Rituximab as Treatment for Lupus Nephritis: Data From the Peruvian ALMENARA Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to rituximab (RTX) as treatment for lupus nephritis (LN) in a Latin American Lupus cohort. METHODS: The medical records from LN patients from a single-center cohort spanning between January 2012 and December 2020 were reviewed. Demographic factors (age at diagnosis and baseline, gender), disease duration, previous and concomitant treatments, serum creatinine, and 24-hour proteinuria (24-HP) levels at baseline, and 6th and 12th months were obtained. Complete response (CR) or responder status was defined according to the LUNAR, AURORA-1, and BLISS-LN trials. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients received RTX as induction treatment; 32 (88.9%) were women. Their age at baseline and disease duration were 32.6 (11.7) and 7.6 (6.5) years, respectively. The time between renal biopsy and RTX use was 2.64 (4.41) years. At baseline, serum creatinine and 24-HP levels were 1.5 (1.5) mg/dL and 3.4 (2.8) g, respectively. At months 6 and 12, serum creatinine levels were 1.6 (1.6) and 1.6 (1.5) mg/dL, and 24-HP were 2.2 (2.2) and 1.6 (1.5) g, respectively. According to LUNAR and AURORA-1 criteria, CR at 6th and 12th months were 6/34 (17.6%) and 8/30 (26.7%) and 6/34 (17.6%) and 7/31 (22.6%) patients, respectively. According to BLISS-LN criteria, responders at 6th and 12th months were 9/34 (26.5%) and 10/31 (32.3%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CR and responder status were reached in less than one third of LN patients treated with RTX, regardless of the criteria used to define them. However, serum creatinine levels did not increase, and there was a decrease in proteinuria levels during the follow-up.

Joint Damage and Low Lean Body Mass in a Cohort of Peruvian Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between radiologic joint damage (JD) and a lower lean body mass (LBM) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study from a single center established RA cohort. JD and appendicular LBM (arms and legs) were measured with the Sharp/van der Heijde (SvdH) score and dual x-ray absorptiometry expressed as kg/m 2 , respectively. A univariable analysis was used to determine the association between JD an LBM; then, a multivariable regression model was performed to evaluate the persistence of this association, adjusted by age, gender, disease duration, socioeconomic status (by the Graffar method), tobacco use, anticitrullinated protein antibody levels, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints for RA with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glucocorticoid use (as prednisone equivalent), disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use, body mass index, and disability (by the multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire). RESULTS: Two hundred forty-seven patients were included; the average (SD) age was 63.0 (12.8) years, disease duration 20 (15.00) years, the total SvdH was 66 (86.75), and the aLBM was 13.6 (3.82) kg/m 2 . In the univariable analysis, a lower appendicular LBM was associated with higher SvdH score on the female population, in terms of the total ( B = -8.6, p < 0.01), bone erosion (-4.4, p < 0.01), and joint space narrowing (-4.2, p < 0.01) scores; this correlation remained in the multivariable analysis in terms of total SvdH ( B = -9.5, p < 0.01), bone erosion (-5.2, p < 0.01), and joint space narrowing (-4.3, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A lower LBM in female patients was associated with more severe JD independently of other variables examined. Strategies aimed at preserving LBM could have a favorable impact on the course of disease.

A better self-efficacy is predictive of better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible predictive value of self-efficacy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SLE. METHODS: Patients with SLE from the Almenara Lupus Cohort were included. Self-efficacy was ascertained with the six domains from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) self-efficacy for managing chronic conditions. For PROMIS domains, a score of 50 is the average for a clinical population (people with a chronic condition), a higher score indicates that the respondent has greater self-efficacy. HRQoL was ascertained with the physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) measures of the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Generalised estimating equations were performed, using as outcome the PCS or MCS in the subsequent visit, and the self-efficacy domain in the previous visit; multivariable models were adjusted for possible confounders. The confounders were measured in the same visit as the self-efficacy domain. RESULTS: Two-hundred and nine patients for a total of 564 visits were included; 194 (92.8%) patients were women and mean age at diagnosis was 36.4 (14.0) years. In the multivariable models, a better PCS was predicted by a better self-efficacy for managing symptoms, managing medications and treatments and managing social interactions and general self-efficacy; a better MCS was predicted by a better self-efficacy for managing daily activities, managing symptoms, managing medications and treatments and managing social interactions. CONCLUSION: A better self-efficacy is predictive of subsequent better HRQoL, even after adjustment for possible confounders. These results should encourage clinicians to develop strategies to improve self-efficacy in patients with SLE.

Predictors of Remission and Low Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Results From the Follow-up of a Real-World Peruvian Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Clinical remission is the goal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management; however, this can be difficult to achieve in several parts of the world. Our objective was to determine predictors of remission and remission/low disease activity (LDA) in RA. METHODS: A longitudinal real-setting RA cohort was followed up (January 2016-2020). Predictors examined were sex, age at diagnosis, disease duration, socioeconomic status, tobacco use, rheumatoid factor titer, comorbidities (Charlson index), Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score, disability (Multidimensional Disease Health Assessment Questionnaire), health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 questionnaire), glucocorticoid dose, biological/target synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and conventional DMARD (c-DMARD) use. Univariable and multivariable generalized estimating equation models were done to determine predictors of remission (at a given visit) and sustained remission (2 consecutives visits), using the SDAI definition (0 or <3.3). Similarly, remission/LDA (SDAI <11) predictors were examined. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty RA patients included the following: 160 patients (30.2%) achieved remission in at least 1 visit, and 126 patients (23.77%) achieved sustained remission. On the multivariable analysis glucocorticoid dose (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027-1.094; p = 0.004) and current (OR, 2.293; 95% CI, 1.811-2.903; p < 0.001) or past (OR, 1.383; 95% CI, 1.127-1.698; p = 0.002) use of c-DMARDs predicted remission/LDA in at least 1 visit, whereas the SDAI (OR, 0.951; 95% CI, 0.942-0.959; p < 0.001), Multidimensional Disease Health Assessment Questionnaire (OR, 0.648; 95% CI, 0.549-0.764; p < 0.001), and age at diagnosis (OR, 0.994; 95% CI, 0.990-0.998; p = 0.004) were negative predictors. As to sustained remission/LDA, current (OR, 2.012; 95% CI, 1.458-2.776: p < 0.001) or past (OR, 1.517; 95% CI, 1.155-1.993; p = 0.003) use of c-DMARDs, having a better Short Form-36 questionnaire physical component summary (OR, 1.022; 95% CI, 1.014-1.029; p < 0.001), and older age at diagnosis (OR, 1.013; 95% CI, 1.003-1.022; p = 0.008) predicted it, whereas SDAI (OR, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.933-0.965; p < 0.001) and medium low/low socioeconomic status (OR, 0.674; 95% CI, 0.500-0.909; p = 0.010) were negative predictors. CONCLUSION: During follow-up of this real-world RA cohort, c-DMARD use predicted remission and remission/LDA. In contrast, disease activity was a negative predictor.

Severe flares are associated with a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SLE: data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Flares in patients with SLE, regardless of their severity, have been associated with damage accrual. However, their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been fully evaluated. In fact, disease activity is only minimally associated with HRQoL. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between flares and HRQoL. METHODS: Patients from the Almenara Lupus Cohort were included. Visits occurring between December 2015 and February 2020 were evaluated. Flares were defined as an increase on the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) of at least 4 points; severe flares were those with a final SLEDAI-2K ≥12 and mild-moderate flares all the others. HRQoL was measured using the LupusQoL. Univariable and multivariable generalised estimating regression equations were performed, adjusting for possible confounders. Confounders were determined at one visit, whereas the outcome was determined on the subsequent visit; flares were determined based on the variation of the SLEDAI-2K between these visits. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients were included; 256 (92.4%) were female, mean age at diagnosis was 36.0 (SD: 13.3) years and mean disease duration at baseline was 9.1 (SD: 7.1) years. Patients had mean of 4.8 (SD: 1.9) visits and a mean follow-up of 2.7 (1.1) years. Out of 1098 visits, 115 (10.5%) flares were defined, 17 were severe and 98 mild-moderate. After adjustment for possible confounders, only severe flares were associated with a poorer HRQoL in planning, pain, emotional health and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Severe flares, but not mild-moderate, flares are associated with poorer HRQoL.

Characteristics associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus: data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.

AIM: To determine characteristics associated with more severe outcomes in a global registry of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and COVID-19. METHODS: People with SLE and COVID-19 reported in the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry from March 2020 to June 2021 were included. The ordinal outcome was defined as: (1) not hospitalised, (2) hospitalised with no oxygenation, (3) hospitalised with any ventilation or oxygenation and (4) death. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was constructed to assess the relationship between COVID-19 severity and demographic characteristics, comorbidities, medications and disease activity. RESULTS: A total of 1606 people with SLE were included. In the multivariable model, older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04), male sex (1.50, 1.01 to 2.23), prednisone dose (1-5 mg/day 1.86, 1.20 to 2.66, 6-9 mg/day 2.47, 1.24 to 4.86 and ≥10 mg/day 1.95, 1.27 to 2.99), no current treatment (1.80, 1.17 to 2.75), comorbidities (eg, kidney disease 3.51, 2.42 to 5.09, cardiovascular disease/hypertension 1.69, 1.25 to 2.29) and moderate or high SLE disease activity (vs remission; 1.61, 1.02 to 2.54 and 3.94, 2.11 to 7.34, respectively) were associated with more severe outcomes. In age-adjusted and sex-adjusted models, mycophenolate, rituximab and cyclophosphamide were associated with worse outcomes compared with hydroxychloroquine; outcomes were more favourable with methotrexate and belimumab. CONCLUSIONS: More severe COVID-19 outcomes in individuals with SLE are largely driven by demographic factors, comorbidities and untreated or active SLE. Patients using glucocorticoids also experienced more severe outcomes.

LLDAS (lupus low disease activity state) and/or remission are associated with less damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a primarily Mestizo population: data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if achieving lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) or remission prevents damage accrual in a primarily Mestizo population. METHODS: Patients with SLE from a single-centre cohort with at least two visits occurring every 6 months were included. The definitions used were the following: for remission, the 2021 Definition Of Remission In SLE; and for LLDAS, the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration. Damage accrual was ascertained with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Univariable and three multivariable interval-censored survival regression models were done: (1) remission versus not on remission; (2) LLDAS/remission versus active; and (3) remission and LLDAS (not on remission) versus active. Three similar multivariable models were also examined considering the duration on each state. Possible confounders included in these analyses were gender, age at diagnosis, socioeconomic status, educational level, disease duration, antimalarial use and SDI at baseline. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-one patients were included. Eighty-three patients (29.5%) showed increased SDI during the follow-up. In the analyses of remission, being on remission predicted a lower probability of damage (HR=0.456; 95% CI 0.256 to 0.826; p=0.010). In the analyses of LLDAS/remission, being on LLDAS/remission predicted a lower damage (HR=0.503; 95% CI 0.260 to 0.975; p=0.042). When both states were considered, remission but not LLDAS (not on remission) predicted a lower probability of damage (HR=0.423; 95% CI 0.212 to 0.846; p=0.015 and HR=0.878; 95% CI 0.369 to 2.087; p=0.768, respectively). When the duration of these states was taken into account, remission, LLDAS/remission and LLDAS not on remission were associated with a lower probability of damage accrual. CONCLUSIONS: LLDAS and/or remission were associated with a lower probability of damage accrual.

Factores asociados a infecciones serias en pacientes hospitalizados con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Factors associated with serious infections in patients hospitalized with systemic lupus erythematosus

RESUMEN Introducción. En pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) existe incremento de infecciones debido a la propia enfermedad, al uso de inmunosupresores y corticoides. Objetivo. Identificar los factores asociados a infecciones serias en pacientes lúpicos en un hospital de referencia nacional. Estudio retrospectivo, analítico, de casos y controles en el Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú. Métodos. Se analizó el registro de pacientes hospitalizados en el periodo de estudio, los casos fueron pacientes en los que se demostró la etiología de la primera infección durante su hospitalización. Los controles fueron pacientes lúpicos hospitalizados sin infecciones en el mismo periodo de estudio. Se analizaron variables asociadas al desarrollo de infecciones. Resultados. 61 pacientes de 390 hospitalizados desarrollaron infecciones durante su hospitalización. 48 desarrollaron 1 solo evento infeccioso (en 40 se demostró etiología). Los casos tuvieron mayor actividad, daño y comorbilidad en comparación con los controles. En el análisis univariado, el salario (p=0,031), el uso de inmunosupresores a la admisión (previo: p=0,004 y actual: p=0,004), el uso de glucocorticoides (<30 días: p=0,015 y >30-360 días: p=0,028), la actividad (p=0,029) y el daño (p=0,026) producido por la enfermedad, y el tiempo de hospitalización (p=0,045) tuvieron asociación estadísticamente significativa. En el análisis multivariado, los días de hospitalización se asociaron al desarrollo de infecciones. Conclusiones. Existió asociación entre días de hospitalización y el desarrollo de infecciones serias en pacientes lúpicos durante el periodo de estudio.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Lupus patients have an increased risk of developing infections due to the disease, use of immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. Objective. To identify the associated factors for serious infections in lupus patients in a national referral hospital. Retrospective, analytical, case-control study in the Rheumatology Service of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital, Lima, Peru. Methods. The registry of hospitalized patients in the study period was analyzed, the cases were patients in whom the etiology of the first infection developed their hospitalization. Controls were hospitalized lupus patients without infections in the same study period. Variables predisposing to the development of infections were analyzed. Results. 61 patients out of 390 hospitalized developed infections during their hospitalization. 48 developed 1 only infectious event (in 40 an etiology developed). The cases had higher damage, activity and comorbidity compared to the controls. In the univariate analysis, salary (p = 0.031), use of immunosuppressants upon admission (previous: p = 0.004 and current: p = 0.004), use of glucocorticoids (<30 days: p = 0.015 and> 30-360 days: p = 0.028), activity (p = 0.029) and damage (p = 0.026) produced by the disease and length of hospitalization (p = 0.045), had a statistically significant association. In the multivariate analysis, the days of hospitalization were associated with the development of infections. Conclusions. There is an association between days of hospitalization and the development of serious infections in lupus patients in the study period.

Relationship between care model and disease activity states and health-related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the care model (comprehensive vs regular) has any impact on the clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2020, we evaluated SLE patients being cared for at two Peruvian hospitals to define the impact of care model on disease activity state and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Disease activity was ascertained with the SLEDAI-2K and the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) which allows to define Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) and Remission. HRQoL was measured with the LupusQoL. The association between care model and disease activity (Remission and LLDAS) state was examined using a binary logistic regression model. The association with HRQoL was examined with a linear regression model. All multivariable analyses were adjusted for possible confounders. RESULTS: 266 SLE patients were included, 227 from the comprehensive care model and 39 from the regular care model. The regular care model was associated with a lower probability of achieving remission (OR 0.381; CI: 95% 0.163-0.887) and LLDAS (OR 0.363; CI: 95% 0.157-0.835). Regular care was associated with a better HRQoL in two domains (pain and emotional health). We found no association between the care model and the other HRQoL domains. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive care model was associated with the probability of achieving remission and LLDAS but had no apparent impact on the patients' HRQoL.

Performance of the 2017 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Classification Criteria for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis in a Peruvian Tertiary Care Center.

AIM: To validate the new classification criteria for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in a real-life Peruvian cohort of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis patients. METHODS: We reviewed medical records from a Peruvian tertiary care center from January 1990 to December 2019. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis was diagnosed based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, the 2012 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definitions, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) algorithm, and the clinical acumen of the treating rheumatologists. We classified all patients using the "former criteria" (the 1990 ACR criteria for granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA] and eosinophilic GPA [EGPA] and the 1994 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definition for microscopic polyangiitis [MPA]), the EMEA algorithm, and the "new criteria" (the 2017 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Criteria). The level of agreement (using Cohen κ) was calculated using the clinical diagnosis as the criterion standard. RESULTS: We identified 212 patients, 12 of whom were excluded. One hundred fifty-four (77%) had MPA, 41 (20.5%) GPA, and 5 (2.5%) EGPA. The new criteria performed well for MPA (κ = 0.713) and EGPA (κ = 0.659), whereas the EMEA algorithm performed well for GPA (κ = 0.938). In the overall population, the new criteria showed better agreement (κ = 0.653) than the EMEA algorithm (κ = 0.506) and the former criteria (κ = 0.305). CONCLUSIONS: The 2017 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Criteria showed better agreement for the clinical diagnosis of all the patients overall and had the best performance for MPA and EGPA. The EMEA algorithm had the best performance for GPA.

Impact of glucocorticoids on the incidence of lupus-related major organ damage: a systematic literature review and meta-regression analysis of longitudinal observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), disease activity and glucocorticoid (GC) exposure are known to contribute to irreversible organ damage. We aimed to examine the association between GC exposure and organ damage occurrence. METHODS: We conducted a literature search (PubMed (Medline), Embase and Cochrane January 1966-October 2021). We identified original longitudinal observational studies reporting GC exposure as the proportion of users and/or GC use with dose information as well as the occurrence of new major organ damage as defined in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index. Meta-regression analyses were performed. Reviews, case-reports and studies with <5 years of follow-up, <50 patients, different outcomes and special populations were excluded. RESULTS: We selected 49 articles including 16 224 patients, 14 755 (90.9%) female with a mean age and disease duration of 35.1 years and of 37.1 months. The mean follow-up time was 104.9 months. For individual damage items, the average daily GC dose was associated with the occurrence of overall cardiovascular events and with osteoporosis with fractures. A higher average cumulative dose adjusted (or not)/number of follow-up years and a higher proportion of patients on GC were associated with the occurrence of osteonecrosis. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm associations of GC use with three specific damage items. In treating patients with SLE, our aim should be to maximise the efficacy of GC and to minimise their harms.

Health-Related Quality of Life and fatigue are associated with a higher work productivity impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods: A total of 133 consecutive working patients with SLE were assessed between October 2017 and December 2018, using a standardized data collection form. Sociodemographic, disease, and work-related variables were collected. Work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) was assessed with the respective questionnaire; absenteeism and presenteeism due to overall health and symptoms during the past 7 days were scored. Linear regression models were performed to determine the factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment. Potential factors included were age at diagnosis, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, SLEDAI, SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI), FACIT-Fatigue, and the domains of the LupusQoLResults: The mean age at diagnosis was 32.2 years (11.8); 121 (91.7%) were female. Nearly all patients were Mestizo. The mean percent of time for absenteeism was 5.0 (12.9), it was 28.5 (26.4) for presenteeism, and it was 31.3 (27.2) for overall work impairment. In the multiple regression analysis, factors associated with absenteeism were disease duration (B = -0.34; SE = 0.12; p = 0.007), pain (B = -0.14; SE = 0.06; p = 0.046), intimate relationship (B = -0.07; SE = 0.03; p = 0.046), and emotional health (B = 0.16; SE = 0.06; p = 0.006); factors associated with presenteeism were physical health (B = -0.43; SE = 0.14; p = 0.002) and FACIT (B = -0.87; SE = 0.30; p = 0.005); and factors associated with overall work impairment were pain (B = -0.40; SE = 0.11; p = 0.001) and FACIT-Fatigue (B = -0.74; SE = 0.28; p = 0.010).Conclusion: A poor HRQoL and higher levels of fatigue were associated with a higher percentage of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment in SLE patients.

Achieving remission or low disease activity is associated with better outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Remission and low disease activity (LDA) have been proposed as the treatment goals for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Several definitions for each have been proposed in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of remission/LDA according to various definitions on relevant outcomes in patients with SLE. METHODS: This systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses using PubMed (1946-week 2, April 2021), Cochrane library (1985-week 2, week 2, April 2021) and EMBASE (1974-week 2, April 2021). We included longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in patients with SLE reporting the impact of remission and LDA (regardless their definition) on mortality, damage accrual, flares, health-related quality of life and other outcomes (cardiovascular risk, hospitalisation and direct costs). The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: We identified 7497 articles; of them, 31 studies met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Some articles reported a positive association with survival, although this was not confirmed in all of them. Organ damage accrual was the most frequently reported outcome, and remission and LDA were reported as protective of this outcome (risk measures varying from 0.04 to 0.95 depending on the definition). Similarly, both states were associated with a lower probability of SLE flares, hospitalisations and a better health-related quality of life, in particular the physical domain. CONCLUSION: Remission and LDA are associated with improvement in multiple outcomes in patients with SLE, thus reinforcing their relevance in clinical practice. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020162724.

Predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: results from a community cohort follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of risk factors for COVID-19 adverse course in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) is of the utmost importance when approaching patient management; however, data are scarce in relation to the Latin American population. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients from an ARD community cohort. METHODS: A real setting longitudinal study (March to November 2020) in an ARD community cohort was carried out. Potential predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 examined included (1) sociodemographic variables (age, gender, education, tobacco use, socioeconomic status, and co-inhabitants), (2) comorbidities, (3) time to COVID-19 diagnosis, and (4) ARD's features: clinical (disease type, disease duration, activity), treatment [corticosteroids use/doses, use of synthetic DMARDs (cDMARDs, tsDMARDs, and bDMARDs)], treatment schedule and non-adherence, and the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ). Univariable and multivariable regression analysis were conducted; OR and 95% CI (p < 0.05) were determined. RESULTS: One thousand and one hundred forty-eight patients with ARDs were included; 154 had COVID-19; of these 139 (90.3%) were women, aged 52.5 (13.7) years; 33.1% had hypertension and 61.0% an affected organ by ARD. Infection was detected 8.4 (10.1) days after symptoms started; there were 33 hospitalized patients (rate 21.4%). Predictors of hospitalization by multivariable analysis were age (OR: 1.06; CI: 1.01-1.10; p: 0.01), comorbidities: hypertension (OR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.40-10.95, p: 0.01) and neoplasm (OR: 9.0; 95% CI: 1.6-52.3; p: 0.01), number of organs involved by ARD (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.16-4.41; p: 0.02), and infection diagnosis delay (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03-1.80; p: 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our ARD patients with COVID-19, older age, comorbidities (neoplasm and hypertension), and a delay in COVID-19 diagnosis were predictors of hospitalization. The only ARD-associated predictor feature was the number of organs involved. Key Points • Patients with ARD and COVID-19 have an adverse course in comparison to the general population. • Previous predictors of COVID-19 hospitalization, including known risk factors (such as older age and comorbidities) and systemic manifestations, should be taken into account in the management of these patients. • Delayed diagnosis of COVID-19 impacts negatively on prognosis. • Availability of diagnostic tests is of utmost importance.

Demographic and Clinical Features of ANCA-Associated Vasculitides in a Peruvian Tertiary Center.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the demographic and clinical features of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAVs) in a Peruvian tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: Medical records of patients with AAV according to classification criteria or diagnosed by an experienced rheumatologist, and covering the period between January 1990 and December 2019, were reviewed. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and renal-limited vasculitis (RLV) were included. Demographic factors (age at diagnosis, sex), disease duration, clinical manifestations (per organ involvement), creatinine level at diagnosis (milligram per deciliter), ANCA status, diagnosis, 2009 Five Factor Score, disease categorization, and treatment were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients were included. Their female-to-male ratio was 1.9:1 (139 [65.6%]/73 [34.4%]), and their mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 59.2 (12.5) years. One hundred fifty-eight patients (74.5%) had MPA, 42 (19.8%) GPA, 7 (3.3%) RLV, and 5 (2.4%) EGPA. Neurological, lung, and renal involvements were the most frequently affected systems. Myeloperoxidase preferentially occurred in MPA (82.5%), whereas proteinase 3 did occur in GPA (79.5%). Microscopic polyangiitis patients were older (61.1 [11.5] years). Female sex predominated in MPA and RLV (2.4:1 and 6:1, respectively), but the opposite was the case for EGPA (1:4). Ear-nose-throat and ocular involvement were more frequent in GPA (both p's < 0.001), and neurological and cardiovascular involvement were more frequent in EGPA (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest series of AAV patients in Latin America. Overall, female sex predominated. Microscopic polyangiitis was the most frequent AAV, and myeloperoxidase-ANCA was the most frequent antibody in Peruvian AAV population.

Survival in ANCA-Associated Vasculitides in a Peruvian Center: 28 Years of Experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify demographic and clinical risk factors for mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitides (AAVs) in a Peruvian tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: Medical records of patients with AAV according to classification criteria or diagnosed by an experienced rheumatologist, covering the period between January 1990 and December 2018, were reviewed. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and renal-limited vasculitis were included. Potential predictors of mortality were demographic factors, clinical manifestations, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies status, diagnosis, disease categorization, the 2009 Five Factor Score (FFS), and treatment. Cox regression models were used to determine the risk factors for mortality. Univariable and multivariable analyses using a backward selection method were performed. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six patients were included; female-to-male ratio was 2:1. The median (interquartile range) age at diagnosis and follow-up were 60.0 (51.0-68.0) and 4.8 (1.3-11.6) years, respectively. One hundred forty-eight patients (75.5%) had microscopic polyangiitis, 37 (18.9%) granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 5 (2.6%) eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 6 (3.0%) renal-limited vasculitis. Overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 83.4%, 68.2%, and 51.7%, respectively. Ocular involvement was protective (hazards ratio [HR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.74; p = 0.006), whereas renal (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.33-3.28; p = 0.001) and lung involvement (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.31-3.28; p = 0.002) and the 2009 FFSs were predictive of mortality (2009 FFS = 1: HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.50-4.04; p < 0.001; 2009 FFS = 2: HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.54-6.10; p = 0.001; 2009 FFS = 3: HR, 13.29; 95% CI, 3.69-47.88; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular involvement was protective, whereas 2009 FFS ≥ 1 and renal and lung involvement were predictive factors of mortality in Peruvian AAV patients.

Evaluation of the LFA-REAL clinician-reported outcome (ClinRO) and patient-reported outcome (PRO): data from the Peruvian Almenara Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The Lupus Foundation of America Rapid Evaluation of Activity in Lupus (LFA-REAL) clinician-reported outcome (ClinRO) and the LFA-REAL patient-reported outcome (PRO) were developed in order to capture manifestations of SLE from the perspective of both the clinician and the patient. The aim of this study is to compare the LFA-REAL ClinRO and PRO with other lupus disease activity measures. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of patients from a single-centre cohort was performed using Spearman's correlation. Disease activity measures included were LFA-REAL ClinRO (range 0-1400), LFA-REAL PRO (range 0-1200), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical SLEDAI-2K and Physician Global Assessment (PGA, range 0-100). RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients with SLE were studied. The mean age was 46.3 (SD: 13.8); 212 (93.4%) were female. The mean (SD) LFA-REAL ClinRO was 25.4 (34.7), LFA-REAL PRO was 241.1 (187.6), PGA was 11.9 (15.4), SLEDAI-2K was 2.3 (3.3) and clinical SLEDAI-2K was 1.6 (2.9). The LFA-REAL ClinRO correlated with PGA (r=0.758, p<0.001), SLEDAI-2K (r=0.608, p<0.001) and clinical SLEDAI-2K (r=0.697, p<0.001); the LFA-REAL PRO correlated modestly with PGA (r=0.160, p=0.016), SLEDAI-2K (r=0.121, p=0.069), clinical SLEDAI-2K (r=0.143, p=0.031) and LFA-REAL ClinRO (r=0.161, p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The LFA-REAL ClinRO and the LFA-REAL PRO had good and weak correlations, respectively, with several physician-based disease activity measures in a cross-sectional study, suggesting their potential usefulness in establishing disease severity. Longitudinal studies will be required to determine their value in monitoring patients with SLE.

Age at diagnosis and health-related quality of life are associated with fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To define the factors associated with fatigue in Mestizo patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of SLE patients from a single center cohort. Visits were performed every six months. For these analyses, the first visit between October 2017 and December 2018 was included. Demographic and clinical characteristics as well as treatment were recorded at every visit. Fatigue was ascertained with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-FT), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) with the LupusQoL, disease activity with the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index -2 K (SLEDAI-2K), and damage with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/American College of Rheumatology damage index (SDI). Prednisone use was recorded as current daily dose. Immunosuppressive drugs and antimalarial use were recorded as current, past or never. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using linear regression models. For the multivariable analyses, model selection followed a backward elimination procedure. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-six patients were evaluated. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 35.6 (13.1) years, 211 (93.4%) were female; and disease duration was 11.0 (7.3) years. The mean SLEDAI and SDI were 2.4 (3.5) and 1.3 (1.5), respectively. The mean FACIT-FT was 33.1 (10.8). On the multivariable analysis, age at diagnosis and some domains of HRQoL (physical health, emotional health and fatigue) remained associated. CONCLUSIONS: Age at diagnosis is negatively associated with fatigue whereas HRQoL domains like physical health, emotional health and fatigue are positively associated with fatigue.

Serum uric acid is associated with damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Serum uric acid levels have been reported as predictors of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and renal morbidity in patients with SLE. However, their role in cumulative global damage in these patients has not yet been determined. Objective: To determine whether serum uric acid levels are associated with new damage in patients with SLE. Methods: This is a longitudinal study of patients with SLE from the Almenara Lupus Cohort, which began in 2012. At each visit, demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated, such as activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2K or SLEDAI-2K) and cumulative damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index or SDI). Treatment (glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive drugs and antimalarials) was also recorded. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine the impact of serum uric acid levels on the risk of new damage. Results: We evaluated 237 patients, with a mean age (SD) at diagnosis of 35.9 (13.1) years; 220 patients (92.8%) were women, and the duration of the disease was 7.3 (6.6) years. The mean SLEDAI-2K and SDI scores were 5.1 (4.2) and 0.9 (1.3), respectively. Serum uric acid level was 4.5 (1.4) mg/dL. Follow-up time was 3.1 (1.3) years, and 112 (47.3%) patients accrued damage during follow-up. In univariable and multivariable analyses, serum uric acid levels were associated with new damage (HR=1.141 (95% CI 1.016 to 1.282), p=0.026; HR=1.189 (95% CI 1.025 to 1.378), p=0.022, respectively). Conclusion: Higher serum uric acid levels are associated with global damage in patients with SLE.

Better Health-Related Quality of Life in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Predicted by Low Disease Activity State/Remission: Data From the Peruvian Almenara Lupus Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if low disease activity state (LDAS)/remission predicts a better health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center and having completed at least 2 visits were included. Visits were performed every 6 months. HRQoL was measured with the LupusQoL questionnaire. The definition of remission included a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score of 0, prednisone daily dosage of ≤5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs on maintenance dose. LDAS was defined as a SLEDAI-2K score of ≤4, prednisone daily dosage of ≤7.5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs as maintenance therapy. For these analyses, remission and LDAS were combined as one variable. Generalized estimating equations were calculated, using as the outcome 1 of each of the 8 components of the LupusQoL questionnaire in the subsequent visit and the activity state in the previous visit. Multivariable models were adjusted for possible confounders. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were included. During the follow-up, 590 visits (61.6%) were categorized as LDAS/remission. LDAS/remission predicted a better HRQoL in the components of physical health (B = 4.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.20, 7.14]; P = 0.006), pain (B = 6.47 [95% CI 3.18, 9.76]; P < 0.001), planning (B = 4.97 [95% CI 1.43, 8.52]; P = 0.006), burden to others (B = 4.12 [95% CI 0.24, 8.01]; P = 0.037], emotional health (B = 4.50 [95% CI 1.56, 7.44]; P = 0.003), and fatigue (B = 3.25 [95% CI 0.04, 6.47]; P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Being in LDAS/remission predicts a better HRQoL, especially in the components of physical health, pain, planning, burden to others, emotional health, and fatigue.