scholarly journals POS1430 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LUPUS NEPHRITIS IN BRAZIL: FINDINGS FROM THE MACUNAÍMA STUDY - A NATIONWIDE MULTICENTRIC STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 999.1-999
Author(s):  
M. Abreu ◽  
O. Monticielo ◽  
V. Fernandes ◽  
A. Cristovão Maiorano ◽  
F. Dos Santos Beserra ◽  
...  

Background:Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious organic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ethnicity can contribute to disparities in the prevalence and disease activity of LN.Objectives:To assess the prevalence of LN in Brazilian patients with SLE and to determine factors associated with LN activity across the country.Methods:This cross-sectional study (GSK Study 207353) was carried out through face-to-face interviews and review of medical records (12-month study period). Adult patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria, 1997) were included. Five SLE reference teaching centres were selected: North (NO), Northeast (NE), Midwest (CO), Southeast (SE), and South (SU). Patients with another disease whose morbidity surpassed SLE were excluded. LN was defined as reported in the medical record or history of confirmed renal biopsy; disease activity by pre-defined changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) or the patient’s kidney disease during the study. Activity was assessed during (T0), 6 months before (T6), and 12 months before (T12) the interview. Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index score mapped damage accrual. Two pairings were performed, aiming to discriminate factors associated with LN and its activity, respectively. Matching technique was used to select similar individuals based on propensity scores, obtained from a logistic regression model. A bootstrapping method explored characteristic variables associated with the risk of progressing to LN.Results:Overall, 300 Brazilian patients with SLE were included in the study. Two groups were paired: LN group (N=150) and non-LN group (N = 141). The prevalence of LN in the paired sample (N=291) was 51.5%, with a disparity between centres (p<0.001; Figure 1A). Most patients were female (LN: 92.7%; non-LN: 94.3%) and the mean (standard deviation [SD]) age for the LN and non-LN groups was 39.46 (11.86) and 43.96 (12.18), respectively. History of serositis was associated with the presence of LN (42 [28.0%] vs 21 [14.9%] non-LN; p=0.010). Type IV histological class predominated in both groups, with no disparity between centres. Social disparities were noted between groups. Non-active workers prevailed among the LN group (115 [76.7%] vs 98 [69.5%] for non-LN, p=0.024).When pairing for disease activity at T12, 73 (50.3%) patients with LN (N=145) had active disease. There was regional disparity in terms of disease activity (Figure 1B), with a predominance of active LN in the NO (28 [68.3%]) and SU (16 [55.2%], p=0.026). Type IV histological class was the component most associated with active LN (active: 32 [43.8%]; non-active: 11 [15.3%], p<0.001). Variation in SLEDAI during the study period discriminated between active and non-active LN. The mean (SD) SLEDAI score at T12 was substantially higher in those with active LN compared with non-active LN (7.18 [4.83] vs 2.47 [4.63], p<0.001). As for the pattern of care, corticosteroids users prevailed in those with active LN (62 [84.9%] vs 45 [62.5%] for non-active LN, p=0.004). There was no disparity in the use of immunosuppressants, with the exception of cyclophosphamide use, noted among 16 (21.9%) patients with active LN and 6 (8.3%) patients with non-active LN (p=0.041). Psychotropic or anticonvulsant use was higher in patients with non-active LN (32 [44.4%] vs 17 [23.3%] patients with active LN, p=0.012). Consultation with a neurologist was verified in 15 (20.8%) patients with non-active LN and 6 (8.2%) with active LN (p=0.055). Hospitalisation occurred in 17 patients with non-active (23.6%) and active (23.3%) LN.Conclusion:Disparities in the prevalence of LN and its activity were evident between the regions across Brazil, highlighting differences in clinical factors, regional factors, and patterns of care.Funding:GSKFigure 1.Prevalence of A) LN among regional centres, comparing them to disease activity profile and prescriptive practice, and B) Active and non-active LN according to prescriptive practiceCQ, chloroquine; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine*At T12Acknowledgements:Medical writing assistance was provided by Helen Taylor, Fishawack Indicia Ltd., UK, part of Fishawack Health, and was funded by GSK.Disclosure of Interests:Mirhelen Abreu Grant/research support from: GSK, Amgen, Biogen, Libbs, Odirlei Monticielo Speakers bureau: GSK, AbbVie, UCB, Roche, Novartis, Consultant of: GSK, AbbVie, Janssen, Vander Fernandes Speakers bureau: Janssen, Novartis, Roche, AbbVie, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, GSK, Pfizer, Alexandre Cristovão Maiorano: None declared, Fernando dos Santos Beserra: None declared, Flavia Lamarao Employee of: GSK, Nathalie David Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Bruna de Veras Employee of: GSK, Blanca Bica: None declared, Domingos Sávio Nunes de Lima Grant/research support from: GSK, Marta Maria das Chagas Medeiros: None declared

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332199008
Author(s):  
Reem Aldarmaki ◽  
Hiba I Al Khogali ◽  
Ali M Al Dhanhani

Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a relapsing and remitting multiorgan disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The survival rate of patients with SLE has recently improved, which was associated with increased morbidity and hospitalization rates. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the rate and causes of hospitalization in patients with SLE and explore factors associated with increased length of stay (LOS). Methods Patients who visited rheumatology clinics (Tawam hospital, United Arab Emirates (UAE)) and fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SLE criteria were identified. Retrospective charts were reviewed to determine previous admissions. Demographic data, reason for hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, number of specialist consultations, medications used, and SLE characteristics at time of admission were collected. The hospitalization rate was calculated as the number of hospitalized patients divided by the total number of patients with the disease. We performed multivariable regression analysis for factors associated with increased LOS. Results A total of 91 patients with SLE (88 women and 3 men) met the inclusion criteria with a mean disease duration of 10.2 years (SD 5.5). A total of 222 admissions were identified, and 66 of 91 patients were admitted at least once. The mean crude hospitalization rate calculated was 29.8%. The primary reason for admission was pregnancy (29%), SLE activity (24%), and infection (20%). When combining primary and secondary reasons, the proportion of admissions due to SLE activity increased to 32%. The mean LOS was 5.9 (SD 6.0) days. About 7% of admitted patients required ICU admission. In multivariable analysis, patients with lupus nephritis, complications during hospitalization, and increased number of specialists consultations and who were admitted to ICU and started new medication were all associated with increased LOS. Conclusion A significant proportion of patients with SLE were hospitalized during their disease course. The hospitalization rate in this study appears to be higher than those reported elsewhere. Disease flare is the leading cause of admission in patients with SLE in this relatively young cohort. Lupus nephritis has been found to be significantly related to longer LOS. Measurements taken to reduce the incidence and severity of flares would likely decrease hospitalization rate and LOS in patients with SLE.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 625.2-626
Author(s):  
M. Abreu ◽  
O. Monticielo ◽  
V. Fernandes ◽  
A. Cristovão Maiorano ◽  
F. Dos Santos Beserra ◽  
...  

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with wide clinical variability. Brazil has vast regional diversity, both from an ethnic and socio-cultural point of view.Objectives:To map the clinical profile of SLE in Brazil and explore how this distribution is associated with regional disparities.Methods:This cross-sectional study (GSK Study 207353) evaluated 300 Brazilian patients ≥18 years old with SLE (American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria, 1997) who had been under SLE care for ≥1 year. Five SLE reference teaching facilities were selected, one in each of the following Brazilian regions: North (NO), Northeast (NE), Midwest (CO), Southeast (SE), and South (SU). Each region included 60 patients. Clinical and demographic characteristics, and patterns of care were measured through questionnaires completed by physicians or nurses. The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score described disease activity and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SDI) described damage accrual. To assess the potential association between regional disparities and clinical outcomes, a hospitalisation profile was described. A bootstrapping approach of logistic regression was used to explore potential factors associated with hospitalisation.Results:Overall, 92.3% of patients were female, with a mean (standard deviation; SD) age of 41.8 (12.7) years and a mean (SD) disease duration of 11.8 (7.9) years. Overall, 161 (53.7%) patients were of Latino origin; in the NO this proportion was 88%. White patients predominated in the SU (58.3%); and black patients in the SE (31.7%). The mean (SD) number of years of schooling was 11.3 (4.6), and was highest in the NO (14.2 [3.6]) and lowest in the SU (9.0 [4.0]; p<0.001). With regard to the distribution of the SLE clinical profile according to ACR criteria, arthritis was found in 221 patients and predominated in all regions (mean 73.7%), with a lower prevalence in the CO (40%; p<0.001; Figure 1A). The mean (SD) SLEDAI score was 4.33 (5.39) at the time of interview. The main contributing factors to disease activity, according to SLEDAI, were complement consumption (18%), arthritis (15.3%), and alopecia (15%). The SDI scale was scored for cataracts (15%), proteinuria (8.7%), and thrombosis (7.3%). Among the associated comorbidities, hypertension was predominant in the NO (35%; p=0.001). Smoking predominated in the SU (23%; p<0.001); obesity (27%; p=0.059) and dyslipidemia (35%; p=0.023), in the SE. Regarding patterns of care (Figure 1B), antimalarials were most frequently prescribed in the SE (88.3%) and the SU (91.7%). Corticosteroids prevailed in the NO (96.7%). The mean (SD) time between home and care facility was 4.5 (12.6) hours. Patients in the NO reported the longest transport time to reach the care facility (11.5 [25.4] hours; p<0.001). The hospitalisation rate during the study period was 21.3% across all regions, with no statistical difference between centres (p=0.651). Reasons for hospitalisation included disease activity (36 [12%]), infection (19 [6.3%]), surgery (10 [3.3%]), and management of clinical morbidities (6 [2.0%]). Hospitalisation was associated with ethnicity (p<0.016), occupational status (p<0.001), age (p=0.02), and the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine (CQ; p<0.001).Conclusion:This nationwide study highlights ethnic, social, and patterns-of-care disparities among Brazilian patients with SLE. The modelling shows evidence that such disparities contribute to the divergent clinical spectrum observed in Brazil.Funding:GSKFigure 1.Distribution of the A) Brazilian SLE clinical profile according to the ACR Classification Criteria and B) Brazilian prescriptive profile for SLE treatment according to the use of immunosuppressive drugs, biological agents, and corticosteroids during the study (12 months)ANA, antinuclear antibodyAcknowledgements:Medical writing assistance was provided by Helen Taylor, Fishawack Indicia Ltd., UK, part of Fishawack Health, and was funded by GSK.Disclosure of Interests:Mirhelen Abreu Grant/research support from: GSK, Amgen, Biogen, Libbs, Odirlei Monticielo Speakers bureau: GSK, AbbVie, UCB, Roche, Novartis, Consultant of: GSK, AbbVie, Janssen, Vander Fernandes Speakers bureau: Janssen, Novartis, Roche, AbbVie, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, GSK, Pfizer, Alexandre Cristovão Maiorano: None declared, Fernando dos Santos Beserra: None declared, Flavia Lamarao Employee of: GSK, Nathalie David Shareholder of: GSK, Employee of: GSK, Bruna de Veras Employee of: GSK, Blanca Bica: None declared, Domingos Sávio Nunes de Lima Grant/research support from: GSK, Marta Maria das Chagas Medeiros: None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1506.1-1507
Author(s):  
A. A. Gasparin ◽  
N. Pamplona Bueno de Andrade ◽  
V. Hax ◽  
P. Palominos ◽  
M. Siebert ◽  
...  

Background:The traditional lupus nephritis (LN) biomarkers are not sensitive nor specific enough for detecting ongoing disease activity and early relapse of nephritis and they do not reflect kidney damage nor have prognostic value1. Urinary biomarkers are directly excreted by the kidney and are easily obtained. They can also differentiate the renal activity of the disease from other organic manifestations more accurately than the serum biomarkers2. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is involved in the progression of glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury in LN and its soluble form can be easily assessed in urine (uVCAM-1)3. Several studies correlated the uVCAM-1 levels with urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPC), with general disease activity and with active LN3.Objectives:To assess uVCAM-1 as a biomarker of disease activity and treatment response in LN.Methods:This prospective study enrolled patients with class III, IV or V LN diagnosed within the last three years and divided them in two groups: with and without active nephritis at the inclusion. The patients with active nephritis were included before they started a new immunosuppressive treatment. Active LN was defined as proteinuria (UPC≥0.5) plus active urinary sediment (hematuria, leukocyturia or cellular hematic/granular casts). At each visit, a urine sample was collected for uVCAM-1 evaluation and the nephritis status was accessed.Results:Median uVCAM-1 level was elevated in patients with active compared to inactive LN (p<0.001). The ROC curve of uVCAM-1 demonstrated an AUC of 0.84 and a cutoff of 47.2 ng/mgCr yielded a good sensitivity (74.2%) and specificity (74.2%) for the diagnosis of active LN. A significant correlation was found between uVCAM-1 level and renal activity scores and traditional biomarkers of LN (table 1). The level of uVCAM-1 dropped in patients with active LN who went into remission (p<0.001), increased in patients who went into activity (p=0.002) and did not change in patients who remained inactive (p=0.797) (figure 1). The level of uVCAM-1 peaked during the flare of LN (p<0.05) (figure 2).Table 1.Correlations between urinary soluble VCAM-1 and other LN biomarkers/disease scoresLN biomarkers/disease scoresVCAM-1SLEDAI-2k0.597***Renal SLEDAI0.569***Renal SLAM-R0.470***Renal SLICC0.620***Anti-dsDNA0.342**C3-0.344**C4-0.382**UPC0.654***Spearman’s correlation coefficients*pvalue <0.05; **pvalue <0.01; ***pvalue <0.001C, complement; LN, lupus nephritis; SLEDAI, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index; renal SLAM-R, The renal Systemic Lupus Activity Measure revised; renal SLICC, The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics renal activity/response exercise; UPC, urine protein-creatinine ratio.Conclusion:The uVCAM-1 is a reliable biomarker that reflects renal disease activity and is useful for monitoring individual patients with lupus nephritis over time.References:[1]Mok CC. Biomarkers for lupus nephritis: A critical appraisal. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010;2010:638413.[2]Reyes-Thomas J, Blanco I, Putterman C. Urinary Biomarkers in Lupus Nephritis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2010;40:138–50.[3]Gasparin AA, Pamplona Bueno de Andrade N, Hax V, Tres GL, Veronese FV, Monticielo OA. Urinary biomarkers for lupus nephritis: the role of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Lupus. 2019;28:265-272.Acknowledgments:We acknowledge the Research Incentive Fund (FIPE/HCPA) and the Research Support Fund of Brazilian Society of Rheumatology that supported this work.Disclosure of Interests:Andrese Aline Gasparin: None declared, Nicole Pamplona Bueno de Andrade: None declared, Vanessa Hax: None declared, Penelope Palominos Grant/research support from: This work was sponsored by the regional society of rheumatology (Sociedade de Reumatologia do Rio Grande do Sul)., Marina Siebert: None declared, Romulo Marx: None declared, Pedro Shaefer: None declared, Francisco Veríssimo Veronese: None declared, Odirlei Monticielo: None declared


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risa Wakiya ◽  
Kiyo Ueeda ◽  
Shusaku Nakashima ◽  
Hiromi Shimada ◽  
Tomohiro Kameda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: We investigated the effects of add-on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and other factors in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with low disease activity.Methods: Patients who had low disease activity of at least 3 months duration were included. Patients with a history of lupus nephritis (LN+) must have been in remission for at least 3 months prior to enrollment. Serum levels of interferon interferon-α, S100A8, S100A9, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) -α, interleukin(IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, IL-1β, Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist(IL-1ra), and Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor were measured immediately before and 3 months after treatment with oral HCQ treatment.Results: Of the 42 patients enrolled in the study (4 males, 38 females, mean age ± standard deviation age 41.4±13.3 years), 19 patients had a history of lupus nephritis but were currently in remission (LN+), and the remaining 23 patients had no history of LN (LN−). Serum levels of IL-1ra, S100A8, and S100A9 at baseline were significantly higher in the LN+ group compared with the LN− group (p=0.0092, p=0.012, and p=0.0043, respectively). In the full cohort, HCQ treatment led to significantly reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF-A, IL-1ra, IL-2, S100A8, and S100A9, and to decreased, albeit not significantly, levels of IL-8 and MIP-1α. The HCQ-induced changes in serum IL-8, IL-1ra, S100A8, and S100A9 levels were greater for patients in the LN+ group than those in the LN−group (p=0.0039, p=0.0011, p=0.0201, and p=0.0092, respectively). Conclusion: Add-on HCQ treatment decreased several proinflammatory cytokines levels in SLE patients with low disease activity, especially those with LN. The ability of HCQ to reduce IL-8 levels in patients with a history of LN suggests that HCQ treatment may improve the prognosis of LN.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1053.2-1054
Author(s):  
C. Moriano ◽  
J. Calvo ◽  
I. Rua-Figueroa ◽  
E. Diez Alvarez ◽  
C. Bermúdez ◽  
...  

Background:The mortality in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) varies largely across different countries most probably due to social, healthcare and ethnic differences.Objectives:To analyze the causes and identify predictive factors of mortality of SLE in Spain in the present century.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional and retrospective study analyzing data from the RELESSER cohort (Spanish Registry of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology). We included all patients diagnosed with SLE since the year 2000 and recorded sociodemographic, clinical and serological variables, comorbidities and treatments, as well as indicators of disease activity, damage and severity. The characteristics of the deceased patients were compared with those of the survivors, and variables with clinical significance or statistical significance were grouped into multivariate models to determine which ones were independently associated with the outcome of the disease.Results:A total of 2004 patients were included, 88.6% female, the mean age at diagnosis was 38.3 (± 15.3) years, with a mean delay in diagnosis of 28.9 (± 52.6) months. Up to 2.84% of the individuals had died. The leading cause of death was SLE activity (n=16), followed by infections (n=14), vascular events (n=7) and cancer (n=6). The mean age of death was 54.68 (± 20.13) years, and neither age, sex nor delay in diagnosis was independently associated with mortality. The presence of nephritis, depression, severe infections, organ damage (SLICC/ACR DI) or disease activity (SLEDAI), as well as the use of cyclophosphamide, rituximab or high doses of corticosteroids, were predictors of mortality in our cohort. Antimalarial treatment and skin manifestations were linked to improved survival.Conclusion:In the RELESSER cohort, clinical factors, co-morbidities, as well as therapeutic attitudes were associated with a significant increase in mortality in SLE. Interestingly, depression was independently associated to mortality. The activity of the disease and infections continue to be the main causes of death at the beginning of the 21st century amongst our patients.Disclosure of Interests:Clara Moriano: None declared, Jaime Calvo Grant/research support from: Lilly, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Jansen, Celgene, Iñigo Rua-Figueroa: None declared, Elvira Diez Alvarez: None declared, Cristina Bermúdez: None declared, Francisco J López-Longo Grant/research support from: AbbVie and GSK, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Actelion, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB Pharma, María Galindo-Izquierdo: None declared, Alejandro Olive: None declared, Eva Tomero Muriel: None declared, Antonio Fernandez-Nebro: None declared, Mercedes Freire González: None declared, Olaia Fernández- Berrizbeitia: None declared, Ana Pérez Gómez: None declared, Esther Uriarte Isacelaya: None declared, Carlos Marras Fernandez Cid: None declared, Carlos A. Montilla-Morales: None declared, Gregorio Santos Soler: None declared, Ricardo Blanco Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, and Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, and MSD, M. Rodíguez-Gómez: None declared, Paloma Vela-Casasempere: None declared, Alina Boteanu: None declared, J. Narváez: None declared, Victor Martinez Taboada: None declared, Blanca Hernández-Cruz Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Lilly, Sanofi, BMS, STADA, José Luis Andreu: None declared, José A Hernandez Beriain: None declared, Lorena Expósito: None declared, Raúl Menor-Almagro: None declared, Mónica Ibañez Barceló: None declared, Ivan Castellví Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Kern Pharma, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Carles Galisteo: None declared, Enrique Raya: None declared, Víctor Quevedo Vila: None declared, Tomas Vazquez Rodriguez: None declared, Jesus Ibañez: None declared, Jose M Pego-Reigosa: None declared


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110345
Author(s):  
Stefan Vordenbäumen ◽  
Alexander Sokolowski ◽  
Anna Rosenbaum ◽  
Claudia Gebhard ◽  
Johanna Raithel ◽  
...  

Objective Hypomethylation of CD40-ligand (CD40L) in T-cells is associated with increased disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We therefore investigated possible associations of dietary methyl donors and products with CD40L methylation status in SLE. Methods Food frequency questionnaires were employed to calculate methyl donor micronutrients in 61 female SLE patients (age 45.7 ± 12.0 years, disease duration 16.2 ± 8.4 years) and compared to methylation levels of previously identified key DNA methylation sites (CpG17 and CpG22) within CD40L promotor of T-cells using quantitative DNA methylation analysis on the EpiTYPER mass spectrometry platform. Disease activity was assessed by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Linear regression modelling was used. P values were adjusted according to Benjamini & Hochberg. Results Amongst the micronutrients assessed (g per day), methionine and cysteine were associated with methylation of CpG17 (β = 5.0 (95%CI: 0.6-9.4), p = 0.04; and β = 2.4 (0.6-4.1), p = 0.02, respectively). Methionine, choline, and cysteine were additionally associated with the mean methylation of the entire CD40L (β = 9.5 (1.0-18.0), p = 0.04; β = 1.6 (0.4-3.0), p = 0.04; and β = 4.3 (0.9-7.7), p = 0.02, respectively). Associations of the SLEDAI with hypomethylation were confirmed for CpG17 (β=-32.6 (-60.6 to -4.6), p = 0.04) and CpG22 (β=-38.3 (-61.2 to -15.4), p = 0.004), but not the mean methylation of CD40L. Dietary products with the highest impact on methylation included meat, ice cream, white bread, and cooked potatoes. Conclusions Dietary methyl donors may influence DNA methylation levels and thereby disease activity in SLE.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110050
Author(s):  
Rory C Monahan ◽  
Liesbeth JJ Beaart-van de Voorde ◽  
Jeroen Eikenboom ◽  
Rolf Fronczek ◽  
Margreet Kloppenburg ◽  
...  

Introduction We aimed to investigate risk factors for fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and neuropsychiatric symptoms in order to identify potential interventional strategies. Methods Patients visiting the neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) clinic of the Leiden University Medical Center between 2007–2019 were included. In a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, SLE patients were classified as having neuropsychiatric symptoms of inflammatory origin (inflammatory phenotype) or other origin (non-inflammatory phenotype). Fatigue was assessed with the SF-36 vitality domain (VT) since 2007 and the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) since 2011. Patients with a score on the SF-36 VT ≥1 standard deviation (SD) away from the mean of age-related controls of the general population were classified as fatigued; patients ≥2 SD away were classified as extremely fatigued. Disease activity was measured using the SLE disease activity index-2000. The influence of the presence of an inflammatory phenotype, disease activity and symptoms of depression and anxiety as measured by the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was analyzed using multiple regression analyses corrected for age, sex and education. Results 348 out of 371 eligible patients filled in questionnaires and were included in this study . The majority was female (87%) and the mean age was 43 ± 14 years. 72 patients (21%) had neuropsychiatric symptoms of an inflammatory origin. Fatigue was present in 78% of all patients and extreme fatigue was present in 50% of patients with an inflammatory phenotype vs 46% in the non-inflammatory phenotype. Fatigue was similar in patients with an inflammatory phenotype compared to patients with a non-inflammatory phenotype on the SF-36 VT (β: 0.8 (95% CI −4.8; 6.1) and there was less fatigue in patients with an inflammatory phenotype on the MFI and VAS (β: −3.7 (95% CI: −6.9; −0.5) and β: −1.0 (95% CI −1.6; −0.3)). There was no association between disease activity and fatigue, but symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS) associated strongly with all fatigue measurements. Conclusion This study suggests that intervention strategies to target fatigue in (NP)SLE patients may need to focus on symptoms of anxiety and depression rather than immunosuppressive treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Matteo Piga ◽  
Laurent Arnaud

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an immune-mediated multi-systemic disease characterized by a wide variability of clinical manifestations and a course frequently subject to unpredictable flares. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and optimization of medical care, patients with SLE still have significant mortality and carry a risk of progressive organ damage accrual and reduced health-related quality of life. New tools allow earlier classification of SLE, whereas tailored early intervention and treatment strategies targeted to clinical remission or low disease activity could offer the opportunity to reduce damage, thus improving long-term outcomes. Nevertheless, the early diagnosis of SLE is still an unmet need for many patients. Further disentangling the SLE susceptibility and complex pathogenesis will allow to identify more accurate biomarkers and implement new ways to measure disease activity. This could represent a major step forward to find new trials modalities for developing new drugs, optimizing the use of currently available therapeutics and minimizing glucocorticoids. Preventing and treating comorbidities in SLE, improving the management of hard-to-treat manifestations including management of SLE during pregnancy are among the remaining major unmet needs. This review provides insights and a research agenda for the main challenges in SLE.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332098345
Author(s):  
Alessandra Ida Celia ◽  
Roberta Priori ◽  
Bruna Cerbelli ◽  
Francesca Diomedi-Camassei ◽  
Vincenzo Leuzzi ◽  
...  

Proteinuria is one of the most typical manifestations of kidney involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with a 6-year-long history of SLE presenting with proteinuria after a three-year remission on hydroxychloroquine. Kidney histological examination showed alterations inconsistent with lupus nephritis and suggestive of hydroxychloroquine toxicity or Fabry disease. The latter was confirmed by genetic assay.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document