Serious infections in patients with VEXAS syndrome: data from the French VEXAS registry.

INTRODUCTION: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an acquired autoinflammatory monogenic disease with a poor prognosis whose determinants are not well understood. We aimed to describe serious infectious complications and their potential risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre study including patients with VEXAS syndrome from the French VEXAS Registry. Episodes of serious infections were described, and their risk factors were analysed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with 133 serious infections were included. The most common sites of infection were lung (59%), skin (10%) and urinary tract (9%). Microbiological confirmation was obtained in 76%: 52% bacterial, 30% viral, 15% fungal and 3% mycobacterial. Among the pulmonary infections, the main pathogens were SARS-CoV-2 (28%), Legionella pneumophila (21%) and Pneumocystis jirovecii (19%). Sixteen per cent of severe infections occurred without any immunosuppressive treatment and with a daily glucocorticoid dose ≤10 mg. In multivariate analysis, age >75 years (HR (95% CI) 1.81 (1.02 to 3.24)), p.Met41Val mutation (2.29 (1.10 to 5.10)) and arthralgia (2.14 (1.18 to 3.52)) were associated with the risk of serious infections. JAK inhibitors were most associated with serious infections (3.84 (1.89 to 7.81)) compared with biologics and azacitidine. After a median follow-up of 4.4 (2.5-7.7) years, 27 (36%) patients died, including 15 (56%) due to serious infections. CONCLUSION: VEXAS syndrome is associated with a high incidence of serious infections, especially in older patients carrying the p.Met41Val mutation and treated with JAK inhibitors. The high frequency of atypical infections, especially in patients without treatment, may indicate an intrinsic immunodeficiency.

Prevalence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in the south of France, using the capture-recapture method.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), ie granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), in Southern France in 2018, and evaluate differences among Europeans and non-Europeans. METHODS: This population-based, cross-sectional study used four sources (hospitals, community-based physicians, laboratories, National Health Insurance) to identify adults ≥ 15 years diagnosed with GPA, MPA or EGPA, living in Hérault and Gard in 2018. Cases were defined using the ACR/EULAR classification criteria, and if necessary, the European Medicines Agency algorithm. Prevalence estimates were standardised to the world population and capture-recapture analysis was used to assess the comprehensiveness of the estimation. The influence of geographical origin was evaluated. RESULTS: 202 patients were selected, with 86 cases of GPA (42.6%), 85 cases of MPA (42.1%), and 31 cases of EGPA (15.3%). The standardised prevalence estimates per million inhabitants for 2018 were: 103 (95%CI 84 - 125) for AAV, 48 (95%CI 35 - 64) for GPA, 39 (95%CI 28 - 53) for MPA and 16 (95%CI 9 - 26) for EGPA, 36 (95%CI 25 - 50) for anti-PR3 positive AAV, 46 (95%CI 34 - 61) for anti-MPO positive AAV, and 16 (95%CI 9 - 26) for ANCA-negative AAV. The global estimation of comprehensiveness by capture-recapture analysis was 80.5%. The number of AAV cases was higher for non-European residents (P=0.001), particularly for MPA (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We provide a new estimate of AAV prevalence in France and show a higher prevalence of MPA in non-European patients.

High prevalence of malnutrition in systemic sclerosis: Results from a French monocentric cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) can cause malnutrition due to frequent gastrointestinal involvement. However, prevalence of malnutrition in SSc is poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in SSc and its potential associations with disease features in patients from a tertiary referral center. METHODS: All patients meeting American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for SSc followed between January 1, 1985, and January 1, 2019, at the Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Eloi University Hospital, were included. Malnutrition was assessed using the 2020 French recommendations for SSc and the malnutrition universal screening tool score. Severe malnutrition was defined via the French Haute Autorité de Santé (National Health Authority) 2007 criteria. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included, with mean age 64 (± 15) y and a female-to-male sex ratio of 5:1. According to 2020 French recommendations, 71 patients (59.2%) were malnourished and 30 (25%) had at least one criterion of severe malnutrition. With the malnutrition universal screening tool score, 41.7%, 20%, and 38.3%, respectively, had low, medium, and high risk of malnutrition. Multivariate analysis revealed the following results: 1) malnutrition was associated with cardiac involvement (P < 0.01); 2) a high malnutrition universal screening tool score was also associated with specific cardiac involvement (P < 0.01); and 3) severe malnutrition was strongly correlated with interincisal distance <35 mm (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition affects more than half of SSc patients and is associated with specific cardiac involvement. Interincisal distance <35 mm could be a red flag for severe malnutrition in SSc.

Pleuropulmonary Manifestations of Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-Linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a newly identified autoinflammatory disorder related to somatic UBA1 mutations. Up to 72% of patients may show lung involvement. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the pleuropulmonary manifestations in VEXAS syndrome? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients were included in the French cohort of VEXAS syndrome between November 2020 and May 2021. Each patient included in the study who had an available chest CT scan was discussed in an adjudication multidisciplinary team and classified as showing potentially pleuropulmonary-specific involvement of VEXAS syndrome or others. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had a CT scan available for review and 45 patients (39%) showed pleuropulmonary abnormalities on chest CT scan that were considered related to VEXAS syndrome after adjudication. Most patients were men (95%) with a median age 67.0 years at the onset of symptoms. Among these 45 patients, 44% reported dyspnea and 40% reported cough. All 45 patients showed lung opacities on chest CT scan (including ground-glass opacities [87%], consolidations [49%], reticulation [38%], and septal lines [51%]) and 53% of patients showed pleural effusion. Most patients showed improvement with prednisone, but usually required > 20 mg/d. The main clinical and biological features as well the median survival did not differ between the 45 patients with pleuropulmonary involvement and the rest of the cohort, suggesting that the prevalence of pleuropulmonary involvement might have been underdiagnosed in the rest of the cohort. INTERPRETATION: Pulmonary manifestations are frequent in VEXAS syndrome, but rarely are at the forefront. The initial outcome is favorable with prednisone and does not seem to lead to pulmonary fibrosis.

Accuracy of Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Patients With Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in a Tertiary Referral Centre.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare inherited connective tissue disease secondary to mutations within the COL3A1 gene. The diagnosis of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is challenging, and patient selection for genetic testing relies on diagnostic criteria, which have never been evaluated. METHODS: All patients seen at a dedicated tertiary referral center for a suspicion of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome between January 2001 and March 2016 were retrospectively included in a diagnostic accuracy study. Major and minor diagnostic criteria of the Villefranche classification were tested for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, according to results of genetic testing. RESULTS: N=519 patients were eligible for analysis dividing into n=384 probands and n=135 relatives. A pathogenic COL3A1 variant was identified in n=165 (31.8%) patients. The Villefranche criteria were met for n=248 patients with a sensitivity of 79% (95% CI, 0.72-0.85) and a negative predictive value of 87% (95% CI, 0.83-0.91). Diagnostic accuracy was highest for symptomatic probands (sensitivity 92%; negative predictive value 95%) with limited specificity (60%). Probands ≤25 years had the worst diagnostic performance. The revised diagnostic Criteria (2017) were less accurate than the Villefranche classification (overall diagnostic odds-ratio, 4.17 versus 7.8; probands diagnostic odds-ratio, 4.04 versus 18.1; and probands ≤25 years diagnostic odds-ratio, 2.36 versus 5.1) mainly due to a lack of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The Villefranche criteria provide accurate detection of symptomatic probands in specialized practice but have limited specificity. The revised diagnostic criteria for vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have increased specificity, but its overall performance is poorer. The early clinical diagnosis of probands without family history is not addressed by both diagnostic classifications.

Accuracy of Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Patients with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in a Tertiary Referral Centre.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disease secondary to mutations within the COL3A1 gene. The diagnosis of vEDS is challenging and patient selection for genetic testing relies on diagnostic criteria, which have never been evaluated. METHODS: All patients seen at a dedicated tertiary referral centre for a suspicion of vEDS between January 2001 and March 2016 were retrospectively included in a diagnostic accuracy study. Major and minor diagnostic criteria of the Villefranche classification were tested for sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), according to results of genetic testing. RESULTS: N=519 patients were eligible for analysis dividing into n=384 probands and n=135 relatives. A pathogenic COL3A1 variant was identified in n=165 (31.8%) patients. The Villefranche criteria were met for n=248 patients with a Se of 79% (95%CI: 0.72-0.85) and a NPV of 87% (95%CI: 0.83-0.91). Diagnostic accuracy was highest for symptomatic probands (Se 92%; NPV 95%) with limited Sp (60%). Probands {less than or equal to}25 years had the worst diagnostic performance. The revised diagnostic Criteria (2017) were less accurate than the Villefranche classification (overall Diagnostic odds-ratio (DOR) 4.17 vs. 7.8, probands DOR 4.04 vs. 18.1; probands {less than or equal to}25 years DOR 2.36 vs. 5.1), mainly due to a lack of Se. CONCLUSIONS: The Villefranche criteria provide accurate detection of symptomatic probands in specialized practice, but have limited Sp. The revised diagnostic criteria for vEDS have increased Sp, but its overall performance is poorer. The early clinical diagnosis of probands without family history is not addressed by both diagnostic classifications.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Long-Term Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder secondary to pathogenic variants within the COL3A1 gene, resulting in exceptional arterial and organ fragility and premature death. The only published clinical trial to date demonstrated the benefit of celiprolol on arterial morbimortality. OBJECTIVES: The authors herein describe the outcomes of a large cohort of vEDS patients followed ≤17 years in a single national referral center. METHODS: All patients with molecularly confirmed vEDS were included in a retrospective cohort study. After an initial work-up, patients were treated or recommended for treatment with celiprolol (≤400 mg/day) in addition to usual care and scheduled for yearly follow-up. vEDS-related events and deaths were collected and recorded for each patient. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2017, 144 patients (median age at diagnosis 34.5 years, 91 probands) were included in this study. After a median follow-up of 5.3 years, overall patient survival was high (71.6%; 95% confidence interval: 50% to 90%) and dependent on the type of COL3A1 variant, age at diagnosis, and medical treatment. At the end of the study period, almost all patients (90.3%) were treated with celiprolol alone or in combination. More than two-thirds of patients remained clinically silent, despite a large number (51%) with previous arterial events or arterial lesions at molecular diagnosis. Patients treated with celiprolol had a better survival than others (p = 0.0004). The observed reduction in mortality was dose-dependent: the best protection was observed at the dose of 400 mg/day versus <400 mg/day (p = 0.003). During the period surveyed, the authors observed a statistically significant difference in the ratio of hospitalizations for acute arterial events/hospitalizations for regular follow-up before and after 2011. CONCLUSIONS: In this long-term survey, vEDS patients exhibited a low annual occurrence of arterial complications and a high survival rate, on which the overall medical care seems to have a positive influence.

Arterial fragility in kyphoscoliotic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Pathogenic variants in the lysyl-hydroxylase-1 gene (PLOD1) are responsible for the kyphoscoliotic type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). The disease is classically responsible for severe hypotonia at birth, progressive kyphoscoliosis, generalised joint hypermobility and scleral fragility. Arterial fragility is an important feature of the disease, but its characterisation remains limited. We report the clinical history of a 41-year-old woman who presented repeated arterial accidents, which occurred in previously normal medium size arteries within a limited time span of 2 years. Molecular investigations revealed compound heterozygosity for two PLOD1 gene deletions of exons 11-12 and 14-15. Arterial fragility is an important characteristic of kyphoscoliotic EDS. It manifests as spontaneous arterial rupture, dissections and dissecting aneurysms which may occur even during early childhood. This fragility is particularly likely to manifest during surgical intervention. Early medical management and surveillance may be indicated, but its modalities remain to be defined.