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Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and factors that may affect the flare of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:A total of 300 patients with SLE who were treated with standard treatment in the outpatient clinic of the department of rheumatology and immunology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University of PLA, were enrolled, and the patients were divided into 24 patients in the complete response group, 40 cases in the no response group, 192 cases in the treatment response group, and 44 cases in the low disease activity group according to the response to treatment. The differences in clinical characteristics and survival rates between the groups were compared and analyzed. Comparisons of count data were made using analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparisons of measurement data were made using the chi-square test or the Fisher′s ecact test, and survival rates were expressed as Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression analysis was adapted to explore risk factors for flare in these patients.Results:A total of 300 patients were followed. With a median follow-up time of 18 (1, 36) months, a total of 42 patients experienced flare. The clinical characteristics of the four groups were compared, and there were significant differences in age ( F=4.39, P=0.005), the presence of lupus nephritis ( χ2=12.66, P=0.005), hemoglobin level ( F=2.73, P=0.044), NLR level( F=3.88, P=0.010), cystatin C level( F=3.11, P=0.027), anti-RNP antibody ( χ2=12.04, P=0.007), anti-Sm antibody ( χ2=8.33, P=0.040), anti-SSB antibody ( P=0.014), anti-nucleosome antibody ( P=0.014), and anti-ribosomal P protein antibody ( χ2=11.83, P=0.008). There was no significant difference in survival between the four groups. Cox analysis showed that the combination of other autoimmune diseases [ HR(95%CI)=3.23(1.58, 6.57), P=0.001], anti-Sm antibody [ HR(95%CI)=2.15(1.04, 4.43), P=0.038], and anti-RNP antibody [ HR(95%CI)=2.54(1.13, 5.68), P=0.023] were risk factors for flare in patients with SLE who could reach the treatment target. Conclusion:Patients with SLE with different treatment responses have different clinical features, and all treatment can significantly improve the recurrence rate no matter what level of response to treatment. Patients concurrent with other autoimmune diseases, positive anti-Sm antibodies, and positive anti-RNP antibodies are at highrisk of flare.
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Objective:To analyze the Risk factors for rapid progression of inpatients with anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene5 (MDA5) antibody-positive dermamyositis (DM) complicated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), and construct a clinical predictive model.Methods:A total of 63 hospitalized patients with anti MDA5 positive DM combined with ILD (MDA5+ DM-ILD) from January 1, 2016 to May 30, 2022 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University were included in the study. They were divided into a control group (DM-ILD) and an observation group (DM-RPPILD) based on whether they had rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease (RPILD). Retrospective collection and organization of clinical case data from patients were conducted, and binary logistic regression was used to summarize the risk factors of DM-RPILD. R software was used to construct a clinical prediction model for RPILD occurrence using training set data, and validation set data was used to verify the predictive ability of the model.Results:The proportion of patients with SpO 2<90% at the initial diagnosis of ILD, the titers of anti MDA5 antibodies, immunoglobulin M (IgM), serum ferritin (FER) levels, and positive rates of anti Ro52 antibodies in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, the lymphocyte (LYM) count level was lower than that of the control group (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed SpO 2<90% at the initial diagnosis of ILD, FER level, LYM count, and anti Ro52 antibody were the influencing factors for the occurrence of RPILD (all P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the training set prediction model for predicting resistance to MDA5+ DM-RPILD was 0.922(95% CI: 0.887-0.957), with a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 72.5%; In the validation set, the prediction model predicted an AUC of 0.939(95% CI: 0.904-0.974) for resistance to MDA5+ DM-RPILD, with a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 88.9%; The calibration curves of the training and validation sets indicated that the predictive model had good calibration ability. Conclusions:SpO 2<90% at the initial diagnosis of ILD, FER levels increase, LYM count levels decrease, and anti Ro52 antibody positivity are risk factors for RPILD. The constructed clinical model has good predictive ability and has certain guiding significance for clinical work.
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Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic autoimmune cholestatic disease with a progressive course. This disease is not rare in China, but standardized diagnosis and treatment for primary biliary cholangitis are insufficient. Based on the evidence and guidelines from China and other countries, Rheumatology Branch of Chinese Medical Association developed the recommendations of diagnosis and treatment for primary biliary cholangitis in China. The aim is to help clinicians recognize clinical characters, therapeutic selection and prognosis judgement of primary biliary cholangitis, which will contribute to make diagnosis in time, to select treatment properly and to manage follow-up scientifically.
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Objective To investigate the psychosocial functioning and risk factors of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods A total of 79 children with JIA were selected from the inpatients and outpatients in the department of clinical immunology,a top-grade hospital in Xi'an from February to December,2017.Their demographic and disease data were collected by self-designed questionnaires.Disease remission was confirmed by using the JADAS-27 and pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS).The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) were rated by the children themselves.All data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0.Results A total of 316 effective questionnaires were collected,including 79 demographic questionnaires,disease questionnaires,CDI and MASC respectively.(1) The total scores of CDI were 15.22 ± 9.56.The highest scores were found for the subscale of "lack of happiness" (4.57 ± 3.63),while the lowest for the subscale of "low self-esteem" (1.75 ± 1.57).The total scores of MASC were 39.15 ±21.12.The highest scores were found for the subscale of "Injury avoidance" (13.09 ± 5.57) while the lowest for the subscale of "separation anxiety" (7.68 ± 5.66).(2) Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that pain,disease activity,hormonal side effects and fatigue were the main risk factors of the psychosocial functioning of the children with JIA.Conclusions The psychosocial functioning of children with JIA was not satisfied.It suggested that we should not only take the appropriate clinical treatment to control the disease but also take combined therapy such as psychological intervention as early as possible.
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Objective To assess pregnancy outcome and pregnancy related concerns in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients.Methods We analyzed 68 female patients with TA retrospectively from Xijing hospital.Data on the number of pregnancies,births and pregnancy outcomes before and after disease onset were retrieved from medical charts,patient questionnaires and the department of Obstetrics in Xijing Hospital.Data on pregnancy related concerns were gathered from patient questionnaires.Results Altogether,68 women in the TA study cohort had 106 pregnancies,73 (in 41 patients) before disease onset and 33 (in 28 patients) after disease onset.There were no difference in the frequencies of miscarriages,induced abortions and maternal complications before and after TA onset.Pregnancy related hypertension was seen in 4.7% of the TA patients compared to 2.0% (x2=1.238,P>0.05) of the reference cohort from the department of Obstetrics in Xijing Hospital and preeclampsia/eclampsia in 4.7% of the TA patients compared to 2.8% of the reference cohort (x2=1.835,P>0.05).The mean gestational age at delivery in pregnancies after TA onset was (37±6) weeks compared to (39±4) weeks in the reference cohort (x2=14.665,P<0.01).Caesarian sections were more frequent in deliveries after TA onset (36%) than in the reference cohort (15%) (x2=13.322,P<0.01).86% of the TA patients had pregnancy related concerns.Of these concerns,72% was about passing the disease to offsprings.Conclusion In this population based TA cohort,the maternal and fetal outcomes are favorable.Pregnancy related concerns are very popular in TAK patients.
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Objective@#To explore the relation between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients.@*Methods@#Present retrospective study involved 289 patients with TA, who were hospitalized in our department between January 2010 and October 2017, and 280 age and gender matched healthy controls,who underwent thealth examination in our health examination center during the same period (control group). TA patients were further divided into active and inactive groups (180 and 109 cases respectively) according to Kerr scores. The clinical data were compared between groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between PLR or NLR and disease activity (Kerr score or C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to judge the cut-off value of disease activity for TA patients.@*Results@#PLR and NLR were significantly higher in TA group than in control group(137.33 (97.38, 193.37) vs. 120.55 (96.86, 144.60) and 2.38 (1.76, 3.57) vs. 1.66 (1.35, 2.08) , respectively, all P<0.001). PLR and NLR were significantly higher in active TA group than in inactive TA group (163.43 (123.64, 224.15) vs. 110.53 (84.22, 147.24) and 2.59 (1.96, 3.94) vs. 1.95 (1.53, 2.86) respectively, all P<0.001). PLR and NLR of active group were significantly decreased after 6 months treatment (164.05 (123.29, 226.29) vs. 104.67 (77.22, 138.43) and 2.58 (1.96, 3.91) vs. 2.15 (1.67, 2.60) respectively, all P<0.001). PLR was positively correlated with Kerr score (r=0.439, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.328, P<0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.410, P<0.001). NLR also exhibited a positive relationship with Kerr score (r=0.235, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.169, P=0.005) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.123, P=0.037). A PLR level of 176.709 was shown to be the best predictive cut-off value for TA disease activity (sensitivity 44.6%, specificity 93.0%, and area under the curve=0.766).A NLR level of 2.128 was shown to be the best predictive cut-off value for TA disease activity (sensitivity 70.9%, specificity 47.7%, and area under the curve=0.691).@*Conclusion@#PLR and NLR are useful markers for predicting disease activity of TA patients.
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Objective To compare the characteristics of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). Methods Patients with a diagnosis of ILD from June 2014 to December 2015 were selected in this study and patients with known other causes of ILD were excluded. The clinical manifestation, autoantibody, high resolution chest computed tomography (CT) and blood gas analysis were retrospectively analyzed. Results Six hundred and twenty-eight patients were included in this study. The prevalence of CTD-ILD and IPF were 459 (73.09%) and 169(26.91%) respectively. The age in IPF group was higher than that in CTD-ILD group:(67.10 ± 13.13) years vs. (52.10 ± 14.23) years, and there was significant difference (t =-10.092, P =0.000). The rate of male in IPF group was higher than that in CTD-ILD group: 75.15%(127/169) vs. 28.32%(130/459), and there was significant difference (P=0.000). Autoantibodies were commonly seen in CTD-ILD group and only antinuclear antibody, and anti-SSA antibody and anti-Ro-52 antibody were seen in IPF group. The most common chest images were honeycombing, bullae of lung and pneumonectasis in CTD-ILD group, while the presence of consolidation and small nodular shadow were more common in IPF group. The concurrence of respiratory failure was higher in IPF group compared with that in CTD-ILD group:49.11%(83/169) vs. 13.07%(60/459), and there was significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusions Patients with CTD-ILD and IPF possess distinct characteristics. Overall assessment of clinical manifestation, autoantibody serology, high resolution chest CT and other indicator will be conducive to the differential diagnosis and treatment of ILD.
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Objective To study the variation characteristics of peripheral blood β-catenin and DKK1 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the correlation with bone and joint damage.Methods One hundred and eight patients with RA (observation group) and 110 healthy individuals (control group) were selected.The bone mineral density(B MD) in the femur (femur neck,Ward area,greater trochanter,total femur area) and lumbar spine (L2,3,4) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry instrument.X-ray for two hands were evaluated according to the Sharp score.The peripheral blood β-catenin and DKK1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Multiple analysis was completed by multiple linear regression and Logistic regression.Results The peripheral blood DKK1 level in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group [(8.2 ±5.0) mg/L vs.(6.1 ±4.2)mg/L],there was statistical difference (t =2.452,P =0.025),but there was no statistical difference in β-catenin level between the 2 groups (t =15.947,P =0.142).Compared to control group,patients with RA had lower BMD at femur and lumbar spine (P < 0.01).The incidence of osteoporosis in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group [31.5% (34/108) vs.15.5% (17/110)],there was statistical difference (x2 =9.289,P =0.005).The correlation analysis results showed that the peripheral blood DKK1 was positive correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),28-jonit disease activity score (DAS28),alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and two hands X-ray joint narrowing space score in patient with RA (P < 0.01 or < 0.05) ;the peripheral blood β-catenin level was positively correlated with ESR and AKP (P < 0.01 or < 0.05).The multiple linear regression results showed that the disease duration,health assessment questionnaires (HAQ),DKK1 influenced two hands X-ray joint narrowing space score; but the age,disease duration,HAQ influenced two hands X-ray bony erosion score.The multiple Logistic regression results showed that the two hands X-ray Sharp score was the risk factor of osteoporosis at femur in patients with RA; but the age was the risk factor of osteoporosis at lumbar in patients with RA.Conclusions Peripheral blood DKK1 level in patients with RA increases significantly,while there is no apparent alteration in β-catenin level.Peripheral blood DKK1 level is correlated with disease activity and joint space narrow score.
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Objective To study the relationship between soluble CD147 (sCD147) level in peripheral blood and serum lipid level and explore the effect of sCD147 on atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The level of sCD147 in 36 patients with RA,36 patients with coronary artery disease (CAHD) and 30 healthy volunteers was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) .The disease activity score (DAS28) in RA patients was evaluated and the correlation between sCD147 level and DAS28 score was analyzed.The serum lipid level of RA patients was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer and the cor relation between sCD147 level and serum lipid level was analyzed.Results The level of sCD147 in serum of RA patients was significantly higher than that in patients with CAHD and healthy volunteers,sCDI47 level in the RA group with high DAS28 score was significantly higher than that with low or medium DAS28 score.In RA patients,elevated total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) level was positively correlated with serum sCDI47 level (r=0.84,P<0.05;r=0.87,P<0.05;while slightly elevated,normal TC and normal TG had no correlation with serum sCDI47 level (r=0.41,P=0.21;r=0.14,P=0.57;r=0.49,P=0.87).Elevated or slight ly elevated LDL-C was positively correlated with serum sCD147 level (r=0.86,P<0.05;r=0.81,P<0.05), while no correlation could be found in the group with normal LDL-C level (r=0.78,P=0.22).The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level decrease in RA patients had no correlation with serum sCD147 level (r--0.04,P=0.96;r=0.13,P--0.87).Conclusion sCD147 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA and associate with disease activity.Elevated sCD147 level may be associated with abnormal serum lipid in RA.