scholarly journals White Matter Hyperintensities as a Risk Factor for Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eri Sano ◽  
Shigeki Arawaka

Objective: The occurrence of ischemic stroke in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause extended periods of reduced daily activities. However, the risk factors for ischemic stroke in SLE patients are not fully elucidated. Herein, we examined the effect of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on the occurrence of ischemic stroke in SLE patients.Methods: We analyzed the relationship between WMH burden and ischemic stroke using follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 79 patients with SLE. Of these patients, 16 developed stroke during the observation period. WMH on MRI were classified into periventricular hyperintensities and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH), while the lesion extent was graded using the Fazekas scale.Results: Kaplan–Meier curves showed that ischemic stroke events were significantly associated with age at initial brain MRI of ≥40 years (p = 0.015) and history of anti-phospholipid syndrome (p = 0.030). Additionally, ischemic stroke events were significantly associated with a one grade deterioration of periventricular hyperintensities (p = 0.003) and a one grade deterioration of DWMH (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model showed that a one grade deterioration of DWMH was an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 6.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–27.4).Conclusions: Although several factors affect the occurrence of ischemic stroke, SLE patients show increased risk of ischemic stroke via development of DWMH. An observation of DWMH deterioration on follow-up brain MRI may be useful for assessing the risk of ischemic stroke in SLE patients.

Author(s):  
Francesca Inglese ◽  
Ilse M. J. Kant ◽  
Rory C. Monahan ◽  
Gerda M. Steup-Beekman ◽  
Tom W. J. Huizinga ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The underlying structural brain correlates of neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) remain unclear, thus hindering correct diagnosis. We compared brain tissue volumes between a clinically well-defined cohort of patients with NPSLE and SLE patients with neuropsychiatric syndromes not attributed to SLE (non-NPSLE). Within the NPSLE patients, we also examined differences between patients with two distinct disease phenotypes: ischemic and inflammatory. Methods In this prospective (May 2007 to April 2015) cohort study, we included 38 NPSLE patients (26 inflammatory and 12 ischemic) and 117 non-NPSLE patients. All patients underwent a 3-T brain MRI scan that was used to automatically determine white matter, grey matter, white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and total brain volumes. Group differences in brain tissue volumes were studied with linear regression analyses corrected for age, gender, and total intracranial volume and expressed as B values and 95% confidence intervals. Results NPSLE patients showed higher WMH volume compared to non-NPSLE patients (p = 0.004). NPSLE inflammatory patients showed lower total brain (p = 0.014) and white matter volumes (p = 0.020), and higher WMH volume (p = 0.002) compared to non-NPSLE patients. Additionally, NPSLE inflammatory patients showed lower white matter (p = 0.020) and total brain volumes (p = 0.038) compared to NPSLE ischemic patients. Conclusion We showed that different phenotypes of NPSLE were related to distinct patterns of underlying structural brain MRI changes. Especially the inflammatory phenotype of NPSLE was associated with the most pronounced brain volume changes, which might facilitate the diagnostic process in SLE patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Key Points • Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) patients showed a higher WMH volume compared to SLE patients with neuropsychiatric syndromes not attributed to SLE (non-NPSLE). • NPSLE patients with inflammatory phenotype showed a lower total brain and white matter volume, and a higher volume of white matter hyperintensities, compared to non-NPSLE patients. • NPSLE patients with inflammatory phenotype showed lower white matter and total brain volumes compared to NPSLE patients with ischemic phenotype.


Lupus ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 1463-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fasano ◽  
D P Margiotta ◽  
L Navarini ◽  
L Pierro ◽  
I Pantano ◽  
...  

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Low-dose aspirin, hydroxychloroquine and statins have been suggested to play a prophylactic role of cardiovascular events. This study is devoted to reviewing the literature on the topic and assessing the effects of these drugs in preventing a first cardiovascular event in a two-centre Italian series. Methods A PubMed search on cardiovascular prevention in systemic lupus erythematosus was performed. Moreover, systemic lupus erythematosus patients admitted to two centres from 2000–2015, who at admission had not experienced any cardiovascular event, were investigated. Aspirin, hydroxychloroquine and statin use, and the occurrence of any cardiovascular event, were recorded at each visit. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the role of traditional, disease-related cardiovascular risk factors and of each of the three drugs in the occurrence of new cardiovascular events. Results The literature search produced conflicting results. Two hundred and ninety-one systemic lupus erythematosus patients were included in the study and followed for a median of eight years. During follow-up, 16 cardiovascular events occurred. At multivariate analysis, taking aspirin (hazard ratio: 0.24) and hydroxychloroquine for more than five years (hazard ratio: 0.27) reduced, while antiphospholipid antibody positivity (hazard ratio: 4.32) increased, the risk of a first cardiovascular event. No effect of statins emerged. Conclusion Our study confirms an additive role of aspirin and hydroxychloroquine in the primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular events in Italian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The lack of any detected effect in previous reports may depend on the design of studies and their short follow-up period.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (21) ◽  
pp. e2432-e2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Martí-Fàbregas ◽  
Santiago Medrano-Martorell ◽  
Elisa Merino ◽  
Luis Prats-Sánchez ◽  
Rebeca Marín ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWe tested the hypothesis that the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with cardioembolic ischemic stroke who are treated with oral anticoagulants (OAs) can be predicted by evaluating surrogate markers of hemorrhagic-prone cerebral angiopathies using a baseline MRI.MethodsPatients were participants in a multicenter and prospective observational study. They were older than 64 years, had a recent cardioembolic ischemic stroke, and were new users of OAs. They underwent a baseline MRI analysis to evaluate microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and cortical superficial siderosis. We collected demographic variables, clinical characteristics, risk scores, and therapeutic data. The primary endpoint was ICH that occurred during follow-up. We performed bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.ResultsWe recruited 937 patients (aged 77.6 ± 6.5 years; 47.9% were men). Microbleeds were detected in 207 patients (22.5%), moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities in 419 (45.1%), and superficial siderosis in 28 patients (3%). After a mean follow-up of 23.1 ± 6.8 months, 18 patients (1.9%) experienced an ICH. In multivariable analysis, microbleeds (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–7, p = 0.034) and moderate/severe white matter hyperintensities (hazard ratio 5.7, 95% CI 1.6–20, p = 0.006) were associated with ICH (C index 0.76, 95% CI 0.66–0.85). Rate of ICH was highest in patients with both microbleed and moderate/severe WMH (3.76 per 100 patient-years, 95% CI 1.62–7.4).ConclusionPatients taking OAs who have advanced cerebral small vessel disease, evidenced by microbleeds and moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities, had an increased risk of ICH. Our results should help to determine the risk of prescribing OA for a patient with cardioembolic stroke.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT02238470.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 1590-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Rossides ◽  
Julia F. Simard ◽  
Elisabet Svenungsson ◽  
Mia von Euler ◽  
Elizabeth V. Arkema

Objective.To investigate mortality and functional impairment after stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods.Using Swedish nationwide registers, we identified 423 individuals with SLE and 1652 people without SLE who developed a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (1998–2013) and followed them until all-cause death or for 1 year. HR for death after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and the risk ratio of functional impairment (dependence in either transferring, toileting, or dressing) 3 months after ischemic stroke were estimated.Results.One year after stroke, 22% of patients with SLE versus 16% of those without SLE died. After ischemic stroke, patients with SLE had an increased risk of death (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.39–2.45), which was attenuated after controlling for SLE-related comorbidities (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.91). Functional impairment at 3 months was increased in SLE by almost 2-fold (risk ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.16–2.57). After hemorrhagic stroke, patients with SLE had an HR of 2.30 (95% CI 1.38–3.82) for death, which was increased even during the first month.Conclusion.Compared to subjects without SLE, mortality after ischemic stroke increases after the first month in individuals with SLE, and functionality is worse at 3 months. SLE is associated with all-cause death after hemorrhagic stroke even during the first month. A shift of focus to patient functionality and prevention of hemorrhagic strokes is required.


Lupus ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Langkilde ◽  
A Voss ◽  
N Heegaard ◽  
H Laustrup

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with presence of autoantibodies and characteristic multi-organ involvement. Relatives of SLE patients have an increased risk of autoantibody production and autoimmune diseases. Methods In 2001, 226 first degree relatives (FDRs) of a population-based cohort of SLE patients were examined for the prevalence of autoantibodies and self-reported health complaints. In 2013, 143 FDRs were re-investigated and deceased’s medical records were examined. Results Participants and non-participants were comparable regarding baseline characteristics, while deceased FDRs were older than participants, but with comparable ANA status. ANA status at baseline correlated to ANA status at follow-up. At follow-up, two FDRs reported SLE and 15 FDRs other autoimmune diseases. No observation at baseline alone could predict self-reported health. During follow-up 33 died at median age 76 years. Three deceased FDRs were diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Conclusion The study showed that FDRs of SLE patients have an increased prevalence of ANA compared to healthy controls. The prevalence increased during follow-up, and ANA positive FDRs at baseline were prone to be ANA positive at follow-up. ANA positive FDRs had more self-reported autoimmune diseases, including SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, than reported from other population-based investigations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 181.1-181
Author(s):  
M. Piga ◽  
T.M. Peltz ◽  
D. Perra ◽  
C. Montaldo ◽  
A. Vacca ◽  
...  

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332098113
Author(s):  
Xin-Ran Liu ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Qi ◽  
Ya-Fei Zhao ◽  
Yan Cui ◽  
Xiao-Yang Wang ◽  
...  

Objectives To evaluate a potential role of albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) in the development of lupus nephritis (LN) and determine the potential to use AGR as a marker for future LN in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods 194 newly diagnosed SLE patients without renal impairment were followed. The clinical data were collected and analyzed at the time of initial diagnosis of SLE and the end of follow-up. We compared baseline characteristics between those who did or did not develop LN on follow-up. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazard analysis were used to identify predictors of lupus nephritis. Results Among the 194 newly diagnosed SLE patients without renal impairment, 26 (13.40%) patients were diagnosed with LN during a median follow-up of 53.87 months. On univariate Cox analysis, patients with the history of alopecia, higher SBP, lower AGR, lower CRP, lower C3, lower C4, higher anti-dsDNA Ab, presence of ANA homogeneous patterns or higher SLEDAI had an increased probability of developing LN. In a multivariate model, the history of alopecia (adjust hazard ratio, aHR = 3.614, 95%CI 1.365-9.571 P = 0.010), lower AGR (aHR = 6.968, 95%CI 1.873-25.919, P = 0.004), lower CRP (aHR = 4.230, 95%CI 1.591-11.247, P = 0.004) and higher level of anti-dsDNA (aHR = 2.675, 95%CI 1.008-7.093, P = 0.048) were independently associated with an increased risk of developing LN after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Our findings indicated that SLE patients with low AGR, low CRP, high anti-dsDNA and the history of alopecia were more likely to develop LN in the course of SLE. AGR shown the greatest hazard for developing LN among them, it may be a strong predictor.


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