Magnesium – association with inflammation and renal disease in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that magnesium deficiency may play a role in inflammation. In diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases, conditions with a component of chronic inflammation, C–reactive protein levels are higher and associated with low serum magnesium. The objective of this study is to evaluate serum magnesium levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its potential association with inflammation and renal manifestations. Methods: All patients with systemic lupus erythematosus followed in a Systemic Immune Diseases Unit, from January 2012 until January 2014, were included in this cross sectional analysis. Patients with infection, neoplasia, liver failure and chronic kidney disease (stage > 3) were excluded. Clinical information and laboratory results (serum magnesium, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum creatinine and spot urine test) were collected. A multivariate analysis was performed to explore possible predictive factors for hypomagnesaemia. Results: One hundred and two patients were included (94.1% female, 21-86 years). 33.4% had hypertension, 8.8% had diabetes and 20.6% had hypomagnesaemia (< 1.8mg/dL). There were no significant differences between the inflammatory parameters of patients with hypomagnesaemia or normomagnesaemia. Serum magnesium was significantly lower with increasing comorbidities (p = 0.01). Leukocyturia was significantly higher in the hypomagnesaemia group (p = 0.03) and haematuria had a negative correlation with serum magnesium (-0.23, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with hypertension and diabetes had higher risk of hypomagnesaemia: OR 42.29 (95% CI, 1.43-1249.31). Leukocyturia was also individually and independently associated with hypomagnesaemia: OR 8.37 (95% CI, 1.40-49.97). Conclusion: The presence of hypomagnesaemia in our patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was high. There was no association between the levels of serum magnesium and the inflammatory parameters. Increasing comorbidities and leukocyturia were independent predictors of lower serum magnesium. Finally, the association of leukocyturia and haematuria with lower serum magnesium may suggest a relationship with a higher disease activity.

Hordéolo ou algo mais?

Criança do sexo feminino, caucasiana, 15 anos, com história de hordéolo da pálpebra inferior do olho esquerdo, medicada com antibiótico e corticóide tópico associado a limpeza palpebral, desde há cerca de 4 semanas. Por ausência de melhoria e com crescimento progressivo da lesão, recorreu ao serviço de urgência. Negava outras queixas oftalmológicas ou sistémicas associadas. Ao exame objectivo observou-se tumefação da pálpebra inferior do olho esquerdo, com eritema mas sem dor ou calor à palpação, sem blefarite. Acuidade visual de 10/10 em ambos os olhos, com movimentos oculares mantidos e sem proptose. Reflexo pupilar mantido. Segmento anterior e fundoscopia sem alterações de relevo. As 2 principais hipóteses de diagnósticas foram celulite pré-septal ou rabdomiossarcoma. A TC de órbita revelou lesão infero-medial da órbita esquerda, com componente pré-septal envolvendo a pálpebra inferior e pós-septal, de densidade identifica à dos músculos extra-oculares, sem aparente envolvimento do recto medial e inferior. Foi realizada biópsia excisional e estabeleceu-se o diagnóstico de rabdomiossarcoma do tipo embrionário (T1N0M0). Iniciou tratamento com quimioterapia (ifosfamida, vincristina, doxorubicina) e radioterapia local (40Gy). Após 1 ano, apresenta –se clinicamente estável, sem recidiva local nem complicações oculares, mantendo uma AV de 10/10. Conclusão: O diagnóstico de rabdomiossarcoma deve ser lembrado, pois apesar de raro, é o tumor maligno primário da órbita mais frequente na criança. Na presença de uma massa palpebral de rápido crescimento geralmente indolor e/ou proptose, a hipótese de rabdomiossarcoma orbitário deve ser equacionada. Para se obterem bons resultados terapêuticos do ponto de vista de sobrevida e funcional é essencial um diagnóstico e tratamento precoce.