Poor prognosis in end-stage lupus nephritis due to nonautologous vascular access site associated septicemia and lupus flares

A poor prognosis was observed in patients who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as a result of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This was true even in patients in whom SLE disease activity was transiently quiescent during the period of hemodialysis. Six of 9 patients with ESRD and SLE died with active SLE and/or sepsis 1-28 months following the onset of dialysis. In 5 of the 6 patients, acute inflammatory activity of SLE flared within 1 month of the patient's death. Four patients died with superimposed sepsis, but only 2 of the 4 were receiving high-dose concomitant immunosuppressives for more than 1 week prior to death. Infected hemodialysis vascular access sites were implicated as the source of septicemia in 3 of 4 infectious deaths. The 3 surviving patients had minimal lupus activity prior to the development of ESRD, a possible marker for stability in SLE patients who require hemodialysis. Our results suggest that hemodialyzed lupus patients with nonautologous vascular access sites may be at continued increased risk for life-threatening inflammatory and septic complications.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with end-stage renal disease: long-term follow-up on the prognosis of patients and the evolution of lupus activity

We studied the clinical course of 59 lupus patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to determine their long-term prognosis and delineate the evolution of their lupus activity. The study population was predominantly female (86%) and young (mean age, 27.4 years), and they were observed for a mean of 6.5 years from the inception of dialysis. At the time dialysis was initiated, only 21 patients (35.6%) had clinically active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The remaining patients progressed to ESRD despite the absence of clinical lupus activity. Lupus activity was clinically apparent in 55.4% of patients in the first year, 6.5% in the fifth, and none in the tenth year. In 45% of patients, lupus activity was clinically inactive at entry to ESRD and remained inactive throughout the observation period. Serological activity declined proportionally, but to a lesser extent than clinical activity. Cumulative patient survival was 81.1% and 74.6% at the fifth and tenth year, respectively, from the inception of dialysis treatment; similarly it was 78% at the fifth and tenth year after the transplantation. Graft survival was 60.4% at the fifth and 45.5% at the tenth year. No one had recurrence of clinical lupus nephritis in the graft for up to 16 years of follow-up. Fourteen patients died from either infectious or cardiovascular complications, but none from SLE per se. This long-term study with a large number of lupus patients confirms our previous findings that the progression of renal disease to ESRD may be mediated by nonimmunologic mechanisms, as well as immunologic insults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outcome of Lupus Nephritis After Entering Into End-Stage Renal Disease and Comparison Between Different Treatment Modalities: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not a rare disease among the Chinese and the incidence is higher in the female population. Lupus nephritis (LN) often develops in patients with SLE and may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although there are studies that suggest postponement of the scheduling of kidney transplantation (KT) for these patients, there are still some other studies with conflicting results. Our study aimed to analyze the outcome of patients with LN after progression to ESRD and to try to elucidate whether deferral of KT is necessary in the Chinese population.

Methods

We used the National Health Insurance Research Database to perform this cohort study. The study cohort was observed between 1998 and 2009 after being diagnosed as having SLE. The cases of SLE and ESRD were identified according to the catastrophic illness database.

Results

In total, 1998 SLE patients with ESRD were identified. They received hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or KT with the proportion of 82.1%, 9.8%, and 8.1%, respectively. The 1-year, 5-year, 10-year patient survival rates were best for those who underwent KT (100%, 98.1%, and 94.4%, respectively), followed by peritoneal dialysis (88.3%, 79.1%, and 76%, respectively), and hemodialysis (53.6%, 46.0%, and 41.6%, respectively). For those who underwent KT within 1 year after ESRD, no significant worse patient survival and graft survival were observed than those who underwent KT 1 year later.

Conclusion

KT provides a better survival benefit for SLE patients with ESRD than hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. No obvious clinical benefit of KT deferral was observed in our study and the deferral may not be necessary for our population.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus after renal transplantation: is complement a good marker for graft survival?

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is considered a safe procedure for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the recurrence of disease and its impact on graft survival remains controversial. METHODS: To analyze the presence of lupus serology activity during dialysis and its impact on lupus recurrence after transplantation, we performed a retrospective analysis of 23 lupus patients who received 26 kidney transplantations. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received 26 renal transplantations from 1984 to 2003. Twelve patients presented pretransplant lupus activity (low complement and ANA > 1/40), without correlation with length of dialysis, but associated with proliferative glomerulonephritis (class IV) pretransplant. Among 26 grafts, 6 were lost in the first 6 months posttransplant. Among the remaining 20 functioning grafts, low complement activity occurred in 8, being associated with recurrence of immune deposits in 3 cases. Analysis of lupus activity showed that only one patient with a normal complement level posttransplant presented SLEDAI > 4, associated with persistent proteinuria and a graft biopsy without immune deposits. Graft survival was reduced in the presence of low complement posttransplantation. CONCLUSION: Low complement levels after renal transplantation, in association with proteinuria may be considered to be a risk factor for recurrence of immune deposits, with a negative impact on graft survival.     

Messenger RNA expression of RANTES in the urinary sediment of patients with lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND: Lupus nephritis is characterized by intra-renal inflammation. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed abnormal T-cell expression of RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed) and its level in their serum. The authors studied the mRNA expression of RANTES in the urinary sediment of lupus patients. METHODS: The authors studied 88 lupus patients, who were classified into active, remission and non-renal SLE groups according to the disease activity, 29 non-SLE and 10 healthy controls. Lupus activity was assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Urinary mRNA expression of RANTES was studied by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expression of RANTES in urinary sediment was significantly elevated in active group (P < 0.001). Expression level of RANTES correlated with the SLEDAI score (r = 0.57; P < 0.001) and renal score in SLEDAI (r = 0.60; P < 0.001). In addition, urinary expression of RANTES had significant correlation with degree of proteinuria, serum creatinine, albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the mRNA expression of RANTES was elevated in the urinary sediment of patients with active lupus nephritis. Measurement of urinary mRNA expression may be a novel non-invasive method for the assessment of lupus disease activity and the severity of renal involvement.     

Endothelial Dysfunction,clinical corelation and atorvastatin therapy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a significantly increased risk cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that are not fully explained by classic risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is an early stage in the process of atherogenesis and the first step is decrease of endothelium dependent vasodilatation.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to determine endothelial dysfunction in lupus patients, to compare to healthy volunteers and to correlate the results with the disease activity and laboratory markers and to evaluate atorvastatin efficacy in improving vasodilatation in SLE patients.Methods20 SLE women and 20 healthy female subjects were assessed by non-invasive ultrasound on the brachial artery. Endothelium-dependent and independent function of the brachial artery was measured as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in response to reactive hyperemia (induced by 5 minutes compression) and nitroglycerin dilatation, respectively. A complete history, physical examination were performed and disease activity were assessed by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).Conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, previous thrombosis, cardiovascular event, lipid profile, complement levels, antibodies to ds-DNA, anti-phospholipid antibodies were recorded.LES patients received atorvastain 80 mg/day during eight weeks and endothelium-dependent and independent function were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study.ResultsMedian age was 38 years; disease duration of SLE patients was 8 years (range 1 to 20 years). The patients show lupus activity ranging from 2 – 44 points in SLEDAI scale. The SLE patients had impaired flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery compared with control subjects (9.6%; range 5.8% to 15.9% versus 26.5%; range 23.1% to 30.3% P<0.01) but preserved nitroglycerin dilation. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were similar in both groups. The FMD correlated positively with SLEDAI, lupus anticoagulant and Raynauds phenomenon, but there were no correlation between FMD and anticardiolipin antibodies or low complement.Atorvastatin was associated with semnificativ increase in flow mediated dilatation in LES patient (4%, range 2,9-8,2 versus 7,3, range 4,3-10,2), p<0.001.ConclusionImpaired endothelial function in SLE seems to be correlate with disease activity. Improving endothelial function may therefore have an impact on the risk of future cardiovascular disease and statins could be a good therapy.     

Chronic Hemodialysis in End-Stage Lupus Nephritis: Changes of Clinical and Serological Activities

Abstract: The available data on the clinical and serological activities of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in dialysis patients with end-stage lupus nephritis are limited. The clinical and serological parameters in 12 such patients prior to, at the onset of, and an average of 31 months after the institution of hemodialysis were retrospectively compared. One of the patients died of cardiopulmonary arrest within 1 week after institution of hemodialysis. All patients were clinically and serologically active prior to the onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). With the onset of ESRD, 2 of the 10 patients exhibited complete clinical and serological remission, and 2 patients showed clinical remission with persistent serological activity. After an average of 31 months on dialysis, the number of patients in total remission rose to 4 of 11, and the number of clinically inactive but serologically active patients was 1 of 11. Significant clinical and serological activities persisted in 6 of the 11 dialysis patients, requiring low dose steroid therapy in 3. The authors conclude that the clinical and serological activities of SLE decrease with the onset of ESRD and the institution of dialysis, leading to complete or partial remission in the majority of patients.     

Von Willebrand Factor,Red Cell Fragmentation,and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This study sought to determine whether the plasma levels of Von Willebrand factor (vWf) and the degree of red blood cell (RBC) fragmentation on peripheral smear correlate with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Forty consecutive patients who fulfilled the criteria for SLE were studied prospectively for 1 year. Patients were categorized according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) as either active (>2) or inactive disease and followed up monthly (active) or quarterly (inactive). At each visit, patients were examined fully and had complete blood count, tests on antibodies to double-stranded DNA, C3, and C4 levels, and urinalysis. Citrated plasma was analyzed for vWf antigen by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A Wright's stained blood smear was obtained and schistocytes were quantitated on blood smear. The number of schistocytes per 500 RBCs was determined and a schistocyte index (SI) was calculated. At baseline, vWf correlated with SLEDAI (r = 0.64, p < 0.01), SI correlated with SLEDAI (r = 0.62, p < 0.01), and vWf and SI correlated with each other (r = 0.41, p = 0.01). There was an inverse correlation between baseline C3 levels and vWf (r = 0.49, p = 0.0013) and C3 levels and SI (r = 0.40, p = 0.01). Over time, there was also a correlation of SLEDAI with vWf (r = 0.53, p = 0.002) and SI (r = 0.57;p = 0.002). The relation of vWf with SI approached but did not reach statistical significance (r = 0.37, p = 0.06). We found that the plasma levels of vWf and the degree of RBC fragmentation correlate with lupus disease activity over time. Therefore, inflammation in SLE may be associated with endothelial injury.     

Follow-up and management of serologically active clinically quiescent cases in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectivesOur aim is to identify the presence of serologically active clinically quiescent (SACQ) episodes in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We aim to identify serologic biomarkers associated with SACQ episodes and discuss risks and benefits of escalating treatments.Material and methodsWe evaluated 25 pediatric SLE patients, 13 of whom experienced SACQ episodes. Serologically active clinically quiescent was defined as two consecutive clinic visits without any clinical symptoms or clinical examination findings of a lupus flare with a clinical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score of zero, but either elevated anti-ds-DNA antibodies or low complement (C3 and/or C4) levels.ResultsAmong the 13 patients who experienced a SACQ episode, there were a total of 24 episodes, with each patient experiencing 1–4 SACQ episodes. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was the most commonly elevated laboratory marker in a SACQ episode, followed by low hemoglobin levels, and then elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies. Of the 17 episodes treated during a SACQ episode, 15 (88%) did not progress to a clinical flare within six months, while two did. Furthermore, of the 7 patients who were not treated during their SACQ episode, 2 (29%) continued to be SACQ without flare, whereas 5 led to a clinical flare within six months.ConclusionsSerologically active clinically quiescent episodes were identified in pediatric SLE patients, suggesting that the presence of SACQ is not limited to adults with SLE. Serologic markers such as increased ESR, hemoglobin, and elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies are preliminarily associated with pediatric SACQ episodes. Treating these SACQ episodes in pediatric SLE patients was less likely to lead to a clinical flare within six months when compared to not treating (p < 0.05). More research with a larger sample size is needed to define SACQ episodes, determine the prevalence in pediatric SLE patients, and establish SACQ treatment guidelines.     

Milk fat globule E-8 and interleukin 17 in systemic lupus erythematosus: partners in crime?

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial, autoimmune disease with a wide array of manifestations. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 has been implicated in the inflammatory response and tissue damage in SLE; however, its correlation with disease activity is still questionable. Meanwhile, efficient clearance of apoptotic cells is required for immune tolerance. An abnormally low or high level of milk fat globule (MFG-E8) can result in impaired apoptotic cell clearance and the subsequent autoimmune response. In this study, we endeavoured to compare the levels of MFG-E8 and IL-17 in SLE patients and healthy controls and to reveal the alleged association of these levels with SLE disease activity.

Material and methods

Serum samples from 57 SLE patients and 30 healthy control subjects were examined for quantitation of MFG-E8 and IL-17 levels using ELISA. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity was calculated using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of the patients were also recorded.

Results

We report that serum MFG-E8 levels were significantly elevated in the sera of SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p-value = 0.019). Likewise, IL-17 levels were higher in SLE patients (p-value < 0.001). A positive correlation was revealed between MFG-E8 level and proteinuria. Surprisingly, there was a poor correlation between disease activity and the levels of either IL-17 or MFG-E8.

Conclusions

Although serum MFG-E8 and IL-17 levels were higher in SLE patients than in normal controls, our results indicate that they cannot accurately reflect the disease activity. Meanwhile, further studies are needed to assess MFG-E8 and IL-17 as potential therapeutic targets in SLE patients.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者贫血和疾病活动及肾脏损害的关系

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)患者贫血和疾病活动及肾脏损害的关系.方法 选取2016年9月至2019年10月乐山市人民医院收治的187例SLE患者作为SLE组,另选取187名体检健康者作为健康对照组,比较其贫血发生率.根据血红蛋白(hemoglobin,Hb...     

Frequência de anticorpos antiparvovírus B19 em artrite reumatoide e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

ObjectiveTo determine the frequency of antiparvovírus B19 (B19) antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the possible correlation of anti-B19 seropositivity with disease activity and quality of life.Patients and methodsSerum samples from 57 patients with RA, 45 with SLE and 65 healthy controls were used. We applied protocol with clinical data, and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Health As- sessment Questionnaire (HAQ) indexes. The anti-B19 serology was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe mean age of patients was 42.74 ± 14.09 years, and of controls was 38.38 ± 13.42 years. 79 patients had active disease (77.5%), and 23 had inactive disease (22.5%). Anti-B19 (IgG) was positive in 49 (86.0%; CI 95% 77.0 – 95.0) RA patients, 38 (84.4%; CI 95% 73.9 – 95.0) SLE patients, and 40 (61.5%; CI 95% 49.7 – 73.4) controls (p = 0.002). Anti-B19 (IgM) was posi-tive in 3 (5.3%; CI 95% 0.0 – 11.1) RA patients, in 7 (15.6%; CI 95% 5.0 – 26,2) SLE patients, and in 1 (1.5%; CI 95% 0.0 – 4.5) control (p = 0.011). There was no correlation of anti-B19 reactivity with disease activity and with DAS 28, HAQ and SLEDAI indexes.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the studied population is exposed to infection by B19, which demands attention with its manifestations, especially among patients at great- est risk, such as those immunosuppressed.     

终末期狼疮性肾炎临床表现和治疗及预后分析

目的：探讨终末期狼疮性肾炎(LN)的临床表现和治疗的关系。方法：分析1986年～1999年62例LN终末期肾脏病(ESRD)病人的临床活动性指标和死亡原N,分析比较LN与非LN透析病人的存活率。结果：本组LN病人发展至ESRD透析时,活动性指标的计分呈下降趋势,但机制未明;透析后3、6、10年存活率分别为81．25％、51．20％、32．12％,与非LN透析后的83．10％、54．37％、35．67％相比近似,而死亡原因以感染居多。结论：LN的ESRD期病人一般不需要抗SLE活动性的治疗;该期病人与非LN的ESRD期病人替代治疗的存活率之间,在统计学上无明显差异。     

A shift in the Th(1)/Th(2) ratio accompanies the clinical remission of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with renal involvement often show remission of systemic clinical activity after progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). SLE is characterized by predominantly humoral, T-helper (Th)(2)-mediated autoimmune responses. Since ESRD induces a state of immunodeficiency that affects the balance of Th cell subsets, we hypothesized that a Th(1) shift induced by ESRD leads to clinical remission of SLE. METHODS: Using single-cell measurement of intracellular cytokines by flow cytometry after polyclonal stimulation with PMA/ionomycin, helper cell profiles were analysed in SLE patients with preserved renal function and in SLE patients with ESRD, from both isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and whole blood. RESULTS: Using the whole-blood assay, patients with SLE and preserved renal function showed a predominance of Th(2) cells compared to healthy controls (patients, Th(1)/Th(2) ratio 6.0+/-1.0 vs controls, 9.0+/-1.0; P<0.05). In contrast, SLE patients with ESRD have significantly more Th(1) cells (36.8+/-5.0%) than those without ESRD (23.4+/-3.6%; P<0.05). This results in an enhancement of the Th(1)/Th(2) ratio to 12.1+/-2.6, which is not significantly different from healthy controls. These data were confirmed using a PBMC-based assay. CONCLUSIONS: SLE patients with preserved renal function show a bias in the differentiation of Th cells towards Th(2). Once ESRD occurs, the Th(1)/Th(2) ratio normalizes. This may contribute to the remission of Th(2)-mediated autoimmune diseases such as SLE.     

Persistent low albumin and temporary vascular access in pediatric patients with SLE on hemodialysis

Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often present with significant kidney disease. In a previous cross-sectional analysis, we showed that pediatric patients with ESRD secondary to SLE have lower serum albumin levels and less permanent vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) compared to pediatric patients on HD secondary to other causes. The goal of this longitudinal study was to determine if there was an improvement in these targets over time. To this end, we performed a longitudinal analysis of patients receiving HD in the ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project 2000–2004 study years, comparing achievement of clinical targets between pediatric patients with SLE and pediatric patients with other causes of ESRD. In the longitudinal follow-up, pediatric patients with SLE were less likely to reach target albumin levels than other children with ESRD maintained on HD [odds ratio (OR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09, 0.35] and were less likely to have arteriovenous fistulas or grafts than other pediatric patients (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23, 0.89). Pediatric patients with SLE maintained on HD are at particularly high risk for failing to meet some clinical targets that have been associated with improved long-term outcomes in other populations. This is true even as they remain on dialysis over time.     

Reduced albumin levels and utilization of arteriovenous access in pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects between five and ten thousand children in the USA. Kidney disease may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and subsequent need for dialysis therapy in a significant number of children with SLE. We performed a cross-sectional analysis comparing achievement of National Kidney Foundation/Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative clinical targets in pediatric patients with SLE maintained on hemodialysis (HD) to pediatric patients with other causes of ESRD. Ninety-seven unique SLE patients and two control groups—1,823 unique pediatric patients with other causes of ESRD and 694 pediatric patients with glomerulonephritis—were identified in the End Stage Renal Disease Clinical Performance Measures 2000–2004 Project Years. SLE patients were older, with a female and black race predominance compared with both control groups. Pediatric patients maintained on HD secondary to SLE were less likely to meet albumin targets and more likely to have vascular catheters than were pediatric patients on HD secondary to other causes. These findings may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with SLE maintained on HD and deserve further study.     

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary  We investigated the effects of disease activity on bone metabolism in 36 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Changes in bone remodeling were not explained by corticosteroid use. A high prevalence of 25OHD deficiency in SLE patients indicates the need for vitamin D replacement, mainly during high disease activity periods. Introduction  We investigated the effects of SLE disease activity on bone metabolism, their relation to inflammatory cytokines and vitamin D levels. Methods  We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 36 SLE patients classified according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) in high activity (group I: 12 patients, mean age 29.6 years) or in minimal activity (group II: 24 patients, mean age 30.0 years), and compared them to normal controls (group III: 26 women, 32.8 years). Serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid and sex hormones, bone remodeling markers, interleukin (IL)-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), IL-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), 25-hydroxivitamin D (25OHD), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were measured, plus bone mineral density. Results  All cytokines were significantly higher in SLE groups; IL-6 could differentiate SLE patients from controls. In group I, 25OHD levels were lower (P < 0.05), which was related to the SLEDAI (R = -0.65, P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, the 25OHD level was associated with SLEDAI, osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase. The SLEDAI score was positively correlated with all measured cytokines and especially TNF (R = 0.75, P < 0.001). Conclusions  SLE patients demonstrated changes in bone remodeling strongly related to disease activity. A high prevalence of 25OHD deficiency was observed in SLE patients, indicating the need for vitamin D replacement.     

Glomerular C4d Staining Can Be an Indicator of Disease Activity in Lupus Nephritis

Background: Abnormalities in complement activation and clearance of immune complexes by erythrocytes are the central pathogenic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum C4d level, which is a degradation product of complement factor C4, was found to be a sensitive indicator of SLE activity. Our aim was to determine whether glomerular C4d staining could be a useful marker of disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis. Methods: This retrospective study included all consecutive patients who underwent a renal biopsy at our center between January 2005 and December 2009. A total of 29 patients with IgA nephritis were enrolled, and renal biopsy specimens of 24 patients have been evaluated. We evaluated baseline age, sex, hypertension, serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine protein, and glomerular C4d staining. The primary endpoint of this study was the onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the course of study. Results: Fourteen (58%) patients were C4d+ and 10 (42%) patients C4d–. Urinary protein excretion was more elevated in C4d+ group (p = 0.0001). The renal biopsy showed that activity index score >12 was a higher proportion in C4d+ patients. The patients were followed up for 3.5 years. Four patients in the C4d+ group evolved to ESRD in the follow-up, but none of the patients in the C4d– group (p = 0.064). Discussion: We found a relationship between glomerular C4d staining and activity of lupus nephritis. C4d staining may be a useful marker to predict the prognosis of lupus nephritis.     

狼疮肾炎终末期狼疮活动情况和预后的观察

目的探讨狼疮肾炎（ＬＮ）患者发展至终末期肾病（ＥＳＲＤ）时狼疮活动情况和预后的关系。方法分析１９８７～１９９７年资料完整的７１例ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ患者临床性ＳＬＥ活动和血清学ＳＬＥ活动的各项指标、死亡原因,分析比较ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ患者与非ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ患者的存活率。结果本组ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ患者在进行透析治疗前有６４８％已没有ＳＬＥ临床活动表现。进行透析治疗后,ＳＬＥ临床性活动渐趋静止状态,活动率从第一年５６３％下降至第十年２８％;ＳＬＥ血清学活动表现的消退,要比临床活动表现的消退缓慢;ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ透析治疗患者第２、５、１０年的存活率与非ＬＮ透析患者相近,分别为７９６％、５２５％、３０５％,其死亡原因似与ＳＬＥ活动无关。结论在ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ期间,ＳＬＥ活动的静止趋势与时俱增,死亡原因与ＳＬＥ活动性似无明显关系,ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ替代治疗患者的预后与非ＬＮ的ＥＳＲＤ替代治疗患者相同。当ＬＮ发展至不可逆的ＥＳＲＤ时,需长期作肾脏替代治疗,无必要再应用免疫抑制治疗。     

Inverse correlation of each functional status scale of the SF-36 with degree of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (m-SLAM)

OBJECTIVES: To compare systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity measured by a modified Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (m-SLAM) with functional/health status measured by the SF-36 questionnaire. PATIENTS AND METHODS: m-SLAM and SF-36 scores were obtained on 71 SLE patients during 242 clinic visits over 15 months. Patients were stratified into disease activity groups (m-SLAM <2 = remission; 2-4 = mild; 4-6 = moderate; >6 = severe). Mean SF-36 group scores were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Two hundred and nineteen m-SLAM and SF-36 scores were completed. The disease activity groups correlated inversely with the SF-36 scores in all eight subscales, i.e. the patients' perceived health, as assessed by the SF-36, correlated with their disease activity level as measured by the m-SLAM. Inverse correlation of SLAM activity groups with all eight SF-36 subscales was highly statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The significant inverse correlation of the m-SLAM with all domains of the SF-36 in this study provides potentially useful information for evaluating patients with SLE.