scholarly journals Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin monotherapy in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus: results of proof-of-concept study

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Ky ◽  
Brian Swasdibutra ◽  
Shaadi Khademi ◽  
Sheetal Desai ◽  
Vivian Laquer ◽  
...  

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease. Evidence-based therapy for CLE is lacking in the most part. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is being increasingly utilized as off-label therapy for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, especially in dermatology. The usefulness of IVIg in CLE is not well established. The goal of the present study was to obtain the proof-of-concept evidence that IVIg can control acute CLE and thus replace current systemic immunosuppressive therapy that causes severe side effects and adverse reactions. Sixteen patients who tried and failed various systemic treatments for CLE were screened and consented to use IVIg as a monotherapy. The IVIg was administered at 500 mg/kg/day on 4 consecutive days up to a total of 2 g/kg/month for 3 months, and the subjects were monitored for additional 6 months off any drug for a possible relapse. The cumulative results revealed an overall improvement, as evinced by a decrease of both objective and subjective measures of disease activity. The most sensitive and specific objective and subjective instruments for assessment of the therapeutic effect of IVIg were CLASI-A (Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index) measuring disease activity and Skindex-29 scores, respectively. The CLASI-A score dropped down from the initial value taken as 100%, and remained in the range of approximately 70% until the last visit. Three patients (18.8%) had a temporary flare of CLE symptoms but recovered within a month from the relapse. No serious side effects and adverse reactions occurred. Thus, IVIg monotherapy in CLE allowed to achieve: i) rapid and persistent decreased in disease activity; ii) steady improvement of patients’ quality of life assessed by Skindex-29; iii) low relapse rate; and iv) mild nature and short duration of relapses. Since healing was maintained for months after IVIg treatment, it is possible that the IVIg-triggered molecular events mediating the therapeutic action of IVIg that continued to unfold after the end of therapy.

Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 1691-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motolani E Ogunsanya ◽  
Sung Kyung Cho ◽  
Andrew Hudson ◽  
Benjamin F Chong

Objectives The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in adults and identify the clinical and non-clinical factors associated with quality of life (QoL), using the Revised Wilson and Cleary Model. Methods 101 patients diagnosed with CLE were included in this cross-sectional study. QoL was measured with the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life (CLEQoL) scale and disease activity and damage with the Cutaneous Lupus Activity and Severity Index (CLASI). Patient demographics, clinical, and disease characteristics were also collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple regression was employed to determine significant (p < 0.05) predictors of overall QoL. Data were analyzed using SPSS v24. Results The overall regression QoL model was significantly different from zero, (F = 24.96; df = 14, 76; p = <0.001). Disease activity (β = 0.13), pain (β = 0.13), fatigue (β = 0.24), body image (β = 0.62), and side effects (β = –0.13) were significant predictors of overall QoL while controlling for other predictor variables. Patients who experienced higher levels of disease activity, fatigue severity, pain levels, and greater degree of body dissatisfaction had significantly poorer QoL. Fewer side effects experienced from CLE medications were significantly associated with higher QoL. Conclusions Study findings support the considerable burden associated with CLE. Several modifiable variables such as pain, fatigue, body image, and disease activity were associated with QoL. Therefore, interventions that incorporate these variables may reduce negative impacts on QoL life and improve health outcomes in CLE patients. Furthermore, given the chronic and recurring nature of the condition, strategies focused on improving QoL are needed for this vulnerable population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000529
Author(s):  
Lisa N Guo ◽  
Lourdes M Perez-Chada ◽  
Robert Borucki ◽  
Vinod E Nambudiri ◽  
Victoria P Werth ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe lack of standardised outcomes and outcome measures for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) represents a substantial barrier to clinical trial design, comparative analysis and approval of novel investigative treatments. We aimed to develop a working core outcome set (COS) for CLE randomised controlled trials and longitudinal observational studies.MethodsWe conducted a multistage literature review of CLE and SLE studies to generate candidate domains and outcome measures. Domains were narrowed to a working core domain set. Outcome measures for core domains were identified and examined.ResultsProposed core domains include skin-specific disease activity and damage, investigator global assessment (IGA) of disease activity, symptoms (encompassing itch, pain and photosensitivity), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity. Recommended physician-reported outcome measures include the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematous Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and Cutaneous Lupus Activity IGA (CLA-IGA). For the domains of symptoms, HRQoL and PtGA of disease activity, we were unable to recommend one clearly superior instrument.ConclusionThis work represents a starting point for further refinement pending formal consensus activities and more rigorous evaluations of outcome measure quality. In the interim, the proposed working COS can serve as a much-needed guide for upcoming CLE clinical trials.


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