scholarly journals Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Update on Its Impact, Determinants and Therapeutic Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3996
Author(s):  
Lou Kawka ◽  
Aurélien Schlenckerv ◽  
Philippe Mertz ◽  
Thierry Martin ◽  
Laurent Arnaud

Fatigue is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon which is often neglected by clinicians. The aim of this review was to analyze the impact, determinants and management of fatigue in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms in SLE, reported by 67% to 90% of patients. It is also described as the most bothersome symptom, considering that it may impair key aspects of health-related quality of life, while also leading to employment disability. It is a multifactorial phenomenon involving psychological factors, pain, lifestyle factors such as reduced physical activity, whereas the contribution of disease activity remains controversial. The management of fatigue in patients with SLE should rely upon a person-centered approach, with targeted interventions. Some pharmacological treatments used to control disease activity have demonstrated beneficial effects upon fatigue and non-pharmacological therapies such as psychological interventions, pain reduction and lifestyle changes, and each of these should be incorporated into fatigue management in SLE.

2020 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2019-216753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Aranow ◽  
Anca Askanase ◽  
Shereen Oon ◽  
Molla Huq ◽  
Alicia Calderone ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of laboratory results on scoring of the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.MethodsFifty clinical vignettes were presented via an online survey to a group of international lupus experts. For each case, respondents scored the PGA pre and post knowledge of laboratory test results (pre-lab and post-lab PGAs). Agreement between individual assessors and relationships between pre-lab and post-lab PGAs, and PGAs and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) were determined. Respondents were also asked about factors they incorporate into their PGA determinations.ResultsSixty surveys were completed. The inter-rater PGA reliability was excellent (pre-lab intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.98; post-lab ICC 0.99). Post-lab PGAs were higher than pre-lab PGAs: median (IQR) pre-lab PGA 0.5 (1.05), post-lab PGA 1 (1.3) (p<0.001), with a median (IQR) difference of 0.2 (0.45). In general, all abnormal labs including elevated anti-double stranded DNA antibody level (dsDNA) and low complement impacted PGA assessment. Cases with weakest correlations between pre-lab and post-lab PGA were characterised by laboratory results revealing nephritis and/or haematological manifestations. Both pre-lab and post-lab PGAs correlated with SLEDAI-2K. However, a significantly stronger correlation was observed between post-lab PGA and SLEDAI-2K. Multiple factors influenced PGA determinations. Some factors were considered by an overwhelming majority of lupus experts, with less agreement on others.ConclusionsWe found excellent inter-rater reliability for PGAs in a group of international lupus experts. Post-lab PGA scores were higher than pre-lab PGA scores, with a significantly stronger correlation with the SLEDAI-2K. Our findings indicate that PGA scoring should be performed with knowledge of pertinent laboratory results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1226-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Schwarting ◽  
Tamara Möckel ◽  
Freya Lütgendorf ◽  
Konstantinos Triantafyllias ◽  
Sophia Grella ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe explored the impact of circulating anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies on the severity of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsSerum samples of 426 patients with SLE were analysed for the presence of antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the NMDAR. In parallel, the severity of fatigue was determined according to the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive functions questionnaire. In a subgroup of patients with SLE, the hippocampal volume was correlated with the levels of anti-NR2 antibodies. Isolated immunoglobulin G from patients with anti-NR2 antibodies were used for murine immunohistochemical experiments and functional assays on neuronal cell lines. Treatment effects were studied in 86 patients with lupus under belimumab therapy.ResultsWe found a close correlation between the titre of anti-NR2 antibodies, the severity of fatigue, the clinical disease activity index (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000) and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies—independently of the presence of neuropsychiatric lupus manifestations. Pathogenic effects could be demonstrated by (1) detection of anti-NR2 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid, (2) in situ binding of anti-NR2 antibodies to NMDAR of the hippocampus area and (3) distinct functional effects in vitro: downregulating the energy metabolism of neuronal cells without enhanced cytotoxicity. Treatment with belimumab for at least 6 months affected both the severity of fatigue and the levels of anti-NR2 antibodies.ConclusionThe presence of anti-NR2 antibodies in patients with SLE with fatigue is a helpful diagnostic tool and may offer a major approach in the therapeutic management of this important disabling symptom in patients with SLE.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Gacem ◽  
L Labboun ◽  
N Ayad ◽  
Z Zeroual ◽  
Z Arrada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems. Kidney involvement is one of the most frequent and severe manifestations of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE), seriously affecting the prognosis. It usually manifests as glomerulonephritis of varying severity. Objective: Knowledge of the correlation of lupus nephritis (LN) with clinical, biological, immunological parameters, disease activity and mortality in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus is limited. This study aims to describe the impact of renal involvement with these different determinants. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter, descriptive 36-month study (January 2015 - December 2018) including patients less than 16 years of age with LN. The presence of LN was defined according to the American College of Rheumatology classification SLE criteria. The LN class was determined by renal biopsy and was classified according to the Morphology in Kidney International Society of Nephrology (ISN)/Renal Pathology Society (RPS) 2004 classification of lupus nephritis. The disease activity was estimated by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), the use of which has been validated in children. Means, percentages and Chi-square tests were specified. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results We included 83 patients in this study. 37/83 patients (44.6%) developed LN with the following urinary signs: 92% of proteinuria (mean 3366.147 mg ± 2785.93 / 24h) including 2/3 of cases of nephrotic syndrome, 81% of hematuria, 14% of acute renal failure with significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate (average creatinine clearance of 32.42 ml / min) and 12% high blood pressure. Out of a total of 30 renal biopsies interpreted at disease diagnosis, 73.4% diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis forms were observed: (III (30%), IV (36.7%) and VI (6, 7%)). Lupus nephritis were significantly correlated with hypocomplementemia in its C3 (P = 0.00002) and C4 (P = 0.00005) fraction, lymphopenia (P = 0.02), anti-DNA antibodies (P = 0.026), SLEDAI (P = 0.00001) and mortality (P = 0.03). The most frequently used induction drugs for LN classes III, IV and VI were pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone (500 mg daily for 3 doses) in combination with low dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (23%) in the short term (500 mg/m2/15 days X 6) followed by mycophenolate mofetil (28%) (600mg/ m2 in two daily doses) as maintenance treatment associated with a daily dose of oral glucocorticoids with a gradual decrease until reaching the minimum amount necessary to control the disease. All of our SLE patients with nephritis were treated with HCQ with a significant correlation with the decrease in SLEDAI. During the first two years of disease progression, the frequency of LN increased to 43/83 (51.8%) mainly in these severe forms: (IV (41.7%), V (2.8 %). The progression to chronic renal failure had a prevalence of 6, 9% (3/43) of cases; these were mainly patients with severe lupus nephritis (III, and IV) Conclusion Nephritis is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in pSLE; LN in children is most often proliferating and more active. The early diagnosis and management of kidney damage are the only guarantee of a good course and prevention of the progression of chronic renal failure. Keywords lupus nephritis; child; systemic lupus erythematosus; disease activity, mortality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Correa-Rodríguez ◽  
Gabriela Pocovi-Gerardino ◽  
José-Luis Callejas Rubio ◽  
Raquel Ríos Fernández ◽  
María Martín Amada ◽  
...  

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110403
Author(s):  
Francisco Fellipe Claudino Formiga ◽  
Clovis Artur Silva ◽  
Tatiana do Nascimento Pedrosa ◽  
Nadia Emi Aikawa ◽  
Sandra Gofinet Pasoto ◽  
...  

Introduction Influenza A (H3N2) virus is the most important cause of seasonal influenza morbidity and mortality in the last 50 years, surpassing the impact of H1N1. Data assessing immunogenicity and safety of this virus component are lacking in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and restricted to small reports with other H3N2 strains. Objective This study aims to evaluate short-term immunogenicity and safety of influenza A/Singapore (H3N2) vaccine in SLE. Methods 81 consecutive SLE patients and 81 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were vaccinated with the influenza A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016(H3N2)-like virus. Seroprotection (SP) and seroconversion (SC) rates, geometric mean titers(GMT), and factor increase in GMT(FI-GMT) and adverse events were assessed before and 4 weeks post-vaccination. Disease activity and therapies were also evaluated. Results Before immunization, SLE and HC groups had high SP rates (89% vs 77%, p = 0.061) and elevated GMT titer with higher levels in SLE (129.1(104.1–154.1) vs 54.8(45.0–64.6), p < 0.001). Frequency of two previous years’ influenza vaccination was high and comparable in SLE and HC (89% vs 90%, p = 1.000). Four weeks post-vaccination, median GMT increased for both groups and remained higher in SLE compared to HC (239.9(189.5–290.4) vs 94.5(72.6–116.4), p < 0.0001) with a comparable FI-GMT (2.3(1.8–2.9) vs 1.9(1.5-2.3), p = 0.051). SC rates were low and comparable for both groups (16% vs 11%, respectively, p = 0.974). Disease activity scores remained stable throughout the study ( p = 1.000) and severe adverse events were not identified. Conclusion Influenza A/Singapore (H3N2) vaccine has an adequate safety profile. The distinct immunogenicity pattern from other influenza A components characterized by a remarkably high pre- and post-vaccination SP rate and high GMT levels may be associated with previous influenza A vaccination. ( www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03540823).


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rada Miskovic ◽  
Aleksandra Plavsic ◽  
Sanvila Raskovic ◽  
Zikica Jovicic ◽  
Jasna Bolpacic

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate potential role of vitamin D as an important factor in the development of many autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE are especially prone to the development of vitamin D deficiency due to the nature of their illness.AIM: The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with SLE in Serbia, to identify clinical variables associated with vitamin D status and to examine the impact of vitamin D status on disease activity and presence of specific lupus autoantibodies.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 46 patients with SLE. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by electrohemiluminiscent immunoassay.RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D was 11.9 ± 7.3 ng/ml. The prevalence of insufficiency was 32.6%, while the prevalence of deficiency was 67.4%. There was no association between vitamin D status and photosensitivity, skin lesions, arthritis and lupus nephritis. Vitamin D status was not associated with the presence of specific autoantibodies. There was no correlation between disease activity assessed by SLEDAI scale with the concentration of 25(OH)D. Patients who used vitamin D supplements and calcium did not have a significantly higher concentration of 25(OH)D.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with SLE.


Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 1705-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
D P E Margiotta ◽  
S Fasano ◽  
F Basta ◽  
L Pierro ◽  
A Riccardi ◽  
...  

Objective To evaluate the impact of duration of remission on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We conducted a 5-year retrospective study on two Italian cohorts. Remission was defined as a continuative period of no clinical disease activity, according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2 K, and a permitted maximum prednisone dose of 5 mg/day. HRQoL was measured using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36) during the last visit. Results We enrolled 136 female SLE patients. During observation, 15 (11%) patients had been in remission for ≥1 and <2 years, 15 (11%) for ≥2 and <3 years, 19 (14%) for ≥3 and <4 years, 9 (7%) for ≥4 and <5 years, and 53 (39%) had been in prolonged remission for ≥5 years. In the multivariate model, considering depression and fatigue as covariates, patients in prolonged remission showed significantly better scores in the physical functioning ( p = 0.039), role physical ( p = 0.029), bodily pain ( p = 0.0057), general health ( p = 0.0033) and social functioning ( p = 0.0085) components of the SF36, compared with those in remission <5 years or unremitted. Subsequent mediation analyses found that these effects were partly influenced by depression. Conclusion Lupus remission could improve the HRQoL of SLE patients, particularly when associated with appropriate management of depression and fatigue.


Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1377-1384
Author(s):  
Valeria Orefice ◽  
Fulvia Ceccarelli ◽  
Cristiana Barbati ◽  
Ramona Lucchetti ◽  
Giulio Olivieri ◽  
...  

Objective Caffeine, one of the most widely consumed products in the world, seems to interact with multiple components of the immune system by acting as a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In vitro dose-dependent treatment with caffeine down-regulates mRNA levels of key inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. So far, no robust data are available about the possible contribution of caffeine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of caffeine consumption on SLE-related disease phenotype and activity, in terms of clinimetric assessment and cytokine serum levels. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study, enrolling consecutive patients and reporting their clinical and laboratory data. Disease activity was assessed by SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Caffeine intake was evaluated by a 7-day food frequency questionnaire, including all the main sources of caffeine. As previously reported, patients were divided into four groups according to the daily caffeine intake: <29.1 mg/day (group 1), 29.2–153.7 mg/day (group 2), 153.8–376.5 mg/day (group 3) and >376.6 mg/day (group 4). At the end of questionnaire filling, blood samples were collected from each patient to assess cytokine levels. These were assessed by using a panel by Bio-Plex assays to measure the levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-27, IFNγ, IFNα and BLyS. Results We enrolled 89 consecutive SLE patients. We observed a negative correlation between caffeine consumption and disease activity, measured with SLEDAI-2K. A significantly higher prevalence of lupus nephritis, neuropsychiatric involvement, haematological manifestations, hypocomplementaemia and anti-dsDNA positivity was observed in patients with a low intake of caffeine. Furthermore, patients with a low intake of caffeine were more frequently treated with glucocorticoids. Regarding cytokine analysis, a negative correlation between daily caffeine consumption and serum level of IFNγ was found ( p = 0.03, r = –0.2); furthermore, patients with a high intake of caffeine showed lower serum levels of IFNα ( p = 0.02), IL-17 ( p = 0.01) and IL-6 ( p = 0.003). Conclusions In this report we demonstrated the impact of caffeine on SLE disease activity status, as confirmed by the inverse correlation between its intake and both SLEDAI-2K values and cytokine levels. Moreover, patients with a low caffeine consumption seem to have a more severe disease phenotype.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselm Mak

Over the past two decades it has been increasingly recognized that vitamin D, aside from its crucial involvement in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system, exerts its influential impact on the immune system. The mechanistic roles that vitamin D plays regarding immune activation for combating infection, as well as pathologically and mediating autoimmune conditions, have been progressively unraveled. In vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated that the action of vitamin D on various immunocytes is not unidirectional. Rather, how vitamin D affects immunocyte functions depends on the context of the immune response, in the way that its suppressive or stimulatory action offers physiologically appropriate and immunologically advantageous outcomes. In this review, the relationship between various aspects of vitamin D, starting from its adequacy in circulation to its immunological functions, as well as its autoimmune conditions, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototype autoimmune condition characterized by immune-complex mediated inflammation, will be discussed. Concurring with other groups of investigators, our group found that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with SLE. Furthermore, the circulating vitamin D levels appear to be correlated with a higher disease activity of SLE as well as extra-musculoskeletal complications of SLE such as fatigue, cardiovascular risk, and cognitive impairment.


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