Psoriasis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience

The coexistence of psoriasis with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in limited case series, raising hypotheses about shared pathogenetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, important differences regarding treatment do exist. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of psoriasis in a defined cohort of lupus patients. Patients with psoriasis were retrieved from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic from its inception in 1970 up to 2015. Charts were hand-searched to collect information concerning demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables. Patients were matched with non-psoriasis lupus patients to identify the impact of supervening psoriasis on lupus activity, damage accrual, and venous thromboembolic (VTEs) and cardiovascular events (CVEs). Psoriasis was diagnosed in 63 patients (49 females, 14 males) for a prevalence of 3.46% (63/1823). The male-to-female ratio was significantly higher in non-psoriasis patients (0.286 vs. 0.138, p = 0.017). Plaque psoriasis was the most prominent type (55/63, 87.3%) whereas three patients had pustular disease; one had psoriatic arthritis. Nine patients (14.3%) were administered systemic treatment with methotrexate (n = 5), azathioprine (n = 1), ustekinumab (n = 3), and etanercept (n = 1). Psoriasis was definitely deteriorated by hydroxychloroquine in one patient. There was no significant impact of psoriasis on disease activity, damage accrual, VTEs, and CVEs. The prevalence of psoriasis was twice as high as that of the general Canadian population in this lupus cohort. Plaque psoriasis was the most prominent subtype, and topical treatment was adequate in the majority of patients. Supervening psoriasis had no significant impact on lupus activity and damage accrual.     

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience from southern Turkey

Clinical Rheumatology - This study was conducted to analyze clinical characteristics, laboratory data, disease activity, and outcome of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) patients from...     

Prevalence of resting-ECG abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience

Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and even mortality among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Whether cardiac arrhythmias contribute to this burden among SLE patients, however, is not currently known. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac conduction abnormalities among SLE patients from a single center. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of SLE patients who had 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) available from various settings at a single academic center over the period of 10 years. In addition, ICD-9 codes for arrhythmias were obtained for the SLE patients whose ECGs were reviewed. The hospital setting (in-patient, out-patient, emergency department) and the indication for obtaining the ECG were evaluated. Two hundred thirty-five SLE patients had available ECGs. Sinus tachycardia was most common (18%). With direct ECG review, tachyarrhythmias were found in 6% of SLE patients, with the most common being atrial fibrillation (3%). Atrial fibrillation was seen even more frequently (9%) when ICD-9 codes were reviewed. No patients had brady-arrhythmias. QT prolongation was present in 17% of patients upon direct ECG review. More ECGs with tachyarrhythmias and QT prolongation were found among inpatients, with preoperative evaluation and gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common indications. Sinus tachycardia was the most common finding seen among our SLE patients with ECGs. Further study into the possible mechanisms behind this is warranted, including the possibility of autonomic nervous system involvement in SLE.     

Pulse dose steroid experience among hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center feasibility study

Clinical Rheumatology - Introduction/objectives: Pulse intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone (MEP) is often used for severe SLE manifestations requiring hospitalization. However, the accuracy of...     

Safety and efficacy of Rituximab in refractory pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis: a single-center experience of Northern Greece

Lupus nephritis (LN) is the major determinant of outcome in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE), and its treatment remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to report the experience of our center in treating with rituximab (RTX) SLE patients with severe LN. Four pSLE patients with biopsy-proven LN, who are refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatment, received four doses of 375–500 mg/m² RTX, 2–3 weeks apart. All patients were concurrently receiving corticosteroids (CSs) and mycophenolate mofetil. Patients’ clinical and laboratory findings were recorded at RTX initiation, after each infusion and at 3.4 ± 2.1 month intervals thereafter. pSLE activity was assessed using the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM), while LN activity using 24-hour urine protein excretion and serum cystatin C. Patients were followed up for 6–21 months (median: 16 months). Full Β-cell depletion was noticed 2–4 weeks after RTX initiation and lasted 4–7 months. All patients achieved complete LN remission 3.5 months (range: 2–4) after RTX initiation, which was retained in 3 patients through the follow-up period. One patient relapsed 15 months after RTX initiation and received one additional RTX dose. ECLAM scores and CSs doses were markedly reduced in all patients, while complement levels were increased. No side effects or infections were observed. In conclusion, RTX is an alternative, safe and efficient treatment for refractory LN.     

Severe systemic lupus erythematosus in emergency department: a retrospective single-center study from China

This study describes the characteristics of severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who visited the emergency department of the Shanghai Renji Hospital, and the aim is to identify the causes, the outcome, and the prognostic factors. SLE patients who visited the emergency department between January 2007 and August 2010, and who were subsequently hospitalized or who died in emergency department, were included in this retrospective study. Of the total 131 SLE emergency events, overall mortality was 16.8%. Older age (≥45 years), longer duration of disease, presence of pulmonary hypertension, renal insufficiency, and invasive infections are risk factors. Higher organ damage index (SLICC, 3.86 ± 2.14 vs. 0.93 ± 1.14, p < 0.001) but relatively lower disease activity (SLEDAI, 11.5 ± 7.7 vs. 16.5 ± 9.0, p = 0.015) were the characteristics of the deceased when compared with the survivors. Recent-onset (duration of disease ≤3 months) SLE accounts for 32.1% of the patients in emergency, and this group showed a distinctive pattern of younger age with higher frequencies of neuropsychiatric and hematologic manifestations. A good short-term outcome with a 95.2% survival rate can be observed in such patients. Older age, longer disease duration and cumulative damage of vital organs determine the short-term outcome of severe SLE in the emergency department. Recognizing disease patterns and objective prognostic parameters may help physicians to provide better care, based on a risk-fitted approach, for the SLE patients in emergencies.     

Outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center study

INTRODUCTION. This study aimed to compare outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a matched control group of non-SLE kidney recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In a case-control study, 33 patients with kidney transplantation due to end-stage renal disease caused by SLE were matched to a control group consisted of 33 non-SLE patients who had been transplanted during the same period of time in our center. The clinical characteristics, complications, and patient and graft survival were compared between the two groups. RESULTS. In each group, 12 patients (36.4%) received a kidney from a deceased donor, 15 (45.4%) from a living unrelated donor, and 6 (18.2%) from a living related donor. There was no significant difference between the outcome in SLE patients and duration of dialysis before transplantation. The mean duration of hospital stay was 23.4 ± 18.1 days in the SLE group, while it was 13.0 ± 7.3 days in the controls (P = .006). One-year graft survival was 79.0% in patients with SLE and 90.9% in non-SLE patients (P = .17). One-year patient survival was 93.9% in patients with SLE versus 81.8% in the controls (P = .26). Nine patients in the SLE group versus 11 patients in the control group developed posttransplant complications (P = .59). CONCLUSIONS. Although hospital stay after transplantation was longer in the SLE kidney recipients than controls, safety of kidney transplantation was comparable. Graft failure in the SLE patients was not significantly different between patients with different sources of kidneys.     

Psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare association with specific therapeutic problems

The association psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a very uncommon association. We report three cases, diagnosed in an Internal Medicine department between 1993 and 2000. Few cases of psoriasis/SLE have been published in the literature. Psoriasis generally precedes the diagnosis of SLE. Psoriasis can also be associated with discoid lupus erythematosus. In some cases, SLE appears as a complication of ultraviolet phototherapy indicated for the psoriasis. The association psoriasis/SLE does not seem to have distinctive immunologic features. Specific therapeutic difficulties may occur. Indeed, hydroxychloroquine may exacerbate the psoriasis. Systemic use of corticosteroids raises the risk of severe psoriasis relapse during withdrawal. In addition, the diagnosis of psoriasic arthropathy is more difficult in this setting. The psoriasis/SLE association might be a good indication for using methotrexate.     

Correction to: Mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombia: a case series

Clinical Rheumatology - The presentation of data on the Table 3 of the published version of the above mentioned article was incorrect. The heading “Bacterial infections” should be...     

系统性红斑狼疮的心脏损害

目的：探讨系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）的心脏受累表现，并分析年龄、性别，病程及抗心磷脂抗体（ACL）与SLE心脏损害的相关性。方法：回顾性总结分析1998年9月至2000年8月我院诊断SLE的入院病人272例，结果：272例SLE病人中145例（53．3％）具有心脏损害，10例病人具有心脏病相关症状（6．7％），心脏损害包括心电图（ECG）ST－T异常61例（42．1％），心包积液60例（41．4％），肺动脉高压23例（15．9％），心肌损害22例（15．2％），心律失常20例（13．8％），瓣膜病19例（13．1％），左心耳血栓1例（0．6％）。心脏损害组与无心脏损害组之间年龄，性别差异无差异性（P＞0．05，病程差异有显著性（P＜0．01），ACL阳性组与阴性组瓣膜损害发生率差异有显著性（P＜0．01），结论：SLE可以累及心脏各个部分，其中以ECC ST－T缺血性改变和心包受累最为常见。SLE累及心脏时多属无症状型，SLE心脏损害与病程有关，抗心磷脂抗休与心脏瓣膜损害关系密切。     

Treat to target in systemic lupus erythematosus: a commentary

Treat to target (T2T) strategies have proved to be useful in several chronic disorders, including Rheumatoid Arthritis. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), T2T strategy has been proposed in order to control disease activity, improve health-related quality of life, and reduce morbidity and mortality. Remission would be the main target, but a low disease activity state (LDAS) could be an acceptable alternative. However, due to SLE protean manifestations, the operational definitions of both remission and LDAS are still in progress. The definitions of these targets, remission and LDAS, should include a validated disease activity index, the treatments allowed, and the minimum length of time the target should be maintained. Furthermore, achieving these targets should result in better disease outcomes such as reducing damage accrual. This review addresses the current state regarding these possible targets in SLE and the impact of achieving them in intermediate and long-term outcomes of this disease.     

Potential and prognostic factor for belimumab-free remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center retrospective analysis

Clinical Rheumatology - Belimumab is an effective and safe treatment option for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, data on treatment cessation are lacking. Thus, we investigated...     

Severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction to ibuprofen: a presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus

We describe the first severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction to ibuprofen in a pediatric patient with previously undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An 11-year-old Thai male presented with fever, rash, altered mental status, and hypotension after oral administration of ibuprofen leading to the diagnosis of SLE. Re-dosing with ibuprofen resulted in recurrence of presenting symptoms. Severe hypersensitivity with hypotension can be a rare consequence of the use of ibuprofen in children with collagen vascular disease. When encountered in an otherwise healthy child, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis of SLE.     

Salmonella bacteremia in systemic lupus erythematosus. Eight-year experience at a municipal hospital

Non-endemic Salmonella bacteremia tends to occur in patients with chronic disease. We reviewed all cases of Salmonella infection documented in adults at Bellevue Hospital during the years 1975–1982. Unexpectedly, the most frequent underlying disease found among bacteremic patients was systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE accounted for 6 of 30 Salmonella bacteremias as compared with 13 of 2,388 non-Salmonella gram-negative bacteremias. Salmonella was the single most frequent gram-negative isolate from the blood of SLE patients. All lupus patients with Salmonella infection were bacteremic. In contrast, isolates from blood represented only 23% of all Salmonella infections documented in the non-lupus population. Presentation was characterized by fever (>103°F) and abdominal pain. Four of the 6 patients were hypocomplementemic. All were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. We conclude that SLE patients in a municipal hospital setting are at increased risk for Salmonella sepsis. This should be considered when empiric antibiotic therapy is initiated.     

Headache in systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled study

Intractable headaches, the so-called 'lupus headaches', have been long thought of as a common and characteristic manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Seventy-eight patients with SLE, including 10 patients with definite central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and 89 healthy individuals matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status, were studied by a specific questionnaire addressing the characteristics and type of headache. Clinical features of SLE, neurological manifestations and treatment, disease severity and autoantibody profiles were correlated to the presence of headache. One year prevalence of headache was similar between patients (32%) and otherwise healthy individuals (30%). No significant differences regarding frequency, family history of headache and need for analgesic medication were observed. Headache refractory to analgesic treatment, but responsive to corticosteroid regimen, was recorded in only one patient. Clinical and serological features of SLE, including Raynaud's phenomenon and the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, were not significantly different between headache sufferers and non-sufferers. In the majority of patients reporting headache, anxiety and/or depression co-existed. Episodic tension headache was the most frequent type, while migraine was traced in a quarter of headache sufferers. Neither the presence nor the clinical type of headache was related to, or predictive of, the development of seizures or psychosis. These results indicate that headache is not specifically related to SLE expression or severity, and suggest that accepting the presence even of a severe headache as a neurological manifestation of SLE in the absence of seizures or overt psychosis may result in overestimation of the disease status.      

Myelofibrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a new case

A 29-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and pancytopenia is reported. The hematological abnormalities were found to be due to marrow fibrosis. Pancytopenia was reversed by treatment with corticosteroids.