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Cognitive impairment and autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) includes a wide array of manifestations some of which have been associated with specific autoantibodies. These include reactivity to surface neuronal and lymphocyte antigens, ribosomal P and cardiolipin. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between cognitive abnormalities and these autoantibodies in an unselected female population of SLE patients. Using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, cognitive impairment was identified in 15/70 (21%) SLE patients compared to 1/25 (4%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 1/23 (4%) healthy subjects (P = 0.04). Circulating antineuronal antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence using human neuroblastoma cell lines IMR-6 and SK-N-SH. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies were measured by microcytotoxicity. Antibodies to ribosomal P and cardiolipin were measured by ELISA. Antineuronal antibodies were detected in 34%, lymphocytotoxic antibodies in 47%, anti-P antibodies in 17% and anticardiolipin antibodies in 24% of patients. In the cognitively impaired and unimpaired SLE patients there was no significant difference in the prevalence of antineuronal antibodies (33 vs 35%), lymphocytotoxic antibodies (40 vs 50%), anti-P antibodies (20 vs 17%) or anticardiolipin antibodies (7 vs 29%). The titre and isotype of autoantibodies were also similar in both groups. These results suggest that autoantibodies which have previously been associated with nervous system manifestations of SLE are not likely to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗

"Pauci-Immune" proliferative and necrotizing glomerulonephritis with thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus-like syndrome.

In the glomerulonephritides of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the number of subendothelial deposits, when present, generally corresponds to the degree of light microscopic glomerular hypercellularity; only very rarely are no or few such deposits present in cases of focal (WHO class III) or diffuse (WHO class IV) proliferative lupus nephritis. We have recently encountered five cases of active diffuse proliferative glomerlonephritis with no subendothelial and few or no mesangial deposits and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in four patients with SLE and one patient with lupus-like syndrome. Three of the five patients were tested for circulating lupus anticoagulants or anticardiolipin antibodies, and two were positive. All five patients tested negatively for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Three patients responded to steroid and cyclophosphamide treatment, although one of them died of acute bacterial bronchopneumonia. One patient was lost to follow-up. We conclude that "pauci-immune" proliferative lupus nephritis is rare and should be treated as proliferative lupus nephritis with a proportionate number of subendothelial deposits. The negative ANCA suggests that these cases do not represent incidental ANCA-associated pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis in patients with SLE. Of particular interest is that, in patients with SLE, if associated with TMA, an active proliferative necrotizing glomerulonephritis may be present even in the absence of significant glomerular immune complex deposition.

Adult↗

[Lipid profile in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, with special focus on lipoprotein(a) in lupus nephritis].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial polysystemic autoimmune disorder. Although life expectance in SLE has been improved by adequate immune suppressive therapy, the importance of chronic renal failure has not been reduced. Among late complications of the disease accelerated atherosclerosis attempts increasing attention. Dyslipoproteinemia and increased concentration of lipoproteins are important risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular complication in SLE. Serum lipid parameters of 50 patients with lupus were examined in the present work. Thirty patients had histologically proven lupus nephritis (LN+), while the other group did not have renal involvement (LN-). Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentrations were significantly higher in the lupus nephritis (LN+) group. On the other hand, HDL-C and apoAI levels were also elevated in patients with LN. As a consequence of that, LDL-C/HDL-C and the apoB/apoAI ratios did not differ between patients with or without kidney involvement. This concluded the authors to measure the concentration of lipoprotein (a) in SLE patients, as Lp(a) is known to be an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis. Results indicated a significantly increased Lp(a) concentration in patients with lupus nephritis as compared to the LN- group. All but 2 patients without kidney involvement had lower than 100 mg/L Lp(a) concentration, while 27% of patients with lupus nephritis has an Lp(a) level between 100-300 mg/L. Further more, Lp(a) concentration was higher than 300 mg/L in 13% of the LN+ group. In a good correlation of these observations patients with nephritis suffered more frequently from deep venous thrombosis and ischaemic heart disease. The frequencies of hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were slightly elevated in patients with nephritis. Present results suggest the importance of elevated lipoprotein (a) concentration in patients with lupus nephritis, further increasing the risk of athero-thrombotic cardiovascular complications.

Adult↗

[Changes in thyroid function in systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis].

According to frequent thyroid function disorders in systemic connective tissue diseases a group of 380 patients were analysed - 70 with systemic erythematous lupus (SLE), 31 with progressive systemic scleris (PSS) and 270 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay technique and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) chronologically by monoclonal antibody technique and thereafter by fluoroimmunoassay. Thyreopahty was found at 15 patients with SLE (21.43%), 11 patients with PSS (35.48%) and 35 patients with RA (12.54%). Our results pointed out the significant frequency of thyroid function disorders in these diseases and imply the necessity of the routine thyroid function follow up, therefore to take adequate cure in due time.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Epilepsy as part of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome).

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), demonstrated by ELISAs for antibodies against phospholipids and associated phospholipid-binding cofactor proteins and/or a circulating lupus anticoagulant (LA) together with diverse systemic clinical manifestations such as thrombosis, and recurrent spontaneous abortions. According to the criteria set out in Sydney the only neurological manifestations that can be suitable as APS classification criteria are ischemic events (stroke and transient ischemic attacks). However, other neurological manifestations, including seizures in particular, have been repeatedly reported in APS patients. The present review will summarize recent research on the association of aPL, as well as other autoantibodies, with seizure disorders, with or without concomitant SLE.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid↗

Defining response in systemic lupus erythematosus: a study by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics group.

OBJECTIVE: In a preliminary attempt to develop a drug responder index for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 validated disease activity instruments were studied for their responsiveness and compared to a physician visual analog scale (VAS) assessment of disease activity. We attempted to determine whether these validated instruments were useful components in characterizing response in the setting of a clinical trial. METHODS: Eighty paper patients were assessed using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) and Systemic Lupus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and by physician's assessment of global activity. The cases were arranged in random order and divided into groups of 20 patients and each group was assessed by 20 lupus experts; change in disease activity was recorded at 3 and 6 months compared to baseline using a physician VAS. RESULTS: Four different lupus experts assessed disease activity in all 80 patients at baseline and 3 and 6 months after initiation of therapy using the BILAG and SLEDAI instruments. BILAG and SLEDAI scores correlated well over time; however, in a regression analysis where average physician VAS were chosen as the outcome variable, a significant amount of variation in the average physician VAS not related to the SLEDAI and BILAG scores was noted. CONCLUSION: The physician VAS may be too blunt to assess response in SLE, because even among experienced lupus assessors, there were considerable differences in what influenced scoring decisions.

Adult↗

Sensitivity of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Index, and Systemic Lupus Activity Measure in the evaluation of clinical change in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3 disease activity indices commonly used to evaluate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults are sensitive to clinical change in children, and thus suitable for the use in the management of childhood-onset SLE. METHODS: Thirty-five SLE patients who were newly diagnosed between 1993 and 1997, had an age at onset of 6-16 years (26 female and 9 male), and were currently being followed up at The Hospital for Sick Children (followup of 9 months to 4 years) were reviewed. The SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index), BILAG (British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index), and SLAM (Systemic Lupus Activity Measure) were applied at up to 4 occasions during the disease course: at the time of diagnosis, 6 months postdiagnosis, at the time of a flare (a deterioration in clinical presentation or laboratory results requiring initiation or increase of either corticosteroids or "second-line" drugs), and 6 months postflare. The sensitivity of the 3 measures to change, as gauged by the effect size (ES), effect size index (ESI), standard response mean (SRM), responsiveness statistic (RS), and relative efficiency index (REI), were compared. RESULTS: All 3 tools were very sensitive to change in disease activity (ES >0.8, ESI >2.3, SRM >0.6, RS >0.86, REI >0.72), but were ranked differently depending on the statistic used for comparison. CONCLUSION: All 3 measures of disease activity are highly sensitive to clinical change in children; none showed an overall superiority. The SLEDAI, BILAG, and SLAM can all be used to study response to treatment in children with SLE.

Adult↗

Immune dysregulation accelerates atherosclerosis and modulates plaque composition in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have accelerated atherosclerosis. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, and investigations have been hampered by the absence of animal models that reflect the human condition of generalized atherosclerosis and lupus. We addressed this problem by transferring lupus susceptibility to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient (LDLr-/-) mice, an established model of atherosclerosis, creating radiation chimeras with NZM2410-derived, lupus-susceptible, B6.Sle1.2.3 congenic or C57BL/6 control donors (LDLr.Sle and LDLr.B6, respectively). LDLr.Sle mice developed a lupus-like disease characterized by production of double-stranded DNA autoantibodies and renal disease. When fed a Western-type diet, LDLr.Sle chimeras had increased mortality and atherosclerotic lesions. The plaques of LDLr.Sle mice were highly inflammatory and contained more CD3+ T cells than controls. LDLr.Sle mice also had increased activation of CD4+ T and B cells and significantly higher antibody to oxidized LDL and cardiolipin. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the lupus-susceptible immune system enhances atherogenesis and modulates plaque composition.

Animals↗

Corticosteroid-sparing strategies in the treatment of retinal vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroids have been traditionally used in the therapy of retinal vasculitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The high morbidity associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy has prompted the use of corticosteroid-sparing strategies with cytotoxic agents. METHODS: This retrospective study summarizes the authors' experience of the last 10 years including 9 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with retinal vasculitis who required treatment for longer than 6 months. RESULTS: Seven of these patients were treated with cytotoxic agents. Average follow-up was 39 months. Inflammation was controlled clinically and angiographically in all patients using the following therapeutic regimens: systemic corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine (n = 1 patient); systemic corticosteroids and cytotoxic chemotherapy (n = 6); cytotoxic chemotherapy and hydroxychloroquine (n = 1); and hydroxychloroquine alone (n = 1). Visual acuity was preserved (> 20/30) or improved in all patients. All patients retained excellent control of their systemic disease during their follow-up. Side effects of cytotoxic drugs requiring discontinuation of all chemotherapy were not encountered in this group; Imuran therapy did result in substantial adverse effects necessitating its replacement with other drugs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a valuable role for corticosteroid-sparing drugs in the therapy of retinal vasculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: an update.

Systemic lupus erythematosus predominantly affects women and is more common in blacks. Although survival rates have improved, over one half of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have permanent damage in one or more organ systems. Arthritis and cutaneous manifestations are most common, but renal, hematologic and neurologic manifestations contribute largely to morbidity and mortality. Treatment approaches emphasize using a combination of drugs to minimize chronic exposure to corticosteroids.

Female↗