Smoking, drinking, sleeping habits, and other lifestyle factors and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Japanese females: findings from the KYSS study

Many risk factors have been proposed for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, there is little information about the relationship between lifestyles and SLE in Japan. Two case control studies were conducted in Kyushu, southern Japan, and in Hokkaido, northern Japan, to examine the relationship between lifestyles and development of SLE in females. The participants were 78 patients and 329 controls in Kyushu and 35 patients and 188 controls in Hokkaido. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of SLE after adjusting for age in both regions. However, in Hokkaido, this association between smoking and SLE did not reach statistical significance after adjusting for alcohol drinking. The present study suggests that smoking may increase the risk of SLE among Japanese females.     

Psychological stress in a Japanese population with systemic lupus erythematosus: Finding from KYSS study

Abstract

Objectives. Daily psychological stress has been proposed as a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Western countries. However, there is little information about the relationship between daily psychological stress and the risk of SLE in a Japanese population. We examined the association between SLE and daily psychological stress.

Methods. A case–control study was conducted to examine the relationship between daily psychological stress and SLE in Japanese females. The participants were 160 female SLE patients and 660 female volunteers. Unconditional logistic regression was used to compute OR and 95% confidence interval (CI), with adjustment for several covariates.

Results. Smoking (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.74–3.86), walking (OR = 1.75; 95% CI, 1.81–2.56) and daily psychological stress (OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.14–3.10) were increased in patients with SLE after adjusting for age, region and all factors. Smokers with daily psychological stress (OR = 4.70; 95% CI = 2.53–8.77) were more prevalent than nonsmokers without daily psychological stress in SLE. The multiplicative interaction measures between smoking status and daily psychological stress did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions. The present study suggests the possibility that daily psychological stress as well as smoking might be associated with an increased risk of SLE.     

Prevalence of conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case–control study

Objective

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are significantly more likely to experience a myocardial infarction or a stroke than age‐matched controls. We compared the prevalence of conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors in patients with SLE just before a cardiovascular event and in matched controls with SLE but no cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with SLE and CVD were enrolled. For each patient, 2 ethnically‐ and sex‐matched controls were obtained, 1 matched for age and 1 for SLE duration. Data regarding risk factors were collected for the time immediately preceding the relevant cardiovascular event, or at an equivalent time for controls.

Results

Patients' median age at event was 49 years (interquartile range 43–54 years) and mean disease duration was 12.0 ± 7.1 years. Patients with SLE and CVD were more likely than both age and duration controls to be treated for hypertension (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively) and to have elevated triglyceride levels (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively). Compared with duration controls, CVD patients were more likely to have lupus anticoagulant (P = 0.03), but less likely to be receiving treatment with hydroxychloroquine (P = 0.003). Compared with age controls, patients were more likely to be current smokers (P = 0.03), to have taken a mean dosage >7.5 mg/day of prednisolone (P = 0.04), and to have been treated with pulsed methylprednisolone (P = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, only hypertension treatment was an independent risk factor for CVD.

Conclusion

We identified significantly increased prevalence of some conventional and lupus‐specific risk factors in patients with SLE immediately before a CVD event compared with controls matched for age or disease duration.

     

An overview on systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy

A systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancy is no longer regarded as unacceptable, with an early diagnosis, a mild disease condition, and good interdisciplinary collaboration ensuring intense surveillance of pregnant SLE patients. The key point is a sufficiently long period of disease quiescence before conception. A low dose of prednisone is preferable during pregnancy. Nevertheless, 20% of disease flare-up still happens interpartum or postpartum, even in such well-planned pregnancies, although usually with only mild severity. Pregnancy during an active disease stage, especially active nephritis, should always be avoided. Substantial renal function damage may occur, and there is a relatively high prevalence of preeclampsia, which may further compromise the mother as well as the fetus. It is well documented that antiphospholipid syndrome and antiphospholipid antibodies are strongly associated with fetal wastage. Low-dose aspirin or heparin is indicated for a favorable fetal outcome. Women with positive anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB should be aware of the danger of congenital heart block in their infants. Cytotoxic drugs applied in the early stage of pregnancy are dangerous to the fetus. A rather long-term follow-up is required to make a precise evaluation of the maternal SLE influence on the offspring.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者并发心律失常的类型及相关危险因素分析

目的 分析系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者并发心律失常的类型及相关危险因素。方法 回顾性分析2003年11月至2013年2月期间经本院确诊为SLE的559例住院患者（男60例,女499例）,将其分为心律失常组和非心律失常组,收集各项检查检验指标,采用多因素分析SLE并发心律失常的独立危险因素。结果 559例SLE患者中有142例（25. 4%）并发心律失常。其中以窦性心动过速所占比例最高（56. 34%）,其次为窦性心动过缓（16.9%）,再其次为I度房室传导阻滞和室性早搏（均为6. 34%）,其余为其他心律失常（0. 7% ~3. 5%）。单因素分析显示,SLE患者合并心律失常的危险因素有合并多系统损害、其他结缔组织病、心包积液、左房扩大、高甘油三酯、高血糖、低高密度脂蛋白、低血浆白蛋白、低钙血症、高C反应蛋白、抗Sm阳性及抗RNP阳性（P〈0. 05）。多因素分析显示,独立危险因素有抗RNP阳性、左房扩大及低血浆白蛋白（P〈0. 05）。结论 SLE患者可并发各种类型心律失常,其中以窦性心动过速最为常见;独立危险因素有抗RNP阳性、左房扩大及低血浆白蛋白。     

Risk factors of vertebral fractures in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of the current study was to analyze the role of traditional and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related risk factors in the development of vertebral fractures. A cross-sectional study was performed in women with SLE attending a single center. A vertebral fracture was defined as a reduction of at least 20% of vertebral body height. Two hundred ten patients were studied, with median age of 43 years and median disease duration of 72 months. Osteopenia was present in 50.3% of patients and osteoporosis in 17.4%. At least one vertebral fracture was detected in 26.1%. Patients with vertebral fractures had a higher mean age (50 ± 14 vs. 41 ± 13.2 years, p = 0.001), disease damage (57.1% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.001), lower bone mineral density (BMD) at the total hip (0.902 ± 0.160 vs. 982 ± 0.137 g/cm², p = 0.002), and postmenopausal status (61.9% vs. 45.3%, p = 0.048). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that only age (p = 0.001) and low BMD at the total hip (p = 0.007) remained as significant factors for the presence of vertebral fracture. The high prevalence of vertebral fractures in the relatively young population implies that more attention must be paid to detect and treat vertebral fractures.     

Early morning neutropenia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

An autopsy case of an 11-year-old boy with polyarteritis nodosa is described in which the onset of the disease was associated with the presence of hepatitis B (HB) antigens (Ag) in the cytoplasm and nuclei of hepatocytes as detected by immunohistological methods. Deposits of HBsAg, HBeAg, IgG, IgM, C3, and C1q were demonstrated in systemic vascular lesions. It is considered that the arteritis was due to deposition in the arteries of immune complexes formed by HBAg and HB antibodies.     

Successful plasmapheresis in alveolar hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The case of an 18-year-old Japanese man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by alveolar hemorrhage is described. The patient presented with fever, butterfly rash, and polyarthralgia, and was diagnosed with SLE. He suddenly developed alveolar hemorrhage during steroid pulse therapy. Treatment with plasmapheresis was initiated, with prompt clearing of the chest radiograph. This experience suggests that the prompt initiation of plasmapheresis should be considered for SLE patients with life-threating alveolar hemorrhage resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapies.     

Successful plasmapheresis in alveolar hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

The case of an 18-year-old Japanese man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by alveolar hemorrhage is described. The patient presented with fever, butterfly rash, and polyarthralgia, and was diagnosed with SLE. He suddenly developed alveolar hemorrhage during steroid pulse therapy. Treatment with plasmapheresis was initiated, with prompt clearing of the chest radiograph. This experience suggests that the prompt initiation of plasmapheresis should be considered for SLE patients with life-threating alveolar hemorrhage resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapies. Received: December 27, 2000 / Accepted: March 26, 2001     

Infection-related morbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus: A clinico-epidemiological study from Northern India

The present study was undertaken to retrospectively evaluate the frequency and pattern of infections in 309 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending the Rheumatology Clinic of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital between January 1989 and May 1994. Eighty-two patients (26.5%) were found to be suffering from one or more infections during this period. Tuberculosis was the commonest infection observed. Seventy-four patient (23.9%) had a single infection, while 8 (2.6%) had multiple infections. The infection rate was found to be higher among patients with SLE and major organ involvement than among those with mild superficial SLE.     

Removal of dying cells and systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a very heterogeneous systemic autoimmune disease, in which autoantibody synthesis against nuclear constituents is the main immunological characteristic. These autoantibodies underwent affinity maturation and isotype switching. Additionally, T-cell tolerance against nuclear autoantigens should be affected in these autoimmune patients. Nuclear material derived from apoptotic and/or necrotic cells may serve as an important source of autoantigens. However, dead and dying cells as well as cellular debris are rapidly removed from tissues by phagocytes without eliciting inflammation or immune responses under healthy conditions. During apoptosis nuclear components are strongly modified through enzymatic reactions. If these cells are not timely cleared, those autoantigens may be released, taken up, and presented by dendritic cells in tissues or presented by follicular dendritic cells in lymph nodes to T and B cells, respectively. This could be a mechanism for breaking the peripheral self-tolerance. In this article we focus on the deficient clearance of apoptotic cells in SLE patients and its importance in development of this autoimmune disease.     

Removal of dying cells and systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a very heterogeneous systemic autoimmune disease, in which autoantibody synthesis against nuclear constituents is the main immunological characteristic. These autoantibodies underwent affinity maturation and isotype switching. Additionally, T-cell tolerance against nuclear autoantigens should be affected in these autoimmune patients. Nuclear material derived from apoptotic and/or necrotic cells may serve as an important source of autoantigens. However, dead and dying cells as well as cellular debris are rapidly removed from tissues by phagocytes without eliciting inflammation or immune responses under healthy conditions. During apoptosis nuclear components are strongly modified through enzymatic reactions. If these cells are not timely cleared, those autoantigens may be released, taken up, and presented by dendritic cells in tissues or presented by follicular dendritic cells in lymph nodes to T and B cells, respectively. This could be a mechanism for breaking the peripheral self-tolerance. In this article we focus on the deficient clearance of apoptotic cells in SLE patients and its importance in development of this autoimmune disease. G.E.G. and L.E.M. contributed equally to this work     

Prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fracture in female Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective We examined the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fracture in female Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods We performed lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and collected demographic, lifestyle, clinical, and treatment characteristics of 52 SLE patients. Vertebral fractures were defined as a >20 % reduction of vertebral body height. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to assess the strength of associations between vertebral fractures and selected factors among SLE patients.

Results At least one vertebral fracture was detected in 50 % of SLE patients. A history of previous bone fracture was significantly associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures among SLE patients (adjusted OR = 14.8, 95 % CI = 1.62–134; P = 0.017). Daily use of tea or coffee was marginally associated with a decreased risk of vertebral fractures among SLE patients (adjusted OR = 0.11, 95 % CI = 0.01–1.01; P = 0.051).

Conclusion The high prevalence of vertebral fracture in SLE patients (50 %) indicates that we need to assess the lateral spine radiograph in more female Japanese SLE patients regardless of BMD and use of corticosteroids, although additional studies are warranted to confirm the findings suggested in this study.     

Autoimmune hepatitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of ascites. Laboratory data indicated the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with nephrotic syndrome and elevated hepatic enzymes. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in a marked clinical improvement in renal and liver dysfunction. Histopathologic analysis of renal and liver tissues showed lupus nephritis and liver cirrhosis, respectively. According to the autoimmune hepatitis scoring system, the patient had both SLE and autoimmune hepatitis.     

Autoimmune hepatitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of ascites. Laboratory data indicated the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with nephrotic syndrome and elevated hepatic enzymes. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in a marked clinical improvement in renal and liver dysfunction. Histopathologic analysis of renal and liver tissues showed lupus nephritis and liver cirrhosis, respectively. According to the autoimmune hepatitis scoring system, the patient had both SLE and autoimmune hepatitis.     

Long-term remission in three patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Three cases of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (childhood SLE) with long-term remission are reported. These cases were not complicated with collagen diseases and had no SLE disease activity index scores either 3 or 5 years after onset. We suggest that some patients with childhood SLE may be able to abandon the maintenance therapy, and that careful observation is needed for each individual case. Uniform remission criteria based on clinical trials are needed.     

Long-term remission in three patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Three cases of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (childhood SLE) with long-term remission are reported. These cases were not complicated with collagen diseases and had no SLE disease activity index scores either 3 or 5 years after onset. We suggest that some patients with childhood SLE may be able to abandon the maintenance therapy, and that careful observation is needed for each individual case. Uniform remission criteria based on clinical trials are needed.