Assessing the quality, reliability and readability of online health information regarding systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has complex pathophysiology and treatments, and patients often use the internet to better understand their condition. This report systematically assesses the quality, reliability and readability of online information. Methods The search term ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’ was used with Google™, Bing™ and Yahoo™ search engines sequentially. The first 25 websites returned (‘hits’) for each search engine (total 75 websites) were compiled. The search terms ‘SLE’ and ‘lupus’ were used in separate Google searches to assess for commonality. After removal of excluded hits, websites were assessed using the DISCERN instrument, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmarks and Gunning Fog Index for quality, reliability and readability and presence of ‘Health on the Net Code’ (HoN) standardisation recorded. Results There was a large degree of commonality among hits from the three different search engines using the search term ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’, as well as hits returned for the three different search terms using Google. The mean DISCERN score was 47.7 (SD 13.2) for ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’, 46.4 (SD 14.2) for ‘SLE’ and 45.2 (SD 10.1) for ‘lupus’, with no statistically significant difference. The mean number of JAMA benchmarks (maximum four) present for the ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’, ‘SLE’ and ‘lupus’ searches was 1.3 (SD 1.2), 1.4 (SD 1.3) and 1.2 (SD 1.0), respectively, with no statistically significance difference. The average readability of hits for the three different search terms was 9.3 (SD 3.4), 10.0 (SD 3.1) and 11.1 (SD 2.7), with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion There was a large degree of commonality of hits among the different search engines and the utilised search terms but they are not synonymous. Regardless of search term, the overall quality of websites was fair, whilst reliability was poor. Websites appearing higher in searches did not score better. Presence of the HoN did not represent better quality. Readability was higher than recommended for near-universal understanding. There was no difference in quality, reliability or readability of websites using the search terms ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’, ‘SLE’ or ‘lupus’, with some high-scoring websites appearing in only one search term result. This study reminds clinicians to direct patients to high-quality websites rather than rely on search engines.

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P041 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Algerian Children: clinical, immunological profile and prognosis

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab722.033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

O Gacem ◽

L Labboun ◽

N Mansouri ◽

M Gherbi ◽

Z Zeroual ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Protective Factor ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Antiphospholipid Antibody ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE) is a chronic mutisystemic autoimmune disease with complex clinical manifestations whose diagnosis is not always easy and the course is generally severe and the treatment is not very well codified and often extrapolated from that of adults. This study aims to describe the clinical, immunological, therapeutic characteristics and short outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus in Algerian children. Methods This was a prospective, multicentre and descriptive study 36 months (January 2015 - December 2018) at the department of Pediatrics of University Hospital Nefissa Hamoud ex Parnet Algiers. Children less than16 years of age fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria were included. Disease activity estimated by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity index (SLEDAI) whose use has been validated in children and damage index based on Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) score were determined. Results Eighty-three (83) patients were studied. Female: male ratio was1:49. Mean ages at lupus onset and diagnosis were respectively: 10, 12 ± 3, 88 and 11, 3 ± 3, 62 years. All patients had skin involvement while constitutional signs including fever and asthenia were observed in (98.8%). Rheumatological, renal, neuropsychiatric, cardiac, hepato-digestive, pleuropulmonary and ocular disorders were observed respectively: 65, 1%, 44, 6%, 41%, 27, 7%, 41%, 19, 3% and 7, 2%. All patients were positive for antinuclear antibodies. Anti-double-stranded DNA (75%) was the most frequently observed autoantibody profile. Antiphospholipid antibody positivity was noted in 52% whereas hypocomplementemia in fractions C3, C4 was observed in 55% and 56% respectively. In our study, the severe forms were more frequent (83%) than the mild ones (17%) with a significant difference (P = < 10–6). Overall, the mean SLEDAI at disease onset was 22.11 ± 11.87 with high activity ≥ 20 in 59% of cases. The mean damage score was 1.8 ± 2.045 (interquartile range 0–8). Among induction drugs, oral corticosteroids were the most frequently used (92%), and in a third of cases intravenously at high doses in combination with immunosuppressive therapy. In induction therapy, cyclophosphamide (CYC) was the most used drug (23%) compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (14%). Unlike the maintenance phase where MMF observed an increase (28%) vs (8%) CYC. The use of MMF was correlated with severe lupus nephritis with a significantly effective difference in the decrease in SLEDAI (P = 0.0001). The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was observed in 81% in induction and 89% in maintenance treatment. The correlation of HCQ use with survival was significantly positive (P = 0.04). Indeed, adherence to treatments and essentially HCQ was a protective factor, its odds ratio is < 1 with a significant p-value, [OR 0.016 95% CI (0.001–0.353)]. Mortality was estimated at 11%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the neurological involvement (odds ratio = 6,093 95% confidence interval ((1,1 8 0 ∼ 31 446)) and macrophage activation syndrome were associated with a high risk of mortality. Conclusion we report a series of pSLE characterized by great clinical and biological heterogeneity. It follows a severe course of the disease with high disease activity at the diagnosis and therefore leads to high morbidity and mortality. However, these results must be confirmed by other pediatric studies which could form the basis of a diagnostic and therapeutic approach more adapted for children. Keywords Algeria, Child, Clinical features, Disease activity, lupus

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Increased thrombin generation and activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and anticardiolipin antibodies: evidence for a prothrombotic state [see comments]

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v81.11.2958.bloodjournal81112958 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 81 (11) ◽

pp. 2958-2963

Author(s):

JS Ginsberg ◽

C Demers ◽

P Brill-Edwards ◽

M Johnston ◽

R Bona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Anticardiolipin Antibodies ◽

Laboratory Evaluation ◽

Prothrombotic State ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

The objective of this study is to determine whether patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have biochemical evidence of an ongoing prothrombotic state. Using a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort design in an outpatient SLE clinic setting, 43 consecutive patients with SLE participated. Patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations on two separate occasions at least 3 months apart. As part of the clinical evaluation, the following were ascertained: (1) the ongoing use of warfarin therapy; (2) the presence of prior venous and arterial thromboembolic disease by history, critical review of objective tests, and examination for reflux in the deep veins of the legs as an indicator of venous thrombosis; and (3) disease-related activity by performing a lupus activity criteria count (LACC). As part of the laboratory evaluation, blood was taken on both occasions and assayed for prothrombin fragments (F1 + 2) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA), as indices of thrombin generation and activity, respectively, and ACA. For the analyses, patients were classified as ACA+ if the assay was abnormal on both occasions and ACA- if the assay was negative on both occasions or negative on one occasion and positive on the other. ACA+ patients had: (1) a significantly higher mean level of F1 + 2 (1.07 nmol/L) than ACA- patients (0.79 nmol/L; P = .02) and patients receiving warfarin (0.47 nmol/L; P = .009) and (2) a significantly higher mean level of FPA (1.01 nmol/L) than ACA- patients (0.45 nmol/L; P = .02). When patients with prior thromboembolism were excluded from the analysis, significant differences in the mean levels of F1 + 2 and FPA between ACA+ and ACA- patients were still seen, whereas when patients with prior thromboembolism and/or active disease were excluded from the analysis, a significant difference in the mean level of FPA and a nonsignificant trend in the mean level of F1 + 2 were seen. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the presence of ACA in SLE patients is associated with an ongoing prothrombotic state.

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Preterm birth is strongly affected by the glucocorticoid dose during pregnancy in women complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus

Arthritis Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13075-021-02699-1 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hiromi Shimada ◽

Risa Wakiya ◽

Kenji Kanenishi ◽

Nobuyuki Miyatake ◽

Shusaku Nakashima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Pregnancy Outcomes ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Term Birth ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Adverse Pregnancy

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the effect of glucocorticoid doses on adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in women complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We investigated 74 pregnancies complicated by SLE or SLE-dominant mixed connective tissue disease. The pregnancies were managed from conception to delivery in our institution. We retrospectively evaluated whether the mean glucocorticoid dose during pregnancy is associated with APOs, including preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW), and light-for-date (LFD). We also calculated the cut-off dose of glucocorticoid that affected APOs. Results All APOs occurred in 35 (50.7%) patients, with 14 cases of PB, 23 cases of LBW, and 10 cases of LFD. Patients with all APOs or PB had a higher dose of glucocorticoid during pregnancy than patients without all APOs or with full-term birth (P = 0.03, P < 0.01, respectively). Logistic regression analysis for all APOs and PB showed that the cut-off values of the mean glucocorticoid dose were 6.5 and 10.0 mg/day, respectively. Patients who delivered LBW or LFD newborns showed no significant difference in the glucocorticoid dose used during pregnancy than patients without LBW or LFD newborns. Patients who delivered LBW newborns were more likely to have used glucocorticoids during pregnancy (P < 0.01). Conclusions In pregnancies complicated by SLE, a relatively lower dose of glucocorticoid than previously reported is significantly related to APOs, especially PB. Therefore, the disease activity of patients with SLE should be managed with the appropriate lower dose of glucocorticoid during pregnancy.

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Increased thrombin generation and activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and anticardiolipin antibodies: evidence for a prothrombotic state [see comments]

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v81.11.2958.2958 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 81 (11) ◽

pp. 2958-2963 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

JS Ginsberg ◽

C Demers ◽

P Brill-Edwards ◽

M Johnston ◽

R Bona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Anticardiolipin Antibodies ◽

Laboratory Evaluation ◽

Prothrombotic State ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Abstract The objective of this study is to determine whether patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have biochemical evidence of an ongoing prothrombotic state. Using a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort design in an outpatient SLE clinic setting, 43 consecutive patients with SLE participated. Patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations on two separate occasions at least 3 months apart. As part of the clinical evaluation, the following were ascertained: (1) the ongoing use of warfarin therapy; (2) the presence of prior venous and arterial thromboembolic disease by history, critical review of objective tests, and examination for reflux in the deep veins of the legs as an indicator of venous thrombosis; and (3) disease-related activity by performing a lupus activity criteria count (LACC). As part of the laboratory evaluation, blood was taken on both occasions and assayed for prothrombin fragments (F1 + 2) and fibrinopeptide A (FPA), as indices of thrombin generation and activity, respectively, and ACA. For the analyses, patients were classified as ACA+ if the assay was abnormal on both occasions and ACA- if the assay was negative on both occasions or negative on one occasion and positive on the other. ACA+ patients had: (1) a significantly higher mean level of F1 + 2 (1.07 nmol/L) than ACA- patients (0.79 nmol/L; P = .02) and patients receiving warfarin (0.47 nmol/L; P = .009) and (2) a significantly higher mean level of FPA (1.01 nmol/L) than ACA- patients (0.45 nmol/L; P = .02). When patients with prior thromboembolism were excluded from the analysis, significant differences in the mean levels of F1 + 2 and FPA between ACA+ and ACA- patients were still seen, whereas when patients with prior thromboembolism and/or active disease were excluded from the analysis, a significant difference in the mean level of FPA and a nonsignificant trend in the mean level of F1 + 2 were seen. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the presence of ACA in SLE patients is associated with an ongoing prothrombotic state.

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Methyl donor micronutrients, CD40-ligand methylation and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional association study

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211034559 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110345

Author(s):

Stefan Vordenbäumen ◽

Alexander Sokolowski ◽

Anna Rosenbaum ◽

Claudia Gebhard ◽

Johanna Raithel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

T Cells ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cd40 Ligand ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Methyl Donors ◽

Methyl Donor ◽

The Mean

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.

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Fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neuropsychiatric symptoms is associated with anxiety and depression rather than inflammatory disease activity

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211005014 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110050

Author(s):

Rory C Monahan ◽

Liesbeth JJ Beaart-van de Voorde ◽

Jeroen Eikenboom ◽

Rolf Fronczek ◽

Margreet Kloppenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Neuropsychiatric Sle ◽

Inflammatory Phenotype ◽

The Mean

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.

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Symptomatic osteonecrosis of the hip and knee in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence, pattern, and comparison of natural course

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211031007 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110310

Author(s):

Mehmet Ersin ◽

Mehmet Demirel ◽

Mehmet Ekinci ◽

Lezgin Mert ◽

Çiğdem Çetin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Bone Structure ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Joint Involvement ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

The Mean

Objective Osteonecrosis (ON), also known as avascular necrosis, is characterized by the collapse of the architectural bone structure secondary to the death of the bone marrow and trabecular bone. Osteonecrosis may accompany many conditions, especially rheumatic diseases. Among rheumatic diseases, osteonecrosis is most commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We assessed prevalence and distribution pattern of symptomatic ON in patients with SLE and compare the natural courses of hip and knee ON. Methods 912 SLE patients admitted between 1981 and 2012 were reviewed. SLE patients with symptomatic ON were retrospectively identified both from the existing SLE/APS database. The prevalence of symptomatic ON was calculated; with ON, the joint involvement pattern was determined by examining the distribution of the joints involved, and then the data about the hip and knee joints were entered in the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to calculate 5- and 10-year rates of ON-related hip (the hip group) and knee survival (the knee group). Results Symptomatic ON developed in various joints in 97 of 912 patients with SLE, and the overall prevalence of ON was detected as 10.6%. The mean age at the time of SLE and ON diagnoses were 27.9 ± 9.9 (14–53) and 34.2 ± 11.3 (16–62) years, respectively. The mean duration from diagnosis of SLE to the first development of ON was 70.7± 60.2 (range = 0–216) months. The most common site for symptomatic ON was the hips (68%, n=66), followed by the knees (38%, n = 37). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, hip and knee joint survival rates associated with 5-year ON were 51% and 88%, and 10-year survival rates were 43% and 84%, respectively. Conclusion We observed that the prevalence of symptomatic ON in patients with SLE was 10.6%. With the estimated 10-year survival rates of 40% versus 84% for the hip and knee joints, respectively, hip involvement may demonstrate a more aggressive course to end-stage osteoarthritis than the knee involvement.

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AB0009 ASSOCIATION OF STAT4 RS7574865, RUNX1 RS9979383, IL6 RS1800795, IL6R RS2228145, IL6R RS4845618 WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS SUSCEPTIBILITY AND SOME LUPUS MANIFESTATIONS IN BELARUSIAN POPULATION

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1039.2-1040

Author(s):

N. Dostanko ◽

V. Yagur ◽

R. Goncharova ◽

E. Siniauskaya ◽

T. Zybalova

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Protective Role ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Exact Test ◽

American College Of Rheumatology ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Significant Difference

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a significant genetic predisposition. Many genetic variants of susceptibility to SLE have been published and analyzed, but the clinical and functional significance of the various genotypes has not yet been clearly defined [1].Objectives:To estimate the association between some of non-HLA gene polymorphisms such as STAT4 rs7574865, RUNX1 rs9979383, IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145, IL6R rs4845618 and susceptibility to SLE in Belarusian population as well as some disease manifestations.Methods:We examined 383 healthy blood donors and 54 SLE patients (18-72 years old, median age 35) classified according to the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) revised classification criteria [2]. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from peripheral blood samples by phenol-chloroform method. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with fluorescent probes. Differences of distribution of all the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and their associations with secondary antiphospholipid syndrom (APS) and lupus arthritis were analyzed using Pearson χ2 (χ2) and two-way Fisher exact test (F, p2-t). Diagnostic odds ratio (dOR), likelihood ratio of positive (LR +) and negative (LR –) tests and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated.Results:We revealed significant difference in STAT4 rs7574865 genotypes in SLE patients and healthy donors (χ2=8,27, р=0,016) with significant increase of ТТ genotype frequency in SLE patients vs healthy donors (χ2=6.83 p=0.009; p2-t =0.020; dOR=3.78 (CI95% 1.36-10.55); LR+ =3.44 (CI95% 1.35-8.71); LR– =0.91 (CI95% 0.83-0.98)). Lupus arthritis was more common in risk TT-genotype SLE carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=5.902 p=0.015; p2-t =0.027).We revealed significant increase of СТ genotype (RUNX1 rs9979383) in healthy donors vs SLE patients (χ2=4.14; p=0.042; dOR=0.53 (CI95% 0.29-0.98); LR+ =0.69 (CI95% 0.45-0.99); LR– =1.3 (CI95% 1.01-1,56)). Lupus arthritis was more common in SLE СТ-genotype carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=4.66 p=0.031; p2-t =0.058).Significant differences in IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145 and IL6R rs4845618 genotypes distribution between studied groups were not found (χ2, p=0.427, p=0.559 and p=0.407, correspondingly) but GG-genotype (IL6 rs1800795) carriership in SLE patients was associated with increased APS frequency (χ2=4.45, p=0.035; dOR=0.19 (CI95% 0.04-0.9); LR+ =0.28 (CI95% 0.07-0.93); LR– =1.41 (CI95% 1.03-1.64).Conclusion:Our data suggest the susceptibility to SLE in ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism, protective role of СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383 for SLE and association between GG-genotype of IL6 rs1800795 and APS in SLE patients in Belarusian population. Lupus arthritis was associated with ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 and СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383.References:[1]Chen L, Morris DL, Vyse TJ. Genetic advances in systemic lupus erythematosus: an update. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2017;29:423–33.[2]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology Revised Criteria for the classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1997;40:1725.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Hospitalization in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Rates, causes, and factors associated with length of stay

Lupus ◽

10.1177/0961203321990086 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332199008

Author(s):

Reem Aldarmaki ◽

Hiba I Al Khogali ◽

Ali M Al Dhanhani

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Lupus Nephritis ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Hospitalization Rate ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Icu Admission ◽

The Mean

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.

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Optimal Frequency of Visits for Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to Measure Disease Activity Over Time

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.100575 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 60-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

DOMINIQUE IBAÑEZ ◽

DAFNA D. GLADMAN ◽

ZAHI TOUMA ◽

MANDANA NIKPOUR ◽

MURRAY B. UROWITZ

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Activity Index ◽

Disease Activity Index ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

The Mean ◽

Over Time ◽

Measure Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Disease Activity

Objective.Adjusted mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI; AMS) measures lupus disease activity over time. Our aim was to determine optimal visit frequency for calculating AMS.Methods.Patients followed monthly for 12 consecutive visits were included. AMS was calculated using all of the SLEDAI 2000 (AMSGOLD using all 12 visits), only quarterly visits (AMS3, using visits 3 months apart), semiannual visits (AMS6, using first, middle, and last visits only), and annual visits (AMS12, using only the first and last visits). Comparisons of AMS3, AMS6, and AMS12 with AMSGOLD are made using descriptive statistics.Results.Seventy-eight patients were included (92% women, mean age at SLE diagnosis 30.1 yrs and at study start 46.2 yrs). The mean (SD) AMSGOLD for the entire year was 2.05 (1.66), for AMS3 1.99 (1.65), for AMS6 2.12 (1.87), and for AMS12 2.08 (1.83). Mean (SD) of the absolute differences with AMSGOLD: for AMS3 0.29 (0.33), for AMS6 0.45 (0.59), and for AMS12 0.61 (0.58). Differences that were < 0.5 were considered minimal while those ≥ 1 were deemed important. Comparing AMSGOLD to AMS3, 82% of the differences were minimal and 3% were important. When comparing to AMS6, 68% were minimal and 10% were important, while comparing to AMS12, 50% were minimal and 21% were important.Conclusion.Usual clinic visits occurring quarterly offer a good estimation of disease activity over a 1-year period and are preferred over semiannual and annual visits.

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