

We evaluated cardiovascular risk factors, morbidity and mortality in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). We prospectively studied 70 consecutive patients with LN, and 70 age- and sex-matched controls with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but no evidence of nephropathy, from 1988 to 1998. Patients were evaluated at entry for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, menopause and antiphospholipid syndrome. The LN patients (64 women, 6 men) had a mean age of 35 years (SE 1.7, range 11-67). During the 10 years, 15 (21%) LN patients and 18 (25%) of the controls were lost to follow-up. Compared with controls, LN patients had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia (44% vs. 2%, p<0.001), hypertension (44% vs. 9%, p<0.001) and antiphospholipid antibodies (45% vs. 22%, p=0.01) at study onset. At the last visit, 37 (67%) LN patients had normal plasma creatinine, 13 (24%) had renal failure and only five (9%) end-stage renal failure. Hyperlipidaemia (78% vs. 27%, p<0.001) and hypertension (67% vs. 32%, p=0.01) at study onset were associated with development of renal failure. Nine LN patients and one control died (16% vs. 2%, p=0.02). These patients showed more antiphospholipid syndrome (56% vs. 17%, p=0.03) and hyperlipidaemia (78% vs. 37%, p=0.03) at study onset. The main causes of death in LN patients were vascular complications (cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events) in five patients (four of whom had antiphospholipid antibodies) and sepsis in three.

Adolescent↗

High circulating levels of soluble scavenger receptors (sCD5 and sCD6) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the existence of circulating levels of soluble scavenger receptors (sCD5 and sCD6) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to analyse the correlation with clinical and immunological features of SS. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients with primary SS were studied. All patients fulfilled four or more of the European diagnostic criteria for SS. sCD5 and sCD6 levels were determined using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed in our laboratory. RESULTS: Detectable levels of sCD5 were found in 39 (43%) SS patients. The mean+/-standard error values of sCD5 were 3.5+/-0.5 ng/ml for patients with SS and 1.9+/-0.1 ng/ml for healthy blood donors (P<0.001). We found higher levels of sCD5 in patients with hypocomplementaemia (6.5 vs 3.5 ng/ml, P=0.03) and cryoglobulinaemia (6.9 vs 2.6 ng/ml, P=0.001). On the other hand, detectable levels of sCD6 were found in 60 (67%) SS patients. The mean+/-standard error values of sCD6 were 25.5+/-7.8 ng/ml in SS patients and 5.27+/-1.40 ng/ml in healthy blood donors (P=0.01). When the sCD6 levels were compared according to the presence or absence of immunological features, patients with cryoglobulinaemia showed higher levels of circulating sCD6 (77.3 vs 17 ng/ml, P=0.01) than those without cryoglobulinaemia. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary SS showed higher levels of circulating sCD5 and sCD6 when compared with controls. Moreover, the existence of some immunological features (hypocomplementaemia and cryoglobulinaemia) was associated with high levels of both soluble scavenger receptors. These facts may reflect an enhanced lymphocytic activation in patients with primary SS.

Adult↗

Hepatitis C virus infection mimicking primary Sjögren syndrome. A clinical and immunologic description of 35 cases.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is emerging as an extremely common and insidiously progressive liver disease that is often associated with several extrahepatic manifestations. In 1992, a possible relationship between Sjögren syndrome (SS) and patients with HCV infection was first postulated. Subsequently, several studies demonstrated that a "true" SS, with similar clinical and histologic features to those observed in primary SS, may occur in some patients with chronic HCV infection. We report the clinical and immunologic characteristics of 35 patients with chronic HCV infection and a well-documented diagnosis of SS. Compared with 60 patients with primary SS who tested negative for HCV antibodies, SS-HCV patients showed a higher mean age (65.9 yr versus 61.5 yr, p = 0.04), a lower prevalence of parotidomegaly (17% versus 47%, p = 0.004), and a higher prevalence of liver involvement (94% versus 3%, p < 0.001). Moreover, those patients with HCV-related SS showed a higher prevalence of anti-parietal cell gastric antibodies (31% versus 13%, p = 0.03), antimitochondrial antibodies (14% versus 2%, p = 0.02), cryoglobulinemia (60% versus 10%, p < 0.001), hypocomplementemia (60% versus 8%, p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of anti-Ro/SS-A (17% versus 38%, p = 0.03). The "true" SS observed in some patients with HCV may be considered 1 of the extrahepatic manifestations of HCV, and we suggest that HCV infection can be considered as an exclusion criterion for the diagnosis of primary SS.

Aged↗

The 4G/5G polymorphism of the type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor gene and thrombosis in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the 4G/5G polymorphism of the type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) gene and thrombotic manifestations in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: We studied a total of 247 patients included in the following 4 groups: 70 patients with primary APS, 104 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (40 with antiphospholipid antibodies [aPL] and clinical [secondary] APS, 13 with aPL but without clinical APS, and 51 with neither detectable aPL nor a history of thrombosis), 14 asymptomatic individuals with aPL, and 59 patients with thrombosis but without known thrombosis risk factors. A control group of 100 healthy individuals was also analyzed. PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. RESULTS: The allele frequency of 4G/5G in controls was 0.47/0.53. There were no differences in allele distribution among patient groups or between patients and controls. However, a higher frequency of the 4G allele was observed in APS patients with versus those without thrombosis (0.57 versus 0.39; P < 0.05) (odds ratio [OR] 2.83, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.18-6.76). This higher frequency of the 4G allele was attributable to the higher frequency in patients with versus those without arterial thrombosis (0.64 versus 0.43; P < 0.01) (OR 5.96, 95% CI 1.67-21.32), while patients with venous thrombosis had an allele distribution similar to that of those without venous thrombosis (0.49 versus 0.50; P not significant). There was a trend toward higher PAI-1 antigen and activity levels in APS patients and controls with the 4G/4G genotype, but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The presence of the 4G allele of the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene may be an additional risk factor for the development of arterial thrombosis in APS.

Adult↗

Hepatitis C virus infection mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus: study of hepatitis C virus infection in a series of 134 Spanish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We investigated 134 consecutive SLE patients (121 women and 13 men; mean age 35 years) who fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria for SLE of the American College of Rheumatology. Two hundred consecutive volunteer blood donors were also studied. Serum from all patients and controls was tested for antibodies to HCV (by third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by third generation recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA-3]). RESULTS: Antibodies to HCV were present in 18 patients with SLE (13%) and in 2 (1%) of the blood donors studied. Among the anti-HCV-positive group, HCV infection was confirmed (by RIBA-3 and polymerase chain reaction) in 15 SLE patients (11%) and in the 2 blood donors (1%) (P < 0.001). We observed a lower frequency of cutaneous SLE features (40% versus 76%; P = 0.01) and positivity for anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) (33% versus 81%; P < 0.001), and a higher frequency of hepatic involvement (93% versus 2%; P < 0.001), low C4 levels (73% versus 39%; P = 0.002), low CH50 levels (73% versus 44%; P = 0.03), and cryoglobulins (60% versus 22%; P = 0.02) in SLE patients with HCV infection compared with SLE patients without infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HCV infection in SLE patients was higher than in blood donors from the same geographic area. SLE HCV-positive patients showed a lower frequency of cutaneous SLE features and anti-dsDNA antibodies, and a higher prevalence of liver involvement, hypocomplementemia, and cryoglobulinemia. HCV testing should be considered in the diagnosis of SLE, especially in patients who lack the typical cutaneous features of SLE or who have low titers of autoantibodies, cryoglobulinemia, or liver involvement.

Adult↗

Increased serum levels of soluble L-selectin (CD62L) in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The adhesion molecule L-selectin (CD62L) mediates lymphocyte recirculation and leucocyte rolling on vascular endothelium at sites of inflammation. Serum levels of soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) were measured in patients with SLE in order to relate these levels to clinical activity and immunological parameters. An ELISA was used to detect the soluble form of human L-selectin (CD62L) in 42 patients with SLE and in 33 healthy individuals. The mean +/- s.e.m. values of sL-selectin were 1285 +/- 121 ng/ml for patients with SLE and 986 +/- 180 ng/ml for healthy blood donors, but there was no significant difference. When patients with active SLE were analysed, higher levels of circulating sL-selectin were found when compared with patients without activity (1497 +/- 167 ng/ml versus 941 +/- 150 ng/ml; P = 0.028). We found a significant correlation between the levels of sL-selectin and of dsDNA antibodies (r = 0.36, P = 0. 044) and between levels of sL-selectin and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (r = 0.42, P = 0.003). Patients with active SLE studied cross-sectionally showed significant elevations of sL-selectin (CD62L) compared with controls. Thus, the levels of this soluble adhesion molecule correlated with active disease and levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies.

Adolescent↗

Cytopenia and past human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical significance of human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to investigate the immunologic and hematologic features related to B19 infection. METHODS: We included 80 consecutive patients with primary SS (74 women and 6 men), with a mean age of 62 years (range, 24 to 87 years) that were seen in our Unit. All patients fulfilled the European Community criteria for SS. As controls, we included 140 consecutive sera samples analyzed for B19 antibodies in our Microbiology Department and obtained from adult inpatients and outpatients of our Hospital. Serum from all patients and controls was tested for antibodies to B19 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the presence of B19 DNA in serum and in circulating leukocytes was investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Serological evidence of past B19 infection (positive IgG antibodies without IgM antibodies) was present in 28 (35%) patients with primary SS. None of these patients showed evidence for B19 viremia, and B19 virus DNA was not detected in the circulating leukocytes of IgG-B19(+) patients. Positivity for IgM antibodies to B19 was not detected in any patient. When compared with patients without evidence of past B19 infection, those with primary SS and past B19 infection showed a higher prevalence of cytopenia (57% v 15%; P < .001), and, specifically, of leukopenia (36% v 4%; P < .001). Additionally, when compared with controls positive for IgG-B19, SS patients with these antibodies had a higher prevalence of cytopenia (57% v 13%; P < .001), leukopenia (36% v 3%; P < .001) and thrombocytopenia (21% v 0%; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Serological evidence of past B19 infection is associated with the presence of cytopenia in our patients with primary SS. A possible relationship between B19 infection and the presence of cytopenia in primary SS may occur in some patients immunologically or genetically predisposed.

Adult↗

Thyroid disease in primary Sjögren syndrome. Study in a series of 160 patients.

We studied 160 consecutive patients (147 female and 13 male) with primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of thyroid disease in a large series of patients with primary SS from our unit and to compare the prevalence and significance with those in 75 individuals without SS from a primary care center. Serum levels of thyroid hormones (free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone) and autoantibodies against thyroglobulin (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) were measured in all SS patients and in 75 control patients. Fifty-eight (36%) of the 160 patients with primary SS had evidence of thyroid disease. Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) was diagnosed in 32 (20%) patients and nonautoimmune thyroid disease (NATD) in 26 (16%). No significant differences were found when these prevalences were compared with those in control patients. On the other hand, comparing those patients with altered hormonal profiles, patients with NATD showed mainly hyperthyroidism (10/17, 59% versus 2/20, 10% in patients with ATD, p = 0.001). Finally, when clinical and immunologic manifestations of SS were analyzed in patients with and without thyroid disease, respectively, we found that patients with thyroid disease had a higher prevalence of female gender (98% versus 88%, p = 0.03), antiparietal cell autoantibodies (33% versus 12%, p = 0.002), TgAb (30% versus 5%, p < 0.001), and TPOAb (40% versus 5%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, thyroid disease occurred in more than one-third of patients with primary SS; the main cause was ATD, which was present in 20% of the patients studied. We note that no significant differences were observed when the prevalence of thyroid disease (either ATD or NATD) was compared with that in a control group of similar age and gender. Our results indicate that middle-aged women (with or without SS) should be screened periodically for thyroid function.

Adult↗

Splenectomy for refractory Evans' syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: report of two cases.

The main haematological manifestations seen in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are thrombocytopenia, usually mild, and haemolytic anaemia with a positive Coombs test. Owing to the shared characteristics with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, similar rules are followed in the treatment of these cytopenias. Two patients with severe aPL associated cytopenias, who required splenectomy after being refractory to steroids, immunosuppressive agents, and other treatments (intravenous gammaglobulin, danazol), are described, and previously reported cases are reviewed.

Adult↗

Circulating concentrations of soluble L-selectin (CD62L) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Serum concentrations of soluble (s) L-selectin (CD62L) were measured in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) to relate these concentrations to clinical and immunological features of SS. METHODS: The study included 40 consecutive patients (38 women and two men) with a mean age of 61 years (range 24-78) who fulfilled four or more of the preliminary diagnostic criteria for SS proposed by the European Community Study Group in 1993, and 33 healthy blood donors from the hospital blood bank. A sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the soluble form of human sL-selectin (CD62L). RESULTS: The mean (SEM) values of sL-selectin (CD62L) were 861 (66) microg/ml for patients with SS and 986 (180) microg/ml for healthy blood donors, but there was no significant difference. In patients with primary SS, serum sL-selectin (CD62L) concentrations were significantly higher in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (1275 (112) microg/ml versus 789 (69) microg/ml, p=0.007), autoimmune thyroiditis (1162 (113) microg/ml versus 787 (69) microg/ml, p=0.02) and rheumatoid factor (993 (95) microg/ml versus 684 (70) microg/ml, p=0.01) when compared with patients without these features. CONCLUSION: The presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, autoimmune thyroiditis and rheumatoid factor is associated with higher concentrations of circulating sL-selectin (CD62L) in the sera of patients with primary SS.

Adult↗

Primary Sjögren's syndrome in men: clinical and immunological characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and immunological characteristics of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in men from a large series of unselected patients with this condition. METHODS: We studied 223 consecutive patients (204 women and 19 men; mean age at onset 53 y, range 15-87 y, mean disease duration 77 months) with primary SS visited in our units. All these patients fulfilled 4 or more of the diagnostic criteria for SS proposed by the European Community Study Group in 1993. RESULTS: Nineteen (9%) patients were men and they represent the male group described in this paper. Extraglandular manifestations during the course of their disease were present in 10 (53%) of our male patients with primary SS: articular involvement in 4 (21%) patients, interstitial pneumopathy in 3 (16%) and peripheral neuropathy in 2 (11%). ANA were positive in 13 (68%) patients, RF in 5 (31%), anti-Ro/SS-A in 3 (16%) and cryoglobulins in 1/14 (7%). When compared with women, men with primary SS presented a lower prevalence of articular involvement (21 percent; vs 46%, P=0.03, OR 0.32, CI 0.07-0.97). CONCLUSION: Although primary SS is typically a disease of middle-aged women, clinicians should note that it may be diagnosed in male patients. Except for a lower prevalence of articular involvement, we could no find any notable differences in clinical and immunological characteristics between male and female patients with primary SS.

Adolescent↗

Psychiatric and psychosocial disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a longitudinal study of active and inactive stages of the disease.

The objective was to analyze psychiatric disorders and psychosocial dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), studied longitudinally during active and subsequent inactive stage of their disease. During a 6 month period of study, we selected 20 consecutive patients with SLE who presented with a SLE flare. All patients fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for the classification of SLE. When patients entered the study, we performed psychiatric (CIS, RDC, STAI, HD, BDI, GHQ and MMS) psychosocial (GAS and VAS-P) scores assessment. One year later, we repeated the psychiatric and psychosocial assessment when patients showed inactive disease. The 20 patients evaluated were women, with a mean age of 34 y (SE 14.4, range 20-57). According to CIS evaluation, we diagnosed 8 (40%) psychiatric cases in the acute episode of SLE. The RDC diagnosis showed generalized anxiety in 5 patients, panic disorders in 2 patients and generalized anxiety plus depressive symptoms in one patient. One year later, when patients did not show disease activity, we diagnosed 2 (10%) psychiatric cases (P<0.05). When SLE patients were clinically inactive, they showed lower levels of psychological distress (GHQ scale, 1.8 vs 5.6, P<0.001), with a lower grade of anxiety measured by both HA (3.2 vs 8.2, P<0.01) and STAI-S (7.95 vs 20.90, P<0.001) scales. We also found a lower score in pain perception (VAS-P) (2.80 vs 4.25, P<0. 01) and higher occupational activity (VAS-P) (83.9 vs 66.2, P<0.01) and general functioning (GAS) (93.75 vs 83.50, P<0.05) during the inactive stage. No significant differences were found when we compared cognitive impairment, grade of depression and physical disability between inactive and active stages. We conclude that in SLE patients, psychiatric and psychosocial disorders during acute episodes are usually mild and seem to be related to the psychological impact of disease activity on patients. This type of psychiatric pathology is similar to that which would be expected in other groups coping with a stressful event, indicating that our patients did not react in a way specifically determined by their systemic disease.

Adult↗

Prevalence and clinical significance of antiprothrombin antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Antibodies to prothrombin (aII) have been identified in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies, but their clinical significance is not well known. The aim of our study was to investigate their prevalence and association with clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in patients with primary APS or with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DESIGN AND METHODS: A series of 177 patients with autoimmune diseases was studied: 70 with primary APS and 107 with systemic lupus erythematosus. A control group of 87 healthy volunteers were included in the study. aII were investigated in sera by an ELISA, using human prothrombin as antigen fixed in irradiated polystyrene plates. RESULTS: aII prevalence in patients with autoimmune disease was 47% (57% and 40% in patients with primary APS or with SLE, respectively) significantly higher than in controls (5%) (p<0.0001). In the whole series, thrombotic events were more prevalent in patients with aII (45% vs 28%; p=0.02). Moreover, aII was found to be an independent risk factor for arterial thrombosis (OR=2.4; p=0. 04). Similarly, in patients with SLE, aII were associated with both arterial and venous thrombosis (35% vs 14%; p=0.01), although only IgG-aII (OR=3.7; p=0.01) had an independent value as risk factor for thrombosis. However, a relationship between aII and thrombosis was not found in primary APS. aII were associated with thrombocytopenia only in patients with primary APS (OR=6.7; p=0.007). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: aII seem to be a serological marker of thrombosis in autoimmune diseases, mainly in SLE patients and/or in the arterial territory.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗