Usefulness in daily practice of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 scale and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Score index for assessing the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by high heterogeneity of clinical manifestations and an uncertain prognosis. Although the mortality rate due to SLE has decreased significantly in recent decades, there is still a need to find good tools to measure disease activity for early detection of exacerbations and treatment planning. Over the decades, more than a dozen disease activity scales/indicators have been developed, with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) being the most popular. More recently, the new SLE Disease Activity Score (SLE-DAS) has been introduced. This paper compares the two methods of assessing SLE activity, and presents the relevance of these scales in pregnant SLE patients and their use in formulating definitions of remission and low disease activity. The results show that the SLEDAI and the SLE-DAS are of comparable value in assessing SLE activity and complement each other.

Coexistence of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus - a case report.

Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are two autoimmune diseases that are relatively common, especially in women. However, it is extremely rare for them to coexist in a single patient (only 18 cases have been recorded worldwide). Both affect the nervous system and may manifest in identical ways. This creates significant difficulties, both in terms of diagnosis and choice of appropriate therapy. Case description: A 54-year-old female patient with quadriparesis, superficial sensory disturbance and gait and balance disorders was diagnosed with primary progressive MS according to McDonald's criteria. The magnetic resonance images were typical for MS. Previously, in 2013, she was diagnosed with SLE, treated successfully, and is currently in remission. After excluding neuropsychiatric lupus, ocrelizumab treatment was administered, with good clinical results. Comment: Adequate differentiation (magnetic resonance imaging, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, clinical observation) as to whether the patient's symptoms are related to MS or to SLE nervous system involvement is the basis for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hyperleukocytosis in Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics.

Background: Hyperleukocytosis, defined as a total leukocyte count of more than 50,000/mm3 leukocytes, occurs in almost one in five children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It represents an unfavorable prognostic factor in this disease. The aim of the following study was to describe demographic and clinical features in patients with hyperleukocytosis and their relationship with leukocyte count. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the available medical data of patients with ALL diagnosed and treated at the University Children's Hospital in Lublin between 2017 and 2024. Results: Of the 97 patients, 10 (10.3%) had hyperleukocytosis. They were significantly more likely to be older boys diagnosed with T-ALL. The group with hyperleukocytosis had a higher mortality rate. The presence of hyperleukocytosis also correlated with the presence of petechiae, thrombocyte and neutrophil counts, and LDH activity. Patients with hyperleukocytosis also experienced a higher incidence of infections as a complication of therapy as leukocyte counts increased. Conclusions: Hyperleukocytosis, although rare, is an important factor in the course of ALL, both clinically and prognostically.

Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Diagnosis, Prediction and Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the world and accounts for 15% of primary hemocytopathies, with an ever-increasing number of new cases. It is asymptomatic in 30% of instances; hence, the determination of highly sensitive and specific markers is necessary to make a proper diagnosis. In the last 20 years, miRNAs, involved in regulating the expression of genes responsible for cell proliferation and differentiation, including tumor cells, have been identified as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. The main aim of the following review was to outline the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM, considering their role in the pathogenesis of the disease and identifying their target genes and pathways. For this purpose, publications dating from 2013-2023 have been reviewed. Based on the available data, it is concluded that non-coding RNAs including miRNAs could be potential markers in MM. Furthermore, they may serve as therapeutic targets for certain drugs.