Clinical Features and Survival Analysis of Lupus Nephritis among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Three-Decade-Long Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background/Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of our retrospective cohort study was to compare the clinical characteristics, therapy, survival, causes of death, and prognostic factors of LN and non-LN lupus patients. Moreover, we compared a wide spectrum of clinical data of LN patients diagnosed before and since 2005 to determine any changes in disease course and outcomes. Methods: We assessed the clinical and laboratory data of 384 SLE patients, out of whom, 127 patients were diagnosed with LN between 1990 and 2020. Results: Based on our observations, discoid LE, subacute cutaneous LE, antiphospholipid syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis were more common in non-LN patients, while anemia and anti-RNP positivity were more frequent in LN patients. Development of LN did not affect survival rates; male sex and presence of APS were negative prognostic parameters in the non-LN group while achieving remission was a positive prognostic factor in both groups. Death caused by sepsis was more prevalent in the LN group. Serositis and neurological manifestations occurred less frequently in LN patients diagnosed after 2005. The use of mycophenolate mofetil became more common, and the cumulative corticosteroid dose decreased. The SLICC Damage Index score also decreased. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the disease course has changed in recent years, and the main therapeutic goal in both SLE and lupus nephritis should be to achieve remission because this significantly improves long-term prognosis and patient survival.

Antiphospholipid Antibodies Are Major Risk Factors for Non-Thrombotic Cardiac Complications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiovascular complications are among the leading causes of death. Cardiovascular risk in SLE is even higher in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies or secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The aim of this retrospective, single-center study was to investigate the occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies and non-thrombotic cardiac manifestations in 369 SLE patients. We also assessed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients to reveal the risk factors for cardiac manifestations. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA); 258 (69.9%) patients were APA positive, and 111 (30.1%) patients were APA negative. Mitral and tricuspid insufficiency, aortic stenosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension were more common in APA-positive patients. Anticardiolipin IgG showed the strongest correlation with any non-thrombotic cardiac manifestations. Based on our results, the adjusted global antiphospholipid syndrome score (aGAPSS) above 8.5 is predictive of valvulopathies and ischemic heart disease, while aGAPSS above 9.5 is predictive of cardiomyopathies. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies may affect the development of cardiac manifestations in SLE. Periodic cardiological and echocardiographic screening of patients without cardiac complaints, as well as regular monitoring of antiphospholipid antibodies, have great importance during the treatment of SLE patients.

Role of Altered Metabolism of Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Particles in the Development of Vascular Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Impaired lipid metabolism contributes to accelerated inflammatory responses in addition to promoting the formation of atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to evaluate the lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and vascular diagnostic tests in active SLE patients to clarify the association between dyslipidemia and early vascular damage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 51 clinically active SLE patients and 41 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Lipoprotein subfractions were detected by Lipoprint. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and common carotid intima-media thickness were detected by ultrasonography. Arterial stiffness indicated by augmentation index (Aix) and pulse wave velocity was measured by arteriography. RESULTS: We found significantly higher Aix, higher VLDL ratio, plasma triglyceride, ApoB100, and small HDL, as well as lower HDL-C, large HDL, and ApoA1 in patients with SLE. There was a significant positive correlation of Aix with triglyceride, VLDL, IDL-C, IDL-B, and LDL1. A backward stepwise multiple regression analysis showed IDL-C subfraction to be the best predictor of Aix. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in young patients with SLE, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins influence vascular function detected by Aix. These parameters may be assessed and integrated into the management plan for screening cardiovascular risk in patients with SLE.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the immunogenicity of a 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing etanercept therapy. METHODS: Twenty-two RA patients treated with etanercept (ETA) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) (n=15) or monotherapy (n=7) for at least one year were included. Altogether 24 osteoarthritis patients not receiving biological or MTX therapy, treating only NSAIDs or analgesics served as controls. All subjects were vaccinated with a single dose (0.5ml) of the PCV13. Pneumococcal antibody levels at baseline, 4 and 8weeks were assessed by a VaccZyme™ Anti-PCP IgG Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. Based on recommendations of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, an at least two-fold increase in antibody level, as the protective antibody response (pAR) was an indicator of responsiveness (i.e., ratio of postvaccination and prevaccination antibody levels). The antibody levels and their ratios were analysed in a variety of different ways, vaccine safety parameters (fever, infections, changes in regular antirheumatic treatments) were assessed at baseline, 4 and 8weeks after vaccination. RESULTS: Four weeks after vaccination, the anti-pneumococcal antibody levels significantly increased in both groups. At week 8, antibody levels somewhat decreased in both groups, however, still remained significantly higher compared to baseline. Compared with postvaccination levels at 4 and 8weeks between two groups, the mean protective antibody levels were higher in control group (1st month P=0.016; 2nd month: P=0.039). Possible predictors of pAR were analysed by logistic regression model. In RA, increases of antibody levels at week 8 compared to baseline exerted a negative correlation with age, (Spearman's R=-0,431; P=0.045). There were no clinically significant side effects or reaction after administration of vaccine observed in any of these patients after the 2-month follow-up period, all patients medical condition were stable. CONCLUSIONS: In RA patients treated with ETA, vaccination with PCV13 is effective and safe, resulting in pAR one and two months after vaccination. Higher age at vaccination was identified as predictors of impaired pAR. The efficacy of vaccination may be more pronounced in younger RA patients. The vaccine is safe in RA patients on ETA.