VEXAS Syndrome-Diagnostic Clues for the Dermatologist and Gaps in Our Current Understanding: A Narrative Review

Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome is a newly recognized, acquired autoinflammatory disorder with broad systemic implications and a poor global prognosis. Because cutaneous lesions are present in the majority of those affected, it is necessary that dermatologists are equipped to recognize this important disease. Through identification, there is a greater opportunity for disease stratification, surveillance for systemic involvement, and selection of the best available therapies. As our understanding of this disease develops, dermatologists should also play a role in addressing the knowledge gaps that exist.

Spectrum of clonal hematopoiesis in VEXAS syndrome

Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is caused by somatic mutations in UBA1 (UBA1mut) and characterized by heterogenous systemic autoinflammation and progressive hematologic manifestations, meeting criteria for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and plasma cell dyscrasias. The landscape of myeloid-related gene mutations leading to typical clonal hematopoiesis (CH) in these patients is unknown. Retrospectively, we screened 80 patients with VEXAS for CH in their peripheral blood (PB) and correlated the findings with clinical outcomes in 77 of them. UBA1mut were most common at hot spot p.M41 (median variant allele frequency [VAF] = 75%). Typical CH mutations cooccurred with UBA1mut in 60% of patients, mostly in DNMT3A and TET2, and were not associated with inflammatory or hematologic manifestations. In prospective single-cell proteogenomic sequencing (scDNA), UBA1mut was the dominant clone, present mostly in branched clonal trajectories. Based on integrated bulk and scDNA analyses, clonality in VEXAS followed 2 major patterns: with either typical CH preceding UBA1mut selection in a clone (pattern 1) or occurring as an UBA1mut subclone or in independent clones (pattern 2). VAF in the PB differed markedly between DNMT3A and TET2 clones (median VAF of 25% vs 1%). DNMT3A and TET2 clones associated with hierarchies representing patterns 1 and 2, respectively. Overall survival for all patients was 60% at 10 years. Transfusion-dependent anemia, moderate thrombocytopenia, and typical CH mutations, each correlated with poor outcome. In VEXAS, UBA1mut cells are the primary cause of systemic inflammation and marrow failure, being a new molecularly defined somatic entity associated with MDS. VEXAS-associated MDS is distinct from classical MDS in its presentation and clinical course.

Relapsing polychondritis: Best Practice & Clinical Rheumatology

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder that predominantly targets cartilaginous structures. The disease frequently affects the nose, ears, airways, and joints, but it can also impact organs that aren't primarily cartilage-based, such as blood vessels, skin, inner ear, and eyes. Given its infrequent occurrence and recurrent symptoms, patients often experience delays in proper diagnosis. Lately, based on the organs involved, the disease's diverse manifestations have been categorized into specific clinical groups, based on the most likely organ involvement including auricular, nasal, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal. More recently the discovery of a new disease, called (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) VEXAS syndrome, due to mutations in UBA1 gene, identified the cause of 8 % of the patients with a clinical diagnosis of RP. VEXAS is likely the cause of a previously described "hematologic subgroup" in RP. This discovery is proof of concept that RP is likely more than one disease (Beck et al., Dec 31 2020; Ferrada et al., 2021). People diagnosed with RP face numerous hurdles, with the quality of their lives and overall prognosis being affected. Diagnosing the condition is particularly challenging due to its fluctuating symptoms, the absence of specific markers, and the lack of universally recognized classification criteria. For a correct diagnosis, it's imperative for healthcare professionals to identify its unique clinical patterns. Moreover, there are no approved metrics to gauge the disease's severity, complicating patient management. This review seeks to equip clinicians with pertinent insights to better diagnose and attend to these complex patients.

POS1373 DEFINING EAR CHONDRITIS: DATA FROM 685 PATIENTS WITH RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS

Background:

Ear chondritis is often considered the pathognomonic feature of relapsing polychondritis (RP). Although painful redness and swelling of the pinna and a resultant cauliflower ear are universally recognized as chondritis, the complete spectrum of symptoms associated with ear chondritis have not been well described.

Objectives:

The study objective was to seek patient input to help characterize ear chondritis An online survey was administered in English or Spanish to participants with self-reported RP.

Methods:

Participants were asked questions about their ear pain, including quality, location, duration, aggravating/alleviating factors, timing of onset and duration. Participants were included who reported age ≥ 18 years, a diagnosis of RP confirmed by a physician, and sufficient symptoms to meet McAdams or Damiani’s diagnostic criteria. Participants were categorized as having “typical ear chondritis” if they reported ear pain localized to the pinna with associated redness and swelling. Atypical presentations of ear chondritis were also considered.

Results:

A total of 685 participants from five continents completed the survey. Among them, 659 met inclusion criteria for subsequent analysis. Most participants were female (n=574; 87%), white (n=548; 83%) and from the United States (n=484;74%). The median age was 50 years (interquartile range = 41-58). In total, 593 (90%) patients reported ear pain, 227 (38%) had “typical ear chondritis”, and 98 (16%) had cauliflower ear.

Ear pain was most commonly described as burning (n=334, 56%) or throbbing (n=295, 50%). The most common location of pain was the pinna (n=373, 63%). Participants reported ear redness (n=454, 60%) and swelling (n=405, 62%). Some patients experienced only ear redness without swelling (n=286, 48%) or only ear swelling without redness (n=71, 12%). The most common aggravating factors were minor trauma (n=371, 62%) and stress (n=358, 60%). The most common alleviating factor was avoidance of touching the ear (n=374, 63%). Pain was most frequently reported during the daytime (n=355, 60%) and most likely to occur in either ear at different times (n=310, 52%). Onset could be gradual (n=198, 33%) or sudden (n=155, 26%). Pain typically lasted a few hours (n=175, 30%) or 2-3 days (n=130, 22%). The majority of patients who had pinna pain also had pain in other parts of the ear (e.g. mastoid process, inner ear, whole ear) at some point (n=394, 67%). In patients with cauliflower ear, the most common location of pain was the pinna (n=57, 58%) followed by pain inside the ear (n=53, 54%). Most participants reported at least two different types of pain (n=420, 64%).

Conclusion:

Ear chondritis in patients with RP has a wide range of clinical presentations and characteristics beyond the typical triad of redness, swelling, and pain localized to the pinna. The description of pain often significantly varies within the same patient. Knowledge of the various distinct characteristics of ear involvement in RP may help physicians recognize and monitor the disease more effectively.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0090 CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS BASED ON SOMATIC MUTATIONS IN UBA1

Background:

Somatic mutations in ubiquitin activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) cause a newly defined syndrome known as VEXAS. [1] More than fifty percent of patients currently identified with VEXAS meet diagnostic criteria for relapsing polychondritis (RP).

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence VEXAS within a cohort of patients with RP, to compare their clinical, laboratory, and immunologic features and to develop a clinical algorithm to inform genetic screening for VEXAS among patients with RP.

Methods:

Exome and targeted sequencing of the UBA1 gene was performed in a prospective observational cohort of patients with RP. Clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with RP were compared based on presence or absence of UBA1 mutations. Random forest was used to derive a clinical algorithm to identify patients with UBA1 mutations. Immune populations were quantified by multipanel flow cytometry. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the chi square or Kruskal-Wallis test. P<0.05 defined statistical significance.

Results:

Seven of 92 patients with RP (7.6%) were confirmed to have UBA1 mutations (VEXAS-RP). Six additional patients with VEXAS-RP from other cohorts were included for subsequent analyses. Patients with VEXAS-RP were all male, older at disease onset, and commonly had fever, ear chondritis, skin involvement, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infiltrates. Patients with RP as compared with VEXAS-RP had a significantly higher prevalence of airway chondritis, costochondritis and tenosynovitis/arthralgias. (Table). Mortality was significantly greater in VEXAS-RP than RP (27% vs 2% p=0.01). Maximum ESR, CRP, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were significantly greater in VEXAS-RP. Absolute monocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were significantly lower in VEXAS-RP. A decision tree based on male sex, MCV>100 fl and Platelet count<200 K/ul classified between VEXAS-RP and RP with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity.

Table 1.

Clinical Characteristics of patients with RP vs VEXAS-RP

All Patientsn=98RPn=85VEXAS-RPn=13p valueDemographic CharacteristicsRace, White n (%)90 (92)77 (91)13 (100)0.59Sex, Male n (%)26 (27)13 (15)13 (100)<0.0001Age, Symptom onset, years, Median (IQR)38 (30-47)37 (28-43)56 (54-64)<0.0001Clinical SymptomsFever n (%)33 (34)20 (24)13 (100)<0.0001Ear chondritis n (%)61 (62)48 (56)13 (100)0.0015Nose chondritis n (%)83 (85)71 (84)12 (92)0.68Airway chondritis n (%)37 (38)37 (44)0 (0)0.0015Tenosynovitis/arthalgias n (%)83 (85)77 (91)6 (46)0.0005Skin involvement n (%)33 (34)22 (2611 (85)<0.0001Laboratory ValuesESR, mm/hr, median (IQR)12 (6-22)11 (5-19)66.5 (42-110)<0.0001CRP, mg/L, median (IQR)2.9 (0.8-9.6)1.9 (0.6-6.3)17.7 (9.6-99.5)<0.0001Platelet count (k/uL)246(201-299)258 (227-312)145 (100-169)<0.0001MCV fL93.05 (90-98)92.2 (89-95)105 (102-115)<0.0001Absolute lymphocyte count1.6 (1.1-2.3)1.78(1.4-2.4)0.92 (0.5-1.2)<0.0001CT scan abnormalitiesPulmonary infiltrates n (%)16 (16.33)6 (7.06)10 (77)<0.0001ComplicationsDeath n (%)6 (6)3 (4)3 (23)0.029Unprovoked DVT12 (12)4 (5)8 (62)<0.0001

N number; IQR = interquartile range

Conclusion:

Mutations in UBA1 are causal for disease in a subset of patients with RP. These patients are defined by disease onset in the fifth decade of life or later, male sex, ear/nose chondritis and hematologic abnormalities. Early identification is important in VEXAS given the associated high mortality rate.

References:

[1]Beck DB, Ferrada MA, Sikora KA, Ombrello AK, Collins JC, Pei W, Balanda N, Ross DL, Ospina Cardona D, Wu Z et al: Somatic Mutations in UBA1 and Severe Adult-Onset Autoinflammatory Disease. N Engl J Med 2020, 383(27):2628-2638.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Early versus deferred anti-SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma in patients admitted for COVID-19: A randomized phase II clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Convalescent plasma (CP), despite limited evidence on its efficacy, is being widely used as a compassionate therapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early CP therapy in COVID-19 progression.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The study was an open-label, single-center randomized clinical trial performed in an academic medical center in Santiago, Chile, from May 10, 2020, to July 18, 2020, with final follow-up until August 17, 2020. The trial included patients hospitalized within the first 7 days of COVID-19 symptom onset, presenting risk factors for illness progression and not on mechanical ventilation. The intervention consisted of immediate CP (early plasma group) versus no CP unless developing prespecified criteria of deterioration (deferred plasma group). Additional standard treatment was allowed in both arms. The primary outcome was a composite of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization for >14 days, or death. The key secondary outcomes included time to respiratory failure, days of mechanical ventilation, hospital length of stay, mortality at 30 days, and SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR clearance rate. Of 58 randomized patients (mean age, 65.8 years; 50% male), 57 (98.3%) completed the trial. A total of 13 (43.3%) participants from the deferred group received plasma based on clinical aggravation. We failed to find benefit in the primary outcome (32.1% versus 33.3%, odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.32-2.84, p > 0.999) in the early versus deferred CP group. The in-hospital mortality rate was 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17 p = 0.246), mechanical ventilation 17.9% versus 6.7% (OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.54-17.17, p = 0.246), and prolonged hospitalization 21.4% versus 30.0% (OR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.19-2.10, p = 0.554) in the early versus deferred CP group, respectively. The viral clearance rate on day 3 (26% versus 8%, p = 0.204) and day 7 (38% versus 19%, p = 0.374) did not differ between groups. Two patients experienced serious adverse events within 6 hours after plasma transfusion. The main limitation of this study is the lack of statistical power to detect a smaller but clinically relevant therapeutic effect of CP, as well as not having confirmed neutralizing antibodies in donor before plasma infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we failed to find evidence of benefit in mortality, length of hospitalization, or mechanical ventilation requirement by immediate addition of CP therapy in the early stages of COVID-19 compared to its use only in case of patient deterioration.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04375098.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Living With Vasculitis

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the concerns and health‐related behaviors in patients with vasculitis during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in North America.

Methods

Patients with vasculitis in North America were invited to complete an online survey through the Vasculitis Patient‐Powered Research Network in collaboration with the Vasculitis Foundation and the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation. Questions focused on concerns and behaviors related to doctors’ visits, tests, medication, and telehealth use. Factors affecting their concern and health‐related behaviors were determined.

Results

Data from 662 patients were included: 90% of patients were White, 78% were women, 83% expressed moderate or high levels of concern about COVID‐19, and 87% reported that their vasculitis moderately or extremely affected their level of concern. Older age, female sex, lung disease, and immunosuppression were associated with greater concern. Doctors’ visits, laboratory tests, and other tests were avoided by 66%, 46%, and 40% of patients, respectively. Younger age, urban location, higher income, higher concern levels, and prednisone use (>10 mg/day) were associated with greater likelihood of avoiding visits or tests. Ten percent of patients on immunosuppressive therapy stopped their medication. Twenty‐nine percent patients on rituximab avoided an infusion. Forty‐four percent of patients had telehealth visits; more visits were reported for younger patients, for patients on glucocorticoids, and in Canada versus the United States.

Conclusion

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, patients with vasculitis have high levels of concern and exhibit potentially harmful health‐related behaviors. Health care use varies across different demographic groups and geographic regions. Specific strategies are warranted to facilitate engagement of these patients with the health care system during the pandemic.

Defining Clinical Subgroups in Relapsing Polychondritis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a systemic disease. Failure to recognize RP can lead to diagnostic delay and further complications, including death. This study was undertaken to identify clinical patterns in a prospective cohort of patients with RP.

METHODS

Patient subgroups were identified using latent class analysis based on 8 clinical variables: saddle-nose deformity, subglottic stenosis, tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia, ear chondritis, tenosynovitis/synovitis, inflammatory eye disease, and audiovestibular disease. Model selection was based on Akaike's information criterion.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients were included in this study. Patients were classified into 1 of 3 subgroups: type 1 RP (14%), type 2 RP (29%), and type 3 RP (58%). Type 1 RP was characterized by ear chondritis (100%), tracheomalacia (100%), saddle-nose deformity (90%), and subglottic stenosis (80%). These patients had the shortest median time to diagnosis (1 year), highest disease activity, and greatest frequency of admission to the intensive care unit and tracheostomy. Type 2 RP was characterized by tracheomalacia (100%) and bronchomalacia (52%), but no saddle-nose deformity or subglottic stenosis. These patients had the longest median time to diagnosis (10 years) and highest percentage of work disability. Type 3 RP was characterized by tenosynovitis/synovitis (60%) and ear chondritis (55%). There were no significant differences in sex, race, or treatment strategies between the 3 subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that there are 3 subgroups of patients with RP, with differences in time to diagnosis, clinical and radiologic characteristics, and disease-related complications. Recognizing a broader spectrum of clinical patterns in RP, beyond cartilaginous involvement of the ear and upper airway, may facilitate more timely diagnosis.

[Perioperative lumbar plexus block and cardiac ischemia in patients with hip fracture: randomized clinical trial]

BACKGROUND

Perioperative myocardial ischemia is common among patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative continuous lumbar plexus block in reducing the risk of cardiac ischemic events of elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures, expressed as a reduction of ischemic events per subject.

METHODS

Patients older than 60 years, ASA II-III, with risk factors for or known coronary artery disease were enrolled in this randomized controlled study. Patients were randomized to conventional analgesia using opioid intravenous patient-controlled analgesia or continuous lumbar plexus block analgesia, both started preoperatively and maintained until postoperative day three. Continuous electrocardiogram monitoring with ST segment analysis was recorded. Serial cardiac enzymes and pain scores were registered during the entire period. We measured the incidence of ischemic events per subject registered by a continuous ST-segment Holter monitoring.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (intravenous patient-controlled analgesia 14, lumbar plexus 17) were enrolled. There were no major cardiac events during the observation period. The number of ischemic events recorded by subject during the observation period was 6 in the lumbar plexus group and 3 in the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia group. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.618). There were no statistically significant differences in the number of cases with increased perioperative troponin values (3 cases in the lumbar plexus group and 1 case in the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia group) or in terms of pain scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Using continuous perineural analgesia, compared with conventional systemic analgesia, does not modify the incidence of perioperative cardiac ischemic events of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Ceftaroline in Combination With Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole for Salvage Therapy of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia and Endocarditis

No clinical trials have investigated the use of ceftaroline fosamil for salvage therapy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and endocarditis. We report data on 29 patients who received ceftaroline ± another antimicrobial for this indication. Ninety percent of patients had microbiologic cure and 31% had treatment success with a median follow-up of 6 months.

[Changes long term prognosis of 17 patients with pulmonary artery hypertension]

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease with high mortality. Major advances had been made in the treatment of this condition during the last decade.

AIM

To characterize the clinical evolution and mortality of a cohort of Chilean patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventeen patients with PAH diagnosed in the last 10 years in two Chilean hospitals were enrolled. Measurements at diagnosis included hemodynamic variables and 6-minute walk test. The patients were followed clinically for 3 years and the observed mortality was compared with that predicted by the prognostic equation proposed by the historic registry of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 45 years and 80% had an idiopathic PAH. The mean median pulmonary artery pressure was 57 ± 15 mmHg, the cardiac index was 2.4 ± 0.7 l/min/m² and the right atrial pressure was 12 ± 8 mmHg. The 6-minute walk distance was 348 ± 98 m. All patients received anticoagulants. Eighty two percent received ambrisentan, 12% received bosentan, 29% received iloprost and 24% sildenafil. At the end of follow-up only 3 patients had died, with an observed survival rate of 88, 82 and 82% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. In contrast, the survival calculated according to the predictive formula of the NIH was 67, 56 and 45%, respectively. Among surviving patients, an improvement in exercise capacity was observed after one year (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The observed survival rate was significantly better than that estimated according to historical data. Furthermore, therapy was associated with an improvement in functional capacity after one year. This prognostic improvement is consistent with data of other contemporary registries published after the NIH Registry.

Pulmonary imaging of pandemic influenza H1N1 infection: relationship between clinical presentation and disease burden on chest radiography and CT

The potential for pulmonary involvement among patients presenting with novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) is high. To investigate the utility of chest imaging in this setting, we correlated clinical presentation with chest radiographic and CT findings in patients with proven H1N1 cases. Subjects included all patients presenting with laboratory-confirmed H1N1 between 1 May and 10 September 2009 to one of three urban hospitals. Clinical information was gathered retrospectively, including symptoms, possible risk factors, treatment and hospital survival. Imaging studies were re-read for study purposes, and CXR findings compared with CT scans when available. During the study period, 157 patients presented with subsequently proven H1N1 infection. Hospital admission was necessary for 94 (60%) patients, 16 (10%) were admitted to intensive care and 6 (4%) died. An initial CXR, carried out for 123 (78%) patients, was abnormal in only 40 (33%) cases. Factors associated with increased likelihood for radiographic lung abnormalities were dyspnoea (p<0.001), hypoxaemia (p<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.023). Chest CT was performed in 21 patients, and 19 (90%) showed consolidation, ground-glass opacity, nodules or a combination of these findings. 4 of 21 patients had negative CXR and positive CT. Compared with CT, plain CXR was less sensitive in detecting H1N1 pulmonary disease among immunocompromised hosts than in other patients (p = 0.0072). A normal CXR is common among patients presenting to the hospital for H1N1-related symptoms without evidence of respiratory difficulties. The CXR may significantly underestimate lung involvement in the setting of immunosuppression.

A Wireless Pressure Sensor for Monitoring Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Advanced Heart Failure: Initial Experience

Hemodynamic goals have been used in the past to guide therapy in patients with heart failure (HF). For HF patients whose signs and symptoms of congestion do not resolve with initial therapy it appears reasonable to consider hemodynamic monitoring at experienced sites. It has been suggested that implantable hemodynamic sensors may enable frequent monitoring of hemodynamic changes in HF patients and be used in tailoring vasodilator. We present the first human case of radio-frequency based, wireless pressure sensor for the monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with advanced HF. This sensor is delivered into the pulmonary artery via percutaneous venous access.

[Brain natriuretic peptide in primary pulmonary hypertension]

BACKGROUND

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a progressive disease leading to right heart failure and death. Right heart catherization and maximal or submaximal tests are employed to assess the course of the disease. A neurohormonal parameter such as pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) would be helpful in the assessment of these patients.

AIM

To study the correlation of BNP with functional status and non-invasive hemodynamic determinations in patients with PPH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve patients (mean age: 48 years; 58% female) were evaluated with 6 minutes walk distance test (6-min WT), plasma BNP, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and cardiac output (CO) determined by echocardiogram. Plasma BNP levels were compared with normal subjects.

RESULTS

BNP levels were increased in PPH patients (1270+/-547 vs 48+/-8 pg/ml, p-value <0.01). Mean PAPs was 82+/-27 mmHg and the mean distance walked in 6 minutes was 407+/-113 meters. BNP levels were positively correlated with PVR (r=0.58, p-value=0.006) and negatively correlated with 6-min WT (r=-0.83, p-value <0.001). No correlation was found between BNP levels, PAPs and CO.

CONCLUSIONS

In PPH patients, BNP levels are increased and correlate with functional class and PVR. Follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the role of BNP as a marker of progression and therapeutic response in PPH patients.

[Cardiac failure in Chilean hospitals: results of the National Registry of Heart Failure, ICARO]

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem. In Chile hospitalized patients due to HF have not been characterized.

AIM

To evaluate clinical profile and outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure in Chilean hospitals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective registry of 14 centers. Patients hospitalized for HF in functional class III and IV were included. Epidemiological and clinical data, functional class, type of presentation, decompensation cause, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, treatment and evolution were registered.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy two patients aged 69 +/- 13 years old, 59% men, were assessed. The main etiologies of HF were ischemic in 31.6%, hypertensive in 35.2%, valvular in 14.9% and idiopathic in 7.4%. There was a history of hypertension 69%, diabetes in 35%, myocardial infarction in 22%, atrial fibrillation (AF) in 28%. The presentation form of HF was chronic decompensated in 86%, acute in 12%, refractory in 2%. The causes of decompensation were non compliance with diet or medical prescriptions in 28%, infections in 22% and AF 17%. ECG showed AF in 36% and left bundle branch block in 16%. Echocardiography was performed in 52% of the patients, 69% had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. On admission, 39% received angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 15% beta-blocker, 25% digoxin, 16% spironolactone and 53% furosemide. The mean hospital stay was 111 +/- 10 days and mortality was 4.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The elderly is the age group most commonly admitted to hospital due to HF. The main etiologies were ischemic and hypertensive. The main causes for decompensations were noncompliance with diet or medical prescriptions and infections. A significant proportion had a relatively well preserved ventricular systolic function.

[Effect of the prolonged use of intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive on iron nutrition]

The aim of this work was to study the effect of prolonged use of intrauterine devices (IUD) and oral contraceptives (OCO) normally prescribed at outpatient clinics of the Health Service on iron nutrition. Two hundred twenty three healthy women, aged 20 to 39 years were studied. Of these, 100 were using IUD and 97 OCO for three to five years and 26 were not using any pharmacological or mechanical contraceptive method (control group). Serum ferritin was significantly higher in the OCO group compared to IUD and control groups (58.9 +/- 2.2; 26.2 +/- 2.1 and 21.1 +/- 2.4 ng/ml respectively). There was a positive correlation between serum ferritin and hemoglobin in IUD and control groups and between ferritin and transferrin saturation in the OCO and control groups. The frequency of storage iron depletion (defined as a serum ferritin < 12 ng/ml) was 6.3, 0 and 25% in the IUD, OCO and control groups respectively. The numbers for iron-deficient erythropoiesis (defined as a transferrin saturation < 15%) were 7, 3 and 4% and for iron deficiency anemia, 6.5, 0 and 8%. It is concluded that the chronic use of IUDs leads to iron depletion and that measures to improve iron nutrition among women using them should be adopted.

[Hemoglobin, serum iron and transferrin saturation among users of intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive agents]

We studied 60 females using either intrauterine device or taking oral contraceptive pills. Hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and saturation of transferrin were determined before and 4 and 10 months after starting a responsible paternity program. Women with a basal hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl were excluded. Age, parity and hematologic parameters were similar for both groups. A significant decrease in hemoglobin level and saturation of transferrin was observed at 10 months in intrauterine device users (13.6 to 13.1 g/dl and 36.2 to 26.9%, respectively). Use of oral contraceptive pills was not associated to hemoglobin decrease but a significant rise in saturation of transferrin was observed (36.2 to 43.9%, p less than 0.05).