Pregnancy outcomes in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome: an analysis of data from the multicentre, prospective, GR2 study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome have only been evaluated retrospectively using heterogeneous methods and with contradictory results. We aimed to describe adverse pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcome risks in pregnant women with primary Sjögren's syndrome compared with those of a matched general population in France, and to identify factors predictive of disease flares or adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, prospective, cohort study in France using the GR2 (Groupe de Recherche sur la Grossesse et les Maladies Rares) registry. Women from the GR2 study were eligible if they had conceived before March, 2021, had primary Sjögren's syndrome according to the American College of Rheumatology and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2016 classification criteria, and had an ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks of gestation. In women who entered in the registry with pregnancies before 18 weeks of gestation, we sought to identify factors associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome flare (≥3-point increase in EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index [ESSDAI] score) or adverse pregnancy outcomes (fetal or neonatal death, placental insufficiency leading to a preterm delivery [<37 weeks of gestation], or small-for-gestational-age birthweight). A matched controlled study compared adverse pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcome rates between pregnant women with primary Sjögren's syndrome from the GR2 registry and matched controls from the general population included in the last French perinatal survey (Enquête Nationale Périnatale 2016). FINDINGS: 1944 pregnancies were identified in the GR2 cohort, of which 106 pregnancies in 96 women with primary Sjögren's syndrome were included in this analysis. The median age at pregnancy onset was 33 years (IQR 31-36). 87 (83%) of 105 pregnancies (with ethnicity data) were in White women, 18 (17%) were in Black women; 92 (90%) of 102 had previous systemic activity (ESSDAI score of ≥1; data missing in four pregnancies), and 48 (45%) of 106 had systemic activity at inclusion. Of 93 pregnancies included at week 18 of gestation or earlier, primary Sjögren's syndrome flares occurred in 12 (13%). No baseline parameters were associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome flare. Four twin pregnancies and one medical termination were excluded from the adverse pregnancy outcome analysis; of the remaining 88, adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in six (7%). Among pregnancies in women with data for antiphospholipid antibodies (n=55), antiphospholipid antibody positivity was more frequent among pregnancies with adverse outcomes (two [50%] of four pregnancies) compared with those without adverse outcomes (two [4%] of 51 pregnancies; p=0·023). Anti-RNP antibody positivity was also more frequent among pregnancies with adverse outcomes than those without, although this was not statistically significant. In the matched controlled study, adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in nine (9%) of 105 pregnancies in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 28 (7%) of the 420 matched control pregnancies; adverse pregnancy outcomes were not significantly associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (odds ratio 1·31, 95% CI 0·53-2·98; p=0·52). INTERPRETATION: Pregnancies in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome had very good prognoses for mothers and fetuses, with no overall increase in adverse pregnancy outcome risk compared with the general population. Women with antiphospholipid antibodies or anti-RNP antibodies require close monitoring, because these factors might be associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. FUNDING: Lupus France, Association des Sclérodermiques de France, Association Gougerot Sjögren, Association Francophone Contre la Polychondrite Chronique Atrophiante, AFM-Telethon, Société Nationale Française de Médecine Interne, Société Française de Rhumatologie, Cochin Hospital, French Health Ministry, Fondation for Research in Rheumatology, Association Prix Véronique Roualet, Union Chimique Belge.

Prognostic Factors and Treatment Efficacy in Spinal Cord Sarcoidosis: An Observational Cohort With Long-term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord sarcoidosis is a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis with a consequent risk of neurologic sequelae for the patient. We investigated prognostic factors and efficacy of immunosuppressive treatments in a longitudinal cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with spinal cord sarcoidosis followed between 1995 and 2021 in 7 centers in France. Patients with definite, probable, or possible spinal cord sarcoidosis according to the Neurosarcoidosis Consortium Consensus Group criteria and with spinal cord involvement confirmed by MRI were included. We analyzed relapse or progression rate with a Poisson model, initial Rankin score with a linear model, and change in the Rankin score during follow-up with a logistic model. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were followed for a median of 7.8 years. Overall mean relapse or progression rate was 0.17 per person-year and decreased over time. At last visit, 46 (47.4%) patients had a loss of autonomy (Rankin score ≥2). The main prognostic factors significantly associated with relapse or progression rate were gadolinium enhancement (relative rate [95% CI] 0.61 [0.4, 0.95]) or meningeal involvement (relative rate [95% CI] 2.05 [1.31, 3.19]) on spinal cord MRI and cell count (relative rate [95% CI] per 1 log increase 1.16 [1.01, 1.33]) on CSF analysis. Relapse or progression rate was not significantly associated with initial Rankin score or Expanded Disability Status Scale. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonists significantly decreased relapse or progression rate compared with corticosteroids alone (relative rate [95% CI] 0.33 [0.11, 0.98]). Azathioprine was significantly less effective than methotrexate on relapse or progression rate (relative rate [95% CI] 2.83 [1.04, 7.75]) and change in Rankin score (mean difference [95% CI] 0.65 [0.23, 1.08]). DISCUSSION: Regarding the relapse or progression rate, meningeal localization of sarcoidosis was associated with a worse prognosis, TNF-α antagonists resulted in a significant decrease compared to corticosteroids alone, and methotrexate was more effective than azathioprine. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that in individuals with spinal cord neurosarcoidosis, TNF-α antagonists were associated with decreased relapse or progression rate compared to corticosteroids alone, but other therapies showed no significant benefit.

White blood count, D-dimers, and ferritin levels as predictive factors of pulmonary embolism suspected upon admission in noncritically ill COVID-19 patients: The French multicenter CLOTVID retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been described during COVID-19. Our aim was to identify predictive factors of PE in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Data and outcomes were collected upon admission during a French multicenter retrospective study, including patients hospitalized for COVID-19, with a CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed in the emergency department for suspected PE. Predictive factors significantly associated with PE were identified through a multivariate regression model. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients (median [IQR] age of 68 years [60-78]) were analyzed. Based on CTPA, 47 (53.4%) patients were diagnosed with PE, and 41 were not. D-dimer ≥3000 ng/mL (OR 8.2 [95% CI] 1.3-74.2, sensitivity (Se) 0.84, specificity (Sp) 0.78, P = .03), white blood count (WBC) ≥12.0 G/L (29.5 [2.3-1221.2], Se 0.47, Sp 0.92, P = .02), and ferritin ≥480 µg/L (17.0 [1.7-553.3], Se 0.96, Sp 0.44, P = .03) were independently associated with the PE diagnosis. The presence of the double criterion D-dimer ≥3000 ng/mL and WBC ≥12.0 G/L was greatly associated with PE (OR 21.4 [4.0-397.9], P = .004). CONCLUSION: The white blood count, the D-dimer and ferritin levels could be used as an indication for CTPA to confirm PE on admission in non-ICU COVID-19 patients.

D-Dimer Level and Neutrophils Count as Predictive and Prognostic Factors of Pulmonary Embolism in Severe Non-ICU COVID-19 Patients.

The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) is high during severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to identify predictive and prognostic factors of PE in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In the retrospective multicenter observational CLOTVID cohort, we enrolled patients with confirmed RT-PCR COVID-19 who were hospitalized in a medicine ward and also underwent a CT pulmonary angiography for a PE suspicion. Baseline data, laboratory biomarkers, treatments, and outcomes were collected. Predictive and prognostics factors of PE were identified by using logistic multivariate and by Cox regression models, respectively. A total of 174 patients were enrolled, among whom 86 (median [IQR] age of 66 years [55-77]) had post-admission PE suspicion, with 30/86 (34.9%) PE being confirmed. PE occurrence was independently associated with the lack of long-term anticoagulation or thromboprophylaxis (OR [95%CI], 72.3 [3.6-4384.8]) D-dimers ≥ 2000 ng/mL (26.3 [4.1-537.8]) and neutrophils ≥ 7.0 G/L (5.8 [1.4-29.5]). The presence of these two biomarkers was associated with a higher risk of PE (p = 0.0002) and death or ICU transfer (HR [95%CI], 12.9 [2.5-67.8], p < 0.01). In hospitalized non-ICU severe COVID-19 patients with clinical PE suspicion, the lack of anticoagulation, D-dimers ≥ 2000 ng/mL, neutrophils ≥ 7.0 G/L, and these two biomarkers combined might be useful predictive markers of PE and prognosis, respectively.

Extra-haematological manifestations related to human parvovirus B19 infection: retrospective study in 25 adults.

BACKGROUND: To describe extra-haematological manifestations associated with human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infection. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide multicentre study to retrospectively describe the characteristics and outcome of extra-haematological manifestations in French adults. RESULTS: Data from 25 patients followed from 2001 to 2016 were analysed. Median age was 37.9 years (range: 22.7-83.4), with a female predominance (sex ratio: 4/1). Only 3 patients had an underlying predisposing condition (hemoglobinopathy or pregnancy). The most common manifestations were joint (80%) and skin (60%) involvement. Four patients (16%) had renal involvement (endocapillary proliferative or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). Three patients (12%) had peripheral nervous system involvement (mononeuritis, mononeuritis multiplex, Guillain-Barré syndrome) and 2 (8%) presented muscle involvement. Other manifestations included hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (n = 1), myopericarditis and pleural effusion (n = 1), and lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly mimicking lymphoma with spleen infarcts (n = 1). Immunological abnormalities were frequent (56.5%). At 6 months, all patients were alive, and 54.2% were in complete remission. In 2 patients, joint involvement evolved into rheumatoid arthritis. Six patients (24%) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), with a good response in the 3 patients with peripheral nervous system involvement. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-B19 infection should be considered in a wide range of clinical manifestations. Although the prognosis is good, IVIg therapy should be discussed in patients with peripheral nerve involvement. However, its efficacy should be further investigated in prospective studies.

[A giant cell arteritis revealing a Goodpasture's syndrome]. / Une artérite à cellules géantes révélatrice d'un syndrome de Goodpasture.

Goodpasture's syndrome is a triad of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) circulating antibodies, glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage. We reported a 65-year-old woman with headaches, asthenia and weight loss. Giant cell arteritis was confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. The patient had associated renal condition with moderate acute renal failure, proteinuria and haematuria. Renal biopsy showed extracapillary glomerulonephritis and linear staining of immunoglobulins G along glomerular basement membrane. There was no clinical pulmonary involvement. Anti-MBG antibody was positive and allowed Goodpasture's syndrome diagnosis. The patient was treated with corticoids and cyclophosphamide. Patient's condition and renal function improved quickly and anti-MBG antibodies became negative. Goodpasture's syndrome may be characterized by isolated renal expression without pulmonary involvement. We described for the first time association of Goodpasture's syndrome with giant cell arteritis.

Clinical features and prognostic factors of spinal cord sarcoidosis: a multicenter observational study of 20 BIOPSY-PROVEN patients.

Sarcoidosis of the spinal cord is a rare disease. The aims of this study are to describe the features of spinal cord sarcoidosis (SCS) and identify prognostic markers. We analyzed 20 patients over a 20-year period in 8 French hospitals. There were 12 men (60 %), mostly Caucasian (75 %). The median ages at diagnosis of sarcoidosis and myelitis were 34.5 and 37 years, respectively. SCS revealed sarcoidosis in 12 patients (60 %). Eleven patients presented with motor deficit (55 %) and 9 had sphincter dysfunction (45 %). The median initial Edmus Grading Scale (EGS) score was 2.5. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed elevated protein level (median: 1.00 g/L, interquartile range (IQR) 0.72-1.97), low glucose level (median 2.84 mmol/L, IQR 1.42-3.45), and elevated white cell count (median 22/mm(3), IQR 6-45). The cervical and thoracic cords were most often affected (90 %). All patients received steroids and an immunosuppressive drug was added in 10 cases (50 %). After a mean follow-up of 52.1 months (range 8-43), 18 patients had partial response (90 %), 7 displayed functional impairment (35 %), and the median final EGS score was 1. Six patients experienced relapse (30 %). There was an association between the initial and the final EGS scores (p = 0.006). High CSF protein level showed a trend toward an association with relapse (p = 0.076). The spinal cord lesion was often the presenting feature of sarcoidosis. Most patients experienced clinical improvement with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive treatment. The long-term functional prognosis was correlated with the initial severity.

Etanercept may induce neurosarcoidosis in a patient treated for rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: TNFα blockers have drastically improved rheumatoid arthritis prognosis by preventing joint destruction in DMARD resistant patients. Altering cytokine balance in immune diseases may expose to paradoxical adverse events. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 40-year-old woman, with a confirmed erosive and seropositive RA, successfully treated by TNFα blocker (etanercept) for seven years, and who developed a severe neurosarcoidosis. She had lymphocytic meningitis, bilateral peripheral facial paralysis and anosmia, associated with bilateral hilar lymph nodes, papilloedema, anterior uveitis and elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a bilateral thickening of the Gasser's ganglia walls and enhanced signal of the vestibulocochlear, the facial and the proximal portion of trijeminal nerves. CONCLUSION: This case raised the issue of the imputability of etanercept in the development of neurosarcoidosis. Neurological symptoms onset in patients on TNFα blockers should lead to exclude infections, induced lupus but also paradoxical neurosarcoidosis.

[Preventable drug events in acute geriatric unit]. / Effets indésirables médicamenteux évitables en court séjour gériatrique.

UNLABELLED: The study was performed on 313 patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric unit during a six-month period and aimed at determine the prevalence of adverse drug events (ADE) and the preventability of them. METHODS: ADE were determined by the medical information unit. Preventability was determined by inadequacy with standards of care, medication-related factors (non respect of contra-indication) and explicit lists of harmful medication in the elderly. RESULTS: prevalence of ADE was 12.7%. The mean age of patients was 84.8 years old. The number of comorbidities per patient was 3 and medications consumed were 7.7±3.1. 70% of them were ambulatory patient with an activity of daily living of 3.8±1.76. Cardiovascular (39%), psychotropic (36.6%) and morphinic (7.3%) medicines were the most frequently involved. The symptoms that occurred most frequently were haemorragia (28.6%), falls (14.3%), and sleepiness (9.5%) and were preventable in 31% of cases. CONCLUSION: elderly patients with multiple pathologies are at high risk for ADE. These ADE are preventable by using scores, following standards of care, respecting contra-indications of medications.

Unusual evolution in Wegener's granulomatosis: recovery of pulmonary involvement while renal disease progressed to end-stage.

A 54-year-old male patient was admitted for acute respiratory distress with fever. He was suffering from chronic sinusitis/rhinitis and had persistent otitis for the past 2 months before admission despite several antibiotics courses. He developed a complex pulmonary involvement (embolism and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage) with acute glomerular disease (proteinuria and hematuria but initially no renal failure). Clinical suspicion of Wegener's granulomatosis was confirmed by the positive high titer of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA with antiproteinase 3 specificity) and despite a negative nasal biopsy. Treatment including cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone intravenous pulses permitted pulmonary recovery over 4 weeks contrasting with the development of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and polyneuropathy of lower limbs. Renal biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. However, despite additional plasma exchanges, acute kidney injury worsened and the patient ended up in dialysis. Such a dissociated evolution was unexpected in this case since pulmonary and renal involvements reflected the same pathological process (small vessels vasculitis/capillaritis) and the same pathogenic mechanism (antiproteinase 3 autoantibodies).