Medication Nonadherence in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review

Opportunities and challenges of lupus care in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific: A call to action

Lupus remains a disease with a low prioritisation in the national agendas of many countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, where there is a dearth of rheumatologists and limited access to new or even standard lupus treatments. There is thus an important need for education, advocacy, and outreach to prioritise lupus in these regions to ensure that patients receive the care they need. This article reviews some of the specific challenges facing the care and management of people with lupus in these regions and suggests strategies for improving patient outcomes. Specifically, we review and discuss (with a focus on the aforementioned regions) the epidemiology of lupus; economic costs, disease burden, and effects on quality of life; barriers to care related to disease assessment; barriers to effective treatment, including limitations of standard treatments, high glucocorticoid use, inadequate access to new treatments, and low adherence to medications; and strategies to improve lupus management and patient outcomes. We hope that this represents a call to action to come together and act now for the lupus community, policymakers, health authorities, and healthcare professionals to improve lupus management and patient outcomes in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

Osteoporosis and fracture risk are multifactorial in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (iRMDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitides and spondyloarthropathies are at a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures than are individuals without iRMDs. Research and management recommendations for osteoporosis in iRMDs often focus on glucocorticoids as the most relevant risk factor, but they largely ignore disease-related and general risk factors. However, the aetiopathogenesis of osteoporosis in iRMDs has many facets, including the negative effects on bone health of local and systemic inflammation owing to disease activity, other iRMD-specific risk factors such as disability or malnutrition (for example, malabsorption in systemic sclerosis), and general risk factors such as older age and hormonal loss resulting from menopause. Moreover, factors that can reduce fracture risk, such as physical activity, healthy nutrition, vitamin D supplementation and adequate treatment of inflammation, are variably present in patients with iRMDs. Evidence relating to general and iRMD-specific protective and risk factors for osteoporosis indicate that the established and very often used term 'glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis' oversimplifies the complex inter-relationships encountered in patients with iRMDs. Osteoporosis in these patients should instead be described as 'multifactorial'. Consequently, a multimodal approach to the management of osteoporosis is required. This approach should include optimal control of disease activity, minimization of glucocorticoids, anti-osteoporotic drug treatment, advice on physical activity and nutrition, and prevention of falls, as well as the management of other risk and protective factors, thereby improving the bone health of these patients.

Factors associated with non-adherence to medications in systemic lupus erythematosus: Results from a Swedish survey

OBJECTIVE

To identify determinants of medication non-adherence in a Swedish population of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Patients with SLE from Karolinska and Örebro University Hospitals participated in a survey-based cross-sectional study. Demographics, disease activity, organ damage, HRQoL (LupusQol, EQ-5D-5 L), medication non-adherence (<80% on CQR-19 or MASRI) and beliefs about medicines (BMQ) were registered. MASRI was used to report adherence to different drugs/drug classes, categorised into (i) antimalarial agents (AMA), (ii) glucocorticoids and (iii) other SLE medications. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, disease activity and organ damage.

RESULTS

Among 205 respondents, the median age was 52.0 years (IQR: 34.0-70.0), 86.3% were women, 66.8% were non-adherent to their medications according to CQR-19, and 6.6% and 6.3% were non-adherent to AMA and glucocorticoids, respectively, according to MASRI. Positive beliefs about glucocorticoids (OR; 95% CI: 0.77; 0.59-0.99; p = .039) and medications overall (0.71; 0.52-0.97; p = .029) were protective against non-adherence to glucocorticoids. Anxiety/depression (3.09; 1.12-8.54; p = .029), medication concerns (1.12; 1.05-1.20; p < .001) and belief that medications are overused (1.30; 1.15-1.46; p < .001) or harmful (1.36; 1.19-1.56; p < .001) were associated with medication non-adherence (CQR-19); beliefs in the necessity of medications (0.73; 0.65-0.82; p < .001) and positive beliefs in medications were protective (0.72; 0.60-0.86; p < .001). No associations were found between other investigated factors and medication non-adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Beliefs about medications were a major determinant of medication non-adherence. Patient education may help alleviate the negative impact of misinformation/unawareness on adherence.

Interpreting hydroxychloroquine blood levels for medication non-adherence: a pharmacokinetic study

OBJECTIVE

Characterise the relationship between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blood levels and the number of missed doses, accounting for dosage, dose timing and the large variability in pharmacokinetics (PK) between patients.

METHODS

We externally validated a published PK model and then conducted dosing simulations. We developed a virtual population of 1000 patients for each dosage across a range of body weights and PK variability. Using the model, 10 Monte Carlo simulations for each patient were conducted to derive predicted whole blood concentrations every hour over 24 hours (240 000 HCQ levels at steady state). To determine the impact of missed doses on levels, we randomly deleted a fixed proportion of doses.

RESULTS

For patients receiving HCQ 400 mg daily, simulated random blood levels <200 ng/mL were exceedingly uncommon in fully adherent patients (<0.1%). In comparison, with 80% of doses missed, approximately 60% of concentrations were <200 ng/mL. However, this cut-off was highly insensitive and would miss many instances of severe non-adherence. Average levels quickly dropped to <200 ng/mL after 2-4 days of missed doses. Additionally, mean levels decreased by 29.9% between peak and trough measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose an algorithm to optimally interpret HCQ blood levels and approximate the number of missed doses, incorporating the impact of dosage, dose timing and pharmacokinetic variability. No single cut-off has adequate combinations of both sensitivity and specificity, and cut-offs are dependent on the degree of targeted non-adherence. Future studies should measure trough concentrations to better identify target HCQ levels for non-adherence and efficacy.

Subtherapeutic hydroxychloroquine concentration is associated with increased disease activity and greater organ damage in lupus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of the serum HCQ concentration on clinical manifestations, disease activity and organ damage in a longitudinal cohort of SLE patients.

METHODS

The 338 SLE patients were assessed with respect to their demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), adjusted mean SLEDAI-2000 (AMS) and SLICC Damage Index (SDI) annually for 5 consecutive years. Patients were divided into two groups according to their serum HCQ concentration at baseline: subtherapeutic (<500 ng/ml) and therapeutic (≥500 ng/ml) groups. The impact of the HCQ concentration on the clinical outcomes was evaluated in a longitudinal analysis using a generalized estimating equation (GEE).

RESULTS

Of the 338 patients, 287 (84.9%) were in the subtherapeutic group at baseline. This group had a higher incidence of newly developed LN (P = 0.036) and had been prescribed higher mean and cumulative doses of prednisolone (P = 0.003 and P = 0.013, respectively) than the therapeutic group. In multivariable analyses based on GEE, the subtherapeutic group had a higher AMS score (β = 1.398, 95% CI 0.607, 2.189; P < 0.001), higher PGA score (β = 0.328, 95% CI 0.215, 0.441; P < 0.001) and higher SDI score (β = 0.366, 95% CI 0.061, 0.671; P = 0.019) across all 5 years.

CONCLUSION

The subtherapeutic HCQ concentration was associated with the development of new-onset LN, and had significant associations with disease activity and cumulative organ damage in SLE patients over time.

Antimalarial Adherence and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the association between antimalarial adherence and cardiovascular events between incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) population-based cohorts.

METHODS

All patients with incident RA/SLE and incident antimalarial use in British Columbia, Canada, between January 1997 and March 2015 were identified using provincial administrative databases. The outcomes were incident cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or venous thromboembolism (VTE). The exposure was antimalarial adherence with levels: discontinuation (proportion of days covered [PDC = 0]), nonadherence (0 < PDC < 0.90), and adherence (PDC ≥ 0.90). We used marginal structural models to estimate the effect of antimalarial adherence on the rate of cardiovascular events, accounting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 16,538 individuals with incident RA/SLE and incident antimalarial use without any cardiovascular event before the index date. Over nine years mean follow-up, 2,174 incident cardiovascular events (13.2%) were observed. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for incident cardiovascular events for antimalarial adherence relative to discontinuation was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.81) and 1.01 (95% CI 0.90-1.14) for nonadherence. Additionally, the aHRs for all cardiovascular events, MI, stroke, and VTE for adherence relative to nonadherence was 0.71 (95% CI 0.61-0.82), 0.62 (95% CI 0.51-0.75), 0.45 (95% CI 0.36-0.58), and 0.65 (95% CI 0.46-0.93), respectively. We found older age modified the association between antimalarial adherence and cardiovascular events (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

When people newly diagnosed with RA or SLE take their antimalarial regularly as prescribed (PDC ≥ 0.90), they have a 29% lower risk of sustaining a cardiovascular event than patients with a lower degree of adherence (PDC < 0.90) and a 28% lower risk than if they discontinue antimalarials.

Systematic Review of Health-Related Quality of Life Impact in Juvenile Localized Scleroderma

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence and types of psychosocial complications of juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS), also known as morphea, an inflammatory and sclerosing disease involving the skin, fascia, muscle, and bone, are poorly understood.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2020 in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Skin Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature using the search terms "scleroderma, localized," "Morphea," "anxiety," "depression," "resilience," "social stigma," "quality of life," "mood," or "stress" and limited the search to pediatric patients and English language. Patient demographics, characteristics of JLS, and comorbidities were extracted. The outcomes included measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychosocial functioning, evaluation of self-perception, and the treatment burden of the study population. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021257124). Thematic synthesis generated descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: three retrospective cohort studies, two prospective cohort studies, and eight cross-sectional studies. A total of 690 pediatric patients with JLS were included (n = 484 with linear scleroderma). Six studies used the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index, reporting little to no effect on HRQoL. One study used the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents Questionnaire and did not find differences between children with JLS or atopic dermatitis and healthy controls. One study used a self-perception questionnaire that showed normal self-worth of patients with JLS. Two studies used focus groups, both reporting elevated levels of stress, decreased self-worth, "feeling different," and bullying/teasing in patients with JLS. These emotions were associated with skin symptoms (pain, itch, and tightness), physical limitations, and treatment burden.

CONCLUSION

Overall, quantitative studies did not report a statistically significant impairment in HRQoL in JLS. However, qualitative studies (focus groups) reported significant psychosocial impacts related to JLS. There is a need to develop a JLS-specific tool for the HRQoL evaluation of this population.

Belimumab and antimalarials combined against renal flares in patients treated for extra-renal systemic lupus erythematosus: results from 4 phase III clinical trials

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of antimalarial agents (AMA) and different doses and pharmaceutical forms of belimumab on preventing renal flares in patients with SLE treated for extra-renal disease.

METHODS

We pooled data from the BLISS-52, BLISS-76, BLISS-SC and BLISS-Northeast Asia trials of belimumab (n = 3225), that included patients with active SLE yet no severe ongoing nephritis. Participants were allocated to receive intravenous belimumab 1 mg/kg, intravenous belimumab 10 mg/kg, subcutaneous belimumab 200 mg, or placebo in addition to standard therapy. We estimated hazards of renal flare development throughout the study follow-up (52-76 weeks) using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 192 patients developed a renal flare after a median of 197 days. Compared with placebo, the risk of renal flares was lower among patients receiving intravenous belimumab 10 mg/kg (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.92; P = 0.018) and intravenous belimumab 1 mg/kg (HR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.79; P = 0.007), while no significant association was found for subcutaneous belimumab 200 mg. AMA use yielded a lower hazard of renal flares (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.78; P < 0.001). The protection conferred was enhanced when belimumab and AMA were co-administered; the lowest flare rate was observed for the combination intravenous belimumab 1 mg/kg and AMA (18.5 cases per 1000 person-years).

CONCLUSIONS

The protection conferred from belimumab against renal flare development in patients treated for extra-renal SLE appears enhanced when belimumab was administered along with AMA. The prominent effect of low-dose belimumab warrants investigation of the efficacy of intermediate belimumab doses.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFICATION

BLISS-52: NCT00424476; BLISS-76: NCT00410384; BLISS-SC: NCT01484496; BLISS-NEA: NCT01345253.

A qualitative study of facilitators of medication adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus: Perspectives from rheumatology providers/staff and patients

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects patients from racial and ethnic minority groups. Medication adherence is lower among these patient populations, and nonadherence is associated with worse health outcomes. We aimed to identify factors that enable adherence to immunosuppressive medications among patients with SLE from racial and ethnic minority groups.

METHODS

Using a qualitative descriptive study design, we conducted in-depth interviews with purposefully selected (1) patients with SLE from racial and ethnic minority groups who were taking immunosuppressants and (2) lupus providers and staff. We focused on adherence facilitators, asking patients to describe approaches supporting adherence and for overcoming common adherence challenges and providers and staff to describe actions they can take to foster patient adherence. We used applied thematic analysis and categorized themes using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) model.

RESULTS

We interviewed 12 patients (4 adherent and 8 nonadherent based on medication possession ratio) and 12 providers and staff. Although each patient described a unique set of facilitators, patients most often described social support, physical well-being, reminders, and ability to acquire medications as facilitators. Providers also commonly mentioned reminders and easy medication access as facilitators as well as patient education/communication and empowerment.

CONCLUSION

Using an established behavioral change model, we categorized a breadth of adherence facilitators within each domain of the COM-B model while highlighting patients' individual approaches. Our findings suggest that an optimal adherence intervention may require a multi-modal and individually tailored approach including components from each behavioral domain-ensuring medication access (Capability) and utilizing reminders and social support (Opportunity), while coupled with internal motivation through improved communication and empowerment (Motivation).

Challenges to medication adherence with intranasal corticosteroid irrigations

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate real-world adherence to intranasal corticosteroid irrigations using pharmacy data and assess factors associated with low adherence.

METHODS

Patients undergoing treatment with corticosteroid irrigations for any diagnosis during a 2-year period were prospectively recruited. Subjects completed a one-time set of questionnaires including the Barriers to Care Questionnaire (BCQ), 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and a questionnaire assessing their experience with corticosteroid irrigations. Pharmacy data was used to calculate the medication possession ratio (MPR), a measure of medication adherence graded from 0 to 1.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients were enrolled. Patient diagnoses included chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyps (n = 37), CRS with nasal polyps (n = 24), or a non-CRS diagnosis, most commonly chronic rhinitis (n = 10). The MPR for the overall group was 0.44 ± 0.33. Just 9.9% of patients had a perfect MPR of 1. Despite low MPR, only 19.7% of patients reported problems taking the medication when directly asked. Lower education resulted in lower MPR (unstandardized B = 0.065, p = 0.046). Increasing BCQ score, indicating higher barriers to care, was associated with lower MPR (unstandardized B = -0.010, p = 0.033). The lower the MPR, the worse the patient SNOT-22 scores (unstandardized B = -15.980, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Adherence to corticosteroid irrigations was low and patients underreported issues with their medication. Education and barriers to care were associated with lower adherence, which, in turn, was associated with worse sinonasal quality of life.

Polypharmacy prevalence and associated factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A single-centre, cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to clarify factors associated with polypharmacy among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

METHODS

This single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the medical records and questionnaire data of 261 systemic lupus erythematosus patients at a teaching hospital in Japan from 1 September to 30 November 2020. Polypharmacy was defined as the regular administration of five or more oral medications; excessive polypharmacy consisted of the regular use of 10 or more oral medications. This study investigated (1) the prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, (2) the distribution of medication types, and (3) the factors associated with polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy.

RESULTS

The proportions of patients who exhibited polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were 70% and 19%, respectively. Polypharmacy was associated with older age, long duration of systemic lupus erythematosus, high disease activity, and administration of glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents. Excessive polypharmacy was associated with a higher updated Charlson comorbidity index, history of visits to multiple internal medicine clinics, and presence of public assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are related to medical aspects such as disease severity and comorbidities in addition to social aspects such as hospital visitation patterns and economic status.

Clinical patterns of disease: From early systemic lupus erythematosus to late-onset disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease with an insidious clinical presentation. In up to half of the cases, SLE onset is characterized by clinical and serological manifestations that, although specific, are insufficient to fulfill the classification criteria. This condition, called incomplete SLE, could be as challenging as the definite and classifiable SLE and requires to be treated according to the severity of clinical manifestations. In addition, an early SLE diagnosis and therapeutic intervention can positively influence the disease outcome, including remission rate and damage accrual. After diagnosis, the disease course is relapsing-remitting for most patients. Time in remission and cumulative glucocorticoid exposure are the most important factors for prognosis. Therefore, timely identification of SLE clinical patterns may help tailor the therapeutic intervention to the disease course. Late-onset SLE is rare but more often associated with delayed diagnosis and a higher incidence of comorbidities, including Sjogren's syndrome. This review focuses on the SLE disease course, providing actionable strategies for early diagnosis, an overview of the possible clinical patterns of SLE, and the clinical variation associated with the different age-at-onset SLE groups.

Disparities in Lupus and the Role of Social Determinants of Health: Current State of Knowledge and Directions for Future Research

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The complex relationships between race and ethnicity and social determinants of health (SDOH) in influencing SLE and its course are increasingly appreciated. Multiple SDOH have been strongly associated with lupus incidence and outcomes and contribute to health disparities in lupus. Measures of socioeconomic status, including economic instability, poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, as well as features of the neighborhood and built environment, including lack of safe and affordable housing, crime, stress, racial segregation, and discrimination, are associated with race and ethnicity in the US and are risk factors for poor outcomes in lupus. In this scientific statement, we aimed to summarize current evidence on the role of SDOH in relation to racial and ethnic disparities in SLE and SLE outcomes, primarily as experienced in the U.S. Lupus Foundation of America's Health Disparities Advisory Panel, comprising 10 health disparity experts, including academic researchers and patients, who met 12 times over the course of 18 months in assembling and reviewing the data for this study. Sources included articles published from 2011 to 2023 in PubMed, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, and bibliographies and recommendations. Search terms included lupus, race, ethnicity, and SDOH domains. Data were extracted and synthesized into this scientific statement. Poorer neighborhoods correlate with increased damage, reduced care, and stress-induced lupus flares. Large disparities in health care affordability, accessibility, and acceptability exist in the US, varying by region, insurance status, and racial and minority groups. Preliminary interventions targeted social support, depression, and shared-decision-making, but more research and intervention implementation and evaluation are needed. Disparities in lupus across racial and ethnic groups in the US are driven by SDOH, some of which are more easily remediable than others. A multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach involving various stakeholder groups is needed to address these complex challenges, address these diminish disparities, and improve outcomes.

Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Diabetes Mellitus: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to determine whether diabetes mellitus (DM) increases ESRD risk in a large inception cohort of SLE patients.

METHODS

By means of the Danish National Patient Registry, we identified 3,178 adult patients diagnosed as having SLE between January 1, 1996, and July 31, 2018. DM was defined as the date of first hospital contact for DM or date of a first prescription of an antidiabetic drug. ESRD was defined as first registration of dialysis, renal transplant, or terminal renal insufficiency in the Danish National Patient Registry. ESRD incidence was compared between SLE patients with DM (SLE-DM) and those without DM (SLE-non-DM). Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for sex, age, educational level, and occupational status at baseline were calculated for sex, age, educational level, and hypertension (at baseline or during follow-up) strata. The overall hazard ratio (HR) was also adjusted for hypertension.

RESULTS

The SLE-DM group included 290 patients, of whom 77% were female, compared with 85% of the 2,859 patients in the SLE-non-DM group. SLE-DM patients had a 3 times higher risk of ESRD compared with SLE-non-DM patients (multivariable-adjusted HR 3.3 [95% confidence interval 1.8-6.1]). In stratified multivariable-adjusted analyses, DM increased the rate of ESRD in women and men, patients ≥50 years old at baseline, those with low educational level at baseline, and those with concomitant hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that SLE patients with DM have a markedly higher risk of developing ESRD compared with SLE patients without DM.

Centrally acting ACE inhibitor (cACEi) and angiotensin receptor blocker (cARB) use and cognitive dysfunction in patients with SLE

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is detectable in approximately 40% of patients with SLE. Despite this high prevalence, there are no approved pharmacological treatment options for this detrimental condition. Preliminary murine studies show potential for targeting microglial activation as a treatment of SLE-CD, which may be ameliorated with centrally acting ACE inhibitor (cACEi) and angiotensin receptor blocker (cARB) use. The aim of this study is to determine if there is an association of cACEi/cARB use with cognitive function in a human SLE cohort.

METHODS

The American College of Rheumatology neuropsychological battery was administered to patients with consecutive SLE at a single academic health centre at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Scores were compared with sex-matched and age-matched control subjects. Clinical and demographic data were gathered at each visit. The primary outcome was CD defined as dysfunction in two or more cognitive domains. The primary predictor was a total cumulative dose of cACEi/cARB in milligrams per kilogram, recorded as an equivalent ramipril dose. Odds of CD with respect to cACEi/cARB use were determined through generalised linear mixed modelling.

RESULTS

A total of 300 patients, representing 676 visits, completed this study. One hundred sixteen (39%) met the criteria for CD. Fifty-three participants (18%) were treated with a cACEi or cARB. Mean cumulative dose was 236 mg/kg (calculated as equivalent ramipril dose). Cumulative cACEi/cARB dose was not protective against SLE-CD. Caucasian ethnicity, current employment status and azathioprine cumulative dose were each associated with reduced odds of SLE-CD. Increasing Fatigue Severity Scale score was associated with increased odds of CD.

CONCLUSIONS

In a single-centre SLE cohort, cACEi/cARB use was not associated with absence of CD. Many important confounders may have influenced the results of this retrospective study. A randomised trial is required to accurately determine if cACEi/cARB is a potential treatment for SLE-CD.

Clarifying misbeliefs about hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): developing the HCQ benefits versus harm decision aid (HCQ-SAFE) per low health literacy standards

BACKGROUND

Up to 83% of patients with SLE stop taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) within the first year due to knowledge gaps regarding the survival benefits of HCQ versus inflated fears of rare toxicity. Thus, there is a need for a shared decision-making tool that highlights HCQ's significant benefits versus rare harms to improve patients' understanding and align treatments with their values. The objective of this study was to describe development and piloting of a decision aid (HCQ-SAFE) to facilitate HCQ adherence, and safe, effective use by engaging patients in therapeutic decision-making.

METHODS

HCQ-SAFE was developed via a collaborative process involving patients, clinicians, implementation scientists and health literacy experts. The initial prototype was informed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) low literacy principles and key themes about HCQ use from six prior patient and clinician focus groups, with iterative expert and stakeholder feedback to deliver a final prototype. We implemented HCQ-SAFE in four clinics to examine usability and feasibility on Likert scales (0-7) and net promoter score (0%-100%).

RESULTS

The final HCQ-SAFE shared decision-making laminated tool organises data using pictograms showing how HCQ use reduces risk of organ damage, early death and blood clots versus low risk of eye toxicity.HCQ-SAFE was reviewed in all eligible patient visits (n=40) across four clinics on an average of ~8 min, including 25% non-English-speaking patients. All patients scored 100% on the knowledge post-test; no decisional conflicts were noted after using HCQ-SAFE. HCQ-SAFE garnered high clinician and patient satisfaction with 100% likelihood to recommend to peers.

CONCLUSIONS

HCQ-SAFE is a stakeholder-informed feasible shared decision-making tool that enhances communication and can potentially improve knowledge, clarify misbeliefs and engage patients in treatment decisions, including those with limited English proficiency.

Treat-to-Target in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Reality or Pipe Dream

Treat-to-target is a therapeutic approach based on adjustments to treatment at set intervals in order to achieve well-defined, clinically relevant targets. This approach has been successfully applied to many chronic conditions, and in rheumatology promising results have emerged for rheumatoid arthritis. For systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), defining the most meaningful treatment targets has been challenging, due to disease complexity and heterogeneity. Control of disease activity, the reduction of damage accrual and the patient's quality of life should be considered as the main targets in SLE, and several new drugs are emerging to achieve these targets. This review is focused on describing the target to achieve in SLE and the methods to do so, and it is also aimed at discussing if treat-to-target could be a promising approach also for this complex disease.

Does higher quality of care in systemic lupus erythematosus translate to better patient outcomes?

PURPOSE

To assess if high quality of care (QOC) in SLE results in improved outcomes of quality of life (QOL) and non-routine health care utilization (HCU).

METHODS

One hundred and forty consecutive SLE patients were recruited from the Rheumatology clinic at an academic center. Data on QOC and QOL were collected along with demographics, socio-economic, and disease characteristics at baseline. LupusPRO assessing health-related (HR) QOL and non (N)HRQOL was utilized. Follow up QOL and HCU were collected prospectively at 6 months. High QOC was defined as those meeting ≥80% of the eligible quality indicators. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with QOC and high QOC as independent variables and HRQOL and NHRQOL as dependent variables at baseline and follow up. Multivariable models were adjusted for demographics and disease characteristics. Secondary outcomes included non-routine HCU and disease activity at follow up.

RESULTS

Baseline and follow up data on 140 and 94 patients, respectively, were analyzed. Mean (SD) performance rate (QOC) was 78.6 (13.4) with 52% patients in the high QOC group. QOC was associated with better NHRQOL at baseline and follow up but not with HRQOL. Of all the NHRQOL domains, QOC was positively associated with treatment satisfaction. QOC or high QOC were not associated with non-routine HCU and were instead associated with higher disease activity at follow up.

CONCLUSION

Higher QOC predicted better NHRQOL by directly impacting treatment satisfaction in SLE patients in this cohort. Higher QOC, however, was not associated with HRQOL, HCU, or improvement in disease activity at follow up.

Depression in systemic lupus erythematosus: A manifestation of microcirculation dysfunction?

OBJECTIVES

Depression is highly prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Brain hypoperfusion in neuropsychiatric SLE patients might be associated with emotional difficulties. However, no previous study examined possible associations of depression with brain oxygenation during a mild physical stress in non-neuropsychiatric SLE patients. Our study aimed to identify possible differences in cerebral oxygenation during exercise in SLE patients with and without depressive symptoms using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and examine possible underlying mechanisms through evaluation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) levels.

METHODS

SLE patients without a known neuropsychiatric history or treatment with antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs were enrolled. Participants were assigned into groups based on Beck's Depression Inventory I (BDI-I). Patients with BDI-I score ≥10 comprised the SLE-depression group and those with BDI-I score <9 the SLE-non-depression group. All participants underwent a protocol involving a seated rest, a 3-min handgrip exercise (at 30% of maximal strength), and a 3-min recovery. NIRS was used to monitor changes in cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxygenated (HHb), and total hemoglobin (tHb). VCAM-1 levels were measured in serum samples.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were enrolled. During exercise, the SLE-depression group exhibited a significantly lower increase in cerebral O2Hb [(peak-O2Hb (p = 0.039); O2Hb-area under the curve, AUC, p = 0.027) vs. SLE-non-depression group. BDI-I score was inversely correlated with AUC (rho = -0.493, p = 0.017) and positively correlated with VCAM-1 levels (rho = 0.501, p = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a possible association between emotional abnormalities and microvascular impairment (cerebral oxygenation and endothelial dysfunction) in SLE However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

Pilot Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence Among Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using Pharmacy Refill Data

OBJECTIVE

Despite high rates of medication nonadherence among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), effective interventions to improve adherence in SLE are limited. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a pilot intervention and explore its effect on adherence.

METHODS

The intervention used pharmacy refill data to monitor nonadherence and prompt discussions surrounding SLE medications during clinic encounters. Over 12 weeks, the intervention was delivered through routine clinic visits by providers to patients with SLE who take SLE-specific medications. We measured acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility using provider surveys. We also measured acceptability by patient surveys and feasibility by medical record documentation. We explored change in adherence by comparing percent of patients with medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥80% 3 months before and after the intervention visit using the McNemar's test.

RESULTS

Six rheumatologists participated; 130 patients were included in the analysis (median age 43, 95% female, and 59% racial and ethnic minorities). Implementation of the intervention was documented in 89% of clinic notes. Provider surveys showed high scores for feasibility (4.7/5), acceptability (4.4/5), and appropriateness (4.6/5). Among patient surveys, the most common reactions to the intervention visit were feeling determined (32%), empowered (32%), and proud (19%). Proportion of patients with MPR ≥80% increased from 48% to 58% (P = 0.03) after the intervention visit.

CONCLUSION

Our intervention showed feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness and led to a statistically significant improvement in adherence. Future work should refine the intervention, assess its efficacy in a controlled setting, and adapt its use among other clinic settings.

Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and potential risk factors for polypharmacy and prescribing of the potentially inappropriate medications, opioids and benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, in older adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The study population comprised adults age ≥50 years meeting American College of Rheumatology or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria followed at a tertiary care rheumatology clinic. Information on prescriptions filled in the 4 months preceding chart review was obtained from the Manitoba Drug Program Information Network. Clinical data, including age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 score, prednisone use, SLE duration, and rural residence were abstracted from electronic medical records. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess any association between polypharmacy (using 2 definitions: ≥5 and ≥10 medications), potentially inappropriate medication use, and clinical features.

RESULTS

A total of 206 patients (mean age 62 years, 91% female, 36% rural) were included: 148 (72%) filled ≥5 medications, 71 (35%) filled ≥10 medications, 63 (31%) used benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, and 50 (24%) used opioids. Among the 77 patients age ≥65 years, 57 (74%) filled ≥5 medications, and 26 (34%) filled ≥10 medications, compared to 30% and 4%, respectively, of Manitobans age ≥65 years (National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System, 2016). The odds of polypharmacy were greater with prednisone use (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.70 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.40-9.79] for ≥5 medications), CCI score (adjusted OR 1.62 [95% CI 1.20-2.17]), and rural residence (adjusted OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.01-4.18]). Odds of benzodiazepine/Z-drug use were increased with polypharmacy (adjusted OR 4.35 [95% CI 1.69-11.22]), and odds of opioid use were increased with polypharmacy (adjusted OR 6.75 [95% CI 1.93-23.69]) and CCI score (adjusted OR 1.29 [95% CI 1.08-1.54]).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of polypharmacy in this SLE cohort was higher than in the general Manitoban population. Polypharmacy is a strong marker for use of prescription benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and opioids.

The link between post-traumatic stress disorder and systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous, multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by unpredictable disease flares. Although the pathogenesis of SLE is complex, an epidemiologic link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the development of SLE has been identified, suggesting that stress-related disorders alter the susceptibility to SLE. Despite the strong epidemiologic evidence connecting PTSD and SLE, gaps remain in our understanding of how the two may be connected. Perturbations in the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine system, and at the genomic level may cause and sustain immune dysregulation that could lower the threshold for the development and propagation of SLE. We first describe shared risk factors for SLE and PTSD. We then describe potential biological pathways which may facilitate excessive inflammation in the context of PTSD. Among those genetically predisposed to SLE, systemic inflammation that accompanies chronic stress may fan the flames of smoldering SLE by priming immune pathways. Further studies on the connection between trauma and inflammation will provide important data on pathogenesis, risk factors, and novel treatments for SLE.

Using Patient-Reported Health Data From Social Media to Identify Diverse Lupus Patients and Assess Their Symptom and Medication Expressions: A Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVE

Patient communities use social media for peer support and information seeking. This study assessed the feasibility of using public patient-generated health data from the social network Twitter to identify diverse lupus patients and gather their perspectives about disease symptoms and medications.

METHODS

We extracted public lupus-related Twitter messages (n = 47,715 tweets) in English posted by users (n = 8,446) in the US between September 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018. We analyzed the data to describe lupus patients and the expressed themes (symptoms and medications). Two independent coders analyzed the data; Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to ensure interrater reliability. Differences in symptom and medication expressions were analyzed using 2-tailed Z tests and a combination of 1-way analysis of variance tests and unpaired t-tests.

RESULTS

We found that lupus patients on Twitter are diverse in gender and race: approximately one-third (34.64%, 62 of 179) were persons of color (POCs), and 85.47% were female. The expressed disease symptoms and medications varied significantly by gender and race. Most of our findings correlated with documented clinical observations, e.g., expressions of general pain (8.39%, 709 of 8,446), flares (6.05%, 511 of 8,446), and fatigue (4.18%, 353 of 8,446). However, our data also revealed less well-known patient observations, e.g., possible racial disparities within ocular manifestations of lupus.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that social media surveillance can provide valuable data of clinical relevance from the perspective of lupus patients. The medical community has the opportunity to harness this information to inform the patient-centered care within underrepresented patient groups, such as POCs.

Association of Hurried Communication and Low Patient Self-Efficacy With Persistent Nonadherence to Lupus Medications

OBJECTIVE

Medication nonadherence is common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and adherence often fluctuates with time. Underrepresented racial minorities have disproportionately lower rates of medication adherence and more severe SLE manifestations. We aimed to identify modifiable factors associated with persistent medication nonadherence.

METHODS

Patients taking ≥1 SLE medication were enrolled. Adherence data were obtained at baseline and at follow-up roughly 1 year later using both self-reported adherence and pharmacy refill data. Covariates included patient-provider interaction, patient self-efficacy, and clinical factors. We compared characteristics of patients in 3 groups using the Kruskal-Wallis H test: persistent nonadherence (low adherence by self-report and refill rates at both time points); persistent adherence (high adherence by self-report and refill rates at both time points); and inconsistent adherence (the remainder).

RESULTS

Among 77 patients (median age 44 years, 53% Black, 96% female), 48% had persistent nonadherence. Compared with other adherence groups, patients with persistent nonadherence were younger and more likely to be Black, have lower income, take ≥2 SLE medications, have higher SLE-related damage at baseline, and have higher physician global assessment of disease activity at follow-up. Persistently nonadherent patients also rated more hurried communication with providers (particularly fast speech and difficult word choice) and had lower self-efficacy in managing medications.

CONCLUSION

Potential avenues to improve medication adherence include optimizing patient-provider communication, specifically avoiding difficult vocabulary and fast speech, and enhancing patient self-efficacy, particularly among younger Black patients with lower income who are at higher risk for nonadherence.

Adherence to antimalarials and glucocorticoids treatment and its association with self-reported disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the rate of non-adherence to antimalarials and glucocorticoids (GCs) and to analyze their potential relationships with sociodemographic characteristics, disease activity and accumulate damage in a cohort of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 670 patients. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) and the Lupus Damage Index Questionnaire (LDIQ) were used to assess disease activity and accumulated damage.

RESULTS

The prevalence of non-adherence to antimalarials and GCs were 10.67% and 39.61%. 86.9% of participants indicated that the reason for stopping therapy was the presence of side effects. SLE patients with non-adherence to antimalarials and GCs had significantly higher scores in disease severity (SLAQ) compared to adherence patients (5.03 (2.12) vs 4.39 (2.61); p = .004 and (4.75 (2.29) vs 4.05 (2.78); p ≤ .001).

CONCLUSION

Adherence to the treatment indicated in SLE differs from drug to drug. Findings highlight the importance of developing interventions to support adherence and improve outcomes among patients.

Rapid Review of Medication Taking (Adherence) Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify, appraise, synthesize, and contextualize rapidly emerging reports on medication taking (adherence) among patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed communications, letters, and articles published during the COVID-19 pandemic evaluating medication taking among individuals with rheumatic diseases. We appraised assessment and reporting of medication adherence according to established definitions of 3 distinct problems of medication taking (i.e., noninitiation, poor implementation, and discontinuation) and pooled findings using random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 31 peer-reviewed studies in our synthesis from various jurisdictions, of which 25 described medication taking among rheumatology patients and 6 described medication prescribing among rheumatology providers. The pooled prevalence of overall medication nonadherence was 14.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 12.3-17.2) and that of medication discontinuation (i.e., stopping of prescriptions) and poor implementation (i.e., not taking medication at the dose/frequency prescribed) as 9.5% (95% CI 5.1-14.0) and 9.6% (95% CI 6.2-13.0), respectively. Noninitiation (i.e., not starting/not filling new prescriptions) was not addressed.

CONCLUSION

Medication taking among individuals with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic varies globally. Unclear reporting and extensive variation in research methods between studies create barriers to research replication, comparison, and generalization to specific patient populations. Future research in this area should use consistent and transparent approaches to defining and measuring medication taking problems to ensure that findings appropriately describe the epidemiology of medication adherence and have the potential to identify modifiable targets for improving patient care.

Trust in the attending rheumatologist, health-related hope, and medication adherence among Japanese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVE

Poor medication adherence among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a critical problem associated with adverse outcomes. This study examined the relationship between trust in one's physician and goal-oriented thinking, hope, and medication adherence among Japanese patients with SLE who were ethnically matched to their physicians.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rheumatology outpatient clinics at five academic centres. Patients with SLE who were prescribed oral medications were included. The main exposure was trust in one's physician measured via the 5-item Japanese version of the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale and the 18-item Health-related Hope Scale, with each score ranging from 0 to 100 points. Medication adherence was measured using the 12-item Medication Adherence Scale with scores ranging from 5 to 60 points. A general linear model was created after adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, disease activity, disease duration, basic health literacy, depression, medication variables, experiencing adverse effects, and concerns regarding lupus medications.

RESULTS

Altogether, 373 patients with SLE were included. The mean age of the patients was 46.4 years; among them, 329 (88.2%) were women. Both trust in one's physician (per 10-point increase: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.53-1.24) and the Health-related Hope score (per 10-point increase: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95) were associated with better medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that patients' health-related hope and trust in their rheumatologist were both associated with better medication adherence in SLE.

Hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressant adherence patterns and their association with subsequent hospitalization rates among children with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Using a representative sample of children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the United States, we characterized prescription claim-based hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressant adherence estimates and evaluated their concurrent and predictive validity.

METHODS

We identified children ages 5-18 with SLE in the Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial and Medicaid claims databases (2013-2018). Among new users of hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressant medications, we calculated proportion of days covered (PDC) over 365 days to estimate adherence by user group (mycophenolate, azathioprine, methotrexate, and any immunosuppressant use). Agreement between adherence estimates was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and kappa statistics. Separate negative binomial regression models were used to estimate associations between (a) hydroxychloroquine, (b) immunosuppressant, or (c) concurrent immunosuppressant/hydroxychloroquine non-adherence and subsequent hospitalizations, adjusted for baseline demographics, disease severity, and healthcare utilization.

RESULTS

Among 423 new hydroxychloroquine/immunosuppressant users, 63% were Medicaid recipients. Sufficient adherence (PDC≥80%) ranged from 33 to 45% for immunosuppressants vs. 51-52% for hydroxychloroquine. Agreement between hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressant adherence was modest overall, but better for mycophenolate (ICC 0.55) than methotrexate (0.27). Hydroxychloroquine non-adherence was associated with a 2.9-fold higher incidence of subsequent hospitalizations (95% CI [1.2-7.1]), whereas immunosuppressant and concurrent non-adherence were associated with 5.9 [2.4-14.6] and 5.6-fold [2.0-15.5] increased incidence, respectively. Use of concurrent adherence improved upon estimation of hospitalization risk compared to hydroxychloroquine adherence, but not immunosuppressant adherence alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydroxychloroquine adherence is an imperfect proxy for adherence to other lupus medications among children with SLE, and therefore assessing immunosuppressant adherence concurrently adds value to hydroxychloroquine adherence assessments. Prescription claims-based immunosuppressant adherence measures are predictive of acute care utilization and may inform population management strategies.

Barriers to Taking Medications for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Qualitative Study of Racial Minority Patients, Lupus Providers, and Clinic Staff

OBJECTIVE

Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Racial and ethnic minorities also have more severe SLE manifestations that require use of immunosuppressive medications, and often have lower rates of medication adherence. We aimed to explore barriers of adherence to SLE immunosuppressive medications among minority SLE patients.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of racial minority SLE patients taking oral immunosuppressants (methotrexate, azathioprine, or mycophenolate), and lupus clinic providers and staff. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed using applied thematic analysis. We grouped themes using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior conceptual model.

RESULTS

We interviewed 12 SLE patients (4 adherent, 8 nonadherent) and 12 providers and staff. We identified capability barriers to include external factors related to acquiring medications, specifically cost-, pharmacy-, and clinic-related issues; opportunity barriers to include external barriers to taking medications, specifically logistic- and medication-related issues; and motivation factors to include intrinsic barriers, encompassing patients' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and physical and mental health. The most frequently described barriers were cost, side effects, busyness/forgetting, and lack of understanding, although barriers differed by patient and adherence level, with logistic and intrinsic barriers described predominantly by nonadherent patients and side effects described predominantly by adherent patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that interventions may be most impactful if they are designed to facilitate logistics of taking medications and increase patients' motivation while allowing for personalization to address the individual differences in adherence barriers.

Treatment compliance in amblyopia: A mini-review and description of a novel online platform for compliance tracking

Patient compliance with amblyopia therapies, including eye patching and atropine drops, is crucial for optimal visual acuity outcomes. Studies utilizing objective measures of compliance measurement have consistently shown that a majority of patients receive significantly less treatment than prescribed. We review the subjective and objective compliance rates reported in the literature, assess possible explanations for poor compliance and describe studies of interventions to improve compliance. Additionally, we report our experience implementing Inside Out Care, a novel online platform designed to improve monitoring of amblyopia patient compliance, in our clinics. We have found that this platform, which is accessible via both computer and smartphone, has improved monitoring of amblyopia patient patching compliance, as well as allowed for enhanced doctor-patient communication.

Adherence to medication by adolescents and young adults with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Approximately 20% of all cases systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) are juvenile onset. Children and adolescents with SLE usually present with more severe illness and have a higher mortality rate compared to adults with SLE. Adherence to medications in children and adolescents has a major impact on disease control as well as short- and long-term outcomes. Improved understanding of adherence rates, risk factors for non-adherence, and barriers to adherence are essential in order to increase patient adherence with medication regimens. The aim of our study was to evaluate adherence to medications among children and young adults with pediatric-onset SLE and identify barriers for non-adherence by utilizing several adherence evaluation methods.

Methods: Adherence to medications of patients aged 12–25, with childhood-onset SLE was assessed as follows: (1). The brief medication questionnaire (BMQ): self-report tool for screening adherence and barriers to adherence. (2). Mycophenolic acid (MPA) serum level. (3). Medication possession ratio (MPR): data assessing 90-day refills and dispense prior to patient’s enrollment was collected.

Results: Of the 38 patients who were enrolled in the study, 65% were found to be non-adherent according to at least 1 measurement method. Forty-four percent of patients were found to be non-adherent based on the self-reported questionnaire (BMQ). Of those taking MMF, 33% had an MPA level < 1 mcg/mL and were defined as non-adherent. Seventeen percent of patients were found to be non-adherent according to pharmacy refills rate. Forty-six percent of patients stated that their medications caused side effects, 33% of patients indicated difficulty remembering to take the medications, and 25% reported difficulty paying for medications. The disease activity index (SLEDAI) score of the “adherent group” at diagnosis was significantly lower compared to the “non-adherent” group. Patients with private insurance had more access barriers to obtaining medications compared to patients with public insurance.

Conclusion: Non-adherence to medications is highly prevalent among cSLE patients. Higher SLEDAI score is a risk factor for non-adherence. Adherence to medications should be routinely evaluated among adolescence and young adults with cSLE and barriers to adherence need to be addressed to decrease morbidity and improve patient outcomes.

Persistence of Depression and Anxiety despite Short-Term Disease Activity Improvement in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single-Centre, Prospective Study

Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, yet their association with the underlying disease activity remains uncertain and has been mostly evaluated at a cross-sectional level. To examine longitudinal trends in anxiety, depression, and lupus activity, a prospective observational study was performed on 40 adult SLE outpatients with active disease (SLE Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]-2K ≥ 3 [excluding serology]) who received standard-of-care. Anxiety and depression were determined at baseline and 6 months by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Treatment adherence was assessed with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4. Increased anxiety (median [interquartile range] HADS-A: 11.0 [7.8]) and depression (HADS-D: 8.0 [4.8]) were found at inclusion, which remained stable and non-improving during follow-up (difference: 0.0 [4.8] and −0.5 [4.0], respectively) despite reduced SLEDAI-2K by 2.0 (4.0) (p < 0.001). Among possible baseline predictors, paid employment—but not disease activity—correlated with reduced HADS-A and HADS-D with corresponding standardized beta-coefficients of −0.35 (p = 0.017) and −0.27 (p = 0.093). Higher anxiety and depression correlated with lower treatment adherence (p = 0.041 and p = 0.088, respectively). These results indicate a high-mental disease burden in active SLE that persists despite disease control and emphasize the need to consider socioeconomic factors as part of comprehensive patient assessment.

Why lupus patients discontinue antimalarials in real life: A 50 years-experience from a reference centre

Background

Because of the efficacy and good safety profile of antimalarials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is currently recommended in all SLE patients. However, patients’ compliance was reported as suboptimal. This study aims to elucidate the reasons for discontinuing antimalarials in a large series of SLE patients followed in a single centre during the last 50 years.

Material and methods

Among all patients diagnosed between 1968 and 2017 at our reference centre, retrospective data were obtained from electronic medical records of SLE patients consecutively visited during 2015–2017 and controlled for at least 1 year. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data at disease onset and during the follow-up in the whole cohort and differences between SLE patients discontinuing and continuing on antimalarials were analysed.

Results

Five-hundred thirty-nine patients followed during a median of 19 years were analysed. Median age at disease diagnosis was 29 years and 91.8% were women. Antimalarials were initiated by 521 (96.7%) patients and 18 (3.3%) cases did not start them mainly because of a quiescent or life-threatening SLE disease. In the 129 (24.7%) patients starting antimalarials with subsequent discontinuation, median treatment duration was 8.4 years. The main reason leading to treatment cessation was drug toxicity in 97 (18.6%) patients, of which macular toxicity was the most frequent adverse effect (n = 80; 15.3%). Treatment was stopped because of patient’s preference in 13 (2.5%) cases. The factors independently associated with antimalarial discontinuation were age at the end of follow-up (OR 1.130, 95% CI 1.005–1.269, p = 0.040), duration on antimalarials (OR 0.872, 95% CI 0.841–0.903, p < 0.001), presence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (OR 13.948, 95% CI 1.321–147.324, p = 0.028) and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies (OR 2.275, 95% CI 1.146–4.517, p = 0.019).

Conclusions

In our 50 years-experience, almost all SLE patients underwent antimalarials. These drugs are usually stopped because of adverse effects, particularly macular toxicity. After a long-term follow-up, patients’ compliance to antimalarials was considerably high in our SLE patients.

Kidney thrombotic microangiopathy in lupus nephritis: Impact on treatment and prognosis

Introduction

Lupus nephritis (LN) may present with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) on kidney biopsy, the impact of which on outcomes is unclear. This study examined the prognostic importance of LN with TMA on kidney biopsy, including response to therapy and long-term outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of all cases of LN with concomitant TMA on kidney biopsy in the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network database. Controls were individuals with LN without TMA matched to cases based on demographic and clinical variables. Outcomes were remission at 6- and 12-months, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and death. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to ascertain the risks for outcomes, with adjustment for serum creatinine and proteinuria.

Results

There were 17 cases and 28 controls. Cases had higher creatinine, higher proteinuria and greater chronicity on biopsy at baseline compared to controls. The rates of remission at 6-months and 12-months were similar between cases and controls (6-months 53.9% vs 46.4%, adjusted OR 2.54, 95% CI 0.48, 13.37; 12-months 53.9% vs 50.0%, adjusted OR 2.95, 95% CI 0.44, 19.78). Cases were at greater risk for ESKD in univariate analysis (HR 3.77; 95% CI 1.24, 11.41) but not when adjusting for serum creatinine and proteinuria (HR 2.20; 95% CI 0.63, 7.71). There was no significant difference in the risk of death between cases and controls.

Conclusion

Lupus nephritis with renal TMA likely responds to therapy similarly to those without TMA; risk for ESKD is not significantly increased, although the influence of renal function and proteinuria in larger samples is needed.

Hydroxychloroquine on the Pulmonary Vascular Diseases in Interstitial Lung Disease: Immunologic Effects, and Virus Interplay

To investigate the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drug use on the risk of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) in an interstitial lung disease cohort (ILD cohort, ILD+ virus infection), we retrospectively enrolled the ILD cohort with HCQ (HCQ users, N = 4703) and the ILD cohort without HCQ (non-HCQ users, N = 4703) by time-dependence after propensity score matching. Cox models were used to analyze the risk of PVD. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for PVD after adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, index date and immunosuppressants, such as steroids, etc. Compared with the HCQ nonusers, in HCQ users, the aHRs (95% CIs) for PVD were (2.24 (1.42, 3.54)), and the women’s aHRs for PVD were (2.54, (1.49, 4.35)). The aHRs based on the days of HCQ use for PVD of 28−30 days, 31−120 days, and >120 days were (1.27 (0.81, 1.99)), (3.00 (1.81, 4.87)) and (3.83 (2.46, 5.97)), respectively. The medium or long-term use of HCQ or young women receiving HCQ were associated with a higher aHR for PVD in the ILD cohort. These findings indicated interplay of the primary immunologic effect of ILD, comorbidities, women, age and virus in the HCQ users.

Advances in the clinical use of hydroxychloroquine levels

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the recent literature exploring hydroxychloroquine levels and their relationship with disease activity and risk of toxicity.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is no clear correlation between weight-based dosing of hydroxychloroquine and the resulting blood levels of the medication. Recent studies have shown that increased hydroxychloroquine levels are associated with lower lupus disease activity and likely also increased risk of medication toxicity.

SUMMARY

Mounting evidence supports use of hydroxychloroquine levels in clinical practice to document adherence and ensure safety.

Lower socioeconomic status worsens outcome of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus independently of access to healthcare

OBJECTIVES

Socioeconomic status (SES) has been found to be associated with worse outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The impact of national health insurance on SLE outcomes has not been explored.

METHODS

A retrospective inception cohort of patients older than 18 years with SLE diagnosed and followed in lupus clinics of two large tertiary medical centers were included. Patients were stratified into three groups by SES: lower 25th quantile, middle 25th-75th quantile, and upper 75th quantile. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, development of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and score ≤ 4 on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2K) at the last visit.

RESULTS

We identified 617 patients (548 females, 88.8%) with a median follow-up of 15 years (range, 8.0-23.0). Compared to the middle and upper SES groups, the lower SES group was characterized by younger age at disease onset (31.5 years vs. 34.3 and 37.4 years, respectively, p = 0.011) and higher rate of lupus nephritis (42.7% vs. 35.7% and 23.8%, respectively, p = 0.002). In multivariate models, patients in the middle and upper SES groups had a significantly lower risk of mortality (HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24-0.82, p = 0.010) and ESKD (HR = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.73, p = 0.012), with no effect on the rate of SLEDAI 2K ≤ 4 (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 0.92-2.40, p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Even within a health system that provides high and equal accessibility to medical care, low SES is associated with worse outcomes of SLE. Policymakers should focus on managing possible barriers that prevent patients of lower SES from obtaining optimal care.

How Can We Enhance Adherence to Medications in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Results from a Qualitative Study

Medication non-adherence is common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may lead to poor clinical outcomes. Our aim was to identify influenceable contributors to medication non-adherence and suggest interventions that could increase adherence. Patients with SLE from two Swedish tertiary referral centres (n = 205) participated in a survey assessing self-reported adherence to medications. Responses were used to select patients for qualitative interviews (n = 15). Verbatim interview transcripts were analysed by two researchers using content analysis methodology. The median age of the interviewees was 32 years, 87% were women, and their median SLE duration was nine years. Reasons for non-adherence were complex and multifaceted; we categorised them thematically into (i) patient-related (e.g., unintentional non-adherence due to forgetfulness or intentional non-adherence due to disbelief in medications); (ii) healthcare-related (e.g., untrustworthy relationship with the treating physician, authority fear, and poor information about the prescribed medications or the disease); (iii) medication-related (e.g., fear of side-effects); and (iv) disease-related reasons (e.g., lacking acceptance of a chronic illness or perceived disease quiescence). Interventions identified that healthcare could implement to improve patient adherence to medications included (i) increased communication between healthcare professionals and patients; (ii) patient education; (iii) accessible healthcare, preferably with the same personnel; (iv) well-coordinated transition from paediatric to adult care; (v) regularity in addressing adherence to medications; (vi) psychological support; and (vii) involvement of family members or people who are close to the patient.

Kidney transplant outcomes in children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Literature supports equivalent kidney transplant outcomes in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with those without SLE. However, there are conflicting and scant data on kidney transplant outcomes, as well as controversy over optimal timing of transplantation, in children and adolescents with SLE.

METHODS

Analysis included kidney-only transplant recipients aged 2-21 years from 2000 to 2017 enrolled in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN). The relationship between diagnosis (SLE n = 457, non-SLE glomerular disease n = 4492, and non-SLE non-glomerular disease n = 5605) and transplant outcomes was evaluated. The association between dialysis time and outcomes was analyzed in the SLE group only.

RESULTS

In adjusted models, SLE had higher mortality compared with non-SLE glomerular recipients (HR 1.24 CI 1.07-1.44) and non-glomerular recipients (HR 1.42 CI 1.20-1.70). SLE was associated with higher graft failure compared with non-SLE glomerular (HR 1.42 CI 1.20-1.69) and non-glomerular disease (HR 1.67 CI 1.22-2.28). SLE had a higher risk of acute rejection at 1 year compared with non-glomerular disease (HR 1.39 CI 1.03-1.88). There was a decreased risk of delayed graft function compared with non-SLE glomerular disease (HR 0.54, CI 0.36-0.82). There were no significant associations between dialysis time and transplant outcomes in the SLE group.

CONCLUSION

SLE in children and adolescents is associated with worse patient and graft survival compared with non-SLE diagnoses. Outcomes in children and adolescents with SLE are not associated with dialysis time. Further studies are needed to assess implications of potential earlier transplantation and shorter time on dialysis prior to transplantation.

Medication adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus during Brazilian COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic diseases are potential candidates for inadequate follow-up of drug therapy, tending to incur damage to the intended results. This deserves greater attention in the pandemic period, as they are in the considered risk group.

METHODS

We aim to assess Treatment Adherence Measure and analyze associations with characteristics related to the patient, treatment, disease, health professionals and service, and sociodemographic issues in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). W conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 116 participants, whose data were collected through individual interviews and review of medical records, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Adherence was measured using the Treatment Adherence Measure, and associations were evidenced through described and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The percentage of adherent patients was 55.2%. An association was found between MTA (Medication Treatment Adherence) and physical exercise practice (p = 0.032), and difficulties with treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Participants who did not practice physical exercise were 3.71 times more likely to not adhere to the treatment. Individuals who identified difficulties in the treatment were 3.43 times more likely to not adhere to the treatment; we believe that the pandemic may have influenced this result. More targeted studies are needed to measure the impact on MTA in these patients.

What Have We Learnt About the Treatment of Juvenile-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematous Since Development of the SHARE Recommendations 2012?

Introduction

Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematous (JSLE) is a rare multisystem autoimmune disorder. In 2012, the Single Hub and Access point for pediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) initiative developed recommendations for the diagnosis/management of JSLE, lupus nephritis (LN) and childhood-onset anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). These recommendations were based upon available evidence informing international expert consensus meetings.

Objective

To review new evidence published since 2012 relating to the management of JSLE, LN and APS in children, since the original literature searches informing the SHARE recommendations were performed.

Method

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL were systematically searched for relevant literature (2012-2021) using the following criteria: (1) English language studies; (2) original research studies regarding management of JSLE, LN, APS in children; (3) adult studies with 3 or more patients <18-years old, or where the lower limit of age range ≤16-years and the mean/median age is ≤30-years; (4) randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case control studies, observational studies, case-series with >3 patients. Three reviewers independently screened all titles/abstracts against predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. All relevant manuscripts were reviewed independently by at least two reviewers. Data extraction, assessment of the level of evidence/methodological quality of the manuscripts was undertaken in-line with the original SHARE processes. Specific PUBMED literature searches were also performed to identify new evidence relating to each existing SHARE treatment recommendation.

Results

Six publications met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for JSLE: three RCTs, one feasibility trial, one case series. For LN, 16 publications met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: eight randomized trials, three open label prospective clinical trials, five observational/cohort studies. For APS, no publications met the inclusion criteria. The study with the highest evidence was an RCT comparing belimumab vs. placebo, including 93 JSLE patients. Whilst the primary-endpoint was not met, a significantly higher proportion of belimumab-treated patients met the PRINTO/ACR cSLE response to therapy criteria. New evidence specifically addressing each SHARE recommendation remains limited.

Conclusion

Since the original SHARE literature searches, undertaken >10-years ago, the main advance in JSLE treatment evidence relates to belimumab. Additional studies are urgently needed to test new/existing agents, and assess their long-term safety profile in JSLE, to facilitate evidence-based practice.

Access and Cost-Related Nonadherence to Prescription Medications Among Lupus Patients and Controls: The Michigan Lupus Epidemiology and Surveillance Program

OBJECTIVE

Medication access and adherence are important determinants of health outcomes. We investigated factors associated with access and cost-related nonadherence to prescriptions in a population-based cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and controls.

METHODS

Detailed sociodemographic and prescription data were collected by structured interview in 2014-2015 from participants in the Michigan Lupus Epidemiology and Surveillance (MILES) cohort. We compared access between cases and frequency-matched controls and examined associated factors in separate multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 654 participants (462 SLE patients, 192 controls) completed the baseline visit; 584 (89%) were female, 285 (44%) were Black, and the mean age was 53 years. SLE patients and controls reported similar frequencies of being unable to access prescribed medications (12.1% versus 9.4%, respectively; P was not significant). SLE patients were twice as likely as controls to report cost-related prescription nonadherence in the preceding 12 months to save money (21.7% versus 10.4%; P = 0.001) but were also more likely to ask their doctor for lower cost alternatives (23.8% versus 15.6%; P = 0.02). Disparities were found in association with income, race, and health insurance status, but the main findings persisted after adjusting for these and other variables in multivariable models.

CONCLUSION

SLE patients were more likely than controls from the general population to report cost-related prescription nonadherence, including skipping doses, taking less medicine, and delaying filling prescriptions; yet, <1 in 4 patients asked providers for lower cost medications. Consideration of medication costs in patient decision-making could provide a meaningful avenue for improving access and adherence to medications.

Fracture risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients over 28 years

OBJECTIVES

Chronic glucocorticoid use is complicated by osteoporosis and increases the risk of fragility fractures. EULAR guidelines on SLE management recommend reducing chronic glucocorticoid dosage to ≤7.5 mg/day to minimize this risk. We examined the relationship of glucocorticoid dose to fragility fracture risk in a cohort of SLE patients.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of SLE patients attending University College Hospital over 28 years was undertaken. Collected data included consecutive steroid dose, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and fragility fractures.

RESULTS

We collected data on 250 patients with a median of 17 years' follow-up. Fragility fractures were diagnosed in 28 (11.2%) patients and the mean ± s.d. age of first fracture was 51 ± 16 years. A total of 94% received glucocorticoids, the average dose being 6.20 mg/day. Patients with fragility fractures had a lower average daily dose (5.36 vs 6.23 mg/day) but a higher median cumulative dose (25.19 vs 20.96 g). These differences were not significant (P = 0.127 and 0.229, respectively). Some 93% of patients received vitamin D, and 85% received calcium. Cox regression analysis showed older age at SLE diagnosis, osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism were associated with fragility fractures. Glucocorticoid dose was not significantly associated with the occurrence of fragility fractures. Twenty-two patients with fractures were treated with bisphosphonates, two with denosumab and two with teriparatide.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no significant association between glucocorticoid treatment and fragility fractures in our group of patients; however, a prospective study including more patients not treated with CS would be necessary to confirm these results.

Researchers' perspectives on methodological challenges and outcomes selection in interventional studies targeting medication adherence in rheumatic diseases: an OMERACT-adherence study

Background

Research on adherence interventions in rheumatology is limited by methodological issues, particularly heterogeneous outcomes. We aimed to describe researchers’ experiences with conducting interventional studies targeting medication adherence in rheumatology and their perspectives on establishing core outcomes.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews using audio conference were conducted with researchers who had conducted an adherence study of any design in the past 10 years. Data collection and thematic analysis were performed iteratively, until saturation.

Results

We interviewed 13 researchers, most of whom worked in academia and specialized in epidemiology and/or health services research. We identified three themes: 1) improving measurement of adherence (considering all phases of adherence, using appropriate and relevant measures, and establishing clinically meaningful thresholds); 2) challenges in designing and appraising adherence intervention studies (considering the confusion over a plethora of outcomes, difficulties with powering studies to demonstrate meaningful changes, and suboptimal descriptions of adherence interventions in published studies); and 3) advancing outcome assessment in adherence intervention studies (capturing rationale for developing a core domain set as well as recommendations and anticipated challenges by participants).

Conclusions

Uniquely gathering perspectives from international adherence researchers, our findings led to researcher-informed recommendations for improving adherence research including specifying the targeted adherence phase in designing interventions and studies and providing a glossary of terms to promote consistency in reporting. We also identified recommendations for developing a core domain set for interventional studies targeting medication adherence including involvement of patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders and methodological and practical considerations to establish rigor and support uptake.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41927-021-00193-4.

Barriers to medication adherence and degree of nonadherence in a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outpatient population

To estimate the level of medication adherence and barriers to adherence among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Patients taking antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and/or steroids to treat SLE were included. Adherence was measured using the Medication Adherence Self Report Inventory (MASRI) and adherence rates < 80% were considered nonadherent while rates ≥ 80% sufficiently adherent. Pill counts were conducted in a proportion of participants. Barriers to adherence were identified using the Identification of Medication Adherence Barriers Questionnaire 30 (IMAB-Q 30). Associations between adherence and patient demographics and disease-specific characteristics were explored. A total of 94 patients were studied and 28 pill counts conducted. 10 patients were classified as nonadherent and 84 patients as sufficiently adherent. 46% of patients were taking steroids, 77.7% antimalarials, and 55.3% immunosuppressives. 88% of patients were taking ≥ 1 medication for non-SLE conditions. The mean medication adherence rate for the SLE patients was 90.7%. Important barriers to adherence reported by nonadherent patients were: concern about harmful side effects (50%), being easily distracted (50%), life getting in the way (50%), being unsure or disagreeing that their condition will worsen without medications (50%), and having personal reasons for not taking medications (50%). Non-adherent patients reported significantly more barriers than sufficiently adherent patients (p < 0.001). The adherence rate in our population was higher than expected, reaching 90%. Barriers to medication adherence were identified and should be addressed on a population and individualized basis to improve patient outcomes.

Adherence to Antimalarial Therapy and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between adherence to antimalarials and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Using administrative health databases in British Columbia, Canada, we conducted a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients with incident SLE and incident antimalarial use. We established antimalarial drug courses by defining a new course when a 90-day gap is exceeded between refills and we calculated proportion of days covered (PDC) for each course. We categorized medication taking as: 1) adherent (PDC ≥0.90), 2) nonadherent (0 < PDC < 0.90), and 3) discontinuer (no drug). Type 2 DM outcomes were based on outpatient or inpatient visits, or antidiabetic medication use. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with time-dependent variables.

RESULTS

Over a median of 4.62 years of follow-up in our incident cohort of 1,498 patients with SLE (90.8% women), we recorded 140 incident cases of type 2 DM. Multivariable hazard ratios were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.40-0.93) for adherent and 0.78 (95% CI 0.50-1.22) for nonadherent, respectively, as compared to discontinuers.

CONCLUSION

Our findings of a protective effect of adherence to antimalarials in preventing type 2 DM provides further support for the importance of adherence to antimalarials to obtain the benefits of therapy.

Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacodynamic Effects of the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Fenebrutinib (GDC-0853) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results of a Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Fenebrutinib (GDC-0853) is a noncovalent, oral, and highly selective inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). The efficacy, safety, and pharmacodynamics of fenebrutinib in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were assessed in this phase II, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

METHODS

Patients who had moderately to severely active SLE while receiving background standard therapy were randomized to receive placebo, fenebrutinib 150 mg once daily, or fenebrutinib 200 mg twice daily. Glucocorticoid taper was recommended from weeks 0 to 12 and from weeks 24 to 36. The primary end point was the SLE Responder Index 4 (SRI-4) response at week 48.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 260) were enrolled from 44 sites in 12 countries, with the majority from Latin America, the US, and Western Europe. The SRI-4 response rates at week 48 were 51% for fenebrutinib 150 mg once daily (P = 0.37 versus placebo), 52% for fenebrutinib 200 mg twice daily (P = 0.34 versus placebo), and 44% for placebo. British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Combined Lupus Assessment response rates at week 48 were 53% for fenebrutinib 150 mg once daily (P = 0.086 versus placebo), 42% for fenebrutinib 200 mg twice daily (P = 0.879 versus placebo), and 41% for placebo. Safety results were similar across all arms, although serious adverse events were more frequent with fenebrutinib 200 mg twice daily. By week 48, patients treated with fenebrutinib had reduced levels of a BTK-dependent plasmablast RNA signature, anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibodies, total IgG, and IgM, as well as increased complement C4 levels, all relative to placebo.

CONCLUSION

While fenebrutinib had an acceptable safety profile, the primary end point, SRI-4 response, was not met despite evidence of strong pathway inhibition.

Delivering clinical trials at home: protocol, design and implementation of a direct-to-family paediatric lupus trial

INTRODUCTION

Direct-to-family clinical trials efficiently provide data while reducing the participation burden for children and their families. Although these trials can offer significant advantages over traditional clinical trials, the process of designing and implementing direct-to-family studies is poorly defined, especially in children with rheumatic disease. This paper provides lessons learnt from the design and implementation of a self-controlled, direct-to-family pilot trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a medication management device on adherence to hydroxychloroquine in paediatric SLE.

METHODS

Several design features accommodate a direct-to-family approach. Participants meeting eligibility criteria from across the USA were identified a priori through a disease registry, and all outcome data are collected remotely. The primary outcome (medication adherence) is evaluated using electronic medication event-monitoring, plasma drug levels, patient questionnaires and pill counts. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include (1) lupus disease activity measured by a remote SLE Disease Activity Index examination and the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire; and (2) hydroxychloroquine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Recruitment of the initial target of 20 participants was achieved within 10 days. Due to initial recruitment success, enrolment was increased to 26 participants. Additional participants who were interested were placed on a waiting list in case of dropouts during the study.

DISCUSSION AND DISSEMINATION

Direct-to-family trials offer several advantages but present unique challenges. Lessons learnt from the protocol development, design, and implementation of this trial will inform future direct-to-family trials for children and adults with rheumatic diseases. Additionally, the data collected remotely in this trial will provide critical information regarding the accuracy of teleresearch in lupus, the impact of adherence to hydroxychloroquine on disease activity and a pharmacokinetic analysis to inform paediatric-specific dosing of hydroxychloroquine.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04358302).

Medication adherence is influenced by resilience in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Evidence on the relationship between resilience and medication adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is lacking. We aimed to examine the impact of resilience on medication adherence in SLE patients.

METHOD

In a cross-sectional analysis SLE outpatients were assessed for resilience (Connor-Davison Resilience Scale, CD-RISC), depressive symptoms (CES-D) and medication adherence (Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology [CQR]). The disease activity index (mexSLEDAI) and damage (SLICC Damage Index) were administered. Factors independently associated with adherence were identified using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 157 patients, 152 (96.8%) were female with a median age of 45.9 (IQR: 39.0-55.5) years and disease duration of 14 (IQR: 10.0-19.0) years. Medication adherence (CQR ≥80%) and depressive symptoms were found in 74.5% and 43.9% of patients, respectively. Adherent patients had a lower CES-D score and a higher CD-RISC score. In the multivariate analysis adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders, resilience and older age protected against non-adherence (OR 0.96, [95% CI 0.94-0.99] and OR 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.98], respectively).

CONCLUSION

In SLE patients, resilience and older age, which possibly associated with better medication adherence, may protect against non-adherence.