Incidence and risk of arterial and venous thrombotic events in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Current data on arterial and venous thrombotic events (ATE & VTE) and cardiovascular (CV) risk management in European systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) population are limited. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk of thrombotic events and all-cause death in an Italian SLE cohort over the past decade, along with its pharmacotherapy. METHODS: Incident SLE cases between 2010 and 2019 were identified using administrative health databases of the Lombardy Region. The association between SLE and outcomes, compared with age- and sex-matched controls, was reported as incidence rate per 1000 person-years and as adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overall, 2133 SLE patients and 21 283 no-SLE individuals were included. A higher incidence rate of ATE (4.22 vs 2.26 1000 PY), VTE (1.85 vs 0.67 1000 PY,) and all-cause death (15.18 vs 6.22 1000 PY) was reported in SLE patients than in those without (p< 0.0001) as well as an increased risk of ATE (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.20-2.26), VTE (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.35-3.74), and all-cause death (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.52-2.15). After SLE diagnoses, hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids were prescribed for at least 60% of patients. Additionally, a higher exposure to cardiovascular medications was also seen in SLE patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirmed higher risks of ATE, VTE and all-cause death in SLE patients. While increased CV medications use after SLE diagnoses suggests heightened awareness to CV risk profile, more attention is required to balance SLE disease activity with minimizing exposure to drugs associated with exacerbating CV risk.

Secukinumab is not associated with cancer recurrence or progression in patients with spondyloarthritis and history of neoplastic disease.

Secukinumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin-17 approved for the treatment of psoriasis and spondyloarthritis. The favorable oncological profile of secukinumab in patients with a history of malignancy has been shown in patients with psoriasis. However, systematic data to this regard have not been published yet for patients with spondyloarthritis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the oncological safety of secukinumab in patients affected by this group of diseases. We performed a retrospective study in which we identified from our cohort patients with spondyloarthritis treated with secukinumab and with a history of malignancy. These patients' baseline demographic, treatment, rheumatological, and oncological data were collected. The neoplastic outcome (i.e., cancer recurrence or progression) after secukinumab start was then analyzed. Our study included 22 patients with spondyloarthritis. The most frequently reported oncological diagnosis was breast cancer (9 [41%] patients). Secukinumab was started after a median of 24 months following cancer diagnosis. At this time point, all but three patients were in oncological remission. No case of cancer relapse or progression was recorded over a median follow-up of 30 months. In the largest cohort reported to date to this regard, secukinumab was not associated with oncological recurrence or progression in patients with spondyloarthritis with a history of malignancy. Secukinumab may, therefore, represent a safe option in this clinical scenario.

Nailfold capillaroscopy findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: Broadening the spectrum of COVID-19 microvascular involvement.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence points to endothelial dysfunction as a key pathophysiological factor in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). No specific methods have been identified to predict, detect and quantify the microvascular alterations during COVID-19. Our aim was to assess microvasculature through nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We performed NVC in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Elementary alterations were reported for each finger according to a semi-quantitative score. Capillary density, number of enlarged and giant capillaries, number of micro-hemorrhages and micro-thrombosis (NEMO score) were registered. RESULTS: We enrolled 82 patients (mean age 58.8 ± 13.2 years, male 68.3%) of whom 28 during the hospitalization and 54 after recovery and hospital discharge. At NVC examination we found abnormalities classifiable as non-specific pattern in 53 patients (64.6%). Common abnormalities were pericapillary edema (80.5%), enlarged capillaries (61.0%), sludge flow (53.7%), meandering capillaries and reduced capillary density (50.0%). No pictures suggestive of scleroderma pattern have been observed. Acute COVID-19 patients, compared to recovered patients, showed a higher prevalence of hemosiderin deposits as a result of micro-hemorrhages (P = .027) and micro-thrombosis (P < .016), sludge flow (P = .001), and pericapillary edema (P < .001), while recovered patients showed a higher prevalence of enlarged capillaries (P < .001), loss of capillaries (P = .002), meandering capillaries (P < .001), and empty dermal papillae (P = .006). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients present microvascular abnormalities at NVC. Currently ill and recovered subjects are characterized by a different distribution of elementary capillaroscopic alterations, resembling acute and post-acute microvascular damage. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical relevance of NVC in COVID-19.

Sonographic diagnosis of radiographically undetectable bennet fracture.

Intra-articular fractures of the base of the first metacarpal (Bennet fractures) are prone to dislocation and require surgical reduction and fixation to prevent secondary degenerative joint disease and chronic dysfunction. Therefore, a prompt diagnosis is necessary, mostly achieved by conventional roentgenograms. We report the case of a 62-year-old man in whom a Bennet fracture was highly suspected on ultrasound (US) examination realized after a fall. Standard radiographs, obtained after US to confirm the diagnosis, were interpreted as normal. A computed tomography was then performed showing a typical Bennet fracture. This case report demonstrates that a careful assessment of bones must be an integral part of any routine musculo-skeletal US examination, particularly in post-traumatic patients. US can detect bone fractures where radiograph is not discriminating.

Physical and psychological sequelae at three months after acute illness in COVID-19 survivors.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may leave behind an altered health status early after recovery. We evaluated the clinical status of COVID-19 survivors at three months after hospital discharge. METHODS: In this prospective observational cohort study, hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years, evaluated at one (M1) and three (M3) months post-discharge were enrolled. 251 patients (71.3% males, median [IQR] age 61.8 [53.5-70.7] years) were included. Median (IQR) time from discharge to M3 was 89 (79.5-101) days. Primary outcome was residual respiratory dysfunction (RRD), defined by tachypnea, moderate to very severe dyspnea, or peripheral oxygen saturation ≤95% on room air at M3. RESULTS: RRD was found in 30.4% of patients, with no significant difference compared with M1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and length of stay were independent predictors of RRD at multivariable logistic regression (OR [95% CI]: 4.13 [1.17-16.88], P=0.033; OR [95% CI]: 1.02 [1.00-1.04], P=0.047, respectively). Obesity and C-reactive protein levels upon admission were additional predictors at regression tree analysis. Impaired quality of life (QoL) was reported by 53.2% of patients. Anxiety and insomnia were each present in 25.5% of patients, and PTSD in 22.4%. No difference was found between M1 and M3 in QoL, anxiety or PTSD. Insomnia decreased at M3. Current major psychiatric disorder as well as anxiety, insomnia and PSTD at M1 independently predicted PTSD at M3. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical damage may persist at three months after discharge in COVID-19 survivors. Post-recovery follow-up is an essential component of patient management.

A novel evidence-based algorithm to predict thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: preliminary data from a single-center cohort.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease characterized by systemic inflammation, which might enhance baseline thrombotic risk, especially in hospitalized patients. Little is, however, known about predictors of thrombotic complications in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We prospectively followed up 180 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Demographics, clinical and laboratory features at presentation and past medical history were tested as predictors of the first thrombotic complication through multivariate Cox regression analysis and a categorical score generated based on the results. RESULTS: Sixty-four thromboses were recorded in 54 patients, of whom seven with thrombosis on admission and 47 with thrombosis during hospitalization. Patients with thrombosis were mainly Caucasian and diabetic, had marked baseline signs of inflammation and organ damage, lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio, higher D-dimer levels and history of major hemorrhages. The latter three variables were independently associated to thrombotic complications and concurred to a 0-5 score, which accounted for 80% of the total sample variability. Patients with three or more points of the newly generated score were at higher risk for thrombotic complications (HR=4.9, P<0.001). Patients with thrombotic complications were more likely to be admitted to intensive care and/or to die (HR=1.9, P=0.036). Five of 180 patients were diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation and three of them died. Eleven minor and no major bleeding events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for thrombosis and might be stratified on admission based on lower Pao2/FiO2 ratio, higher D-dimer levels and history of major hemorrhages.

Thromboembolism risk among patients with diabetes/stress hyperglycemia and COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Individuals with diabetes/stress hyperglycemia carry an increased risk for adverse clinical outcome in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether this risk is, at least in part, modulated by an increase of thromboembolic complications. METHODS: We prospectively followed 180 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the Internal Medicine Units of San Raffaele Hospital. Data from 11 out of 180 patients were considered incomplete and excluded from the analysis. We analysed inflammation, tissue damage biomarkers, hemostatic parameters, thrombotic events (TEs) and clinical outcome according to the presence of diabetes/stress hyperglycemia. RESULTS: Among 169 patients, 51 (30.2%) had diabetes/stress hyperglycemia. Diabetes/stress hyperglycemia and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were associated with increased inflammation and tissue damage circulating markers, higher D-dimer levels, increased prothrombin time and lower antithrombin III activity. Forty-eight venous and 10 arterial TEs were identified in 49 (29%) patients. Diabetes/stress hyperglycemia (HR 2.71, p = 0.001), fasting blood glucose (HR 4.32, p < 0.001) and glucose variability (HR 1.6, p < 0.009) were all associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic complication. TEs significantly increased the risk for an adverse clinical outcome only in the presence of diabetes/stress hyperglycemia (HR 3.05, p = 0.010) or fasting blood glucose ≥7 mmol/L (HR 3.07, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Thromboembolism risk is higher among patients with diabetes/stress hyperglycemia and COVID-19 pneumonia and is associated to poor clinical outcome. In case of SARS-Cov-2 infection patients with diabetes/stress hyperglycemia could be considered for a more intensive prophylactic anticoagulation regimen.

Incidence of deep venous thrombosis in COVID-19 hospitalized patients during the first peak of the Italian outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: A high rate of thrombotic events has been reported in COVID-19 population. The study aims to assess the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in COVID-19 patients admitted to a single tertiary hospital. METHODS: From April 2nd to April 18th, 2020, hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were screened by lower limb duplex ultrasound (DUS). Patients were on (low molecular weight heparin) LMWH prophylaxis in medical wards, and on therapeutic anticoagulation in intensive care unit (ICU). DVT risk factors, reported by the Padua prediction score and blood tests, were retrieved from institutional electronic charts. The study primary endpoint was the incidence of DVT in the in-hospital COVID-19 population and its association with clinical and laboratory risk factors. The secondary endpoint was the association of DVT with mortality. RESULTS: Two hundred patients (median age 62 years, 72% male, 40 in ICU) received DUS screening. DVT was observed in 29 patients (14.5%), with proximal extension in 16 patients, and in association with symptoms in four patients. The DVT rate was similar in ICU (12.5%) and non-ICU patients (15%). Eighty-seven patients underwent a computed tomography angiography (CTA) that showed pulmonary embolism in 35 patients (40.2%) not associated with DVT in 25/35 cases (71.4%). DVT in the ten patients with pulmonary embolism were symptomatic in four and with a proximal localization in eight cases. A D-dimer level ≥5 mg/l at admission was predictive of DVT (OR 1.02; IC95% 1.03-1.16; p = .003). At the multivariate analysis in-hospital mortality was predicted by age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.02-1.15; p = .004) and by being an ICU patient (OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.30-2.25; p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite LMWH prophylaxis or full anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of DVT, mainly asymptomatic, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 14.5%. Further research should focus on the appropriate antithrombotic therapy for COVID-19 patients.