Anti-tumor necrosis factor α: originators versus biosimilars, comparison in clinical response assessment in a multicenter cohort of patients with inflammatory arthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare etanercept and adalimumab biosimilars (SB4 and ABP501) and respective bioriginators in terms of safety and efficacy in a real-life contest. METHODS: We consequently enrolled patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, treated with SB4, and ABP501, or with corresponding originators, belonging to the main biological prescribing centers in the Lazio region (Italy), from 2017 to 2020. Data were collected at recruitment and after 4, 8, 12, and 24 months of therapy. RESULTS: The multicenter cohort was composed by 455 patients treated with biosimilars [SB4/ABP501 276/179; female/male 307/146; biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b-DMARD) naïve 56%, median age/ interquartile range 55/46-65 years] and 436 treated with originators (etanercept/adalimumab 186/259, female/ male 279/157, b-DMARD naïve 67,2%, median age/interquartile range 53/43-62 years). No differences were found about safety, but the biosimilar group presented more discontinuations due to inefficacy (p<0.001). Female gender, being a smoker, and being b-DMARD naïve were predictive factors of reduced drug survival (p=0.05, p=0.046, p=0.001 respectively). The retention rate at 24 months was 81.1% for bioriginators and 76.5% for biosimilars (median retention time of 20.7 and 18.9 months, respectively) (p=0.002). Patients with remission/low disease activity achievement at 4 months showed a cumulative survival of 90% to biosimilar therapy until 24 months (p=0.001); early adverse reactions instead represented a cause of subsequent drug discontinuation (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Real-life data demonstrated a similar safety profile between biosimilars and originators, but a reduced biosimilar retention rate at 24 months. Biosimilars could be considered a valid, safe, and less expensive alternative to originators, allowing access to treatments for a wider patient population.

The association between duration of remission, fatigue, depression and health-related quality of life in Italian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of duration of remission on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We conducted a 5-year retrospective study on two Italian cohorts. Remission was defined as a continuative period of no clinical disease activity, according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2 K, and a permitted maximum prednisone dose of 5 mg/day. HRQoL was measured using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36) during the last visit. RESULTS: We enrolled 136 female SLE patients. During observation, 15 (11%) patients had been in remission for ≥1 and <2 years, 15 (11%) for ≥2 and <3 years, 19 (14%) for ≥3 and <4 years, 9 (7%) for ≥4 and <5 years, and 53 (39%) had been in prolonged remission for ≥5 years. In the multivariate model, considering depression and fatigue as covariates, patients in prolonged remission showed significantly better scores in the physical functioning (p = 0.039), role physical (p = 0.029), bodily pain (p = 0.0057), general health (p = 0.0033) and social functioning (p = 0.0085) components of the SF36, compared with those in remission <5 years or unremitted. Subsequent mediation analyses found that these effects were partly influenced by depression. CONCLUSION: Lupus remission could improve the HRQoL of SLE patients, particularly when associated with appropriate management of depression and fatigue.

Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: case series and literature review.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Low-dose aspirin, hydroxychloroquine and statins have been suggested to play a prophylactic role of cardiovascular events. This study is devoted to reviewing the literature on the topic and assessing the effects of these drugs in preventing a first cardiovascular event in a two-centre Italian series. Methods A PubMed search on cardiovascular prevention in systemic lupus erythematosus was performed. Moreover, systemic lupus erythematosus patients admitted to two centres from 2000-2015, who at admission had not experienced any cardiovascular event, were investigated. Aspirin, hydroxychloroquine and statin use, and the occurrence of any cardiovascular event, were recorded at each visit. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the role of traditional, disease-related cardiovascular risk factors and of each of the three drugs in the occurrence of new cardiovascular events. Results The literature search produced conflicting results. Two hundred and ninety-one systemic lupus erythematosus patients were included in the study and followed for a median of eight years. During follow-up, 16 cardiovascular events occurred. At multivariate analysis, taking aspirin (hazard ratio: 0.24) and hydroxychloroquine for more than five years (hazard ratio: 0.27) reduced, while antiphospholipid antibody positivity (hazard ratio: 4.32) increased, the risk of a first cardiovascular event. No effect of statins emerged. Conclusion Our study confirms an additive role of aspirin and hydroxychloroquine in the primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular events in Italian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The lack of any detected effect in previous reports may depend on the design of studies and their short follow-up period.

Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in elderly patients with primary Sjögren syndrome: a duplex Doppler sonographic study.

A growing body of evidence presents a link between chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and atherosclerosis. To evaluate subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in an elderly group of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome compared with a control group matched for age, sex, ethnicity and cardiovascular risk factors, we enrolled 18 patients with Primary Sjögren Syndrome (mean age 65 ± 5.93 SD) and 18 mild Ostheoarthritic patients (mean age 66 ± 5.94 SD) from the outpatient department of Rheumatology, University “Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy, matched for age, sex, ethnicity and cardiovascular risk factors. A duplex Doppler sonographic study of carotids was performed in order to evaluate intima-media thickness (IMT), stiffness and haemodynamic parameters [resistivity and pulsatility indices (RI and PI, respectively)]. No significant difference was found between primary Sjögren syndrome and control patients in IMT, stiffness and haemodynamic parameters. The lack of significant difference in subclinical atherosclerosis between elderly primary Sjögren syndrome and control matched patients, indicates that traditional cardiovascular risk factors, immunologic alterations and chronic inflammation do not influence the progression of vascular damage in the carotid circulation of patients with median disease duration of 6.5 years.

Sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and relationship quality in women with systemic sclerosis: correlation with clinical variables.

To assess the rate of sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and relationship quality and their association with clinical variables in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc), 102 sexually active women with SSc were recruited. Sexual distress, sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction with relationship quality were investigated by Female Sexual Distress Scale Revised (FSDS-R), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), respectively. The patients underwent medical examinations and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). Of the 102 patients, 37 (36%) reported sexual distress with FSDS-R score >11, 45 (44%) had sexual dysfunction with FSFI score <19 and 49 (48%) were not satisfied with relationship quality with DAS score <100. There was a negative correlation (p<0.001, R= -0.30) between FSDS-R and FSFI. No correlation was found between FSDS-R and DAS. FSFI showed a positive correlation with DAS (p<0.0001, R= 0.36). Age correlated negatively (p<0.05, R= -0.26) with FSFI, while FSDS-R and DAS did not correlate (p>0.05) with age. SSc women with digital ulcers (DU) had a reduction of FSFI and DAS compared with women without DU. In patients with late capillaroscopic pattern, mean value of FSFI was significantly lower than the other two capillaroscopic patterns. DAS decreased with progression of capillaroscopic damage. In a high percentage of women with SSc FSDS-R was increased, while FSFI and DAS were reduced. Age correlated negatively with FSFI, while skin score showed a negative correlation with DAS. Digital vascular damage negatively influenced FSFI and DAS.

Meningeal involvement in Wegener granulomatosis: case report and review of the literature.

Wegener Granulomatosis (WG) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis that most commonly involves the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and kidneys. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is infrequent and can cause stroke, cranial nerve abnormalities, cerebrovascular events, seizures, and meningeal involvement. Meningeal involvement is rare and may occur due to local vasculitis, directly spread from adjacent disease in the skull base, paranasal or orbital region. We describe the case of a 20-year-old Caucasian man who was diagnosed with sinonasal WG with frontal focal meningeal involvement. A literature review on diagnosis and treatment of meningeal involvement in course of WG was carried out. The importance of an early diagnosis and treatment of localized WG has been emphasized, in order to avoid the progression to a severe form of disease, especially in younger patients and in paucisymptomatic cases.

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without neuropsychiatric manifestations: a neck and transcranial duplex sonography study.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are not rarely associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Magnetic resonance angiography and positron emission tomography can provide excellent images of cerebral perfusion and metabolism whereas information is still lacking on a possible diagnostic role of ultrasound. In this study we aim to assess whether duplex sonography of neck and intracranial vessels may be useful in distinguishing patients with and without neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). Neck and transcranial duplex sonography was performed by a single operator on 33 women affected by SLE (mean age +/- SD: 47.69+/-8.17 years) and on 15 healthy control subjects. Nineteen patients presented NPSLE. Pulsatility and resistivity indices (PI and RI) were automatically calculated by the ultrasound instrument in internal carotid (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA), on both sides, according to standard methods. No significant haemodynamic differences were found in mean and median PI and RI values of ICA and MCA comparing SLE with NPSLE patients and with healthy control subjects. No correlation was found between MCA and ICA parameters in the same group of patients. Duplex sonography of cerebral vessels is unable to distinguish SLE and NPSLE patients. Heterogeneity of causes in the pathogenesis of NPSLE and the different vascular adaptation of cerebral macrocirculation as opposed to cerebral microcirculation may represent possible reasons that explain the inability of ultrasound to differentiate SLE patients from NPSLE patients.

Transient global amnesia as the first symptom of primary antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report.

We describe the case of a 45-year-old woman who had drawn our attention for some recent episodes of transient global amnesia that, upon further examination, resulted from ischemic events caused by multiple arterial thrombosis (bilateral internal carotid occlusion, significant stenosis of the right external carotid, mild stenosis of the right vertebral artery, right anterior cerebral artery occlusion and severe stenosis of the anterior descending coronary artery) due to primary antiphospholipid syndrome. Revascularisation of either carotid was not attempted. A percutaneous intervention in the anterior descending coronary artery stenosis was performed successfully. Due to severe arterial thrombosis, the patient was discharged with only duplex antiplatelet treatment and subcutaneous anticoagulant therapy, since immunotherapy is not indicated in primary APS. The occurrence of transient global amnesia should raise the suspicion of APS.

Cytokines expression in SLE nephritis.

Renal involvement is a common manifestation in course of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and may occur at any time. In SLE nephritis, the pattern of glomerular injury is primarily related to the formation of the immune deposits in situ, due major to antidouble-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and anti- C1q. Immune complexes deposits can induce the inflammatory response by activation of adhesion molecules on endothelium, resulting in the recruitment of pro inflammatory leukocytes. Activated and damaged glomerular cells, infiltrating macrophages, B and T cells produced cytokines that play a pivotal role as inflammatory mediators to extend renal injury. In serum of SLE patients, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-17, IL-12, INF-gamma, IL-18, IL-10 and TNF-alpha are higher than healthy people and this increase correlate with disease activity. It is well established possible correlation between urinary cytokines levels (IL-6, IL-10, INF-gamma and TGF-beta) and disease activity. In fact, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) correlate with cytokines over-expression, in particular IL-17, IL-10, TNF-alpha and the axis INF-gamma/IL-12. Recent studies are promising about proteinuria reduction and improving renal function through cytokine blockade therapy.

Apoptosis and autoimmunity induced by clodronate in systemic lupus erythematosus mononuclear circulating cells.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of clodronate on apoptosis of human systemic lupus erythematosus circulating mononuclear cells and to analyze possible correlations with changes in autoantibody production in vitro. Lympho-monocytes from 20 SLE patients were isolated and incubated with or without addition of 1 microM clodronate for 72 hours. Apoptosis and release of genomic material was assessed by immunofluorescent detection of cleaved caspase-3 and by Cell-Death-Detection ELISAPLUS kit (Roche). Anti-Nucleosome IgG and anti-dsDNA IgM and IgG autoantibody levels were determined in supernatants by commercially available ELISA kits. Clodronate induced apoptosis in monocytes as confirmed by cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining and by quantification of cleaved nucleosome in the supernatants (treated 0.22+/-0.05 O.D. vs untreated 0.09+/-0.04 O.D.; P less than 0.001). This finding was coupled with a significant increasing in supernatants of IgG anti-Nucleosome (treated 6.5+/-1.1 vs untreated 5.5+/-0.6 IU/mL; p=0.001) and IgM (treated 3.0+/-1.3 vs 2.2+/-0.9 IU/mL; p=0.02) and IgG (treated 4.0+/-1.8 vs untreated 2.8+/-1.5 IU/mL; p=0.02) anti-dsDNA autoantibody levels. Our findings stressed the pro-apoptotic activity of clodronate, as well as its potential autoimmunity induction in SLE mononuclear circulating cells. Clinical studies could clarify the role of bisphosphonates on autoantibody production and worsening of disease activity.

[BAFF/APRIL pathway in Sjögren syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship with chronic inflammation and disease activity]. / Pathway BAFF/APRIL nella sindrome di Sjögren e nel lupus eritematoso sistemico: relazione con infiammazione cronica e attività di malattia.

OBJECTIVES: BAFF and APRIL belong to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily and are crucial for the survival, maturation, and differentiation of B cells. Aim of the study is to evaluate BAFF and APRIL in patients affected by Sjögren syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Sixty patients, (40 SLE, 20 SS) and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects were evaluated for laboratory data (ESR, CRP, immunoglobulin G, A and M, complement fragments C3 and C4, LDH, beta2microglobulin, serum levels of rheumatoid factor), autoantibodies (ANA; ENA-SSA, -SSB, -Sm) and lymphocytes subpopulations. For patients, disease activity and damage indexes were assessed with the use of SLEDAI and SLICC and SSDAI and SSDDI for SLE and SS, respectively. BAFF and APRIL were determined by commercial sandwich ELISA kit (R&D Systems, Bender MedSystem). Statistical analysis has been performed with software Prism (Graphpad Instat, version 5.00). RESULTS: APRIL levels were higher among SLE and SS patients compared to controls (p<0.0001, and p0.0001, respectively). BAFF levels in SLE were significantly higher than in SS (p<0.0001). We found higher BAFF levels in SLE and SS compared to controls (p<0.0001). Among SLE patients APRIL correlated with SLEDAI (r 0.3, p 0.04), SLICC (r 0.5,p 0.001), ESR (r 0.3, p 0.005) and CRP (r 0.4, p 0.02). Among SS patients APRIL correlated with SSDAI (r 0.4, p 0.02), SSDDI (r 0.4, p0.01), IgG (r 0.5, p0.01), ESR (r 0.6, p 0.01), CRP (r 0.6, p 0.02) and CD19 B lymphocytes absolute count (r 0.4, p 0.04); BAFF correlated with SSDDI (r 0.7, p 0.004) and CD19 B lymphocytes absolute count (r 0.5, p 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this study we showed a correlation between disease activity, damage indexes and BAFF/APRIL levels in SLE and SS patients suggesting a role in the strong activation of the immune system in patients with active disease.

Evaluation of the influence of social, demographic, environmental, work-related factors and/or lifestyle habits on Raynaud's phenomenon: a case-control study.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a clinical disorder characterized by recurrent, reversible episodes of digital vasospasm. RP can be classified as primary (pRP) or secondary, depending on whether it occurs as a benign condition (not disease-associated) or is associated with other diseases, mainly of the connective tissues. In both cases, it can be triggered by environmental factors, as indicated by the increased incidence of pRP episodes following exposure to cold, vibration injury or chemicals. The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to assess, in an Italian cohort of 132 pRP patients, the association of the phenomenon with demographic, lifestyle habits, environmental and work-related factors. Compared to healthy controls, pRP was found to be inversely associated with the use of contact lenses (OR = 0.4; p = 0.004) and of chlorous-based disinfectants (OR = 0.3; p < 0.001) and directly associated with the presence of prosthesis implants (OR = 5.3; p = 0.001) and the use of hydrogen peroxide-based compounds (OR = 2.6; p = 0.002), suggesting that the latter should be avoided in RP affected patients. Multivariate and multivariable analysis confirmed the associations. Further investigations are needed to understand the mechanism(s) underlying these findings.

N-acetylcysteine infusion improves hepatic perfusion in the early stages of systemic sclerosis.

The aim of our study is to evaluate portal and hepatic hemodynamic changes after N-acetylcysteine infusion in patients with systemic sclerosis. In an open-label study 40 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were treated with 15 mg/kg/hour intravenous N-acetylcysteine for 5 consecutive hours in a single day. Hepatic flow volume, congestion index, portal flow volume, resistance index and pulse rate index were measured in each subject before and after infusion. In all patients mean hepatic flow volume (HFV) and mean portal flow volume (PFV) values after the five-hour infusion with NAC increased not significantly. In 22 selected patients with active capillaroscopic pattern, modified Rodnan Total Skin Score (mRTSS)<18 and mild-moderate score to vascular domain of disease severity scale (DSS), mean HFV increased significantly when compared with mean HFV of 18 SSc patients with late capillaroscopic pattern, mRTSS>18 and severe-end stage score to vascular domain of DSS. The results of our study demonstrate that NAC is able to increase HFV and total liver perfusion after a single infusion in SSc patients with low disease activity and severity scores.

Apoptotic molecular mechanisms implicated in autoimmune diseases.

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death that represents a normal component of the development, differentiation and health of multicellular organisms leading to an adequate cellular turnover and homeostasis. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system recognizes various autoantigens causing damage in target organs. Dead cells represent an important source of autoantigens that, in particular conditions, can represent a stimulus for an autoimmune response. A large number of studies reported the impairment of the apoptosis regulatory mechanisms in immune cells as a pivotal element in the pathogenesis and evolution of autoimmune disorders. Several pathogenetic pathways have been claimed to account for autoimmunity development during apoptotic processes. In fact, interestingly abnormalities potentially leading to immune disorders have been described as occurring in each step involved in apoptosis, from the very beginning to the post death phenomena. In this extent we propose a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms strictly leading to apoptosis with particular interest to their alterations, potentially causing tissue specific and/or systemic autoimmunity.

Anti-D4GDI antibodies activate platelets in vitro: a possible link with thrombocytopenia in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is a manifestation associated with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), and many studies have stressed the leading role played by platelets in the pathogenesis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Platelets are highly specialized cells, and their activation involves a series of rapid rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. Recently, we described the presence of autoantibodies against D4GDI (Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor beta, ARHGDIB) in the serum of a large subset of SLE patients, and we observed that anti-D4GDI antibodies activated the cytoskeleton remodeling of lymphocytes by inhibiting D4GDI and allowing the upregulation of Rho GTPases, such as Rac1. Proteomic and transcriptomic studies indicate that D4GDI is very abundant in platelets, and small GTPases of the RHO family are critical regulators of actin dynamics in platelets. METHODS: We enrolled 38 PAPS patients, 15 patients carrying only antiphospholipid antibodies without clinical criteria of APS (aPL carriers) and 20 normal healthy subjects. Sera were stored at - 20 °C to perform an ELISA test to evaluate the presence of anti-D4GDI antibodies. Then, we purified autoantibodies anti-D4GDI from patient sera. These antibodies were used to conduct in vitro studies on platelet activation. RESULTS: We identified anti-D4GDI antibodies in sera from 18/38 (47%) patients with PAPS, in sera from 2/15(13%) aPL carriers, but in no sera from normal healthy subjects. Our in vitro results showed a significant 30% increase in the activation of integrin αIIbß3 upon stimulation of platelets from healthy donors preincubated with the antibody anti-D4GDI purified from the serum of APS patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we show here that antibodies anti-D4GDI are present in the sera of PAPS patients and can prime platelet activation, explaining, at least in part, the pro-thrombotic state and the thrombocytopenia of PAPS patients. These findings may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of APS.

Antibodies to carbonic anhydrase in patients with connective tissue diseases: relationship with lung involvement.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of antibodies to carbonic anhydrase I and/or II (ACAI and ACAII) in patients affected by connective tissue diseases (CTD) and to investigate their association with lung involvement evaluated by High resolution CT scan (HRCT). Ninety-six patients affected by CTD were studied, i.e. 33 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 8 psoriatic arthritis (PA), 8 ankylosing spondilitis (AS), 23 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), 10 Sjogren Syndrome (SS), and 14 Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). ACA were detected by ELISA. The lung involvement was evaluated by means of a previously described HRCT score. According to a receiver operator characteristic curve, patients were divided into those with HRCT score > or = 10 and those with HRCT score < 10, where HRCT score > or = 10 was predictive of interstitial lung disease. ACAI and/or ACAII were detected in 30/96 patients (31.2%) (P < 0.0001 in comparison with controls). In particular, the prevalence of ACAI and/or ACAII was significantly higher in patients with RA (P = 0.002), PA (P < 0.0001), SLE (P = 0.0003) and SSc (P < 0.0001). A positive correlation was found between HRCT scores and CRP or ACAI levels (P = < 0.0001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Thirty-nine of 96 patients (40.6%) showed a HRCT score > or = 10 and both their CRP and ACAI levels were significantly higher when compared with patients showing a HRCT score less than 10 (P < 0.0006 and P = 0.0009, respectively). Moreover, C3 and C4 complement fractions inversely correlated with HRCT scores (P = 0.0004 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and lower values of C3 and C4 complement fractions were found in patients with HRCT score > or = 10 than in those with HRCT score less than 10 (P = 0.014 and P = 0.007, respectively). Due to the lower levels of complement fractions detected in patients with HRCT score > or = 10, a possible immune-complex-mediated pathogenic mechanism of lung involvement could be suggested.

Antinuclear antibodies prevalence in Filipinos migrated to Italy.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) represent the main diagnostic markers for systemic autoimmune disease (AD), although their presence can be detected in blood donors. The aim of this study was to study ANA prevalence in healthy subjects of different racial groups, exposed to the same environmental factors, in order to understand the relevance of genetics or environment in determining autoimmunity. We enrolled in this study 80 healthy Filipinos (Polynesian), migrated to Italy from an average of 15 years, and 60 healthy native Italians (Caucasian) and ANA were detected in their sera (at 1:80 screening dilution) through indirect immunofluorescence assay. We found a higher prevalence of ANA positivity in Filipinos compared to Italians (23.7% vs 8.3%--P = 0.02; OR 3.43; 95% CI 1.2-9.8), above all in females and elderly, although demographic characteristics, clinical history and habits were not significantly different between the two groups. These data confirm that ANA positivity is not a rare condition and healthy non-Caucasians present a higher prevalence of autoantibodies. This could be determined by their autoimmunity-prone immune system or by the exposition to infective agents, pollution, drugs or nutrition of a western country. Future studies to evaluate the ANA prevalence in Filipinos in their own country and the follow-up of positive patients could clarify the real predisposition to AD of this population.

[Alexithymia and immunoendocrine parameters in patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis]. / Alessitimia e pathway immunoendocrino nel lupus eritematoso sistemico e nell'artrite reumatoide.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alexithymia in patients affected by SLE or RA and to investigate the correlation between alexithymia and immunoendocrine parameters (PRL, hGH, IL-6 and TNF-alfa). METHODS: Twenty-five patients (12 and 13 affected by SLE and RA, respectively) were enrolled into the study. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) was administered. PRL, hGH, IL-6 and TNF-alfa levels were measured by commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS: Alexithymia prevalence (TAS-20 > or = 51) was 54% in RA and 42% in SLE patients. hGH serum levels were 3.1+/-4.2 and 1.1+/-0.9 IU/ml in SLE and RA, respectively. PRL concentration was 18.4+/-6.5 ng/ml and 14.2+/-4.0 ng/ml in SLE and RA patients, respectively (p=0.03). In RA group, TNF-alpha was 20+/-36.2 whereas in SLE it was 4.9+/-12.8 pg/ml (p=0.03); IL-6 serum concentrations were 24.4+/-25.1 and 2.9+/-5.4 pg/ml, in RA and SLE respectively (p=0.004). The serum level of hGH showed slight increase in alexithymic group (A) compared to non alexithymic group (NA) in both SLE and RA patients. PRL serum levels in SLE-A patients was 26.7+/-17.3 ng/ml while in SLE-NA patients was 12.4+/-3.3 ng/ml (p=0.04). In RA patients increased values of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were present in the A group compared to NA group (IL-6: 35.3+/-28 pg/mL vs 3.5+/-3.9 pg/mL, p=0.01; TNF-alpha: 34.7+/-39 pg/mL vs 3.1+/-3.4 pg/mL, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary results we found an high prevalence of alexithymia and a correlation between immunoendocrine parameters and alexhytimic features in SLE and RA, suggesting that an immunomodulatory pathway could influence this cognitive style in patients with autoimmune disorders. Other studies should contribute to find a common biological pathway linking alexithymia and autoimmunity.

Is fatigue a cause of work disability in systemic lupus erythematosus? Results from a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Fatigue affects the almost totality of Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) patients impairing physical function and leading to a strong reduction of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Similarly, SLE patients have an increased rate of work loss and work limitations. The aim of our paper was to systematically assess the relationship between fatigue and work disability in SLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic review using the terms "fatigue" and "employment", "work disability", "work impairment", "presenteeism" and "absenteeism." RESULTS: 19 studies were identified. Fatigue was involved in the development of work loss. In employed patients, fatigue led to impairment of work productivity and presenteeism with a parallel increase of both direct and indirect health costs. Fatigue also affected parenting and household productivity. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate control of fatigue could improve physical and work performance in SLE patients thus reducing rates of work loss.