Thorough assessment of the effectiveness of belimumab in a large Spanish multicenter cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview on the current use of belimumab (BLM) in SLE patients in clinical practice and to examine its efficacy in terms of standardized outcomes, drug survival, as well as patient and safety profiles. METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective multicentre cohort including SLE patients treated with BLM at 18 Spanish centers. Data was collected upon initiation of BLM, at 6 and 12 months after initiation, and at the last recorded visit. Changes in SLEDAI-2K, the proportion of patients who achieved LLDAS and DORIS 2021, and number of flares were compared between visits. Changes in damage, glucocorticoids use and employment status pre-BLM and post-BLM were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 324 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 3.8 (±2.7) years. LLDAS was attained by 45.8%, 62% and 71% of patients, and DORIS by 24%, 36.2% and 52.5% on successive visits, respectively. Twenty-seven-point two percent of patients were in DORIS ≥ 50% of the visits and a 46% in LLDAS-50. Flares and number of flares were significantly lower one year after treatment with BLM and no changes in damage accrual were observed. Mean (±SD) prednisone dose was significantly reduced over time, with 70 (24%) patients discontinuing GC. CONCLUSION: Our study not only demonstrates belimumab´s efficacy in attaining treat-to-target goals in SLE patients, but also confirms its GC-sparing effect, and its prevention of flares and organ damage accrual.

Multidisciplinary consensus on the use of hydroxychloroquine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is the first-line treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, there is heterogeneity in its clinical use. This consensus aims to bridge the gap in SLE treatment by providing practical and valuable recommendations for health professionals. METHODS: The methodology used is based on a systematic literature review and a nominal group technique (NGT). A ten-member scientific committee formulated eight clinically relevant questions. First, a systematic review was conducted to identify the available evidence, which the scientific committee evaluated to developed recommendations based on their expertise, achieving consensus through NGT. RESULTS: 1673 titles and abstracts were screened, and 43 studies were included for meeting the inclusion criteria. The scientific committee established 11 recommendations for HCQ use in initiation, maintenance, and monitoring, considering benefits and potential adverse effects of HCQ. Unanimous agreement was achieved on all recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence supports HCQ's effectiveness and safety for SLE. Individualized assessment of the initial HCQ dose is important, especially in situations requiring dose reduction or discontinuation. This risk-benefit assessment, specifically focusing on the balance between retinal toxicity and the risk of SLE relapse, should guide decisions regarding medication withdrawal, considering disease activity, risk factors, and HCQ potential benefits. Close monitoring is essential for optimal disease management and minimize potential risks, such as QT prolongation or retinal toxicity.

Median nerve compression at elbow level by a proximal cubital artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report

We describe the case of an 82-year-old man who had recently undergone cardiac surgery (quadruple coronary bypass), who consulted due to the appearance of a necrotic eschar on the thumb of the right index finger, together with paraesthesia and hypoaesthesia in the first 3 fingers of the same hand. An ultrasound scan of the right elbow was performed to rule out involvement of the median nerve and an anechoic, thick-walled mass was found, dependent on the wall of the proximal ulnar artery, compatible with a pseudoaneurysm of the same, compressing the nerve. Electromyography showed an acute lesion of the proximal median nerve and angio-CT confirmed the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the proximal ulnar artery. Pseudoaneurysm is a dilatation by rupture of the arterial wall, which does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall and communicates with the vascular lumen. Its development after vascular manipulation is very rare, and it is uncommon for it to act by compressing a nerve structure. In our case, together with vascular surgery, treatment with intralesional thrombin was decided, with good evolution.

Se describe el caso de un varón de 82 arios intervenido recientemente de cirugía cardíaca (cuádruple bypass coronario), que consulta por aparición de una escara necrótica en el pulpejo del dedo índice derecho, junto a parestesias e hipoestesias en los tres primeros dedos de dicha mano. Se realiza una ecografía del codo derecho para descartar afectación del nervio mediano y se objetiva una masa anecoica, de paredes engrosadas, dependientes de la pared de la arteria cubital proximal, compatible con pseudoaneurisma de esta, que comprime dicho nervio. En la electromiografía se evidencia una lesión aguda del nervio mediano a nivel proximal y en el angio-TC se confirma el diagnóstico de pseudoaneurisma de la arteria cubital proximal. El pseudoaneurisma es una dilatación por rotura de la pared arterial, que no implica a las tres capas de esta y se comunica con la luz vascular. Su desarrollo tras una manipulación vascular es muy infrecuente y que actúe comprimiendo una estructura nerviosa es poco común. En nuestro caso, conjuntamente con cirugía vascular se decidió tratamiento con trombina intralesional, con buena evolución.