Systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroid disease – Experience in a single medical center in Taiwan

BackgroundTo investigate the association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with thyroid diseases in a medical center in central Taiwan.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort of 2796 SLE patients in a tertiary referral medical center from 2000 to 2013. We screened SLE by catastrophic illness registration from national insurance bureau; and thyroid diseases by ICD 9 codes, then confirmed by thyroid function test, auto-antibody, medical and/or surgical intervention. We compared the rate of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in SLE patients and the 11,184 match controls. We calculated the rate of these thyroid diseases and positive antibodies to thyroglobulin (ATGAb), thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) in SLE patients grouped by the presence of overlap syndrome and anti-dsDNA antibody. We also compared the association of thyroid diseases to severe SLE conditions, including renal, central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and thrombocytopenia.ResultsCompared to the matched controls, the cumulative incidence of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and AITD, were all higher in SLE patients (p < 0.0001). The average age of SLE patients with thyroid diseases patients were older than those without thyroid diseases (p = 0.002). Those had euthyroid AITD were younger than other patients with thyroid diseases (p = 0.02). Up to 30.3% SLE patients had overlap syndrome and had higher relative risk of thyroid diseases than those without overlap syndrome, in terms of hypothyroidism and AITD, but not hyperthyroidism. SLE patients with thyroid diseases also carry higher risk for severe complications such as renal involvement (p = 0.024) central nervous system involvement (p < 0.0001).ConclusionSLE patients had significantly higher rate of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and AITD than the matched control. Among lupus patients, the risks of thyroid diseases are even higher in the presence of overlap syndrome. SLE patients with thyroid diseases had higher risk of renal and CNS involvement.     

Accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in the hemodynamic assessment of pulmonary circulation in patients with systemic sclerosis

PurposePulmonary hypertension (PH) is an ominous complication in systemic sclerosis patients (SSc) and echocardiography is a screening tool for its detection. The goal of this study was to assess the reliability of resting and exercise echo Doppler parameters with data obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC).Material and methodsWe included 91 patients (84 F, 53.3 ± 15.2 years) with SSc. Transthoracic echocardiography followed by exercise Doppler-echocardiography (EDE) were performed. A positive EDE was defined as a ≥20 mmHg increase in tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (TRPG). RHC with exercise was performed in positive EDE patients and/or in subjects with resting TRPG > 31 mmHg.ResultsFinally, RHC was performed in 20 patients. The correlation for the echocardiography and invasive measurement of systolic (sPAP) and mean (mPAP) pulmonary artery pressure was r = 0.66 (p = 0.001) and r = 0.7 (p = 0.001), respectively. We also found significant correlation between echocardiography and invasive measurement of exercise sPAP r = 0.68 (p = 0.001) and exercise mPAP r = 0.67 (p = 0.002). There was a correlation between pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) assessed by echocardiography and measured by RHC r = 0.49, p = 0.027. The equation derived within our population was: PVR by echocardiography = 9.6*TRV/TVI_RVOT+0.068. We also performed ROC analysis to predict PVR > 2 WU. Our results highlight that sPAP has the highest AUC (0.802, 95% CI 0.585–1).ConclusionDoppler resting and exercise echocardiography may provide a reliable, noninvasive method for determining resting and exercise sPAP, mPAP, and PVR in SSc patients, although it may underestimate or overestimate these values in some individuals. Doppler echocardiography does not replace RHC for definite hemodynamic assessment of suspected PH.     

Fate of full‐house immunofluorescence staining in renal allograft: A case report

Here, we report the case of a patient with renal allograft with full‐house immunofluorescence staining in the zero‐hour biopsy. Full‐house immunofluorescence staining is a well‐known characteristic of lupus nephritis. Previous studies have reported patients with full‐house immunofluorescence staining, but without other symptoms or serological findings; this condition is referred to as full‐house nephropathy. We identified only one case out of 2203 zero‐hour biopsies over 13 years. Zero‐hour biopsy presented no glomerular changes but showed full‐house immunofluorescence staining. Electron microscopy revealed a nonorganized electron‐dense deposit mainly in the mesangial lesion. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐associated antibodies were negative, and complement deficiency was not observed in the donor patients. Deposition of immunoglobulin and complement levels markedly decreased within 1–3 years post transplantation. Neither donor nor recipient developed clinical or biological features of SLE; they showed good renal prognosis.     

血液相关指标与系统性红斑狼疮活动性分析

目的探讨白细胞(white blood cell,WBC)、红细胞(red blood cell,RBC)、血小板(platelet,PLT)、血红蛋白(hemoglobin,HB)、淋巴细胞绝对值(absolute lymphocyte value,Lym#)、平均血小板体积(mean platelet volume,MPV)与系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)病情活动性关系。方法随机收集2017年12月至2018年11月我院风湿免疫科SLE病人样本37例,根据SLE活动指数(systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index,SLEDAI)分为活动组与非活动组,同时收集同期健康体检者22例作为对照组,检测样本的血常规相关指标Lym#、MPV、WBC、RBC、HB、PLT及血清补体3(serum complement 3,C3),红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR),比较各指标之间的相关性。结果 SLE活动组与对照组比较,Lym#、C3、MPV、PLT、RBC、HB均小于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组间WBC无差异(P>0.05)。SLE非活动组与对照组间比较,Lym#、RBC、HB差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),二组间WBC、PLT、C3、MPV无差异(P>0.05)。SLE活动组与非活动组比较,活动组MPV、Lym#、C3、WBC、PLT、HB均低于非活动组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),ESR高于非活动组(P<0.05),两组间RBC无统计学差异(P>0.05)。WBC、RBC、HB、PLT、Lym#、MPV与SLE活动性指标SLEDAI、ESR呈负相关,与C3呈正相关。结论 WBC、RBC、HB、 PLT、Lym#、MPV可作为系统性红斑狼疮活动性的观察指标。     

Investigation of trends and characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background

Oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has only been part of Japan’s National Health care coverage plan since 2004. Subsequently, not enough time has passed to establish the medical trends and characteristics of OSA patients in Japanese Dental Hospitals.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the medical trends and the characteristics in patients with OSA who visited our clinic, and to compare our findings with previous studies.

Setting and design

Epidemiological survey (retrospective study).

Materials and methods

Two hundred and one patients were recruited at the Internal Medicine Division in the Tsurumi University Dental Hospital from February 2006 to December 2008, consecutively. Patients received a medical interview, and a detailed sleep analysis that included a polysomnography (PSG) to verify the exact nature of their condition. The efficacy of OA was assessed in 49 patients who wore an OA and underwent PSG.

Results

Of all subjects, 141 patients visited the Prosthodontic Division to receive OA therapy, 38 patients were treated or received a follow up examination in the Internal Medicine Division. The dropout rate was 10.4% in the all subjects, 17.0% in patients who visited the Prosthodontic Division. The male-to-female ratio was 3.3:1, 3.0:1 in patients who visited the Prosthodontic Division. In addition, females had a lower rate of OAS severity than males. In our patients, the major complication was hypertension and cardiac disease. The success rate of OA was 75.5%.

Conclusion

This approach allowed us to reveal some of the trends and characteristics in our patients.     

Tissue oxygen tension and blood-flow changes in rat incisor pulp with graded systemic hyperoxia

The role of oxygen in the regulation of the pulpal microcirculation is unknown. This investigation is aimed to measure tissue oxygen tension and blood-flow changes in the pulp of rat lower incisors during graded systemic hyperoxia, and to determine the response of the pulpal vasculature to various oxygen tensions. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized and artificially ventilated with the appropriate gas mixture. Recessed oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure pulpal tissue oxygen tension via a small access cavity filled with saline on the labial surface of the incisor. A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to record pulpal blood-flow. Inspired oxygen was increased stepwise from 20 to 100% in 20% steps. Systemic blood-gas concentrations were measured at each step. Systemic arterial oxygen tension at 100% oxygen ventilation reached 481.2 +/- 30.7% of the baseline at 20% oxygen breathing (n=21). Pulpal tissue oxygen tension did not change significantly whereas pulpal blood-flow fell dose-dependently to 74.6 +/- 5.0% at 100% oxygen ventilation (n=21). Systemic hyperoxia, therefore, induces a significant reduction in pulpal blood-flow whereas pulpal tissue oxygen tension remains relatively stable, indicating an oxygen-dependent local regulatory mechanism.     

The influence of periodontal status and serum biomarkers on salivary leptin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the influence of periodontal status, clinical data, and serum markers on salivary leptin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsA case–control study was conducted with 38 patients with SLE and 29 healthy controls. Periodontal data included periodontal probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival bleeding on probing (BOP). Stimulated saliva samples were collected to analyze salivary leptin levels. Clinical and serum data were collected from the SLE group. Statistical analysis included the t-test, Mann–Whitney test, Spearman correlation coefficient, and a structural equation model.ResultsThe SLE group had a lower salivary leptin level than the control group (P = 0.002). The model revealed that SLE had an inverse and independent effect on salivary leptin (standardized estimate =  ? 0.289, P = 0.023). Moreover, salivary leptin level negatively correlated with the serum levels of triglyceride, creatinine, and leukocytes, positively correlated with the serum total cholesterol, but was not significantly correlated with the periodontal status.ConclusionThese findings suggest that patients with SLE have a lower salivary leptin level. In addition, the level of salivary leptin does not appear to be related to periodontal status in patients with SLE.     

牙周炎患者血清白细胞介素18的检测和意义

目的 通过对牙周炎患者与健康对照人群血清白细胞介素18(IL-18)的检测和分析,初步探讨IL-18在牙周疾病过程中的变化情况.方法 按纳入标准选择38名牙周炎患者作为病例组,33名健康人群作为对照组;记录探诊出血指数(BOP)、牙周袋探诊深度(PD)和临床附着丧失(CAL)情况;收集静脉血清样本,采用双抗夹心ELISA法测定血清IL-18水平.结果 病例组血清IL-18平均浓度为205.68±160.12 pg/ml,对照组为48.45±42.15 pg/ml,病例组血清IL-18水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).病例组血清IL-18水平与PD和CAL呈正相关关系,与BOP之间未显示出相关关系.结论 牙周炎可导致血清IL-18水平显著升高,升高程度与牙周炎严重程度呈正相关.     

Temporomandibular joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms and clinical findings in Albanian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. The authors examined 124 consecutive hospitalized patients (88 with rheumatoid arthritis, 22 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 14 with systemic sclerosis) and 124 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using a questionnaire and an oro-facial clinical examination for assessing the presence of TMJ sounds, pain in the TMJ area, tenderness of masticatory muscles and limited mouth opening. Significantly more patients (67%) reported TMJ symptoms than controls (19%). A significantly higher proportion of patients (65%) exhibited clinical signs of temporomandibular dysfunction compared with controls (26%). The most frequent findings in rheumatoid arthritis were temporomandibular sounds and pain. Pain was found in a significantly higher proportion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared with controls. Difficulty and limitation in mouth opening were observed in the majority of systemic sclerosis patients, and in only a minority of rheumatoid arthritis patients. This study supports the notion that TMJ examination should be encouraged in the rheumatology setting and clinicians should be able to provide pain management and patient support.