The authors analysed the gonadal function and age of menarche of 23 female adolescents and young women with SLE, and correlated these with clinical, SLEDAI and therapeutic parameters. The presence of one or more clinical and laboratory parameters defined normal gonadal function: normal menstrual cycles with or without dysmenorrhea; elevated cervical mucus length; normal levels of plasma FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone; normal urinary hormonal cytology; serial pelvic ultrasound compatible with ovulatory pattern; and present or previous pregnancy. The mean age of menarche (13.5 +/- 1.4 years) was greater than that found among 2578 healthy Brazilian adolescents (12.5 +/- 1.3 years; P = 0.0002). The delay in menarche correlated with an increase in the duration of the disease (P = 0.0085) and the cumulative dose of prednisone (P = 0.0013) used until the appearance of the menarche. The mean phase length in SLE was 31.5 +/- 10.3. Sixteen female (70%) patients showed normal and seven (30%) abnormal gonadal function. Gonadal function was not correlated with parameters of SLE. These results suggest that the patients of this study reach adulthood with a high chance of fertility.

In health the most frequent researches are done in the form of observational studies. In this type of scientific research the researchers did not interfere with the phenomena under study, only observed in a systematic and standardized manner, collecting and recording information, data or materials that spontaneously occur at a particular time of the health-disease process, or along its natural evolution, and then proceed with its description and/or analysis. In observational studies normally four types of study design are used: case series studies, cross-section studies, case-control studies and cohort studies. Thus, cross-sectional studies are very useful in descriptive studies when used in studies that are proposed to be analytical, the results must be interpreted by researchers with good experience in that specific field of knowledge, using a lot of caution and common sense.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes in adolescents and associate them to computer and video game use. A cross-sectional study was performed on the entire adolescent population (n=833) of a private situated in the city of São Paulo. The research included a questionnaire and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. Statistical analysis was carried out with Fisher, chi-square, Mann Whitney tests and logistic regression. A total of 791 adolescent was evaluated. A computer was used by 99% and video games by 58%. Pain was reported by 312 (39.4%) students: 23% complained of back pain, 9% of upper limb pain, 4% of diffuse pain and 4% of pain in the trapezium muscle. A clinical examination was carried out in 359 students, and one or more musculoskeletal pain syndromes were present in 56 students (15.6%): benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendonitis in 2% and fibromyalgia in 1%. In the multivariate analysis, the logistical regression showed that the independent variables in the prediction of pain were sex [odds ratio (OR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.33-3.61] and age (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07-1.28) and that the prediction of musculoskeletal pain syndromes were sex (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.69-6.22) and number of days a week using the computer (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42). However, the variations in the dependent variables by the mathematical regression models were low. Despite the frequent use of computer and video games among adolescents, this was not associated with the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes.

ResumoObjetivos: Identificar fatores preditivos iniciais de envolvimento renal nas crianças e adolescentes com púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein.Métodos: Por um período de 21 anos, os prontuários de 142 pacientes com diagnóstico de púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein admitidos em nosso Hospital Universitário foram revistos. Os fatores preditivos iniciais avaliados nos primeiros 3 meses incluíram: dados demográficos, manifestações clínicas (púrpura palpável persistente, artrite, dor abdominal, dor abdominal intensa, sangramento gastrointestinal, orquite, envolvimento do sistema nervoso central e hemorragia pulmonar), exames laboratoriais (níveis séricos de IgA) e tratamento utilizado (corticosteróides, imunoglobulina endovenosa e medicação imunossupressora). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos (com presença ou ausência de nefrite) e avaliados de acordo com a análise univariada e multivariada.Resultados: Nefrite foi evidenciada em 70 pacientes (49,3%). A análise univariada revelou que dor abdominal intensa (p = 0,0049; OR = 1,6; IC95% 1,18-2,21), sangramento gastrointestinal (p = 0,004; OR = 1,6; IC95% 1,10-2,26) e uso dos corticosteróides (p = 0,0012; OR = 1,7; IC95% 1,28-2,40) foram associados com uma maior incidência de envolvimento renal. Na análise multivariada, a regressão logística mostrou que a única variável independente na predição da ocorrência de nefrite foi dor abdominal intensa (p < 0,012; OR = 2,593; IC95% 1,234-5,452). Conclusões Results: Evidence of nephritis was detected in 70 patients (49.3%).The univariate analysis revealed that severe abdominal pain (p = 0.0049; OR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.18-2.21), gastrointestinal bleeding (p = 0.004; OR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.10-2.26) and corticosteroid use (p = 0.0012; OR = 1.7; 95%CI 1.28-2.40) were all associated with increased incidence of renal involvement. In the multivariate analysis, logistic regression demonstrated that the only independent variable that predicted nephritis was intense abdominal pain (p < 0.012; OR = 2.593; 95%CI 1.234-5.452). Conclusions:Severe abdominal pain was a significant predictor of nephritis in Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Consequently, pediatric patients exhibiting this clinical manifestation should be rigorously monitored, due to the increased risk of renal involvement. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2007;83(3):259-266:Henoch-Schönlein purpura, nephritis, children, kidney disease, prognosis.

Principle: Mucopolysaccharidosis is an inborn error of metabolism causing glucosaminoglycans tissue storage. Cardiovascular involvement is variable but contributes significantly towards the morbidity and mortality of the patients. Objective: To characterise the echocardiographic abnormalities in children and adolescents with different types of mucopolysaccharidosis. Method: Echocardiograms and medical records of 28 patients aged 2-14 years, seen from 2003 to 2005, were revised. At that time, the enzymatic replacement therapy was still not available in our institution. Results: Echocardiographic alterations were detected in 26 patients (93%), whereas 16 (57%) had abnormal auscultation, and only 6 (21%) presented with cardiovascular complaint. Mitral valve thickening with dysfunction (regurgitation, stenosis, or double lesion) was diagnosed in 60.8%, left ventricular hypertrophy in 43% and aortic valve thickening with regurgitation in 35.8% of the patients. There was no systolic dysfunction and mild left diastolic dysfunction was shown in 21.5% of the patients. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 36% of the patients, causing the only two deaths recorded. There was a strong association between the accumulation of dermatan sulphate and the presence of mitral valve dysfunction (p 5 0.0003), aortic valve dysfunction (p 5 0.006), and pulmonary hypertension (p 5 0.006). Among individuals with two or more examinations, 82% had a worsening evolution. Conclusions: Echocardiographic alterations in children with Mucopolysaccharidosis are frequent and have a progressive character. Left valve lesions, ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary hypertension were the most common findings and there was an association between the accumulation of dermatan sulphate and cardiovascular involvement. Unlike in adults, pulmonary hypertension was the main cause of death, not left ventricle systolic dysfunction.