Analysis on the risk factors for organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional single-center experience

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs as a consequence of the disease itself, the therapy applied and the accompanying conditions and complications. Organ damage predicts further organ damage and is associated with an increased risk of death. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the degree of irreversible organ changes in SLE patients, using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI); to establish correlations between organ damage and disease activity, quality of life, intensity of fatigue and serological factors; and to ascertain the risk factors for organ damage. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional single-center study conducted at the Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation "Niška Banja", Niš, Serbia. METHODS: 83 patients with SLE were enrolled: 58 patients formed the group with organ damage (SDI ≥ 1), and 25 patients without organ damage served as controls (SDI = 0). RESULTS: Organ damage correlated with age (P = 0.002), disease duration (P = 0.015), disease activity (grade 1, P = 0.014; and grade 2, P = 0.007), poor quality of life, severe fatigue (P = 0.047) and treatment with azathioprine (P = 0.037). The following factors were protective: use of hydroxychloroquine (P = 0.048) and higher scores obtained for the physical (P = 0.011), mental (P = 0.022) and general health (P = 0.008) domains. CONCLUSION: It is very important to evaluate risk factors for organ damage in the body, including physicians' overall assessment, to try to positively influence better treatment outcomes.

Irritable bowel syndrome - from etiopathogenesis to therapy.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and relapsing functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects 9-23% of the population across the world. Patients with IBS are often referred to gastroenterology, undergo various investigations, take various medicines, take time off work and have a poor quality of life. The pathophysiology of IBS is not yet completely understood and seems to be multifactorial. Many pathogenetic factors, in various combinations, and not all necessarily present in each patient, can play an important role. Discomfort or abdominal pain relieived by defacation, asociated with a change in stool form, is a typical clinical manifestation of IBS. Many factors, such as emotional stress and eating, may exacerbate the symptoms. A timely diagnosis of IBS is important so that treatment which will provide adequate symptomatic relief (diarrhoea, constipation, pain and boaring) can be introduced. The diagnosis of IBS is not confirmed by a specific test or structural abnormality. It is made using criteria based on clinical symptoms such as Rome criteria, unless the symptoms are thought to be atypical. Today the Rome Criteria IV is the current gold-standard for the diagnoses of IBS. Treatment of patients with IBS requires a multidisciplinary approach. Some patients respond well to non-pharmacological treatment, while others also require pharmacological treatment. This review will provide a summary of pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria and therapies for IBS.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α (G-308A) genetic variant with matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and joint destruction in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the key enzymes responsible for the joint destruction. Their activity is regulated by the level of proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of TNF-α G-308A polymorphism on MMP-9 levels in blood plasma (BP) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their role in progression of joint destruction. One hundred thirty-four subjects were enrolled in this study. TNF-α G-308A polymorphism was determined using PCR-RFLP method. ELISA assay was used for the detection of MMP-9 activity in BP and SF. Joint damage was estimated by hands and feet radiography. Larsen score and annual changes in LS were used for quantitative evaluation of joint destruction and radiographic progression of disease. MMP-9 activity in BP and SF was significantly higher in RA compared to controls, as well as in SF of patients with erosive compared to nonerosive RA. Faster radiographic progression and increased MMP-9 activity in BP and SF were detected in the group A (GA or AA genotype carriers) compared to the group G (GG genotype carriers). However, statistical significance was revealed only for MMP-9 activity in SF (p < 0.05). MMP-9 activity in BP and SF is significantly higher in RA patients compared to patients with osteoarthritis. The presence of TNF-α-308A allele is associated with increased MMP-9 activity in SF of patients with early RA and may be a predictor of rapid radiographic progression of disease.