Correction: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces pain and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, shame-controlled pilot trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. e82-e82
2020 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2020-217872
Author(s):  
Cynthia Aranow ◽  
Yemil Atish-Fregoso ◽  
Martin Lesser ◽  
Meggan Mackay ◽  
Erik Anderson ◽  
...  

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal pain and fatigue are common features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a physiological mechanism diminishing inflammation, engaged by stimulating the vagus nerve. We evaluated the effects of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in patients with SLE and with musculoskeletal pain.Methods18 patients with SLE and with musculoskeletal pain ≥4 on a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale were randomised (2:1) in this double-blind study to receive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) or sham stimulation (SS) for 4 consecutive days. Evaluations at baseline, day 5 and day 12 included patient assessments of pain, disease activity (PtGA) and fatigue. Tender and swollen joint counts and the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) were completed by a physician blinded to the patient’s therapy. Potential biomarkers were evaluated.ResultstaVNS and SS were well tolerated. Subjects receiving taVNS had a significant decrease in pain and fatigue compared with SS and were more likely (OR=25, p=0.02) to experience a clinically significant reduction in pain. PtGA, joint counts and PGA also improved. Pain reduction and improvement of fatigue correlated with the cumulative current received. In general, responses were maintained through day 12. Plasma levels of substance P were significantly reduced at day 5 compared with baseline following taVNS but other neuropeptides, serum and whole blood-stimulated inflammatory mediators, and kynurenine metabolites showed no significant change at days 5 or 12 compared with baseline.ConclusiontaVNS resulted in significantly reduced pain, fatigue and joint scores in SLE. Additional studies evaluating this intervention and its mechanisms are warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charrise M. Ramkissoon ◽  
Amparo Güemes ◽  
Josep Vehi

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that commonly affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and central nervous system. Although great progress has been made over the years, patients still experience unfavorable secondary effects from medications, increased economic burden, and higher mortality rates compared to the general population. To alleviate these current problems, non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions are being increasingly investigated. One such intervention is non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, which promotes the upregulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway that reduces the activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, culpable processes in autoimmune diseases such as SLE. This review first provides a background on the important contribution of the autonomic nervous system to the pathogenesis of SLE. The gross and structural anatomy of the vagus nerve and its contribution to the inflammatory response are described afterwards to provide a general understanding of the impact of stimulating the vagus nerve. Finally, an overview of current clinical applications of invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for a variety of diseases, including those with similar symptoms to the ones in SLE, is presented and discussed. Overall, the review presents neuromodulation as a promising strategy to alleviate SLE symptoms and potentially reverse the disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisa W. Mathis ◽  
Harald Stauss ◽  
Grace S. Pham ◽  
Suhhyun S. Kim ◽  
Denis V. Kulp

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarfaraz A. Hasni ◽  
Sarthak Gupta ◽  
Michael Davis ◽  
Elaine Poncio ◽  
Yenealem Temesgen-Oyelakin ◽  
...  

AbstractIncreased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Aberrant type I-Interferon (IFN)-neutrophil interactions contribute to this enhanced CVD risk. In lupus animal models, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib improves clinical features, immune dysregulation and vascular dysfunction. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of tofacitinib in SLE subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02535689). In this study, 30 subjects are randomized to tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) or placebo in 2:1 block. The primary outcome of this study is safety and tolerability of tofacitinib. The secondary outcomes include clinical response and mechanistic studies. The tofacitinib is found to be safe in SLE meeting study’s primary endpoint. We also show that tofacitinib improves cardiometabolic and immunologic parameters associated with the premature atherosclerosis in SLE. Tofacitinib improves high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.0006, CI 95%: 4.12, 13.32) and particle number (p = 0.0008, CI 95%: 1.58, 5.33); lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase concentration (p = 0.024, CI 95%: 1.1, −26.5), cholesterol efflux capacity (p = 0.08, CI 95%: −0.01, 0.24), improvements in arterial stiffness and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and decrease in type I IFN gene signature, low-density granulocytes and circulating NETs. Some of these improvements are more robust in subjects with STAT4 risk allele.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Dawson ◽  
Theresa J Kimberley ◽  
Gerard E Francisco ◽  
Patricia Smith ◽  
Steven C Cramer ◽  
...  

Introduction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation induces movement specific plasticity in rat motor cortex and improves forepaw function in a rat ischemic model compared to rehabilitation alone. A 20 subject first-in-human study in the UK indicated acceptable safety and feasibility of this approach in patients with arm weakness after stroke and showed a significant difference in favour of VNS paired with rehabilitation in the per-protocol analysis (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer difference of 9.6 points for VNS vs. 3.0 Control; p = 0.038). We conducted a new, double-blind sham controlled study to further assess this technique. Methods: Subjects with chronic moderate to severe upper extremity hemiparesis secondary to ischemic stroke (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer (UEFM) 20-50) were enrolled at four sites (3 US, 1 UK). After baseline assessments subjects were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulation device if all eligibility criteria were met. Following implantation, randomization was made to either paired VNS (1/2 second, 30 Hz., 0.8 mA, 100 uS stimulation with task-specific movement) or sham control (stimulation only on first 5 movements). All received the same intensive and task-specific rehabilitation and had 18 treatment sessions (2-hourly, 3 times a week for 6-weeks, approximately 50 repetitions per task and 300 to 400 repetition movements per session). Outcomes were assessed on the first and 30 th day following completion of the 6-week therapy course. Results: Sixteen patients (8 female) were implanted (8 VNS, 8 Control). Mean age (SD) was 63.2(6.9), with an average (SD) of 21.7 months (12.9) post stroke. One study related serious adverse event was reported (a wound infection that resolved with IV antibiotics). Blinded results (change in UEFM, WMFT, and UEFM responders for both groups) will be available and presented. Conclusions: A pivotal study of VNS paired with rehabilitation movements will be justified if preliminary results are confirmed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1144-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hartkamp ◽  
R Geenen ◽  
G L R Godaert ◽  
M Bijl ◽  
J W J Bijlsma ◽  
...  

ObjectiveDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to improve fatigue and reduced well-being. Both are major problems in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), even with quiescent disease. Low serum DHEA levels are common in SLE. The present work investigates the effects of DHEA administration on fatigue, well-being and functioning in women with inactive SLE.MethodsIn a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, 60 female patients with inactive SLE received 200 mg oral DHEA or placebo. Primary outcome measures were general fatigue, depressive mood, mental well-being and physical functioning. Assessments were made before treatment, after 3, 6 and 12 months on medication, and 6 months after cessation of treatment.ResultsPatients from the DHEA and placebo group improved on general fatigue (p<0.001) and mental well-being (p=0.04). There was no differential effect of DHEA. The belief that DHEA had been used was a stronger predictor for improvement of general fatigue than the actual use of DHEA (p=0.04).ConclusionsThe trial does not indicate an effect of daily 200 mg oral DHEA on fatigue and well-being, and therefore DHEA treatment is not recommended in unselected female patients with quiescent SLE.Clinical Trials Registration Number NCT00391924


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document