scholarly journals Risk of malignancy in patients with rheumatic disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Victor Tak-lung Wong ◽  
Weng-nga Lao

Abstract Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), and inflammatory myositis are at increased risk of developing malignancies. Treatment of these conditions, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic therapies, are also associated with increased risk of malignancies.Cancer adds to the disease burden in these patients, affecting their quality of life and life expectancy. The decision in choosing immunosuppressive agents in these rheumatic diseases should take into account the disease severity, expectation for disease control, comorbidities, as well asthe side effects including risks of cancer. This article does not include the risk of malignancy in patients with the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, which are well-recognized paraneoplastic conditions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1689-1695 ◽  
Author(s):  
April M. Jorge ◽  
Na Lu ◽  
Sarah F. Keller ◽  
Sharan K. Rai ◽  
Yuqing Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective.Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) are associated with an increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. We examined the potential survival benefit of statin use among patients with SARD in a general population setting.Methods.We conducted an incident user cohort study using a UK general population database. Our population included patients with a SARD as determined by Read code diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, Behçet disease, or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014. We compared propensity score–matched cohorts of statin initiators and noninitiators within 1-year cohort accrual blocks to account for potential confounders, including disease duration, body mass index, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and medication use.Results.Of 2305 statin initiators, 298 died during the followup period (mean 5.1 yrs), whereas among 2305 propensity score–matched noninitiators, 338 died during the followup period (mean 4.8 yrs). This corresponded to mortality rates of 25.4/1000 and 30.3/1000 person-years, respectively. Statin initiation was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.98). When we compared the unmatched cohorts, the statin initiators (n = 2863) showed increased mortality (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.58–2.16) compared with noninitiators (n = 2863 randomly selected within 1-year cohort accrual blocks) because of confounding by indication.Conclusion.In this general population–based study, statin initiation was shown to reduce overall mortality in patients with SARD after adjusting for relevant determinates of CVD risk.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Hua Chen ◽  
Ching-Heng Lin ◽  
Tsu-Yi Hsieh ◽  
Der-Yuan Chen ◽  
Jia-Ching Ying ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess the association of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and clinical data in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Methods We used the 2003–2017 nationwide data in Taiwan to identify patients with SARDs, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis/polymyositis and primary Sjögren’s syndrome. We identified 479 cases with severe PAH and selected controls matched (1:4) for age, sex, and index-year. We used conditional logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with risks for severe PAH shown as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We found that severe PAH was highly associated with interstitial lung disease (OR, 8.57; 95% CI, 5.52–13.32), congestive heart failure (OR, 7.62; 95% CI, 5.02–11.55), valvular heart disease (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.03–5.50) and slightly associated with thyroid diseases (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.18–3.00), but not the level of exposure to PM2.5. Increased risk for PAH was found in patients receiving corticosteroid (prednisolone equivalent dosage, mg/day, OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.05), biologics (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.15–4.12) as well as immunosuppressants, including cyclosporin (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.31–3.59), azathioprine (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.48–2.61), cyclophosphamide (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.30–3.11) and mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.37–4.27), and those with the highest level of insured amount (reference, lowest level; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34–0.83). Conclusion The population-based study identified risks for severe PAH in patients with SARDs, and these findings provide evidence for PAH risk stratification in patients with SARDs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 566-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiola Atzeni ◽  
Valeria Nucera ◽  
Elisabetta Gerratana ◽  
Alessia Fiorenza ◽  
Luigi Gianturco ◽  
...  

: The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus has been extensively documented. Sub-clinical atherosclerosis can be assessed using various non-invasive imaging techniques. However, the mechanisms underlying the higher risk of atherosclerotic CVD in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are not fully known, although they seem to include chronic low-grade systemic inflammation leading to prolonged endothelial activation, accompanied by a pro-thrombotic/pro-coagulant and autoantibody state. Furthermore, sub-clinical atherosclerosis is also influenced by other traditional risk factors for CVD. Including the individual components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS: obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure), the degree of which is higher in these patients than in controls. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the CV manifestations and risk factors involved in the increased risk of CVD among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1031.1-1032
Author(s):  
G. Figueroa-Parra ◽  
A. Moreno-Salinas ◽  
C. M. Gamboa-Alonso ◽  
M. A. Villarreal-Alarcón ◽  
D. Á. Galarza-Delgado

Background:Dermatological manifestations are not rare in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD). Multidisciplinary management and direct interaction between these disciplines are essential. According to Dermatology-Rheumatology clinics, most diagnoses evaluated are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with dermatitis being the most common manifestation. It is important to be aware that skin problems in RD patients are not always related to the underlying condition(1). Nowadays, there is significant evidence to support the manifold advantages of the joint dermatology-rheumatology clinics, including improved quality of care for patients and multidisciplinary training for new physicians(2). This ongoing trend is intended to highlight the important interaction between specialties that treat overlapping conditions, and it has been incorporated in academic health centers to give a comprehensive approach to patients.Objectives:Our purpose was to describe the collaboration between the Rheumatology and Dermatology services during the evaluation of RD patients.Methods:An observational, retrospective study was performed in the Rheumatology Service of the University Hospital “Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez” in Monterrey, Mexico, between March 2019 and February 2020. All the patients with a Rheumatology or Dermatology consultation requested were included (hospitalized and outpatients). Demographic (age, gender, baseline diagnosis), the reason for consultation, specialty requested, type of treatment, final diagnoses, and agreement in final diagnosis were registered. Results are shown in descriptive statistics.Results:One hundred and seventy-four patients were included, 142 (81.6%) patients from the outpatient clinic and 32 (18.4%) patients hospitalized. The mean age was 45.1 (SD±15.8) years, 135 (77.6%) were females, 54 (31%) patients were under initial diagnosis evaluation, 30 (17.2%) had RA, 25 (14.4%) patients had SLE, 15 (8.6%) patients had psoriatic arthritis, 12 (6.9%) patients had systemic sclerosis, 6 (3.4%) patients had dermatomyositis. The main reasons for consultation in hospitalized patients were acute lupus (15.6%), subacute lupus (12.5%), purpura (12.5%), cutaneous vasculitis (9.4%), urticarial dermatitis (9.4%), dermatomyositis (6.3%) and others (34.3%). The consultation requested was: 156 (89.7%) to Dermatology and 18 (10.3%) to Rheumatology. The type of treatment prescribed was topic/local in 37 (21.3%) patients, systemic in 25 (14.4%) and both in 92 (52.9%) patients. The final diagnoses were related to the underlying disease in 102 (77%) patients and unrelated in 40 (23%) patients. The agreement between initial clinical suspicion and final diagnoses reached 75.9% between Rheumatology and Dermatology services. Figure 1.Conclusion:The collaboration between Rheumatology and Dermatology services are very important. Most of the patients were under initial evaluation. All the rheumatologists and dermatologists should be aware of the interdependence from both specialties to give the best quality of care to the patients.References:[1]Samycia M, McCourt C, Shojania K, Au S. Experiences From a Combined Dermatology and Rheumatology Clinic: A Retrospective Review. J Cutan Med Surg. 2016;20(5):486-489. doi:10.1177/1203475416649138.[2]Theodorakopoulou E, Dalamaga M, Katsimbri P, Boumpas DT, Papadavid E. How does the joint dermatology-rheumatology clinic benefit both patients and dermatologists?. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(3):e13283. doi:10.1111/dth.13283Figure 1.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Seok Park ◽  
Seulggie Choi ◽  
Kyuwoong Kim ◽  
Jooyoung Chang ◽  
Sung Min Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The primary objective is to investigate adverse effects of ambient particulate matter (PM) in various size on the incidence of prevalent autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs): Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Methods We investigated 230,034 participants in three metropolitan cities of South Korea from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC). Starting from January 2010, subjects were followed up until the first event of prevalent AIRDs, death, or December 2013. 2008-2009 respective averages of PM2.5 (< 2.5μm) and PMcoarse (2.5μm to 10μm) were linked with participants’ administrative district codes. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression analysis in one- and two-pollutant model. Results Adjusted for age, sex, region, and household income in two-pollutant model, RA incidence was positively associated with 10μg/m³ increment of PM2.5 (aHR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.06-2.86), but not with PMcoarse (aHR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.87-1.85). In one-pollutant model, an elevated incidence rate of RA was slightly attenuated (PM2.5 aHR = 1.61, 95% CI: 0.99-2.61; PMcoarse aHR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.80-1.61), with marginal statistical significance of PM2.5. RA incidence was also higher in 4th quartile group of PM2.5 compared to 1st quartile group (aHR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.07-3.11). No adverse effects of PM were found on AS or SLE in one- and two-pollutant models. Conclusion Important components of PM10 associated with RA incidence were fine fractions (PM2.5), while no positive association was found between PM and AS or SLE.


2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201017
Author(s):  
Michael D. George ◽  
Shilpa Venkatachalam ◽  
Shubhasree Banerjee ◽  
Joshua F. Baker ◽  
Peter A. Merkel ◽  
...  

Objective To assess concerns and healthcare-related behaviors of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Adults from the United States with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the ArthritisPower Patient-Powered Research Network and CreakyJoints patient community completed surveys. Concerns and behaviors were compared among patients with different autoimmune conditions, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use, and geographic measures of urban status, income, education, and COVID-19 activity. Results Among 1517 participants (925 RA, 299 PsA, 185 AS, 108 SLE), mean age was 55.1 years, 88.3% were female, and 89.5% were White. COVID-19 concerns were similar across the country and were higher in biologic users (P < 0.001). Avoidance of doctor’s office visits (56.6%) or laboratory testing (42.3%) and use of telehealth (29.5%) were more common in urban areas. Among participants receiving a DMARD without COVID-19 or other respiratory illness, 14.9% stopped a DMARD, with 78.7% of DMARD interruptions not recommended by a physician. DMARD stopping was more common in participants with lower socioeconomic status (SES) and in participants who avoided an office visit (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04–2.04) or reported lack of telehealth availability OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.25–4.08). Conclusion In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with RA, PsA, AS, and SLE frequently avoided office visits and laboratory testing. DMARD interruptions commonly occurred without the advice of a physician and were associated with SES, office visits, and telehealth availability, highlighting the need for adequate healthcare access and attention to vulnerable populations during the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michie Imamura ◽  
Akihiro Mukaino ◽  
Koutaro Takamatsu ◽  
Hiroto Tsuboi ◽  
Osamu Higuchi ◽  
...  

Autonomic neuropathy has been reported in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) including Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the pathophysiological mechanism underlying autonomic dysfunction remains unknown to researchers. On the other hand, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is an acquired immune-mediated disorder, which causes dysautonomia that is mediated by autoantibodies against ganglionic acetylcholine receptors (gAChRs). The purpose of this review was to describe the characteristics of autonomic disturbance through previous case reports and the functional tests used in these studies and address the importance of anti-gAChR antibodies. We have established luciferase immunoprecipitation systems to detect antibodies against gAChR in the past and determined the prevalence of gAChR antibodies in various autoimmune diseases including AAG and rheumatic diseases. Autonomic dysfunction, which affects lower parasympathetic and higher sympathetic activity, is usually observed in ARD. The anti-gAChR antibodies may play a crucial role in autonomic dysfunction observed in ARD. Further studies are necessary to determine whether anti-gAChR antibody levels are correlated with the severity of autonomic dysfunction in ARD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2235042X1882020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irini Gergianaki ◽  
Ioanna Tsiligianni

Background: Although, both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and rheumatic diseases (RDs) are common, and each has significant impact on patients’ overall health/quality of life, their co-occurrence has received little attention, while 15% of COPD remains undiagnosed in RDs. Objective: To update the information regarding the comorbid state of RD/COPD (prevalence, incidence), to examine whether patients with RD have increased risk of developing COPD and vice versa, and what implications this comorbidity has on patients’ outcomes (mortality, hospitalizations, exacerbations). Methods: We performed a systematic literature review regarding the comorbidity of an RD (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren syndrome disease (pSS), and systemic sclerosis (SSc)) with COPD. From 2803 reports retrieved, 33 articles were further screened. Finally, 27 articles were included. Results: Robust evidence supports that COPD develops up to 68% more frequently in patients with RA, as compared to the general population. Similarly, COPD is increased in every other RD that was studied. Further, self-referred arthritis is more common in COPD patients versus non-COPD controls and a predictor of worst self-rated health status. Patients with inflammatory arthritis/COPD have increased mortality (threefold in RA-COPD, irrespectively of which is first diagnosed), hospitalizations, and emergency visits. Conclusion: COPD is more common in patients with RA, AS, PsA, SLE, pSS, and SSc; yet, the association, vice versa, warrants further investigation. Nevertheless, COPD/RDs coexistence has significant prognostic value for worst outcomes; therefore, awareness is required to track early identification, especially in primary care.


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