Novel mortality-predicting index at diagnosis can effectively predict all-cause mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Longitudinal monitoring of circulating immune cell phenotypes in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a necrotizing multiorgan autoimmune disease that affects small- to medium-sized blood vessels. Despite the improvements in treatments, half of the patients with AAV still experience disease relapses. In this review, we focus on peripheral leukocyte properties and phenotypes in patients with AAV. In particular, we explore longitudinal changes in circulating immune cell phenotypes during the active phase of the disease and treatment. The numbers and phenotypes of leukocytes in peripheral blood were differs between AAV and healthy controls, AAV in active versus inactive phase, AAV in treatment responders versus non-responders, and AAV with and without severe infection. Therefore, biomarkers detected in peripheral blood immune cells may be useful for longitudinal monitoring of disease activity in AAV.

Fatty Liver Index Independently Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis but No Substantial Liver Disease

Background

This study investigated whether the fatty liver index (FLI) could predict all-cause mortality and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) without substantial liver disease.

Methods

The medical records of 75 AAV patients with AAV were retrospectively reviewed. An equation for the FLI is as follows: FLI = (e0.953×loge(triglycerides)+0.139×BMI+0.718×loge(GGT)+0.053×waistcircumference–15.745)/(1 + e0.953×loge(triglycerides)+0.139×BMI+0.718×loge(GGT)+0.053×waistcircumference–15.745) × 100. The cut-offs of the FLI were obtained using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The mean age at AAV diagnosis was 59.1 years and 42.7% were male. Eight patients (10.7%) died and 8 patients had CVA during follow-up. When the cut-offs of the FLI for all-cause mortality and CVA were set as the FLI ≥ 33.59 and the FLI ≥ 32.31, AAV patients with the FLI over each cut-off exhibited a higher risk for all-cause mortality or CVA than those without (RR 8.633 and 8.129), respectively. In addition, AAV patients with the FLI over each cut-off exhibited a significantly lower cumulative patients’ survival rate or CVA-free survival rate than those without, respectively. In the multivariable Cox analysis, only the FLI ≥ 33.59 at AAV diagnosis was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during follow-up in AAV patients (HR 10.448).

Conclusion

The FLI at AAV diagnosis can be a potential independent predictor of all-cause mortality and CVA during follow-up in AAV patients. We suggest that physicians measure the FLI at AAV diagnosis and pay more attention to those with a high FLI value for prevention of future mortality and CVA.

Novel mortality-predicting index at diagnosis can effectively predict all-cause mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Background

This study investigated whether the inflammation prognostic index (IPI) and the mortality predicting index (MPI) at diagnosis could predict all‐cause mortality in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

We included 223 AAV patients and reviewed their medical records. Clinical and laboratory data and AAV‐specific indices at diagnosis were assessed. The IPI was calculated as neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) × C‐reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR). Here, we newly developed an MPI (NLR × CAR × monocyte counts).

Results

The mean age of 223 patients (122 MPA, 57 GPA and 44 EGPA patients) was 59 years. The rate of mortality was 11.2%. Using the receiver operator characteristic curve for all‐cause mortality, the cut‐offs were calculated as NLR: 3.22, CAR: 3.25, IPI: 18.53 and MPI: 8367.82. In the univariable Cox hazard analysis, age, gender, smoking history, BVAS, FFS and over the cut‐off of each index showed statistical significance. As the indices share at least two mutual variables, the multivariable analysis was conducted four times based on each index. An IPI ≥18.53 (HR 3.162) and MPI ≥8367.82 (HR 3.356) were significantly associated with all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions

This study developed a novel indicator, MPI, that uses the existing NLR and CAR indices and proved that it could predict all‐cause mortality in AAV patients.