A retrospective analysis of plasma exchange com bined with glucocorticosteroids in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with acute pancreatitis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical features and mechanism and feasibility of plasma exchange (PE) in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods A retrospective analysis of SLE associated with AP was done based on the HIS in Tongji Hospital. Totally 24 SLEAP patients were admitted to Tongji hospital from March 2006 to May 2014. Patientsˊ serum amylase, lipase and interleukin (IL)-6 concentration were measured before and after plasma exchange. According to different therapy strategy, patients were divided into two groups. Fifteen patients treated with plasma exchange combination with glucocorticosteroid (GC) were classified as Group A, the other 9 patients who were treated with GC only were classified as group B. At baseline and after treatment, the serum lipid concentration, average daily glucocorticosteroid dosage between group A and B were compared with ANOVA and serum IL-6 concentration between roup A and B were compared with Wilcoxon rank test. Results SLEDAI score in group A patients at baseline (16 ±5) was no statistically different from that in group B (18 ±4) (t=1.31, P=0.320). Average daily GC dosage in group A 31.0 (20.50, 30.08)mg/d was significantly less than that in group B 47.85 (45.58, 59.23) mg/d (Z=35.50, P= 0.002). Serum IL-6 levels in group A and B at baseline was not significantly different 13.14 (11.12,16.57) mg/L vs 14.63 (11.37, 16.37) mg/L (Z=12.20, P=0.300), after 2 weeks treatment, IL-6 level, which was 9.16 (7.93, 10.75) mg/L, decreased significantly in group A while it didnˊt show tendency of decrease in group B, which was 13.62(9.29, 17.63) mg/L (Z=28.50, P=0.039). Serum lipid concentration after 2 weeks therapy in Group A [TC=(5.02 ±0.53) mmol/L, TG=(1.46 ±0.44) mmol/L] decreased significantly compared to baseline [TC=(6.11±0.50) mmol/L, TG=(2.14±0.65) mmol/L] (F=4.46, P=0.010; F=6.09, P=0.002), while similar tendency wasnˊt observed in group B (F=1.57, P>0.05). Conclusion PE combined with GC could lower serum IL-6 levels, reduce the amount of GC and lower serum lipid to improve prognosis. Therefore it might be a safe and effective way and is worthy of continuing to explore its feasibility.