Lupus最新文献

Objective: We aim to investigate the potential roles of key genes in the development of lupus nephritis (LN), screen key biomarkers, and construct the lncRNA XIST/miR-381-3P/STAT1 axis by using bioinformatic prediction combined with clinical validation, thereby providing new targets and insights for clinical research.

Methods: Gene expression microarrays GSE157293 and GSE112943 were downloaded from the GEO database to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by enrichment analyses on these DEGs, which were enriched and analyzed to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to screen core genes. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was predicted and constructed based on the miRNA database. 37 female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were recruited to validate the bioinformatics results by exploring the diagnostic value of the target ceRNA axis in LN by dual luciferase and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC).

Results: The data represented that a total of 133 differential genes were screened in the GSE157293 dataset and 2869 differential genes in the GSE112943 dataset, yielding a total of 26 differentially co-expressed genes. Six core genes (STAT1, OAS2, OAS3, IFI44, DDX60, and IFI44L) were screened. Biological functional analysis identified key relevant pathways in LN. ROC curve analysis suggested that lncRNA XIST, miR-381-3P, and STAT1 could be used as potential molecular markers to assist in the diagnosis of LN.

Conclusion: STAT1 is a key gene in the development of LN. In conclusion, lncRNA XIST, miR-381-3P, and STAT1 can be used as new molecular markers to assist in the diagnosis of LN, and the lncRNA XIST/miR-381-3P/STAT1 axis may be a potential therapeutic target for LN.

Objective: In Africa, the treatment outcomes of lupus nephritis (LN) are not well known. This is especially true in the current era where contemporary treatment options are more widely available. This retrospective study aimed to measure the outcomes of biopsy-proven LN treated at the Livingstone Tertiary Hospital (LTH) Renal Unit in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa and to identify predictors of a poor outcome.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 131 patients with biopsy-proven LN who had a kidney biopsy between 01 January 2012 to 31 December 2021 as identified from the biopsy register. A sub-analysis of 107 patients with proliferative and/or membranous LN was performed.

Results: Mean age was 31.4 ± 12.7 years with a female predominance of 86.3%. At 6-month follow-up, 69.6% of patients had complete or partial response to treatment. This increased to 70.3% and 72.6% at 18 and 30 months, respectively. Twenty-seven patients were lost to follow-up, while 7 (5.3%) patients progressed to kidney failure (KF). There were 3 (2.3%) deaths. Predictors of poor response were an elevated baseline serum creatinine (OR = 2.53, 95% CI 0.99 - 6.52, p = .054), a decreased eGFR (OR = 2.92, 95% CI 0.94 - 9.09, p = .065) and an elevated blood pressure (OR = 6.06, 95% CI 1.11 - 33.33, p = .038) at the time of biopsy. Infections were the most common adverse event with 50 infections seen in 39 (29.8%) patients. Herpes viral infections were frequently noted (n = 12) accounting for 24.0% of all documented infections.

Conclusion: Response rates were similar in this cohort when compared to other contemporary studies. Predictors of poor response were an elevated baseline serum creatinine, a decreased eGFR and an elevated blood pressure at time of the biopsy. Infections were the most common occurring adverse event, although the mortality rate remained low at 2.3%.

Objective: Skin involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but may be resistant to conventional treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of anifrolumab (ANI) in refractory cutaneous manifestations of SLE.

Methods: Case series of patients with refractory cutaneous SLE from three Rheumatology Departments in Greece. Outcome measures were improvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), physician global assessment (PGA) and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Clinically relevant improvement in skin was defined as decrease ≥50% (CLASI50) from baseline values.

Results: Eighteen patients received ANI; all had active skin involvement at baseline. Mean (SD) SLEDAI and PGA at ANI initiation were 7.4 (2.7) and 1.4 (0.5), respectively, with a mean prednisone dose 4.9 (4.5) mg/day. Mean CLASI (Activity/Damage) at baseline was 13.9 (9.7)/2.9 (4.6). Patients were refractory to a mean 6.3 (1.5) immunomodulatory agents (including hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids) before the initiation of ANI. After a mean 8.5 (4.6) months, 89% (n = 16/18) of patients demonstrated significant improvement in general lupus and cutaneous disease activity, and glucocorticoid tapering. Mean SLEDAI and mean CLASI at last visit were 3.4 (1.9) and 2.1 (2.4)/1.4 (2.2), respectively, and mean daily prednisone dose decreased to 2.4 (2.2). Of note, in this group of highly refractory patients CLASI50 was achieved in 16/18 (89%) patients. One patient discontinued ANI after 4 infusions due to a varicella-zoster virus infection and one patient, who initially responded to treatment with ANI, experienced a skin flare due to temporary discontinuation due to Covid 19 infection. DORIS remission and LLDAS were attained in two (11.1%) and eleven (61.1%) patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Anifrolumab is highly effective in various skin manifestations of SLE, even after prior failure to multiple treatments.

Background: As with many other chronic diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) have significant impacts on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Medication non-adherence is a significant challenge in the management of SLE, with consistently up to 75% of patients being non-adherent with their SLE medications. There is a need to assess the patient's perspective using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to better understand the current impact of LN on HRQoL and treatment adherence in our region. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between HRQoL and treatment adherence in patients with LN from the Colombian Caribbean.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2022, including patients with biopsy-proven LN. HRQoL and treatment adherence were assessed using the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) and the Compliance Questionnaire in Rheumatology 19 (CQR19) instruments, respectively. Patients were categorized as adherent or non-adherent based on medication intake (defined as >80% correct dosage). Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify principal components between adherent and non-adherent patients.

Results: A total of 42 patients with LN were included. Of these, 38 (90%) were female, and the mean age was 31 ± 10 years. Proliferative class IV was the predominant histopathological profile (90%). Twenty-five (60%) patients were categorized as non-adherent. Across all LupusQoL domains, a comprehensive range of responses was observed. Pain, planning, and intimate relationships domains remained unaffected, while burden to others domain had the lowest score. Poorer planning score correlated with older age (r = -0.72; p < .05) and longer disease duration (r = -0.74; p < .05). SLEDAI-2 K correlated with the pain domain (r = -0.78; p < .05). Non-adherent patients exhibited significantly worse pain domain scores compared to adherent counterparts (p < .05). PCA showed strong interactions between planning and pain, as well as between physical health and body image domains.

Conclusions: LupusQoL pain domain scores were significantly worse in non-adherent patients compared to adherent patients. Effective pain management could be a determinant in HRQoL and treatment adherence rates in our population.