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BACKGROUND: Retinal migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion and is characterized by repeated episodes of transient monocular blindness associated with migraine. We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with acute episodes mimicking retinal migraines. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old woman with a history of migraine with aura since her 20s and Evans syndrome presented with episodic transient monocular blindness. Retinal migraine was considered as the cause, and migraine prophylaxis initially reduced its frequency. After 5 months, the frequency increased, with chilblain-like lupus lesions on her extremities. Laboratory testing revealed lymphopenia and hypocomplementemia, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, which may have caused Evans syndrome and transient monocular blindness, mimicking retinal migraines. After intravenous methylprednisolone and rituximab therapy, the transient monocular blindness episodes did not recur. CONCLUSION: Given the clinical presentation, systemic lupus erythematosus should be considered as a cause of transient monocular blindness and should be distinguished from retinal migraine.
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Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Trastornos Migrañosos , Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Amaurosis Fugax/etiología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Visión/complicaciones , Trastornos Migrañosos/diagnóstico , Trastornos Migrañosos/complicacionesRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To assess differences in the strength of inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signalling induced by subcutaneously (sc) administered tocilizumab (TCZ) and sarilumab (SAR). METHODS: Data were collected on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved low disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI]≤10) following treatment with weekly or bi-weekly administration of 162 mg sc of TCZ (TCZ qw group, n=8; TCZ q2w group, n=8), bi-weekly doses of 200 mg sc of SAR (SAR q2w group, n=7), or MTX (n=8) as a control. The clinical characteristics of each group were collected, and the serum concentrations of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) were measured using ELISA. Whole blood samples from each group were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of IL-6. The proportion of phosphorylated (p)STAT3-positive CD4+ T cells was measured using phosflow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of pSTAT3-positive CD4+ T cells following stimulation with 100 ng/ml of recombinant human IL-6 was significantly different among the groups (median 1.8% [0.9-3.0] vs. 7.7% [2.9-8.0] vs. 12.5% [11.4-16.6] vs. 71.5% [68.0-78.5] for the TCZ qw, SAR q2w, TCZ q2w, and MTX control groups, respectively; p<0.01 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: SAR 200 mg q2w showed significantly stronger inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signalling than TCZ sc q2w but weaker inhibition than TCZ sc qw. The results of this study may be useful for adjusting the IL-6 blockade treatment for patients with RA.
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Antirreumáticos , Artritis Reumatoide , Humanos , Interleucina-6 , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Inyecciones Subcutáneas , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the significance of achieving deep remission by induction therapy in lupus nephritis (LN) patients. METHODS: We assessed consecutive patients undergoing induction therapy for active LN. Achievement of complete renal response (CR) was defined as a urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤0.5 g/gCr, and deep remission (DR) was defined as a UPCR ≤0.15 g/gCr with stabilisation of serum creatinine levels assessed every 2-3 months. We compared renal flare and damage accrual rates among patients with CR, CR without DR, and DR at 3, 6, and 12 months and later. RESULTS: Fifty-nine Asian patients were enrolled, and the median observation period was 48.6 months. Of these, 55 patients achieved CR, and 33 achieved DR within 12 months of receiving induction therapy. The patients with DR within 12 months experienced a significantly lower rate of subsequent renal flare (p<0.001) and damage accrual (p=0.046) than those without CR, those with DR after 12 months, and those with no DR but CR within 12 months. In addition, younger age, shorter disease duration, lower urine protein at baseline, and earlier renal response were associated with DR within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Achievement of DR within 12 months after induction therapy should be a treatment target for active LN, as it has implications for preventing renal flare and damage accrual.
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Nefritis Lúpica , Humanos , Lactante , Nefritis Lúpica/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Inmunosupresores , Estudios Retrospectivos , Riñón , Inducción de RemisiónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the significance of the time to attain lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) after remission induction therapy in patients with severely active SLE. METHODS: We enrolled 79 patients starting prednisolone ≥0.4 mg/kg/day for active lupus with a BILAG 2004 index of A ≥ 1 or B ≥ 2, or for severe flare based on the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-SLE Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI). The time to LLDAS attainment was divided into ≤6, 6-12 and >12 months and non-LLDAS; associations between the timing of LLDAS and flares, damage accrual and ≥50% LLDAS attainment were examined. RESULTS: The mean SLEDAI was 17; median starting dose of prednisolone, 0.95 mg/kg/day; and mean observational period, 39.7 months. Six (7.6%) and 41 (51.9%) patients achieved LLDAS within 6 and 12 months. Patients with a shorter time to LLDAS achievement were more likely to spend ≥50% of the time in LLDAS and had a lower cumulative prednisolone dose; no differences were observed in damage accrual. Patients requiring longer than 12 months to achieve LLDAS had a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia and those with non-LLDAS had lower renal function and a higher starting dose of prednisolone and steroid pulse therapy than those who achieved LLDAS within 12 months. CONCLUSION: Achieving LLDAS within 12 months of induction therapy may be favourable in patients with severely active SLE. The low frequency of LLDAS attainment in high-risk populations highlights the need for a new strategy for SLE treatment.
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Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Humanos , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/tratamiento farmacológico , Prednisolona/uso terapéutico , Factores de Riesgo , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with active RA, despite conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), were recruited. HCQ was administered for 24 weeks, in addition to prior treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 achievement at week 24, compared to that of a propensity score matched historical control group. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled and administered HCQ. We also identified 276 patients as candidates for the historical control group. Propensity score matching yielded 46 patients in each group. The proportion of ACR20 achievements at week 24 was significantly higher in the HCQ group than that in the control group (54.4% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.007). The proportion of ACR50 and ACR70 achievement at week 24 were also higher in the HCQ group than those in the control group (ACR50, 30.4% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.006; ACR70, 17.4% vs. 0%, P = 0.005). Neither hydroxychloroquine retinopathy nor any new safety signal was observed during the study. CONCLUSION: The addition of HCQ to csDMARDs was effective, with no new safety signal in patients with RA.
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Objectives: To identify the prognostic predictive factor of complete renal response (CR) at week 12 by focusing on the plasma mycophenolic acid (MPA) concentration in induction therapy in lupus nephritis.Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with biopsy-proven LN class III/IV who were hospitalized between 2016 and 2017. As an induction therapy, mycophenolate mofetil was continuously introduced at 2000 mg/day. We measured the MPA plasma concentration at two time points depending on the induction therapy phase, early (week 4) or middle (week 12). The association between these concentrations and CR rate at week 12 was evaluated.Results: Ten patients were enrolled. A significantly higher AUC0-12 between 0 and 12 h of MPA at the early phase was observed in the patients with CR at week 12 than in those without (p = .03). All the patients with high MPA-AUC0-12 (> 40 mg h/L) at the early phase achieved CR at week 12, but no such association was found at the middle phase. The multivariate analysis revealed that MPA-AUC0-12 was selected as an independent predictive factor of CR at week 12 (odds ratio: 1.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.45, p = .02).Conclusion: The high AUC0-12 of MPA at the early phase of induction therapy may predict good renal response.
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Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , Nefritis Lúpica/tratamiento farmacológico , Ácido Micofenólico/sangre , Inducción de Remisión/métodos , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Nefritis Lúpica/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an inflammatory disorder characterised by sustained fevers, arthritis, and skin involvement. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a rare manifestation, and its clinical characteristics have yet to be determined. METHODS: We sought to examine the clinical characteristics of AOSD-associated ILD. We retrospectively investigated 78 patients diagnosed as AOSD. ILD was diagnosed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without ILD. Relapse was defined as sustained fevers, re-emergence of arthritis, and skin involvement after remission. We further investigated the pathological features of ILD on available samples. RESULTS: Patients with ILD, found in 9 of 78 (11.5 %), had older age of onset (mean age 62.6) than those without ILD (mean age 38.8) (p<0.01). The 3-year survival rates were comparable between patients with ILD (92.5%) and those without ILD (88.9%) (p=0.23). Patients with ILD had a higher cumulative rate of haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) and relapse than those without (p<0.0001 and p=0.009, respectively). Chest HRCT showed marked thickening of the interlobular septa, the bronchovascular bundles, or the visceral pleura in all cases. There was no honeycomb or volume loss. Pulmonary pathological findings revealed marked thickening of the visceral pleura and the interlobular septa. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ILD might have higher risks for HPS and relapse. Careful observation and appropriate therapeutic intervention might be needed.
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Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales , Linfohistiocitosis Hemofagocítica , Enfermedad de Still del Adulto , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales/epidemiología , Linfohistiocitosis Hemofagocítica/diagnóstico , Linfohistiocitosis Hemofagocítica/diagnóstico por imagen , Linfohistiocitosis Hemofagocítica/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fenotipo , Recurrencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Enfermedad de Still del Adulto/complicaciones , Enfermedad de Still del Adulto/diagnóstico , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
We treated a patient with relapsing polychondritis (RP) who presented with intermittent oculomotor and abducens nerve palsies as the first manifestation. Ear swelling and laryngeal edema emerged 7 months later, which led us to diagnose him with RP. Moderate doses of glucocorticoid resolved all symptoms. Our experience with RP accompanied by oculomotor nerve palsy suggests that RP should be considered in patients with cranial nerve palsies so that they may be promptly diagnosed and treated.
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Enfermedades del Nervio Abducens/etiología , Enfermedades del Nervio Oculomotor/etiología , Policondritis Recurrente/complicaciones , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of long-term renal prognosis after induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed lupus nephritis class III or IV. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed lupus nephritis class III or IV. We divided them into two groups according to the complete renal response (CR) status at 3 years after induction therapy. We compared baseline clinical characteristics, renal pathological findings, and time to achieve CR, and identified predictors. Patients were followed up for to 10 years to assess long-term systemic damage. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with CR and 9 with non-CR were included. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Early CR, which was defined as achieving CR at 3 months after induction therapy, was significantly associated with maintaining CR at 3 years (p = 0.012). Patients with early CR less frequently had flare in systemic manifestation compared with those without over 10 years (p = 0.026). Deterioration of systemic damage was observed more often in non-early CR patients than early CR patients at 10 years (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Achieving CR at 3 months after induction therapy may predict CR at 3 years, reduced organ damage, and a low incidence of disease flare for 10 years.
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Glucocorticoides/uso terapéutico , Riñón/patología , Nefritis Lúpica/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Nefritis Lúpica/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Inducción de Remisión , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize arthropathies of the hands associated with antiaminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) autoantibodies. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with anti-ARS antibodies were selected from consecutive patients who visited Keio University Hospital between1983 and 2011, based on their joint symptoms and the availability of hand X-rays. Their clinical characteristics, anti-CCP antibodies, RF, and hand X-ray findings were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: Based on characteristic hand X-ray findings, the anti-ARS-positive patients with joint symptoms could largely be categorized into three groups. The predominant group (64%) was patients with no significant X-ray findings. The remaining patients with destructive changes were classified into two distinct groups. One group had mainly erosions in the PIP and MCP joints and/or ankylosis of the wrists with anti-CCP and RF, which is consistent with the features of RA. The other group showed subluxation of the thumbs and periarticular calcification that was independent of anti-CCP or RF, which is exclusively found in anti-Jo-1-positive patients. CONCLUSION: Autoantibody profiles, including anti-CCP, RF and individual anti-ARS specificities, are useful in classifying anti-ARS-associated arthropathies of the hands into RA or anti-Jo-1-related disorders.
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Aminoacil-ARNt Sintetasas/inmunología , Autoanticuerpos/sangre , Articulaciones de la Mano/diagnóstico por imagen , Artropatías/diagnóstico , Adulto , Anciano , Anquilosis/diagnóstico , Anquilosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagen , Biomarcadores/sangre , Calcinosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Humanos , Artropatías/diagnóstico por imagen , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Péptidos Cíclicos/inmunología , Radiografía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factor Reumatoide/sangre , Articulación de la Muñeca/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Fabry's disease is a rare X-linked, hereditary lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is characterized by the involvement of the respiratory tract and kidneys. Here, we report the first case of the coexistence of these diseases. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 29-year-old man suffering from fever with maxillary sinusitis, multiple lung nodules, and proteinuria. He was diagnosed with Fabry's disease accompanying granulomatosis with polyangiitis on the basis of the low activity of peripheral leukocyte α-galactosidase A and pathological findings in the lung and kidney. Glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide were administered, followed by enzyme replacement therapy. Progression to end-stage renal disease has not been observed for 6 years until the time of drafting this manuscript. CONCLUSION: Because both Fabry's disease and granulomatosis with polyangiitis or crescentic glomerulonephritis are rare diseases, their concurrence in this and related cases suggests there may be a pathogenic link between these two conditions. Fabry's disease may be underdiagnosed, particularly in cases of granulomatosis with polyangiitis or crescentic glomerulonephritis.
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Enfermedad de Fabry/complicaciones , Granulomatosis con Poliangitis/etiología , Adulto , Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/diagnóstico , Vasculitis Asociada a Anticuerpos Citoplasmáticos Antineutrófilos/etiología , Anticuerpos Anticitoplasma de Neutrófilos/análisis , Azatioprina/uso terapéutico , Ciclofosfamida/administración & dosificación , Ciclofosfamida/uso terapéutico , Terapia de Reemplazo Enzimático , Enfermedad de Fabry/diagnóstico , Enfermedad de Fabry/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad de Fabry/genética , Glomerulonefritis/diagnóstico , Glomerulonefritis/etiología , Glomerulonefritis/inmunología , Glomerulonefritis/orina , Granulomatosis con Poliangitis/diagnóstico , Humanos , Isoenzimas/uso terapéutico , Riñón/patología , Leucocitos/enzimología , Pulmón/patología , Masculino , Sinusitis Maxilar/etiología , Prednisolona/administración & dosificación , Prednisolona/uso terapéutico , Proteinuria/etiología , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéutico , alfa-Galactosidasa/sangre , alfa-Galactosidasa/genética , alfa-Galactosidasa/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Lupus protein-losing enteropathy (LUPLE) is a rare condition in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Since the causes and exact pathological mechanism have not been elucidated, appropriate treatment has not been determined. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed LUPLE which was successfully treated with belimumab without an increase in glucocorticoid dose. This case suggests that belimumab monotherapy may be a treatment option for LUPLE.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados , Inmunosupresores , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Enteropatías Perdedoras de Proteínas , Humanos , Femenino , Enteropatías Perdedoras de Proteínas/tratamiento farmacológico , Enteropatías Perdedoras de Proteínas/etiología , Enteropatías Perdedoras de Proteínas/diagnóstico , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/tratamiento farmacológico , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/diagnóstico , Anciano , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/administración & dosificación , Resultado del Tratamiento , Inmunosupresores/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) can present with extraglandular organs, such as interstitial lung disease (ILD). Anti-SS-A antibody is frequently found in SS cases, whereas anti-centromere antibody (ACA) is detected in some SS cases. Notably, the anti-SS-A and ACA double-positive cases exhibited distinct features with a higher prevalence of ILD. However, there have so far been no reports on the treatment of ILD in anti-SS-A and ACA double-positive cases. We herein present a case of ILD with anti-SS-A and ACA double-positive SS that was successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Our case suggests the potential efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy for this poorly understood condition.
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Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting the palms and soles. In rare cases, severe patients develop acute extra-palmoplantar lesions often accompanied by arthralgia. Such cases with extensive symptoms often necessitate systemic treatments with variable efficacy and potential side effects. Apremilast, known for its broad immune response modulation, presents promise as a therapeutic option for severe PPP with joint and extra-palmoplantar lesions. This case highlights apremilast as a potential systemic treatment for such cases with minimal side effects.
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This study aims to elucidate the effectiveness and safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We enrolled uninfected SLE patients who received two vaccine doses (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) and historical unvaccinated patients. Neutralizing antibodies, adverse reactions, and disease flares were evaluated 4 weeks after the second vaccination. Ninety patients were enrolled in each group. Among the vaccinated patients, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and prednisolone doses before vaccination were 2, and 5 mg/d, respectively. After the second vaccination, 19 (21.1%) had no neutralizing antibodies. Adverse reactions occurred in 88.9% within 3 d. Negative antibodies were associated with anemia and mycophenolate mofetil administration. SLEDAI increased modestly but significantly after vaccination, with 13 (14.4%) experiencing flares and 4 (4.4%) severe flares (nephritis in three and vasculitis in one). The flare rate was higher in vaccinated patients than unvaccinated controls. The mean duration between the second vaccination and flares was 35 d, and flares occurred at least 8 days after vaccination. Multivariable analysis showed that high SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA antibodies were associated with flares. The vaccine type, neutralizing antibody titer, and adverse reaction frequency did not affect flares. Therefore, residual disease activity before vaccination increases flare risk.
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Vacuna nCoV-2019 mRNA-1273 , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes , Vacuna BNT162 , COVID-19 , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/inmunología , Femenino , Masculino , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/inmunología , Adulto , Vacuna BNT162/administración & dosificación , Vacuna BNT162/efectos adversos , Vacuna BNT162/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Vacuna nCoV-2019 mRNA-1273/administración & dosificación , Vacuna nCoV-2019 mRNA-1273/efectos adversos , Vacuna nCoV-2019 mRNA-1273/inmunología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/sangre , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/efectos adversos , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/inmunología , Brote de los Síntomas , Vacunación/efectos adversos , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Anticuerpos Antinucleares/sangre , Anticuerpos Antinucleares/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammatory synovitis that causes pain, loss of function and disability, and can significantly reduce health-related quality of life. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis has led to the development of new biologic treatments that target specific cytokines. Large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted to show the efficacy of anti-TNF and IL-6. However, despite these treatments, some patients fail to respond to these therapies. Recently other anti-ctyokine treatments had been developed and introduced. Here, we discuss about new anti-cytokine treatments for RA.
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Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Citocinas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Citocinas/inmunología , Citocinas/metabolismo , Humanos , Factores Inmunológicos/uso terapéutico , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
We aimed to dissociate the autoantibody response against the Ro52 protein in patients with anti-synthetase or anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies to explore the potential roles of different anti-Ro52 autoantibody responses in disease subclassification. This study used a single-center, prospective myositis cohort involving 122 consecutive patients with anti-synthetase antibodies identified by RNA immunoprecipitation (RNA-IP) and 34 patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies detected using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Anti-Ro52 antibodies were measured using commercial EIA kits, while anti-Ro/SSA antibodies were identified using RNA-IP. Clinical features and outcomes were stratified according to two different patterns of autoantibody responses against Ro52, including "isolated anti-Ro52", defined by positive anti-Ro52 and negative anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, and "anti-SSA-Ro52", defined by positive anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Isolated anti-Ro52 positivity was the most prevalent autoantibody response in patients with both anti-synthetase (40/122; 32.8%) and anti-MDA5 antibodies (8/34; 23.5%). Isolated anti-Ro52 or anti-SSA-Ro52 positivity was associated with Gottron's sign in patients with anti-synthetase antibodies, while in patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies, isolated anti-Ro52 positivity was associated with respiratory insufficiency at initial presentation and poor overall survival. Isolated anti-Ro52 positivity could be a potential biomarker for patient stratification; however, the clinical significance of dissociating isolated anti-Ro52 positivity from overall anti-Ro52 positivity was not evident.
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AIM: To investigate the impact of high-dose glucocorticoid therapy on sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). METHODS: We included patients with RMDs who were hospitalized between 2020 and 2022 for remission induction treatment and collected information on skeletal mass index (SMI) before high-dose glucocorticoid therapy and 1 month later. We divided the patients into 2 groups according to the progression of sarcopenia, defined as a >10% decrease in SMI, and compared their clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included in this analysis. The mean age was 53.3 years, 73.5% were female, and the mean SMI was 5.3 kg/m2 . Before treatment, 83.7% had already met the definition of sarcopenia, and 57.1% experienced further sarcopenia progression after 1 month of high-dose glucocorticoid treatment. Patients with sarcopenia progression were predominantly male (P = 0.025), had a higher body weight (P = 0.048), and showed a higher SMI than those without sarcopenia at baseline (P = 0.008). Multivariable analysis revealed that body weight increase from 0 to week 1 of high-dose glucocorticoid treatment was associated with sarcopenia progression (odds ratio: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.04-0.61, P = 0.007) with a cut-off of -1.8 kg. During a mean observation period of 30.2 days, the incidence of infection was significantly higher in patients with progressive sarcopenia (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: One-month hospitalization with high-dose glucocorticoid therapy is associated with sarcopenia progression in patients with RMDs. An early decrease in body weight can be used to predict muscle volume loss.
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Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis that primarily involves aorta and its major branches. Cerebral infarction is a serious complication that can occur secondary to GCA in up to 3% of patients with a mortality rate of over 50%. Due to the rarity of this severe complication, no therapeutic strategies are currently available. Furthermore, despite the recent progress in molecular-targeted therapy for GCA, it remains unknown whether tocilizumab is effective for severe ischemic complications such as cerebral infarction. The accumulation of individual cases in which this fatal complication could be treated is apparently required to build a better management of the disease. We present our case of GCA that developed severe cerebral infarction during high-dose glucocorticoid and tocilizumab therapy, and its symptoms and image findings were improved by switching to intravenous cyclophosphamide. Our case suggests that an intensive immunosuppressive therapy, including cyclophosphamide, may be necessary to stabilise this fatal complication of GCA.