scholarly journals SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS – DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF 134 PATIENTS FROM A SINGLE CENTER

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Alina Dima ◽  
◽  
Camelia Badea ◽  
Eugenia Balanescu ◽  
Simona Caraiola ◽  
...  

Introduction. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown origins with increasing prevalence worldwide. Lupus clinical and immunological features are complex and heterogeneous, but peculiar characteristics in different population were described. Aim. Description of specific clinical and biological features of SLE patients. Methods. 134 patients fulfilling the 2012 SLE Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinic criteria were enrolled. Baseline characteristics and biological features (such as sex, age, age at disease onset, disease duration, tobacco and alcohol habits, cardiovascular and fracture risk factors) were collected in all consenting patients prospectively included. Also, disease activity scores such as Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM), European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, and accrual damage Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology index were assessed when data needed for these scores were available. Results. A number of 134 SLE patients, majority of feminine sex (89.6%) were enrolled. The mean ± SD age at inclusion and onset age were 46.4 ± 12.9 years and 36.5 ± 12.2 years. 19.4% of patients included were current smokers. Regarding comorbidities, 8.5% associated diabetes and 41.8% hypertension. Anti-deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies were identified in the antecedents of only 50.4% of the searched cases; higher proportion of positivity was found for lupus anticoagulant, respectively 70.9%. Joint involvement was the most frequent clinical criterion used to sustain the lupus diagnosis (110 patients, 82.1%), while the hematological one the most frequent involvement at inclusion (50 patients, 37.3%). 67.9% of patients presented SLAM score results less or equal to 5 points, 10.4% results between 5 and 8 points, and 21.6% of more or equal to 8 points. The majority of patients enrolled were under corticosteroid treatment (109 patients, 81.3%) and also an important part was receiving Hydroxychloroquine (108 patients, 80.6%). Conclusion. In this cross-sectional study, we presented important data related to general characteristics, biological parameters, immunological features, disease scores, and treatment principles in a single-center sample of SLE patients.

Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-388
Author(s):  
F Ceccarelli ◽  
C Perricone ◽  
E Cipriano ◽  
L Massaro ◽  
F Natalucci ◽  
...  

Specific indices are not available to evaluate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) joint involvement; indeed, the application of indices validated for rheumatoid arthritis has been suggested. We evaluated the usefulness of organ specific composite indices, i.e. the Disease Activity Score on 28 joints (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and the ratio of swollen to tender joints (STR), to assess SLE joint activity by analyzing the correlation between these indices and ultrasonography (US) inflammatory status. We evaluated SLE patients with arthralgia and/or arthritis: the above-mentioned indices were calculated and the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2k) was applied to assess global disease activity. US of I–V metacarpophalangeal, I–V proximal interphalangeal, wrist, and knee bilateral was performed. Synovial effusion/hypertrophy and power Doppler findings were scored according to a semi-quantitative scale (0–3) to obtain an inflammatory total score (0–216). One hundred and six patients (M/F 7/99, median age 49.5 years (IQR 17.0), median disease duration 8.5 years (IQR 17.0)) were enrolled. We identified a positive correlation between US score and DAS28-CRP ( r = 0.3, p = 0.007), STR ( r = 0.42, p = 0.0005), SDAI ( r = 0.33, p = 0.02), CDAI ( r = 0.29, p = 0.03); US score reflected different levels of clinimetric joint activity. In conclusion, we suggest the ability of composite indices in detecting SLE joint inflammation and their possible real-life use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 675.1-676
Author(s):  
K. Pawlak-Bus ◽  
W. Schmidt ◽  
P. Leszczynski

Background:Distinguishing primary NPSLE (neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus) from secondary causes remains challenging (1). Attribution models were developed in order to aim clinicians in correct classification of NPSLE cases (2).Objectives:To investigate the prevalence of primary NPSLE manifestations assigned with Italian model of attribution (2).Methods:We retrospectively assessed clinical details of 164 patients with SLE classified with 2012 SLICC (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) classification criteria, 21 were excluded due to incomplete information. Data was gathered with a questionnaire comprising demographics, medical history, laboratory results (concentrations of antibodies against double stranded DNA – anti-dsDNA, complement components C3 and C4), disease activity measured with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and damage determined with SLICC/ACR (American College of Rheumatology) Damage Index (SDI). Neuropsychiatric manifestations were categorized in accordance with 1999 ACR glossary and attribution of manifestations was performed with the use of Italian model with the score ≥7 out of 10 points enabling assignment to primary NPSLE group (2). Statistical analysis was conducted with Statistica v.13.3 using Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and Fisher exact test.Results:We encountered 155 NP manifestations in our cohort and 52 (34%) were attributed to SLE. Characteristics of the study groups are presented in Table 1. Exact manifestations and their attribution rates are presented on Graph 1. Patients with attributable NPSLE were younger, had earlier disease onset, presented higher disease activity, lower damage accrual without taking NP damage into account and more often had increased anti-dsDNA serum concentration.Table 1.Demographic and laboratory characteristics with disease activity and damage of the study groups, N(%) or mean(±SD).CharacteristicPatients with attributed NPSLE manifestationsPatients without attributed NPSLE manifestationsPatients34 (23.8%)109 (76.2%)Sex, female30 (88.2%)102 (93.6%)Age (years)37.6 (±11.7)44.3 (±13.9)*Age of disease onset (years)32.5 (±11.4)37.6 (±12.6)*Disease duration (years)5.1 (±4.1)6.8 (±5.6)SLEDAI-2K29.2 (±10.7)12.2 (±8.1)*patients with clinically active disease (defined as SLEDAI-2K≥6 in clinical manifestations)34 (100%)93 (85.3%)*SLEDAI-2K without NP manifestations14.8 (±8.4)11.0 (±6.7)*PGA2.1 (±1.0)1.2 (±1.0)*SDI0.5 (±0.8)0.7 (±1.1)SDI without NP damage0.3 (±0.6)0.7 (±1.1)*low C3/C4 complement component concentration in serum21 (61.8%)55 (50.4%)elevated anti-dsDNA autoantibody concentration in serum27 (79.4%)55 (50.4%)*NPSLE – neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, SLEDAI-2K – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index version 2000, PGA – physician global assessment, SDI – SLICC/ACR (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology) Damage Index*p<0,05, Mann-Whitney U, χ2or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriateConclusion:Primary NP manifestations in patients with SLE occur mainly in young patients with high disease activity. Cerebrovascular disease, seizures, psychosis and cranial neuropathy are most frequent primary NPSLE manifestations.References:[1]The American College of Rheumatology nomenclature and case definitions for neuropsychiatric lupus syndromes. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42(4):599–608.[2]Bortoluzzi A, Scirè CA, Bombardieri S, Caniatti L, Conti F, De Vita S, et al. Development and validation of a new algorithm for attribution of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Oxf Engl. 2015;54(5):891–8.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Reumatismo ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Cipriano ◽  
F. Ceccarelli ◽  
L. Massaro ◽  
F. R. Spinelli ◽  
C. Alessandri ◽  
...  

Joint involvement is a common manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). According to the SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), joint involvement is present in case of ≥2 joints with pain and signs of inflammation. However this definition could fail to catch all the various features of joint involvement. Alternatively the Swollen to Tender joint Ratio (STR) could be used. This new index, which was originally proposed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, is based on the count of 28 swollen and tender joints. Our study is, therefore, aimed to assess joint involvement in a SLE cohort using the STR. SLE patients with joint symptoms (≥1 tender joint) were enrolled over a period of one month. Disease activity was assessed by SLEDAI-2K. We performed the swollen and tender joint count (0-28) and calculated the STR. Depending on the STR, SLE patients were grouped into three categories of disease activity: low (STR1.0). We also calculated the disease activity score based on a 28-joint count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). We enrolled 100 SLE patients [F/M 95/5, mean±standard deviation (SD) age 46.3±10.6 years, mean±SD disease duration 147.1±103.8 months]. The median of tender and swollen joints was 4 (IQR 7) and 1 (IQR 2.5), respectively. The median STR value was 0.03 (IQR 0.6). According to the STR, disease activity was low in 70 patients, moderate in 23 and high in 7. A significant correlation was identified between STR values and DAS28 (r=0.33, p=0.001). The present study suggests a correlation between STR and DAS28, allowing an easier and faster assessment of joint involvement with the former index.


Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
W Batista Cicarini ◽  
R C Figueiredo Duarte ◽  
K Silvestre Ferreira ◽  
C de Mello Gomes Loures ◽  
R Vargas Consoli ◽  
...  

We have explored the relationship between possible hemostatic changes and clinical manifestation of the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as a function of greater or lesser disease activity according to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) criteria. Endothelial injury and hypercoagulability were investigated in patients with SLE by measuring thrombomodulin (TM), D-dimer (DDi) and thrombin generation (TG) potential. A total of 90 participants were distributed into three groups: 1) women with SLE presenting with low disease activity (laSLE) (SLEDAI-2K ≤ 4), 2) women with SLE presenting with moderate to high disease activity (mhaSLE) (SLEDAI-2K > 4), and 3) a control group comprising healthy women. Levels of TM and DDi were higher both in the laSLE and mhaSLE groups compared to controls and in mhaSLE compared to the laSLE group. With respect to TG assay, lagtime and endogen thrombin potential, low concentrations of tissue factor provided the best results for discrimination among groups. Analysis of these data allow us to conclude that TM, DDi and TG are potentially useful markers for discriminating patients with very active from those with lower active disease. Higher SLE activity may cause endothelial injury, resulting in higher TG and consequently a hypercoagulability state underlying the picture of thrombosis common in this inflammatory disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 588.2-588
Author(s):  
G. Olivieri ◽  
F. Ceccarelli ◽  
F. Natalucci ◽  
F. R. Spinelli ◽  
C. Alessandri ◽  
...  

Background:The updated EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) underline the use of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of different disease related manifestations (1). Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of MMF in lupus nephritis (LN) patients but only case series and open-labelled trials have analyzed the use of this drug in other than LN features. Moreover, no data are available about the MMF retention rate in a real-life setting.Objectives:The present study aims at evaluating the 5-years drug retention rate (DRR) of MMF in a large monocentric SLE cohort. Secondly, we investigated the influence of MMF in disease activity changes and chronic damage progression.Methods:We performed a longitudinal study including all the SLE patients (ACR 1997 criteria) starting MMF treatment in our Lupus Clinic. Data about indications, mean dosage, duration of treatment and reasons for drug withdrawal were registered. The DRR was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Disease activity and chronic damage were assessed by SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and SLICC Damage Index (SDI), respectively.Results:The present analysis included 162 SLE patients (M/F 22/140, median age at the disease diagnosis 25.5 years, IQR 13). At the beginning of MMF treatment, we registered a median age of 34 months (IQR 21) and a median disease duration of 72 months (IQR 123). The most frequent indications for prescribing MMF were LN (101 patients, 62.3%) and musculoskeletal manifestations (39, 24.1%), followed by neuropsychiatric involvement (10, 6.2%), and others disease related manifestations (12, 7.4%; in particular skin involvement, hematological features, myositis, vasculitis). MMF was administered at a mean daily dosage of 2.1±0.6 grams; no differences in dosage were found between the different indications (p=ns).At the longitudinal analysis, we registered a median treatment duration of 30 months (IQR 55). Figure 1 reported data about DRR: in particular, at 60 months follow-up we observed a DRR of 61.1% for LN patients, which was similar to that registered for patients without renal involvement (NLN) (60.5%; p=ns). Interestingly, the DRR at 60 months was higher in the subgroup of patients treated for joint involvement (75.4%), even without reaching a statistically significant difference. During the observation period, 92 patients (59.2%) discontinued MMF (median treatment duration at discontinuation 25 months, IQR 35). Interestingly, the main cause of withdrawal was the achievement of persistent remission, observed in 20 patients (21.7%), followed by loss of efficacy (19 patients, 20.5%), drug intolerance and pregnancy planning (17 patients for both reasons, 18,4%). Furthermore, our analysis confirmed MMF efficacy, as demonstrated by the significant reduction in SLEDAI-2k values after 4, 12 and 24 months of treatment (p< 0.0001 for all the time-points in comparison with baseline). In addition, MMF resulted able to control chronic damage progression, as demonstrated by the lack of significant increase in SDI values (baseline: 0.6, IQR 1; last observation: 0.93, IQR 1; p=ns).Conclusion:The evaluation of a large SLE cohort demonstrated a good retention rate for MMF. In particular, our results demonstrated that MMF is also a safe and effective drug for SLE manifestation other than LN, in particular for joint involvement. Moreover, it is able to control disease activity and to prevent the progression of chronic damage.References:[1]Fanouriakis A et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Jun;78(6):736-745.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila B. S. Medeiros ◽  
Roberta G. Salomão ◽  
Sara R. Teixeira ◽  
Diane M. Rassi ◽  
Luciana Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. The present study determined the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in childhood-onset SLE using the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and investigated associations between traditional and nontraditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as medications, SLE Disease Activity Index - SLEDAI-2 K and SLICC-ACR damage index and CIMT. Methods Cross-sectional prospective study between 2017 and 2018. CIMT was assessed by ultrasonography. Data were collected by chart review, nutritional evaluation and laboratory tests and analyzed by Fisher, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, multiple linear and log binomial regression. Results Twenty-eight patients (mean age 13.9 years, SD 3) were enrolled. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 32% (95% CI 14.8, 49.4). The mean CIMT was 0.43 ± 0.035 mm. The most common traditional risk factors observed were dyslipidemia (82.1%), uncontrolled hypertension (14.2%), obesity (14.3%), and poor diet (78.6%). Uncontrolled hypertension (p = 0.04), proteinuria (p = 0.02), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 75 ml /min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.02) and SLEDAI-2 K > 5 (P = 0.04) were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. SLEDAI-2 K > 5 maintained association with CIMT after adjusting for control variables. Conclusion Subclinical atherosclerosis is frequently observed in cSLE, mainly in patients with moderate to severe disease activity.


Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 748-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
R C Li ◽  
J Guo ◽  
L C Su ◽  
A F Huang

Objective This study aimed to assess IL-24 levels and their association with clinical manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods There were 75 patients with SLE and 58 healthy controls recruited in this study. Serum levels of IL-24 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and mRNA levels of IL-24 were tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction . The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for diagnostic ability of the inflammatory cytokine. Results Serum IL-24 levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than that in healthy controls. SLE patients with nephritis had higher IL-24 levels than those without nephritis. Active SLE patients showed higher expression of IL-24 as compared to less active disease patients. The mRNA levels of IL-24 were much higher in SLE patients. Correlation analysis showed significant correlation between serum IL-24 levels and SLE disease activity index. In addition, ROC analysis may suggest good ability of serum IL-24 in differentiating SLE. Conclusion The inflammatory cytokine correlated with SLE disease activity, and may be involved in this disease pathogenesis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2137
Author(s):  
Ning-Sheng Lai ◽  
Ming-Chi Lu ◽  
Hsiu-Hua Chang ◽  
Hui-Chin Lo ◽  
Chia-Wen Hsu ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the correlation of a recently developed systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity score (SLE-DAS) with the SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) with the Lupus Quality of Life questionnaire (LupusQoL) in Taiwanese patients with SLE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan from April to August 2019. Adult patients with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of SLE based on the 1997 American College of Rheumatology revised criteria or the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Classification Criteria were recruited. SLE disease activity was measured with both SLEDAI-2K and SLE-DAS. Disease-specific quality of life was assessed using the LupusQoL. Results: Of the 333 patients with SLE in this study, 90.4% were female and 40% were between the ages of 20 and 39 years. The median SLEDAI-2K score was 4.00 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.00–7.50) and the median SLE-DAS score was 2.08 (IQR 1.12–8.24) in our patients with SLE. After adjusting for sex and age intervals, both SLEDAI-2k and SLE-DAS were significantly and inversely associated with all eight domains of LupusQoL. The magnitudes of the mean absolute error, root mean square error, Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, and coefficient of determination were comparable between SLEDAI-2K and SLE-DAS. Conclusions: There were no clear differences in the use of SLE-DAS over SLEDAI-2K in assessing HRQoL in patients with SLE. We suggest that, in this aspect, both SLEDAI-2K and SLE-DAS are effective tools for measuring disease activity in patients with SLE.


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