Risk Assessment and Optimization for Pregnancy in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases.

Patients with rheumatic diseases frequently operate with incomplete or incorrect information while planning for and experiencing pregnancy, often due to variability in provider care and knowledge. Risk assessment at each stage of pregnancy-pre-conception, during pregnancy, and postpartum-is focused on reducing maternal and neonatal complications. This review aims to compile updated, evidence-based guidance on how to minimize risk factors contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Mitigation of known causes of infertility, appropriate testing and monitoring, achieving low disease activity on pregnancy-safe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) prior to conception, controlling hypertension (a frequent comorbidity among patients with certain rheumatic diseases), and the use of appropriate adjunctive medications (such as low-dose aspirin when preeclampsia risk is high) can optimize fertility and prevent adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

P-ANCA Vasculitis Presenting with Orbital Infiltration.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) may affect the eye or orbit, and ophthalmic manifestations of AAV are associated with higher mortality than other inflammatory eye diseases. Perinuclear ANCA (p-ANCA) vasculitis is an uncommon cause of orbital inflammation. A 70-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease presented with a 1-year history of orbital mass and edema around her OD. Fundoscopy revealed 360° optic disc elevation OD. MRI orbits showed an infiltrative, intra- and extraconal lesion extending through the right orbital apex to the cavernous sinus. Labwork and orbital biopsy were consistent with p-ANCA vasculitis, and the patient's ocular symptoms improved after methylprednisolone. Diagnosis of AAV is complicated by a wide diversity of symptoms, and this case highlights an unusual presentation of p-ANCA vasculitis in the orbit. Ophthalmologists have an important role in diagnosing systemic conditions such as AAV by initiating the proper inflammatory workup.

Belimumab for the treatment of pediatric patients with lupus nephritis.

INTRODUCTION: The FDA approved the anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody, belimumab, in 2011 for adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in 2019 for pediatric SLE, in 2020 for adult lupus nephritis (LN), and in 2022 for pediatric LN. AREAS COVERED: We performed a PUBMED database search through November 2022, using 'belimumab and lupus nephritis,' 'belimumab and childhood systemic lupus erythematosus,' 'belimumab and pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus,' and 'belimumab and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus' as the search phrases. We also vetted pertinent references cited in the papers gleaned from the above search, and we drew from our personal literature collections. EXPERT OPINION: Based on clinical-trials and real-world experience, belimumab is useful and safe in adult SLE and LN. In contrast and despite FDA approval, evidence of effectiveness in pediatric SLE and pediatric LN is very limited. Whereas there was a trend favoring belimumab in the only randomized, controlled trial to date in pediatric SLE, the difference between the belimumab and placebo groups failed to achieve statistical significance. Moreover, there have been no randomized, controlled trials for belimumab in pediatric LN. Based largely on information gleaned from experience in adults, the clinician can cautiously prescribe belimumab to his/her pediatric LN patient and hope for benefit.