The Role of Immunosuppression in the Development of COVID-19 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Brief Report.

Recently, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, much concern has been raised about patients with chronic diseases who may become more susceptible to the disease. The present cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition, a possible correlation between the immunosuppression state and the incidence of COVID-19 is investigated. In May 2020, 500 SLE patients registered in the database of Golestan Rheumatology Research Center (Golestan province, Iran) were selected for this cross-sectional study. Using a questionnaire, patients were contacted by telephone to collect data including demographic characteristics, disease status, drug use, and new clinical symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24.0. Of the 500 selected patients, 355 responded to the phone calls and subsequently enrolled in the study. Among the enrolled patients, 25 were classified as COVID-19 positive, including eight hospitalized patients, of which two required intensive care and subsequently died. COVID-19 incidence was significantly lower in the immunosuppressed patients (2.2% vs. 10%, P=0.01). There was no significant correlation between hydroxychloroquine consumption and the incidence of COVID-19 in SLE patients. Fever, fatigue, dyspnea, and dry cough were the most common clinical symptoms. Our results showed that COVID-19 incidence was lower in immunosuppressed than the non-immunosuppressed SLE patients. Further studies are required to substantiate the role of immunosuppression in the development of COVID-19. A preprint version of this study was published at https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-78704/v1 with doi: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-78704/v1.

Evaluating the Value-Added of the Trabecular Bone Score in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents with inflammation in the joints and bony tissues around them. The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a relatively new indicator that predicts fracture risk better than bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of the current study was to measure TBSs and BMD of patients with RA referring to Resalat Hospital, Tehran. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 129 men and women with RA entered the study through convenient sampling during 2016. TBS and BMD were measured in L1-L4. The relationships between age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration of disease, and daily corticosteroids dose with TBS and BMD were determined by chi-square test, independent samples t test, Pearson correlation, and linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: The TBS of 34.9%, 31.8%, and 33.3% of study subjects were higher than 1.35, 1.25-1.35, and lower than 1.25, respectively. The prevalence of TBS lower than 1.25 was 48.7% in women aged age more than 50 years. Age was the only predictor of low TBS in patients with RA. TBS and BMD were positively correlated in vertebral and hip bones. In women older than 50 years, BMI (-1.292) and age (-1.330) were predictors of low TBS. CONCLUSION: One-third of patients with RA were at risk of fracture. Gender and BMI were two factors which affected the TBS. This index can show the effect of disease on bones, which is related to age.

Factors Associated with Outcome in Patients with Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Tertiary Referral Center in Northern Iran.

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a major healthcare problem and is the most frequent gastrointestinal reason for admission to hospital. We aimed to investigate the prognosis of patients with UGIB referred to a referral hospital in northern Iran in 2013. METHODS All patients with UGIB who admitted to Sayyad Shirazi Hospital, in Gorgan, northern Iran, in 2013 were enrolled. The patients' demographic data as well as data about admission, diseases, drug history, and patients' prognosis were collected by structured questionnaire using information in hospital files. The relationships between different factors with the proportion of mortality and recurrence were assessed using Chi-square test. RESULTS In total, 168 patients were enrolled of whom 109 (64.9%) were male. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 59.4 (18.2) years. Mortality and recurrence occurred in 23.2% and 34.5% of the subjects, respectively. We found significant relationships between older age and diagnosis of malignancy with mortality (p =0.03 and p <0.01) and recurrence (p<0.01 and p <0.01). CONCLUSION We found relatively high rates of mortality and recurrence among patients with UGIB. Our results suggested older age and diagnosis of malignancy as the most important indicators of mortality and recurrence in such patients. Considering these factors in clinical settings may result in better and more effective management of patients with UGIB.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Pregnancy withUnusual Presentations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very rare during pregnancy and has a worse prognosis in pregnant women compared to those who are not pregnant. We present a case of HCC in a 41- year-old pregnant patient who was referred to our academic hospital.The patient presented with chief complaints of abdominal pain, jaundice, edema and hypertension. Laboratory results were notable for elevated liver enzymes and features of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with normal alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA125). At laparotomy for termination of pregnancy, multiple massive lesions were detected in the liver. Histologic evaluation showed features of HCC.HCC must be included in the differential diagnosis of any pregnant patient who presents with elevated liver enzymes and hemolysis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis is among the causes of refractory reflux disease. Biopsy of esophagus is the gold standard for diagnosis. In this study we determined the frequency of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in refractory reflux cases referred to Motility Department of Shahid Beheshti Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 68 cases with refractory reflux disease underwent endoscopy and had biopsies taken. Specimens were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and two independent pathologists confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation, SD) age at diagnosis was 41.8 (10.94) years. All had allergy or atopy, and unknown dysphagia was noted for 66%. Endoscopic findings were as follows: esophagitis (33.3%), rings (33.3%), and whitish plaques (33.3%). Prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis was 8.8% (N = 6; one man and five women). No statistical difference in demographic variables was found between eosinophilic esophagitis cases and others, except for history of atopy, food impaction, and endoscopic features (P value <0.005). CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cases with refractory reflux who complain of chronic unexplained dysphagia, with history of recurrent food impaction, and atopy or abnormal endoscopic features.