Background:Sexual dysfunction is the alteration in one or several phases of sexual activity (desire, excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution), which can culminate in frustration, pain and a decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse. There are few studies that associate sexual dysfunction with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) due to the difficulty in assessing it and its multifactorial cause.Objectives:Determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction and analyze associated factors in patients with SLE.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. We included patients who attended the Rheumatology unit between May and July 2019; over 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of SLE according to the ACR 1997 and / or SLICC 2012 criteria, and healthy patients matched by age as control. Demographic and disease-related variables were studied. The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) scale that evaluates depression, anxiety and stress, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) that assesses 6 domains (desire, excitement, lubrication, orgasms, satisfaction and pain) were applied with a cut-off point ≤ 26.5 to define sexual dysfunction. Women over 50 years old, with secondary Sjogren’s syndrome, menopause, severe depression and illiterate patients were excluded.Results:One hundred and twenty three women were included (60 with SLE and 63 controls), with a mean age of 34.3 ± 8.3 and 31.7 ± 4.4 years respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the SLE group was 71.7%; 95% CI = [58.5 – 82.5], and 23.8%, 95% CI = [13.9 – 36.2] in healthy patients. There were significant differences in all domains of sexual function between women with SLE and healthy group. In the desire, excitement and pain domains the differences were notable. The total FSFI score in patients with SLE was 18.2 ± 11.2 and in healthy women 28.3 ± 6.9 (p=0.001). Stress, anxiety and depression were observed in 58.4%, 58.3% and 50% of women with SLE and 19%, 20.6% and 28.5% of healthy women respectively (p=0.001). No association was found between sexual dysfunction and age, age at diagnosis, disease activity or treatment (pNS). No association was found in patients with SLE when analyzing the effect of sexual dysfunction in stress, depression and anxiety variables, in opposition to the healthy group (p<0.05).Conclusion:The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with SLE was high (71.7%). Depression, Anxiety, and Stress were not decisive variables in Sexual Dysfunction.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:In 2019 ACR and EULAR published in joint collaboration the new classification criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Compared to the previous ones, these criteria have shown higher sensitivity and specificity in multiple cohorts. To our knowledge, its performance has not been evaluated in a cohort of patients with rheumatological diseases living in Argentina.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ACR/ EULAR 2019 criteria in a cohort of patients with connective tissue diseases residing in Argentina. Secondary objectives were to determine the Likelihood Ratio (LR) of these criteria and the correlation of their global score with activity and damage indexes of the disease.Methods:Multicentre, retrospective and analytical study. Patients ≥ 18 years old with diagnosis of SLE (ACR 1997/SLICC 2012) without other associated collagen diseases (case group), and patients with other non-SLE connective tissue diseases (control group) were included. Those with active infectious disease, oncohematological disease, drug-induced lupus and overlap syndrome were excluded. Sociodemographic data, characteristics of the disease and treatment were recorded. In addition, activity and damage indexes were recorded in the group with SLE.Three SLE experts, blinded to the diagnosis determined, for every individual if the patient had SLE or another rheumatological disease. An interrater agreement of 100% (including the 3 evaluators) was considered “defined SLE” and used as gold standard. In all cases, ACR 1997/SLICC 2012/ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria were applied and compared with the gold standard. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics was estimated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative LR of the criteria were determined. The association between the final score of the ACR-EULAR 2019 criteria and the disease activity and damage indexes were estimated with Spearman correlation test. STATA 15.0 was used for data analysis.Results:A total of 365 patients from 7 centres in Argentina were included. A One hundred and eighty-three belonged to the SLE group: 92.3% women, mean age 39 years (SD 13.3), median disease duration 92 months (IQR 37-150). The most frequent manifestations of the disease were mucocutaneous (94%), musculoskeletal (82.5%) and haematological (69%). All patients presented ANA +, 88% hypocomplementemia, 69.4% Anti-DNA and 19.5% antiphospholipid antibodies. Median SLEDAI and SLICC were 2 (IQR 0-6) and 0 (IQR 0-1), respectively.In the control group, 182 patients were recruited: 84% women, mean age 53.6 years (SD 14.2) and median disease duration 82.5 months (IQR 38-151). The most frequent diseases were Rheumatoid Arthritis (46.1%), Scleroderma (18.1%) and Sjögren’s Syndrome (16.5%) and most common manifestations were musculoskeletal (81.9%), immunological (73.6%) and constitutional (25.3%). A total of 62.6% of patients presented ANA+, 8.6% hypocomplementemia, and 1.3% Antiphospholipid antibodies.Ninety-one percent of patients in the case group were classified as defined SLE and 3.8% in the control group.The ACR / EULAR 2019 Criteria showed a 99.4% sensitivity and an 89.1% specificity, with a LR+ of 9.1 and a LR- of 0.007. The sensitivity and specificity of SLICC 2012 criteria were 98.3% and 88%, respectively with a LR+ of 8.2 and a LR- of 0.02; and the ACR 1997 criteria showed a 93.96% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity, with LR + of 8.21 and LR - of 0.07.The correlations between the ACR/EULAR 2019 Criteria global score, and activity and damage indexes were 0.19 and -0.006, respectively.Conclusion:The new ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria have shown high sensitivity, a specificity comparable to its predecessors, and a higher ability to distinguish SLE from other diseases and to exclude it in non-SLE patients. No correlation was observed between the criteria scores and activity and damage indexes.References:[1]Aringer M, Costenbader K, Daikh D, et al 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE. Ann Rheum 2019; 78: 1151-1159.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:Several studies showed two main clinical phenotypes of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): thrombotic (TAPS) and obstetric APS (OAPS). Although they have the same autoantibody profile, one of them developed thrombosis and other one obstetric morbidity.Objectives:To study clinical, demographic and antibody profile in patients with TAPS and OAPS.Methods:we retrospectively evaluated TAPS and OAPS patients who were included in Argentine Antiphospholipid antibodies registry. We studied clinical, demographic and antibody profile in both groups.Results:238 patients were included in the registry. 201 (84.81%) of them were female. 122 (60.69 %) of them fullfilled APS Sydney classification criteria, 47 (38.52%) TAPS and 52 (42.62%) OAPS. 23 (18.85%) patients had both thrombotic and obstetric events so they were excluded in this analysis.Arterial Hypertension (HBP) and Hyperlipidemia were more frequent in TAPS versus OAPS. Older age was found in TAPS as well as in association with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There was no difference in antibody profile between the 2 groups, and the Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (aGAPSS) was higher in TAPS than OAPS.18 (38.3%) of TAPS patients had at least 1 pregnancy. Mean number of pregnancies of TAPS was 2.5 (1.10) and 3.84 (1.86) in OAPS. Thrombotic events were not found in TAPS during pregnancy and puerperium. HBP and gestational diabetes (GD) and other pregnancy related comorbidities were found in TAPS.OAPS (n=52)TAPS (n=47)POAPS(n=52)TAPS(n=18)SLE, n (%)11 (21.2)28 (59.6)0.0002N% (DE)N % (DE)aGAPSS, mean (RIQ)4 (5)8 (5)<0.0001Abortions (<10 weeks)3338.4 (36.2)826.5 (35.3)Age, mean (DE)39.3 (6.24)43.1 (13.5)<0.0001Live Birth3633.5 (28.1)1672.2 (34.7)HBP, n (%)5 (9.6)15 (31.9)0.0121 >37 weeks2116.4 (2.38)1661.1 (31.7)Hyperlipidemia, n (%)4 (7.7)12(25.5)0.0267Prematurity <37 >34 weeks118.76 (1.97)0-GD, n (%)3(5.8)2(4.3)0.9999Prematurity <34 weeks96.37 (1.49)11.39 (5.89)Obesity, n (%)8 (15.4)4 (8.5)0.2912Pre eclampsia >34-<37 weeks10.490 (0.0350)24.63 (0.138)Smoking, n (%)11 (21.1)13 (27.6)0.4019Placental Hematoma31.86 (8.18)12.78 (11.8)Sedentary lifestyle, n (%)16 (30.8)17 (36.2)0.8486Abruptio Placentae21.96 (9.80)24.17 (12.9)Triple Positivity59.648.50.8323 Normal delivery2017.8 (27.9)1447.7 (33.9)Double Positivity11.936.4Cesarean section2217.2 (21.6)211.1 (32.3)Simple Positivity2938.51940.4Urgent Cesarean section139.80 (20.3)412.5 (24.6)GD21.37 (7.49)12.78 (11.8)HBP63.46 (10.3)310.2 (26.3)Conclusion:Antibody profile was similar in TAPS and OAPS. However, clinical manifestations and cardiovascular risk were different. These results should be evaluated in prospective studies.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:One third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have some comorbidity at the time of diagnosis and 80% during the evolution. The presence of each additional comorbidity reduces the chances of remission by 28%.Objectives:To determine the prevalence of comorbidities in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to evaluate associated variables.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. It were included patients over 18 years of age, who attended the Rheumatology office between May and August 2018 with a diagnosis of RA according to the ACR 1987 and ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria. Demographic variables were studied along with disease-related variables (time of evolution, disease activity by DAS-28 and CDAI, treatment and functional capacity (HAQ-A)). The presence of comorbidities was evaluated using two indexes: Rheumatoid Arthritis Comorbidity Index (RACI) and Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI). RACI consists of 31 comorbidities grouped into 11 categories: DAS 28 >3.6, local inflammation, smoking, tumors, systemic involvement, infection, vascular disease, bone health, mood, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders (score range 0-36). RDCI consists of 11 comorbidities (categories according to ICD-10) and a formula to calculate it (range 0-9). For both indexes; higher score, greater comorbidity.Results:In this cross-sectional study, 345 patients were evaluated, of which 176 were included, 85.8% of the patients were female and the mean age was 52.7 ± 10.9 years; 31.2% of the cases finished primary school, the median of disease duration was 9 years (1-40), the mean DAS28 3.8 ± 1.4, and the mean CDAI 12.4 ± 11.3. 52.3% of the patients received treatment with glucocorticoids, 60.8% with NSAID, 60.2% with methotrexate, 39.2% with leflunomide, 17.6% with biologic DMARds and 5.6% with tofacitinib. 90.3% of the patients (95% CI 84.8, 94.3) presented some comorbidity measured by RACI. The average score was 4.7 ± 3.4 and the most frequent comorbidity were: elevated DAS28 (40.9%), dyslipidemia (38.1%), AHT (36.4%), prednisone >5 mg/d in 31.8%, endocrinopathies 19.3%. 73.3% of the patients had more than one comorbidity. Regarding RDCI, 47.2% of the cases presented some comorbidity with an average score of 0.95 ± 1.3; the most frequent were: AHT 36.4%, lung disease 12.5% and diabetes 8%. The oldest patients had more than one comorbidity (RACI), and also presented a higher HAQ score than those with only one (p<0.0001). Higher RACI score was associated with higher CDAI (p<0.001) and the use of glucocorticoids (p=0.008).Conclusion:The prevalence of comorbidities in RA by RACI was elevated (90.3%) and 73.3% of the patients presented more than one comorbidity. The patients with the highest RACI score had higher disease activity and used glucocorticoids more frequently.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by a wide variety of clinical manifestations and autoantibody production. The complement is useful in the initial diagnosis, as an activity marker and for the follow-up of patients with SLE. Individual components may fluctuate only slightly with disease activity and C4 may even remain low during remission. Hypocomplementemia is associated with renal involvement, cutaneous vasculitis, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, however, patients with persistent hypocomplementemia are not characterized yet.Objectives:1) Determine the prevalence of persistent hypocomplementemia in patients with SLE.2) Identify clinical characteristics, disease activity and accumulated damage in these patients.Methods:A longitudinal study was conducted with a review of the medical records of patients diagnosed with SLE (ACR criteria 82/97) who attended the Rheumatology Service between January 2000 and December 2015. Patients with a minimum evolution time of 6 months from the diagnosis of SLE with quarterly controls and monitoring for 2 years. Persistent Hypocomplementemia (PHC) was defined at C3 and / or C4 values below the normal range of the reference laboratory in a sustained form for at least 24 months. Demographic variables, clinical manifestations, disease activity by SLEDAI 2k, flare by SELENA SLEDAI and accumulated damage by SLICC / SDI were analyzed.Results:Clinical records of 254 patients with SLE were reviewed and 144 were included; 96% were women, with a mean age at diagnosis of SLE of 30.5 ± 11.2 years and a time of evolution of the disease at the last control 11.85 ± 7.8 years. Forty-one patients had PHC (28.5%; 95% CI 21.1, 35.8). The median of evolution time disease at the moment of PHC was 1 year (0-24) and the mean time of persistence of hypocomplementemia was 56 ± 46 months. In the univariate analysis, PHC was associated with hematological involvement during the course of the disease (p=0.01). Patients with PHC had a higher frequency of severe flare during follow-up (p=0.02). PHC was not associated with age of onset of SLE, disease activity (maximum SLEDAI reached), accumulated damage or death. Applying Logistic Regression Model with dependent variables with a level of significance <0.25, PHC was associated independently with hematological compromise (OR 3.2).Conclusion:In this cohort of patients, the prevalence of PHC was 28.5%. PHC was associated with severe flare and hematological compromise.Disclosure of Interests:None declared