Interest on the internet for systemic lupus erythematosus: Analysis of Google Trends in Latin American countries

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110103
Author(s):  
Paul J Tejada-Llacsa ◽  
Pamela Villacorta-Landeo ◽  
Eder Aguilar-Buitrón ◽  
Graciela S Alarcón ◽  
Manuel F Ugarte-Gil

Background/Objective Information available on the internet about Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can influence the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the terms used for SLE on the internet. Methods We analyzed the data downloaded from Google Trends, considering the term “Lupus” in a six-year web-based research. The frequency of the terms for each Pan-American country was obtained automatically from Google Trends, which reports relative search volumes or RSV (on a scale from 0 to 100) across regions. Results We obtained a total of 67 registered terms in 18 countries. The terms were distributed into five categories. The categories with interest in all countries were “definition” and “symptoms”. Conclusions Google Trends allows us to find useful information about SLE on the internet; once the accuracy of this information is validated, it can be used by patients, health institutions, rheumatologists and other health professionals.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel F. Aponte ◽  
María V. García-Francis ◽  
Javier A. García-Becerra ◽  
Yurilis J Fuentes-Silva ◽  
Daniela B. Tovar-Bastidas ◽  
...  

There are scarce data on lupus nephritis from single Latin American countries. We have assessed the prevalence and factors associated with lupus nephritis in a sample of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e001299
Author(s):  
Cristina Reátegui-Sokolova ◽  
Manuel F Ugarte-Gil ◽  
Guillermina B Harvey ◽  
Daniel Wojdyla ◽  
Guillermo J Pons-Estel ◽  
...  

AimA decrease in proteinuria has been considered protective from renal damage in lupus nephritis (LN), but a cut-off point has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of renal damage in patients with LN and to determine the best cut-off point for a decrease in proteinuria.MethodsWe included patients with LN defined clinically or histologically. Possible predictors of renal damage at the time of LN diagnosis were examined: proteinuria, low complement, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, red cell casts, creatinine level, hypertension, renal activity (assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)), prednisone dose, immunosuppressive drugs and antimalarial use. Sociodemographic variables were included at baseline. Proteinuria was assessed at baseline and at 12 months, to determine if early response (proteinuria <0.8 g/day within 12 months since LN diagnosis) is protective of renal damage occurrence. Renal damage was defined as an increase of one or more points in the renal domain of The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Damage Index (SDI). Cox regression models using a backward selection method were performed.ResultsFive hundred and two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus patients were included; 120 patients (23.9%) accrued renal damage during their follow-up. Early response to treatment (HR=0.58), antimalarial use (HR=0.54) and a high SES (HR=0.25) were protective of renal damage occurrence, whereas male gender (HR=1.83), hypertension (HR=1.86) and the renal component of the SLEDAI (HR=2.02) were risk factors for its occurrence.ConclusionsEarly response, antimalarial use and high SES were protective of renal damage, while male gender, hypertension and higher renal activity were risk factors for its occurrence in patients with LN.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332098858
Author(s):  
José A Gómez-Puerta ◽  
Guillermo J Pons-Estel ◽  
Rosana Quintana ◽  
Romina Nieto ◽  
Rosa M Serrano Morales ◽  
...  

Introduction: After more than 20 years of sustained work, the Latin American Group for the Study of Lupus (GLADEL) has made a significant number of contributions to the field of lupus, not only in the differential role that race/ethnicity plays in its course and outcome but also in several other studies including the beneficial effects of using antimalarials in lupus patients and the development of consensus guidelines for the treatment of lupus in our region. Methods: A new generation of “Lupus Investigators” in more than 40 centers throughout Latin America has been constituted in order to continue the legacy of the investigators of the original cohort and to launch a novel study of serum and urinary biomarkers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Results: So far, we have recruited 807 patients and 631 controls from 42 Latin-American centers including 339 patients with SLE without renal involvement, 202 patients with SLE with prevalent but inactive renal disease, 176 patients with prevalent and active renal disease and 90 patients with incident lupus nephritis. Conclusions: The different methodological aspects of the GLADEL 2.0 cohort are discussed in this manuscript, including the challenges and difficulties of conducting such an ambitious project.


2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1019-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel F Ugarte-Gil ◽  
Eduardo Acevedo-Vásquez ◽  
Graciela S Alarcón ◽  
Cesar A Pastor-Asurza ◽  
José L Alfaro-Lozano ◽  
...  

PurposeTo determine the association between the number of flares systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients experience and damage accrual, independently of other known risk factors.MethodsSLE patients (34 centres, nine Latin American countries) with a recent diagnosis (≤2 years) and ≥3 evaluations were studied. Disease activity was ascertained with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and damage with the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). Flare was defined as an increase ≥4 points in the SLEDAI between two study visits. An ambidirectional case- crossover design was used to determine the association between the number of flares and damage accrual.Results901 patients were eligible for the study; 500 of them (55.5%) experienced at least one flare, being the mean number of flares 0.9 (SD: 1.0). 574 intervals from 251 patients were included in the case-crossover design since they have case and control intervals, whereas, the remaining patients did not. Their mean age at diagnosis was 27.9 years (SD: 11.1), 213 (84.9%) were women. The mean baseline SDI and SLEDAI were 1.3 (1.3) and 13.6 (8.1), respectively. Other features were comparable to those of the entire sample. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, the number of flares, regardless of their severity, was associated with damage accrual (SDI) OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.94, p<0.001 (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.31 to 5.24, p=0.006 for severe and OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.83, p=0.001for mild-moderate).ConclusionsThe number of flares patients experience, regardless of their severity, increases the risk of damage accrual, independently of other known risk factors.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e031850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene B Murimi-Worstell ◽  
Dora H Lin ◽  
Henk Nab ◽  
Hong J Kan ◽  
Oluwadamilola Onasanya ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAt least half of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop organ damage as a consequence of autoimmune disease or long-term therapeutic steroid use. This study synthesised evidence on the association between organ damage and mortality in patients with SLE.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsElectronic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature for observational (cohort, case-control and cross-sectional) studies published between January 2000 and February 2017. Included studies reported HRs or ORs on the association between organ damage (measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score) and mortality. Study quality was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa assessment. Pooled HRs were obtained using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q (Q) and I2 statistics.ResultsThe search yielded 10 420 articles, from which 21 longitudinal studies were selected. Most studies (85%) were of high quality. For 10 studies evaluating organ damage (SDI) as a continuous variable and reporting HR as a measure of association, a 1-unit increase in SDI was associated with increased mortality; pooled HR was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.24 to 1.44, p<0.001; Q p=0.027, I2=52.1%). Exclusion of one potential outlying study reduced heterogeneity with minimal impact on pooled HR (1.33 (95% CI: 1.25 to 1.42), p<0.001, Q p=0.087, I2=42.0%). The 11 remaining studies, although they could not be aggregated because of their varying patient populations and analyses, consistently demonstrated that greater SDI was associated with increased mortality.ConclusionsOrgan damage in SLE is consistently associated with increased mortality across studies from various countries. Modifying the disease course with effective therapies and steroid-sparing regimens may reduce organ damage, improve outcomes and decrease mortality for patients with SLE.


Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Hernández Cruz ◽  
F Alonso ◽  
J Calvo Alén ◽  
J M Pego-Reigosa ◽  
F J López-Longo ◽  
...  

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is regarded as a prototype autoimmune disease because it can serve as a means for studying differences between ethnic minorities and sex. Traditionally, all Hispanics have been bracketed within the same ethnic group, but there are differences between Hispanics from Spain and those from Latin America, not to mention other Spanish-speaking populations. Objectives This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, severity, activity, damage, mortality and co-morbidity of SLE in Hispanics belonging to the two ethnic groups resident in Spain, and to identify any differences. Methods This was an observational, multi-centre, retrospective study. The demographic and clinical variables of patients with SLE from 45 rheumatology units were collected. The study was conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Hispanic patients from the registry were divided into two groups: Spaniards or European Caucasians (EC) and Latin American mestizos (LAM). Comparative univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Results A total of 3490 SLE patients were included, 90% of whom were female; 3305 (92%) EC and 185 (5%) LAM. LAM patients experienced their first lupus symptoms four years earlier than EC patients and were diagnosed and included in the registry younger, and their SLE was of a shorter duration. The time in months from the first SLE symptoms to diagnosis was longer in EC patients, as were the follow-up periods. LAM patients exhibited higher prevalence rates of myositis, haemolytic anaemia and nephritis, but there were no differences in histological type or serositis. Anti-Sm, anti-Ro and anti-RNP antibodies were more frequently found in LAM patients. LAM patients also had higher levels of disease activity, severity and hospital admissions. However, there were no differences in damage index, mortality or co-morbidity index. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounders, in several models the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for a Katz severity index >3 in LAM patients was 1.45 (1.038–2.026; p = 0.02). This difference did not extend to activity levels (i.e. SLEDAI >3; 0.98 (0.30–1.66)). Conclusion SLE in Hispanic EC patients showed clinical differences compared to Hispanic LAM patients. The latter more frequently suffered nephritis and higher severity indices. This study shows that where lupus is concerned, not all Hispanics are equal.


2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 675-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis A. González-Naranjo ◽  
Octavio Martínez Betancur ◽  
Graciela S. Alarcón ◽  
Manuel F. Ugarte-Gil ◽  
Daniel Jaramillo-Arroyave ◽  
...  

Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 884-891
Author(s):  
Hülya Kankaya ◽  
Ayfer Karadakovan

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of web-based education and counselling for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on self-efficacy, fatigue and assessment of care. Methods The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 80 patients divided into two groups: the experimental group ( n = 40) and a control group ( n = 40). Randomization was performed by simple random sampling. At the beginning of the study (month 0), data-collection forms were administered to both groups. Web-based education was carried out for the first three months, and counselling and information updates were given for the next three months for the experimental group. In the intervention process, the control group just received standard care. After six months, data-collection forms were administered to both groups again. Results The mean age of the participants in the experimental and control groups was 35.58 ± 8.40 years and 39.00 ± 12.71 years, respectively. In both groups, 95% of patients were women. Wilcoxon’s test was used for within-group comparisons before and after the study. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to evaluate the difference between the two groups before the intervention and between the two groups after the intervention. We found that there was a significant improvement in fatigue, self-efficacy and assessment of chronic illness care in the experimental group at the end of the study ( p < 0.05). Conclusions The intervention had a positive effect on self-efficacy, fatigue and satisfaction with chronic illness. In accordance with the results, similar studies should be conducted for different patient groups in order to strengthen the results.


Lupus ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 938-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Garcia ◽  
J C Marcos ◽  
A I Marcos ◽  
B A Pons-Estel ◽  
D Wojdyla ◽  
...  

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