Occurrence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and associated vasculitis in patients with hyperthyroidism treated with antithyroid drugs: A long-term followup study

OBJECTIVE: To test whether antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are not only induced during treatment with antithyroid drugs, but can also become evident when medication has been ceased, possibly after years. METHODS: Patients who visited our hospital for the treatment of hyperthyroidism were included (n = 207). Treatment consisted of antithyroid medications, radioactive iodide, thyroidectomy, or a combination of these treatment options. Patients were retested 3-6 years later to evaluate long-term effects of antithyroid drugs. Patients were tested for the presence of ANCA and, if positive, evaluated for the presence of AAV. RESULTS: Of 209 patients with hyperthyroidism, 12 patients (6%) were positive for myeloperoxidase- (MPO-), proteinase 3-, or human leukocyte elastase-ANCA. Seventy-seven of 209 patients were retested; 1 patient who had not been treated with antithyroid drugs had developed MPO-ANCA. In 3 of 6 patients previously positive, ANCA could still be detected. The presence of ANCA was highly associated with treatment with antithyroid drugs (odds ratio 11.8 [95% confidence interval 1.5-93.3]). Of 13 patients with a positive ANCA result on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, AAV with glomerulonephritis was diagnosed in 4 (31%). CONCLUSION: The presence of ANCA with or without vasculitis is associated with previous treatment with antithyroid drugs, possibly after years.     

Positive classic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (C‐ANCA) titer at switch to azathioprine therapy associated with relapse in proteinase 3–related vasculitis

Objective

To analyze disease‐free survival in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated small‐vessel vasculitis (AAV) treated with cyclophosphamide only or switched to azathioprine after 3 months of full remission while taking cyclophosphamide.

Methods

We analyzed disease‐free survival in all consecutive patients diagnosed with AAV between 1990 and 2000 at our center. Patients were treated with cyclophosphamide only (1990–1996) or switched to azathioprine after 3 months of remission while taking cyclophosphamide (1997–2000). All patients received at least 12 months of followup.

Results

Of the total 128 patients, 53 (41%) relapsed. Forty‐four of the 128 patients (34%) had been switched to azathioprine therapy. Disease‐free survival at 2 and 4 years was 76% and 65% in the cyclophosphamide group compared with 76% and 51% in the azathioprine group. In patients with proteinase 3 (PR3) classic ANCA (C‐ANCA)–associated vasculitis who were switched to azathioprine (n = 33), a positive C‐ANCA titer at the moment of treatment switch (n = 13) was significantly associated with relapse (RR 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1–8.0; P = 0.04). In patients with a negative ANCA titer at the time of switch to azathioprine, disease‐free survival at 2 and 4 years was 80% and 62%, which was identical to that for patients treated with cyclophosphamide only. In patients who were ANCA‐positive at the time of treatment switch, disease‐free survival at 2 and 4 years was only 58% and 17%.

Conclusion

Switching cyclophosphamide to azathioprine after induction of remission in patients with PR3‐ANCA‐associated vasculitis who are still ANCA‐positive at the time of treatment switch is associated with a high risk of relapse.

     

Treatment with cytapheresis for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated renal vasculitis and its effect on anti-inflammatory factors

To evaluate the efficacy of cytapheresis for the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) caused by myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis, the renal prognosis and the mortality rate at 1 year after treatment were compared between a Cytapheresis Group and a Steroid Pulse Group. The Cytapheresis Group included 10 patients who were treated with cytapheresis and oral corticosteroids. Five had granulocytapheresis with the Adacolumn (Japan Immuno Research Laboratories Co. Ltd, Takasaki, Japan) and the remaining five had leukocytapheresis with the leukocyte removal filter, Cellsorba (Asahi Medical Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). The Steroid Pulse Group was comprised of 12 patients who were treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and oral corticosteroids. In the Cytapheresis Group, renal function recovered in 70% of the patients and the mortality rate was 10%. In the Steroid Pulse Group, renal function recovered in 66.7% and the mortality rate was 33.3%, with infection as the cause of death. Total doses of corticosteroids converted to prednisolone dose during a 1 month period, ranged from 280 mg to 1226 mg in the Cytapheresis Group. On the other hand, these dosages ranged from 2375 mg to 8380 mg in the Steroid Pulse Group. These results indicated that the mortality rate by infection could be reduced by adding cytapheresis therapy. Concerning the mechanism of cytapheresis, anti-inflammatory factors such as soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, and interleukin-10 reduced after cytapheresis. These changes might be responsible for the efficacy of cytapheresis. In conclusion, cytapheresis is thought to be one of the effective treatments for RPGN caused by MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis, reducing the levels of anti-inflammatory factors.     

霉酚酸酯与环磷酰胺治疗ANCA相关血管炎的临床对照研究

目的:对照比较霉酚酸酯(MMF)与间断环磷酰胺(CTX)静脉冲击疗法治疗抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)相关性血管炎(AAV)的疗效、副作用和复发率。方法:35例活动性AAV患者(MPOANCA28例,PR3ANCA阳性2例),男性15例,女性20例,年龄18～71(平均49.1±12.2)岁,均有肾脏损害,SCr≤500μmol/L,肾活检为寡免疫复合物性节段坏死性肾炎伴新月体形成。35例患者分两组,其中激素联合MMF组18例(MMF组),CTX组17例(CTX组)。两组患者基础病情无差异,均以甲基强的松龙静脉冲击后口服MMF(1.5～2g/d)或间断CTX(0.75～1.0g/m2·BSA,每月1次×6次)静脉冲击治疗。缓解后采用雷公藤多甙维持治疗。血管炎活动性采用BVAS评分,慢性损伤采用VDI评分。比较两组缓解率、肾功能变化、副作用发生率及复发率。结果:①MMF组治疗时间6～24月,2例治疗6个月后失访,其余随访12～60(平均29.7±16.8)月,CTX组4例失访,其余随访12～63(平均28.5±14.6)月。②MMF组总缓解率高于CTX(94.4%vs76.9%),其中3、6、12个月缓解率分别为50%vs15.4%(P<0.05),77.8%vs61.5%和100%vs81.8%(P>0.05)。③肾功能:随访末两组各有2例进入终末期肾功能衰竭,MMF组肾功能恢复正常比例高于CTX组(44.4%vs15.4%)。12个月后MMF组VDI评分显著低于CTX组(P<0.05)。④血清ANCA变化:治疗12个月内,MMF组12例ANCA阳性的患者5例(41.7%)转阴,6例(50%)滴度下降,1例无变化。CTX组5例ANCA阳性者1例ANCA转阴(20%),2例(40%)滴度下降,2例无变化。⑤复发:MMF组2例(11.8%)复发,CTX组3例(30%)复发。⑥死亡和副作用:MMF组并发肺炎和带状疱疹各1例,其中1例死亡,2例消化道症状明显;CTX组肺炎和白细胞减少各1例,4例明显消化道症状,1例疾病复发后死于尿毒症。结论:与传统CTX疗法比较,MMF治疗AAV有更高的诱导缓解和改善肾功能的作用,复发率低。MMF抑制血清ANCA的作用强于CTX。但尚需多中心、大样本和长期随访的临床试验以评价MMF治疗AAV的疗效。     

Cytapheresis for the treatment of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis: a pilot study of 21 patients

Twenty-one patients with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis were treated using cytapheresis. Of these, 17 were treated for glomerulonephritis and four were treated for pulmonary hemorrhage. The overall survival rate was 85.7% with a follow-up duration of 24.0 +/- 13.8 months. In the 17 patients with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis, pretreatment creatinine was 3.2 +/- 1.6 mg/dL, and renal function recovered in 76.5%. Pulmonary hemorrhage was ameliorated in all four patients. Abdominal pain occurred in three of the 21 patients but symptoms resolved soon after the cytapheresis procedure was completed. No other adverse effects occurred during cytapheresis. From these results, cytapheresis can be considered a safe and effective treatment for MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis. As for the mechanism of its action, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR), sTNFR2 and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist were elevated soon after cytapheresis and those levels 2 h after the cytapheresis procedure were higher than before the procedure in some cases. These elevations might be related to the efficacy of cytapheresis.     

19例丙基硫氧嘧啶引起抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关小血管炎的临床分析

分析19例丙基硫氧嘧啶（PTU）引起抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关小血管炎患者的临床资料，其中17例患Graves病，18例服用PTU超过2年。多表现为多系统受累，78．9％肾受累，42．1％肺受累，关节痛、皮疹及发热也很常见。所有患者均停用了PTU，内脏受累较重的患者应用了免疫抑制治疗。     

抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关性血管炎感染患者淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少与死亡的相关性

目的探讨使用激素和(或)环磷酰胺(cyclophosphamide,CTX)发生感染的抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody,ANCA)相关性血管炎(ANCA associated vasculitis,AAV)患者,住院期间淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少程度与死亡的相关性。方法回顾性分析2010至2013年北京协和医院治疗期间发生感染住院AAV患者的临床资料,按照淋巴细胞最低值连续两次符合≥0.8×10^9/L、0.5~0.79×10^9/L、0.3~0.49×10^9/L、<0.3×10^9/L分为无减少、轻度、中度和重度减少,CD4^+T细胞计数按照符合≥500×10^6/L、200~499×10^6/L、<200×10^6/L分为无减少、轻度和重度减少,并收集患者诊断、年龄、病程、住院时间、伯明翰系统性血管炎活动评分(BVAS)、CTX累计剂量、激素使用时间、感染部位和病原学,按转归分组行相关性及风险分析。结果共纳入67例患者,存活组与死亡组相比,年龄、病程、住院时间、BVAS、起病时肌酐水平及尿蛋白定量、CTX累计剂量、激素使用时间均无差异,淋巴细胞减少有统计学差异(P<0.001)。38例检测T细胞亚群,发现死亡组与存活组间CD4^+T细胞减少有统计学差异(P=0.003)。死亡组中,患者感染病原学以巨细胞病毒(cytomegalovirus,CMV)最常见,淋巴细胞重度下降组中最常见为鲍曼不动杆菌,其次分别为CMV、肺炎克雷伯菌、白色念珠菌;中度和轻度下降组最常见为CMV感染。多因素COX模型校正年龄和性别后的死亡风险预测分析发现,重度淋巴细胞减少HR为5.23(95%CI:1.68~16.31,P=0.004),中度下降HR为3.87(95%CI:1.03~14.54,P=0.045)。结论AAV患者感染后住院期间淋巴细胞及CD4^+T细胞减少与死亡相关,淋巴细胞中重度减少是死亡的风险因素,死亡患者主要感染病原体为CMV、鲍曼不动杆菌及肺炎克雷伯菌。     

抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关血管炎伴非呼吸道出血的临床分析

目的:探讨抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)相关血管炎(AAV)伴非呼吸道出血的临床特征、诊疗及预后。方法:回顾性整理我院近5年诊治的47例AAV患者的临床病历资料,分析其中合并非呼吸道出血者的诊治过程。结果:47例AAV中合并非呼吸道出血6例(12.7%),中位年龄58岁。2例发生2处出血,共8处出血;消化道出血2例(4.2%),脑出血3例(6.4%),肾出血1例,腹膜后血肿1例,肌肉血肿1例。6例AAV临床表型为显微镜下多血管炎(MPA)4例,肉芽肿性多血管炎(GPA)2例(脑出血2例,肾出血1例)。6例中5例出血是AAV初诊活动期发生,同时伴急进性肾炎;胸部CT多提示双肺间质改变,但无咯血。1例肌肉血肿发生在血管炎复发期。4例MPOANCA强阳性,1例MPO-ANCA中阳性,1例PR3-ANCA强阳性。5例出血发作前已予激素治疗,临床表现较急骤危重,如头痛、腹痛、血便,常伴血红蛋白快速下降,3例休克血压;血小板计数及凝血指标均正常,仅1例血钙偏低。6例继续激素、环磷酰胺治疗,3例并用静脉免疫球蛋白、血浆置换和血液透析,辅以输血、止血(血管介入栓塞或手术)。6例中2例死亡(脑出血1例,消化道出血1例),4例存活者使用激素、免疫抑制剂诱导缓解,2例并用血浆置换治疗好转、脱离血液透析。结论:AAV合并非呼吸道出血的比例达12.7%;以脑出血和消化道出血为主,与本病导致血管损害相关,也是致命性的并发症。早期识别,积极免疫抑制剂治疗联合血浆置换、静脉免疫球蛋白,并止血处理(血管介入栓塞或手术),部分患者经救治可缓解。     

The prevalence and target antigens of antithyroid drugs induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in Chinese patients with hyperthyroidism

OBJECTIVE: Antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) are common medications in Chinese patients with hyperthyroidism and PTU-induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive vasculitis has been reported. The current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the target antigens of ANCA in Chinese patients with hyperthyroidism pre- and post-antithyroid medication therapy. METHODS: Sera from 216 patients with hyperthyroidism in our hospital were collected from January to July in 2002. Patients were divided into four groups: untreated (n = 34); treated with PTU (n = 62); treated with MMI (n = 77); and treated with both PTU and MMI (n = 43). Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay was used to detect ANCA and ANA. Antigen-specific ELISAs were used to detect antigen specificities. The known antigens included myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase 3 (PR3), human leukocyte elastase (HLE), lactoferrin, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), cathepsin G and azurocidin. RESULTS: 33/216 sera were IIF positive, 20 of the 33 samples were ANCA positive, 11 samples were ANA positive, and two samples were both P-ANCA and ANA positive. The prevalence of positive ANCA in patients receiving PTU (14/62, 22.6%) was significantly higher than that of untreated patients (1/34, 2.9%) and patients treated with MMI (0/77, 0), P < 0.017. Of the 22 IIF-ANCA positive samples, 12 (54.5%) sera recognized lactoferrin, seven (31.8%) sera recognized HLE, four sera recognized MPO and azurocidin respectively, three sera recognized PR3 and cathepsin G respectively, and one serum recognized BPI. Six of the 22 (27.3%) patients with ANCA positive had clinical evidence of vasculitis. All patients with MPO-ANCA and two of the three patients with PR3-ANCA had clinical vasculitis. CONCLUSION: PTU is associated with the production of ANCA in patients with hyperthyroidism. PTU-induced ANCA are due to polyclonal activation of B cells. Anti-MPO and anti-PR3 antibodies may associate the occurrence of clinical vasculitis.     

合并病毒性肝炎的甲状腺功能亢进患者抗甲状腺功能亢进药物治疗的安全性及短期疗效

病毒性肝炎和甲状腺功能亢进(以下简称甲亢)都是临床常见的疾病,二者同时存在的情况并不少见.甲亢时机体呈高代谢状态导致内脏对氧的消耗增多,分解代谢亢进,肝细胞因缺氧及营养障碍而功能受损~([1]).     

抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关血管炎患者循环内皮细胞的变化及其临床意义

目的动态监测抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关血管炎（AAV）患者外周血内皮细胞（CEC）,探讨其在肾脏血管病变的诊断和判断疗效中的作用。方法采用免疫磁珠分离法计数20例AAV患者和30例健康志愿者的外周血循环内皮细胞的数量,同时进行血清肌酐、尿蛋白、尿红细胞和血清白蛋白等临床项目的检查。结果AAV患者外周血循环内皮细胞数目明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）;部分经过治疗的AAV患者,随着病情的缓解,其外周血循环血内皮细胞明显降低。外周血循环内皮细胞数目降低与肌酐、24小时尿蛋白和尿红细胞的减少呈正相关,而与血清白蛋白升高呈负相关。结论检测循环内皮细胞的数量不仅能反映AAV患者血管病变的存在,而且还能作为判断血管病变治疗效果的指标。     

Development and initial evaluation of a measure of self‐management for adults with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated small‐vessel vasculitis

Objective

To develop a measure of illness self‐management for adults living with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated small‐vessel vasculitis (ANCA‐SVV) and to gather evidence of its reliability and validity.

Methods

Development of the Vasculitis Self‐Management Scale (VSMS) was guided by previous research on self‐management in other chronically ill populations, a review of the current treatment literature for ANCA‐SVV, interviews with patients, and consultation with experts. A total of 205 patients living with ANCA‐SVV or a closely related condition then completed the VSMS, along with measures of sociodemographic and clinical variables, social desirability bias, and general adherence to medical recommendations, using a self‐administered mailed questionnaire. A principal components analysis was conducted on the VSMS items. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the resulting subscales were assessed. Forty‐four patients completed the VSMS a second time, for the purpose of assessing test–retest reliability.

Results

Analyses suggested an 8‐factor solution. The final VSMS consisted of 43 items representing these 8 behavioral domains. Correlations among the 8 domains were null to modest in magnitude. The internal consistency reliability of the 8 subscales ranged from minimally acceptable (α = 0.67) to excellent (α = 0.94), and correlations between subscale scores at time 1 and time 2 suggested good temporal stability. Preliminary evidence for validity was mixed.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the VSMS is a promising method for assessing illness self‐management in adults with ANCA‐SVV. More research exploring the validity of the measure is warranted.     

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus–associated mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis: A long‐term followup study

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term efficacy of anti–hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy in patients with HCV‐associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (HCV‐MC) vasculitis and to assess the factors associated with clinical remission of MC.

Methods

This was a single‐center study of 72 consecutive patients who received treatment with IFN alfa‐2b (3 million IU 3 times a week; n = 32 patients) or PEGylated IFN alfa‐2b (PEG–IFN alfa‐2b) (1.5 μg/kg/week; n = 40 patients), both in combination with oral ribavirin (600–1,200 mg/day), for at least 6 months. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with clinical remission of MC.

Results

The mean ± SD duration of followup after discontinuation of antiviral therapy was 39.7 ± 24.4 months. Eight deaths (11.1% of patients) occurred during the study, primarily as a result of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, or infection. A complete clinical response of the MC occurred in 45 patients (62.5%), a sustained virologic response occurred in 58.3%, and cryoglobulins cleared in 45.8%. Compared with patients treated with IFN alfa‐2b plus ribavirin, those receiving PEG–IFN alfa‐2b plus ribavirin had a higher sustained clinical (67.5% versus 56.3%), virologic (62.5% versus 53.1%), and immunologic (57.5% versus 31.3%) response, regardless of HCV genotype and viral load. In multivariate analyses, an early virologic response (odds ratio 3.53 [95% confidence interval 1.18–10.59]) was independently associated with a complete clinical response of MC. A glomerular filtration rate ≤70 ml/minute (odds ratio 0.18 [95% confidence interval 0.05–0.67]) was negatively associated with a complete clinical response of MC.

Conclusion

PEG–IFN alfa‐2b plus ribavirin should be considered as induction therapy for HCV‐MC vasculitis. An early virologic response and the absence of renal insufficiency are the key factors in the clinical response.

     

咳嗽及肺部游走性阴影为主要表现的抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体相关性血管炎1例

笔者成功诊治1例65岁男性抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体（ANCA）相关性血管炎患者。该患者主要表现为慢性咳嗽和肺部游走性阴影,曾被诊断为淋巴细胞性间质性肺炎,激素治疗有效,病情复发后查MPO—ANCA阳性,结合肺穿刺活检明确诊断为ANCA相关性血管炎,加用糖皮质激素和环磷酰胺后病情再次缓解。根据文献报道和笔者的临床经验,ANCA相关性血管炎临床表现复杂,缺乏特异性,常被误诊。呼吸科医师对ANCA相关性血管炎肺部受累特点应熟悉,要重视血清ANCA的筛查,以便于本病的早期诊断。