Sarcopenia is a chronic condition that is associated with aging and characterized by a reduction of muscle mass, strength, and function. Sarcopenia is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as cardiovascular complications. To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with CKD not yet on dialysis and its correlation with clinical and laboratory variables and inflammatory markers. A total of 100 patients of both sexes aged over 18 were evaluated. Sarcopenia was defined using the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project. Sociodemographic and clinical data, activities of daily living, functional capacity, and physical activity were also evaluated. Inflammation was assessed by the serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin (IL) 4 and 6. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 11.9% and 28.7% using the EWGSOP and FNIH criteria, respectively. Sarcopenia was more prevalent in the more advanced stages of CKD (34.5% in stages 2 and 3A; and 65.5% in stages 3B, 4, and 5) and associated with worse performance in activities of daily living (p = 0.049), lower walking speeds (p < 0.001), and higher body mass indexes (BMIs) (p = 0.001) in the non-adjusted model. In addition, patients with sarcopenia had lower functional capacity (p = 0.012) and higher prevalence of physical inactivity (p = 0.041) compared with patients without sarcopenia. After adjustment for confounding variables, sarcopenia was still significantly correlated with walking speed (p = 0.004) and BMI (p = 0.002). HsCRP levels were inversely correlated with appendicular lean mass adjusted for BMI (p = 0.007) and were also positively associated with BMI (p = 0.001). IL4 levels were positively correlated with walking speed (p = 0.007) and lean mass in the lower limbs (p = 0.022). Sarcopenia is common in patients with CKD, particularly in the most advanced stages of the disease. We observed an association between the levels of inflammatory markers and peripheral lean body mass, physical performance, and BMI. This association between sarcopenia and modifiable factors highlights the importance of early diagnosis and the implementation of therapeutic measures to minimize adverse outcomes in patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.

We evaluated the validity and reliability of ultrasonography measurement of rectus femoris cross-sectional area compared to computed tomography in patients in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease and analyzed the association between these measurements ...

Objective: To provide guidelines on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) to rheumatologists considering specific scenarios of the daily practice based on the shared-making decision (SMD) process. Methods: A task force was constituted by 24 rheumatologists (panel members), with clinical and research expertise in immunizations and infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (BSR), to develop guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination in patients with IMRD. A consensus was built through the Delphi method and involved four rounds of anonymous voting, where five options were used to determine the level of agreement (LOA), based on the Likert Scale: (1) strongly disagree; (2) disagree, (3) neither agree nor disagree (neutral); (4) agree; and (5) strongly agree. Nineteen questions were addressed and discussed via teleconference to formulate the answers. In order to identify the relevant data on COVID-19 vaccines, a search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed on September 10th, 2021, of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and LILACS to identify studies of interest. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Results: All the nineteen questions-answers (Q&A) were approved by the BSR Task Force with more than 80% of panelists voting options 4—agree—and 5—strongly agree—, and a consensus was reached. These Guidelines were focused in SMD on the most appropriate timing for IMRD patients to get vaccinated to reach the adequate covid-19 vaccination response. Conclusion: These guidelines were developed by a BSR Task Force with a high LOA among panelists, based on the literature review of published studies and expert opinion for COVID-19 vaccination in IMRD patients. Noteworthy, in the pandemic period, up to the time of the review and the consensus process for this document, high-quality evidence was scarce. Thus, it is not a substitute for clinical judgment.

Introduction: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a poorly defined physiological condition that is associated with increased morbimortality in the general population. The prevalence of SO has increased, making it an important public health issue; however, its effects when associated with other chronic conditions are still unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehend the potential outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Objective: To assess the associations of predialysis CKD patients with SO and its components with death and disease progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: Prospective six-year cohort with 100 patients with predialysis CKD (stages one through five). Participants were older than 18 years and signed an informed consent form. The data were collected in an outpatient clinic specializing in predialysis care, and demographic, clinical, laboratory and inflammatory variable data were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed, and the SO and non-SO groups were compared with Student’s t test, Mann‒Whitney U test and Cox regression, taking into consideration all relevant confounding variables. Body composition variables utilized to diagnose SO were separately analyzed along with the outcomes. Results: Sixteen percent of our sample were diagnosed with SO, but this was not associated with death or RRT, while lower BMI values were negatively associated with these outcomes. However, in an isolated analysis, handgrip strength was correlated with both RRT (p = 0.029) and death (p = 0.003). We recommend that health professionals pay greater attention to muscle strength, striving for earlier assessment, in an effort to better counsel patients and implement actions to increase or preserve strength through nonpharmacological treatment, such as resistance training.

Background/Objectives: The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) depends on the underlying disease, immunosuppression degree and the vaccine regimens. We evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of different COVID-19 vaccine schedules. Methods: The SAFER study: “Safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Rheumatic Disease”, is a Brazilian multicentric prospective observational phase IV study in the real-life. Data were analyzed after 2 or 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccines: adenoviral vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Astrazeneca), mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2, Pfizer–BioNTech) or inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac, Sinovac Biotech). IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike (IgG-S) receptor-binding domain level were quantified at baseline (T1) and 28 days after the first (T2), 2nd (T3) and 3rd (T4) doses by chemiluminescence (SARS-CoV-2-IgG-II Quant-assay, Abbott-Laboratories). Results: 721 patients with IMID were included in the analysis. The median titers of IgG-S (BAU/mL) increased progressively over the times: at baseline was 6.26 (5.41–7.24), T2: 73.01 (61.53–86.62), T3: 200.0 (174.36–229.41) and T4: 904.92 (800.49–1022.97). The multivariate linear regression showed that greater IgG-S titers were associated with pre-exposure to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and BNT162b2 booster vaccine (p < 0.001). Rituximab and immunosuppressant drugs were independent factors for low titers (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). No serious adverse event was reported. Conclusions: All platforms were safe and induced an increase in IgG-S antibodies. COVID-19 pre-exposure and BNT162b2 booster regimens were predictors of higher humoral immune responses, which is relevant in immunosuppressed populations. Immunosuppressants (mainly rituximab) predicted the lowest antibodies.

Background: The risk of tuberculosis infection (TBI) and its progression to tuberculosis disease (TBD) among persons with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) results from a complex interplay of patient and disease characteristics, immunosuppression level, and the epidemiological context. Brazilian recommendations are unclear about TBI screening and its preventive treatment (TPT) in persons with IMID. Objective: To provide a comprehensive and evidence-based guideline for managing TBI in persons with IMID in Brazil. Methods: This task force was constituded by 42 specialists with interest in IMID and TBD. A core leadership team (CLT) drafted fourteen clinical questions on the risk of tuberculosis and indications of TPT among persons with IMID who started, or are about to start immunosuppressive drugs. The CLT supervised the systematic reviews and formulated the recommendations. The experts voted using the Delphi Method. Results: Nine recommendations were established. More than 80% of panelists voted “agree” and “strongly agree” with all statements. In brief, all persons with IMID starting or about to start immunosuppressive treatment should undergo tuberculin skin testing (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), a chest imaging test and investigation of contact with active pulmonary or laryngeal TBD. TPT is mandatory for those with any positive result after excluding TBD. Exceptions include individuals with a history of TBD or a past positive TBI infection test. IGRA is preferred only in persons BCG-vaccinated in the past 2 years. Those with inconclusive IGRA results can have the test repeated once, and TPT should be offered if it remains indeterminate. TST or IGRA should be repeated yearly, for three years, when the previous test was negative, when starting or changing to a different class of immunosuppressive drug. Overall, the included studies had a low quality of evidence and high risk of bias. Conclusions: These guidelines are meant to improve the management of TBI in IMID. Health professionals must consider the epidemiological risk, host features, the social scenario, the characteristics of the disease, the access to health resources, and the development of an individualized plan for every patient.