Liver abnormalities in connective tissue diseases

The autoimmune landscape of Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder: What the rheumatologist needs to know

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) encompasses a group of vascular disorders characterized by lesions of the portal venules and sinusoids with clinical manifestations ranging from non-specific abnormalities in serum liver enzymes to clinically overt portal hypertension and related complications. Several reports have documented cases of PSVD in patients with systemic autoimmune conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is of note that these diseases share specific pathophysiological features with PSVD, including endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and molecular signatures. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the association between PSVD and systemic autoimmune diseases, emphasizing the importance of promptly recognizing this condition in the rheumatological practice, and highlighting the key aspects where further research is necessary from both pathogenic and clinical perspectives.

Determining the association between systematic lupus erythematosus and the occurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune diseases often coexist; however, the concomitant occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is rare. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive summary of evidence regarding the co-occurrence of SLE and PBC.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were systematically and comprehensively searched for records published up to February 2024. Full-text articles that aligned with the study's aim were included, while those published in languages other than English and those designed as case reports, reviews, conference abstracts, or editorials were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, and methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Only 14 studies that met the inclusion criteria with 3944 PBC and 9414 SLE patients were included for review and analysis. Pooled data analysis revealed that approximately 1.1% of SLE patients have concomitant PBC (range: 0.02-7.5%), while around 2.7% of PBC patients concurrently have SLE (range: 1.3-7.5%). Furthermore, qualitative data analysis indicated that the prevalence of PBC in SLE patients presenting with hepatic dysfunction or abnormal liver enzymes ranges from 2 to 7.5%.

CONCLUSION

Although the concomitant occurrence of SLE and PBC is rare, the small proportion of patients where these diseases coexist warrants close monitoring by clinicians. This underscores the importance of surveillance to prevent their co-occurrence.

Systemic sclerosis and primary biliary cholangitis: Longitudinal data to determine the outcomes

Background

Several studies described the cross-sectional characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients and coexisting primary biliary cholangitis, but longitudinal prognostic data are lacking.

Aims

To describe the systemic sclerosis-primary biliary cholangitis phenotype, including baseline characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

We performed a multicentre the European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group study of systemic sclerosis patients with primary biliary cholangitis or with primary biliary cholangitis-specific antibodies, matched with systemic sclerosis controls free from hepatobiliary involvement matched for disease duration and cutaneous subset. Data were recorded at baseline and at the last available visit.

Results

A total of 261 patients were enrolled (115 primary biliary cholangitis-systemic sclerosis, 161 systemic sclerosis). At baseline, systemic sclerosis-primary biliary cholangitis patients had a higher prevalence of anti-centromere antibodies (p = 0.0023) and a lower prevalence of complete absence of digital ulcers. The milder vascular involvement was confirmed at follow-up when crucial differences emerged in the percentage of patients experiencing digital ulcers; a significantly higher number of patients who never experienced digital ulcers were observed among primary biliary cholangitis-systemic sclerosis patients (p = 0.0015). Moreover, a greater incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (p < 0.001) and of conduction blocks (p = 0.0256) was observed in systemic sclerosis patients without primary biliary cholangitis. Patients with primary biliary cholangitis had higher levels of liver enzymes at baseline than systemic sclerosis patients; a significant decrease in liver enzymes was observed at follow-up. Out of 18 patients with cholangitis, one received a liver transplant at follow-up.

Conclusion

Our data show that systemic sclerosis-primary biliary cholangitis exhibit a mild systemic sclerosis and primary biliary cholangitis phenotype with outcomes being in general favourable.

Systemic Disease and the Liver-Part 1: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and COVID-19

The development of liver dysfunction in patients having various systemic diseases is common and has a broad differential diagnosis, at times being the initial manifestation of the disorder. Liver injury associated with systemic lupus erythematosus is heterogeneous and may present with nonspecific histology. Differentiating autoimmune hepatitis from lupus hepatitis is challenging on histologic grounds alone. Other systemic diseases that may present mostly with nonspecific findings are rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease. More recently COVID-19 cholangiopathy and secondary sclerosing cholangitis have become increasingly recognized as distinct liver conditions. Many patients may also have intrinsic liver disease or may develop drug-induced liver injury from the treatment of the systemic disease. Timely identification of the cause of the liver dysfunction is essential and liver biopsy may help the clinician in diagnosis and management.

A Rare Case of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Coexisting With Gilbert Syndrome

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive inherited bilirubin metabolism disorder characterized by chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of hemolysis and liver disease. Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), mainly occurring in women, is a common connective tissue disease (CTD) wherein bilirubin levels are generally reduced. We report a rare case of pSS coexisting with GS. A 35-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with pSS and chronic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, for which low-dose methylprednisolone was ineffective. The patient's liver function test results were normal, serological tests for hepatitis virus were negative, and abdominal ultrasound did not indicate abnormal liver morphology. Bone mineral density determination showed that the Z scores of the left femoral neck and lumbar spine were -1.9 and -2.6, respectively, with T scores of -2.1 and -2.8, respectively. Full-exon sequencing revealed a homozygous TA insertion in the TATA box (A(TA)7TAA) and a heterozygous base substitution from C to A at nucleotide position 686 in exon 1 (c.686C>A) in the uridine glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with pSS, GS, and osteoporosis. The dose of methylprednisolone was then reduced and gradually stopped, and treatment for osteoporosis was strengthened. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pSS with GS. It is important to clarify the cause of hyperbilirubinemia in patients with CTD, including pSS, which affects the formulation of correct treatment plans.

Laboratory risk factors for coexistent primary biliary cholangitis in patients with Sjögren's syndrome: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Limited research exists on the laboratory characteristics of coexistent primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). This study aimed to investigate the laboratory risk factors for the coexistence of PBC in patients with SS.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with coexistent SS and PBC (median age 52.50 years) and 82 age- and sex-matched SS controls were retrospectively enrolled between July 2015 and July 2021. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the two groups were compared. Laboratory risk factors for the coexistence of PBC in patients with SS were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Both groups had a similar prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, and interstitial lung disease. Compared with the SS group, patients in the SS + PBC group had higher levels of liver enzymes, immunoglobulins M (IgM), G2, and G3 (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titre > 1:10000 in the SS + PBC group was 56.1%, higher than that in the SS group (19.5%, P < 0.05). Additionally, cytoplasmic, centromeric, and nuclear membranous patterns of ANA and positive anti-centromere antibody (ACA) were observed more frequently in the SS + PBC group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated IgM levels, high ANA titre, cytoplasmic pattern, and ACA were independent risk factors for PBC coexistence in SS.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to established risk factors, elevated IgM levels, positive ACA, and high ANA titre with cytoplasmic pattern provide clues to clinicians for the early screening and diagnosis of PBC in patients with SS.

Organophosphate esters concentrations in human serum and their associations with Sjögren syndrome

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers due to their excellent properties. The interference of OPEs on immune function has been proven, but the epidemiological data on OPEs exposure to related immune function diseases, such as sjögren syndrome (SjS), is limited. In cross-sectional study, 283 serum samples were collected from healthy individuals (n = 145) and patients with SjS (n = 138) in Hangzhou, China. Eight OPEs, triethyl phosphate (TEP), tributyl phosphate (TBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphine (TCEP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tri (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP), 2-ethylhexyldi-phenyl phosphate (EHDPP), tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), and tri (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), were frequently measured in serum samples. In addition, we explored the associations between the serum OPEs concentration and the risk of SjS. Results showed that TEP (mean controls 2.17 and cases 3.63 ng/mL) was the most abundant OPEs in the serum samples of the control and case groups, followed by TCIPP (mean controls 0.54 and cases 0.78 ng/mL). Serum TEP, TPHP, and EHDPP concentrations were positively correlated with SjS [odds ratio (OR): 1.97, 1.96, and 2.42, respectively; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.34-2.89, 1.34-2.87, and 1.34-2.87, respectively] in the adjusted model, and a negative correlation of TBP concentrations with SjS in the adjusted model (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.17-0.70) was observed. Compared with the lowest quartile concentrations, the ORs of SjS at the highest quartile concentrations of TEP (OR: 4.93, 95% CI: 2.24-10.82) and TPHP (OR: 4.75, 95% CI:1.89-11.94) were significantly higher. This study suggests that human exposure to OPEs may increase the risk of SjS.

Incidence and Predictors of an Abnormal Liver Function Test Among 674 Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Cohort Study

Background

Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) can indicate cirrhosis or liver cancer leading to mortality among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. No recent studies have investigated the clinical predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc. We aimed to determine the incidence of abnormal LFT (including from hepatitis and cholestasis) and to identify its clinical predictors in SSc patients.

Methods

An historical cohort was conducted on 674 adult SSc patients who attended the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between January 2012 and November 2019 and who underwent routine screening for LFT. A Cox regression was used to analyze the clinical predictors of abnormal LFT.

Results

Four hundred and thirty cases, representing 4190 person-years, had abnormal LFTs (viz, from hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis) for an incidence rate of 10.2 per 100 person-years. The respective incidence of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 20.5, 12.9, and 20.4 per 100 person-years. The respective median first-time detection of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 3.0, 5.9, and 2.8 years, and none had signs or symptoms suggestive of liver disease. According to the Cox regression analysis, the predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc were elderly onset of SSc (hazard ratio (HR) 1.02), alcoholic drinking (HR 1.74), high modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) (HR 1.03), edematous skin (HR 2.94), Raynaud's phenomenon (HR 1.39), hyperCKaemia (HR 1.88), and methotrexate use (HR 1.55). In contrast, current sildenafil treatment (HR 0.63) and high serum albumin (HR 0.70) were protective factors.

Conclusion

Occult hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis can be detected in SSc patients using LFT screening, especially in cases of early disease onset. The long-term outcome is uncertain, and more longitudinal research is required.

Autoimmune liver diseases in systemic rheumatic diseases

Systemic rheumatic diseases (SRDs) are chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorders with the presence of autoantibodies that may affect any organ or system. Liver dysfunction in SRDs can be associated with prescribed drugs, viral hepatitis, alternative hepatic comorbidities and coexisting autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs), requiring an exclusion of secondary conditions before considering liver involvement. The patterns of overlap diseases depend predominantly on genetic determinants with common susceptible loci widely distributing in both disorders. In AILDs, it is important to identify the overlapping SRDs at an early stage since such a coexistence may influence the disease course and prognosis. Commonly co-occurring SRDs in AILDs are Sjögren syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and SS, RA or systemic sclerosis in primary biliary cholangitis. Owing to different disease complications and therapies, it is imperative to differentiate between SLE liver involvement and SLE-AIH overlap disease. Therapeutic options can be personalized to control coexisting conditions of liver autoimmunity and rheumatic manifestations in AILD-SRD overlap diseases. The collaboration between hepatologists and rheumatologists can lead to significant advances in managing such a complex scenario. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on coexisting AILDs in different SRDs and the therapeutic approach in managing these overlap diseases.

Clinical Relevance of Liver Involvement in the Clinical Course of Systemic Sclerosis

Liver involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is rare. We evaluated the prevalence of liver fibrosis and hepatic autoimmunity in SSc patients in a retrospective observational cohort (97 SSc or mixed connective tissue disease with sclerodermic manifestations patients undergoing transient elastography, evaluating liver stiffness (LS) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), due to clinical indications along with biochemistry assessments and major antibodies associated to liver autoimmunity). Among them, 11 had LS ≥ 7.5 kPa and 5 showed an LS compatible with cirrhosis (LS ≥ 12.5 kPa). Predictors of LS ≥ 7.5 fibrosis were alcohol consumption (>14 or >7 alcoholic units/week for men and women, respectively), waist circumference (>102 or >88 cm for men and women, respectively), elevated alkaline phosphatase, and anti-La and anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) positivity. Six patients had CAP values compatible with severe steatosis (≥280 dB/m). Waist circumference, body mass index and diabetes mellitus were significant predictors of steatosis. Out of 97 patients, 19 were positive for AMA, 4 for anti-Sp100, 1 for anti-Gp210 and 7 were diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis. Among SSc patients, hepatic fibrosis biomarkers and AMA prevalence are relatively high, suggesting the opportunity of performing a transient elastography and a screening for hepatic autoimmunity at diagnosis and/or during disease progression.

A study on echocardiographic findings in hospitalized patients with connective tissue diseases

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of echocardiographic findings and their change over time in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and to analyse which findings were associated with escalation of immunosuppressive therapy.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive hospitalized patients from a tertiary rheumatology referral centre who received transthoracic echocardiography between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. We tested for associations between echocardiographic findings and treatment escalation via Fisher's exact test; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Escalation of therapy was defined by dosage of glucocorticoids and type of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. The clinical relevance of echocardiographic findings concerning change in immunosuppressive therapy was recorded.

RESULTS

In total, 1004 patients were included (865 females), with a total of 1660 echocardiographic examinations. The most frequent findings were mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valve regurgitation (found in 36.7%, 25.4%, and 17.7% of all patients), aortic valve sclerosis (20.1%), left ventricular dysfunction (21.5%), and left atrial dilatation (19.2%). Only pericardial effusions were more frequent in cases with treatment escalation (10.9% of cases with escalated therapy vs 6.9% of cases without, p = 0.007). In 314 patients who received follow-up examinations, echocardiographic findings were found to change between examinations. Only 73 of all 1660 examinations were discussed in depth considering the treatment strategy in the hospital discharge letter.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CTDs exhibited a wide, dynamically changing spectrum of echocardiographic abnormalities. Most findings neither reflected disease activity nor appeared to influence the therapeutic regimen.

Co-occurrence of Wilson's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review

Background

Wilsons disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease associated with defective biliary excretion of copper. The simultaneous occurrence of WD and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has seldom been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to report the co-occurrence of SLE and WD with hepatic involvement in a patient so as to improve the understanding of the coexistence of these two conditions.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old woman with SLE was found to have liver fibrosis during a routinely abdominal ultrasound examination. Her laboratory evaluation showed low serum ceruloplasmin and high 24h urine copper levels. The slit-lamp examination revealed the presence of KayseriFleischer ring in her cornea. Liver biopsy demonstrated the enlargement of the portal area with hyperplasia of the fibrous tissue, infiltration of lymphoid plasma cells, swelling of hepatocytes, and steatosis, demonstrating liver fibrosis. Ensuing genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of WD.

Conclusions

Clinicians should bear in mind that unexplained liver fibrosis in patients with SLE may be related to WD, so as to avoid a missed or delayed diagnosis.

[Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension Using the Example of Collagenosis-associated PAH in the Context of Chronic Lung and Left Heart Disease]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be diagnosed in the context of connective tissue diseases (CTD) as well as in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. A correct clinical differential diagnosis and classification is essential before adequate therapeutic decisions can be made. Differential diagnosis of PH in CTD comprises associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (APAH), group 2 or 3 PH (PH arising from left heart or chronic lung disease), chronic thromboembolic PH (PH) and group 5 (e. g. in the context of terminal renal insufficiency). This is also true of elderly patients in whom the decision has to be made if the increasing number of coincident diseases lead to PH or have to be interpreted as comorbidities. In this manuscript, the differential diagnosis of PH is elucidated, focusing on CTD, in the context of left heart disease and chronic lung disease. Furthermore, criteria are presented facilitating an objective approach in this context.

Case of autoimmune hepatitis with overlap systemic lupus erythematosus

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune liver disease characterised by the presence of autoantibodies including antinuclear antibodies, anti-smooth muscle antibody and hypergammaglobulinaemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic disease that can affect multiple organs. Coexistence of AIH and SLE as an overlap syndrome occurs in about 1%-2.6% of the AIH cases. Since both conditions share common autoimmune features, their coexistence can pose a diagnostic dilemma which can result in a delay in treatment. We present here a challenging case of a middle-aged woman with AIH in remission who later developed new-onset fatigue, pleural effusion and splenomegaly.

Liver involvement in rheumatic diseases

Liver involvement in rheumatic diseases may occur as a primary liver disease, primary rheumatic disease with hepatic manifestations or antirheumatic drug-induced liver disease. The aim of our article is to underline the importance of monitoring and control of the level of aminotransferases and cholestatic enzymes in rheumatic disorders. Some of the rheumatic diseases with constantly elevated liver enzymes need to be investigated in consideration of concomitant primary autoimmune liver disease (such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis) or drug hepatotoxicity. Also, we should be aware of hepatitis B reactivation or hepatitis C flare when immunosuppressants are used.

Lupus hepatitis, more than just elevated liver enzymes

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystem autoimmune inflammatory disease, may involve any organs, including the liver. Liver involvement in SLE is not part of the American College of Rheumatology criteria and is relatively rare. Liver disease is usually mild, manifesting as subtle elevation of liver enzymes. Jaundice and hepatomegaly can be seen in some patients; advanced liver disease with cirrhosis is extremely rare. Precise pathology remains obscure. SLE may cause non-specific changes, including hepatocellular, cholestatic, or vascular changes. Alcohol, drugs, viral infections, metabolic disorders, autoimmune hepatitis, and other common causes of liver dysfunction should be excluded. Corticosteroids may expedite the recovery process, but may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver damage. Several large-scale multicentre studies have shown that liver involvement is not the major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations, management, complications, and prognosis of lupus hepatitis.

Clinical Characteristics of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Cirrhosis

Aim

Cirrhosis is rare in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a poor prognosis. This study is aimed at retrospectively analyzing our single-center experience to explore the characteristics of cirrhosis in SLE patients.

Methods

SLE patients with cirrhosis from 2012 to 2019 were enrolled. SLE diagnosis was rigorously confirmed by a medical record review according to the revised 1997 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE. The diagnosis of liver cirrhosis was based on a combination of clinical, laboratory, and imaging criteria features. We conducted a case-control study in SLE patients complicated with the cirrhosis group and the age-, sex-, and entry-time-matched noncirrhosis group.

Results

A total of 21 patients with SLE cirrhosis were enrolled, 3 males and 18 females. The median age at the time of cirrhosis diagnosis was 47.3 ± 4.0 years, and the mean disease duration of SLE before cirrhosis was 4.7 ± 1.0 years. The most common initial presentation was the involvement of the hematological system in 9 patients and then skin and mucosal involvement in 5 patients, arthritis in 4 patients, and nephritis in 3 patients. Patients with cirrhosis had a significantly higher rate of hematological system involvement (thrombocytopenia and leukopenia) and worse liver function; a higher level of immune globulin G had higher mortality (p < 0.05) than patients without cirrhosis.

Conclusions

Cirrhosis is a rare and severe subtype of SLE with a poor prognosis. Those patients with hematological system involvement and impaired liver function should be paid more attention.

Systemic sclerosis and primary biliary cholangitis: An overlapping entity?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease that may lead to skin and internal organ fibrosis. Based on skin involvement, two subsets of the disease are recognized (limited cutaneous SSc and diffuse cutaneous SSc). The new 2013 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism classification criteria allow to identify SSc patients at the early stage of the disease that allows new research avenues. The aetiology of the disease is still unknown, but it has an important autoimmune basis and its association with other autoimmune diseases has been reproducibly reported. Among them, primary biliary cholangitis is considered the most common liver disease in SSc. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on recent findings about SSc associated to primary biliary cholangitis. Although the aetiology of the two diseases is still unknown, data suggest that these two disorders share the expression of fibrogenic cytokines, involved both in generation and function of T lymphocytes subpopulation (Th17 cells) and regulatory T lymphocytes. In addition, the relationships between SSc and primary biliary cholangitis may be closer as suggested by the presence of primary biliary cholangitis-specific antibodies in SSc patients and vice versa. Recent findings confirm a prevalence of overt primary biliary cholangitis in about 2% of SSc population, in particular in patients with limited cutaneous SSc and positive anticentromere antibodies. The prevalence increases if also patients with only primary biliary cholangitis-specific antibodies are considered. Data regarding SSc prevalence in primary biliary cholangitis patients have also been recently clarified. Altogether, stimulating results are moving the field forward regarding the relationships of these two autoimmune and fibrotic disorders that may belong to an overlapping entity.

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis in Korea: A Narrative Review

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of systemic necrotising vasculitides, which often involve small vessels, and which lead to few or no immune deposits in affected organs. According to clinical manifestations and pathological features, AAV is classified into three variants: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and eosinophilic GPA. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria contributed to the classification of AAV, although currently the algorithm suggested by the European Medicines Agency in 2007 and the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides proposed in 2012 have encouraged physicians to classify AAV patients properly. So far, there have been noticeable advancements in studies on the pathophysiology of AAV and the classification criteria for AAV in Western countries. However, studies analysing clinical features of Korean patients with AAV have only been conducted and reported since 2000. One year-, 5 year-, and 10 year-cumulative patient survival rates are reported as 96.1, 94.8, and 92.8%. Furthermore, initial vasculitis activity, prognostic factor score, age and specific organ-involvement have been found to be associated with either all-cause mortality or poor disease course. The rate of serious infection is 28.6%, and 1 year-, 5 year- and 10 year-cumulative hospitalised infection free survival rates range from 85.1% to 72.7%. The overall standardised incidence ratio of cancer in AAV patients was deemed 1.43 compared to the general Korean population.

Hepatobiliary involvement in systemic sclerosis and the cutaneous subsets: Characteristics and survival of patients from the Spanish RESCLE Registry

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and causes of hepatobiliary involvement (HBI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc), to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of SSc patients with HBI (SSc-HBI) and without HBI (SSc-non-HBI), and to compare both groups according to the cutaneous SSc subsets.

METHODS

In all, 1572 SSc patients were collected in the RESCLE registry up to January 2015, and all hepatobiliary disturbances were recorded. We investigated the HBI-related characteristics and survival from the entire SSc cohort and according to the following cutaneous subsets: diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), and SSc sine scleroderma (ssSSc).

RESULTS

Out of 1572, 118 (7.5%) patients had HBI. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) was largely the main cause (n = 67, 4.3%), followed by autoimmune hepatitis (n = 19, 1.2%), and anti-mitochondrial negative PBC (n = 6, 0.4%). Other causes of HBI were as follows: secondary liver diseases (n = 11, 0.7%), SSc-related HBI (n = 7, 0.4%), nodular regenerative hyperplasia (n = 3, 0.2%), liver cirrhosis (n = 3, 0.2%), and HBI of unknown origin (n = 2, 0.1%). In multivariate analysis, HBI was independently associated to lesser risk of dcSSc (5.1% vs. 24.4%), and higher frequency of calcinosis (26% vs. 18%), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (46% vs. 27%), sicca syndrome (51% vs. 29%), and anti-centromere antibodies (ACA, 73% vs. 44%). According to the cutaneous subsets, HBI was associated (1) in lcSSc, to longer time from SSc onset to diagnosis (10.8 ± 12.5 vs. 7.2 ± 9.3 years), sicca syndrome (54% vs. 33%), and ACA (80% vs. 56%); (2) in ssSSc, to sicca syndrome (44% vs. 19%), and (3) in dcSSc, no associations were found. HBI was the cause of death in 2.3% patients but the cumulative survival according to the presence or absence of HBI showed no differences.

CONCLUSIONS

HBI prevalence in SSc is 7.5% and dcSSc is the least involved subset. PBC is the main cause of HBI. Patients with SSc-HBI exhibited specific clinical and immunologic profile. Survival is similar for SSc patients with HBI.

Chronic Autoimmune Epithelitis in Sjögren's Syndrome and Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Comprehensive Review

Within the spectrum of autoimmune diseases, Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cholangitis are exemplary and can be coined as chronic epithelitis based on their frequent coexistence in clinical practice and the highly specific immune-mediated injury of the small bile ducts and the exocrine glands. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying the diseases are similar, with apoptosis being the key element leading to organ-specific immune-mediated injury directed against the small bile ducts and salivary gland epithelia, respectively along with similar epidemiological features, such as female predominance and the age of onset in the fifth decade of life. Indeed, novel insights into the pathogenesis of the diseases have been obtained in recent years, including a better definition of the role of B and T cells, particularly Th17 cells, and the mechanisms of autoantibody-mediated tissue injury, with anti-mitochondrial antibodies and SS-A/SS-B being identified as specific for primary biliary cholangitis and Sjögren's syndrome, respectively. These findings have opened the possibility to new targeted therapies, but most clinical needs remain unmet, particularly from a therapeutic standpoint where options diverge, with bile acids being the predominant treatment strategy in primary biliary cholangitis and immunomodulators being used to treat Sjögren's syndrome. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the most recent findings on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapeutic options for Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cholangitis, respectively, while stressing the common traits between these conditions. Our cumulative hypothesis is that similarities outnumber differences and that this may prove advantageous towards a better management of patients.

Extrahepatic Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Diseases: A Phenomenon Neglected by Gastroenterologists

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) often coexist with other extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EHAIDs). The spectrum of EHAIDs in patients with AILDs is similar, whereas the incidence is different. Notably, autoimmune thyroid disease and Sjogren's syndrome are the most common EHAIDs. Associated extrahepatic diseases may predate the appearance of AILDs or coincide with their onset. More frequently, they may appear during the course and even occur years after the diagnosis of AILDs. Importantly, associated EHAIDs may influence the natural course and prognosis of AILDs. To date, a definite pathophysiological pathway which contributes to the coexistence of AILDs and EHAIDs is still lacking. The current view of autoimmunity clustering involves a common susceptibility genetic background which applies to related pathologies. Herein, we review the current published researches regarding EHAIDs in patients with AILDs, particularly in relation to their clinical impact and pathophysiology. In managing patients with AILDs, gastroenterologists should be aware of the possibly associated EHAIDs to ensure a prompt diagnosis and better outcome.

Hepatic involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis - diagnostic difficulties

We report the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian man who presented with dry cough, haemoptysis, fever, lung nodules, erythrocyturia, and acute hepatitis. After a lung biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The diagnosis was supported by the presence of anti-proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. The most common causes of liver damage are excluded. The patient was treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide, which resulted in remission of chest CT findings and improvement in liver function tests. During the flare, new lung infiltrations as well as elevation of liver enzymes were present. Treatment with rituximab resulted in complete clinical and radiological remission and normalisation of liver function tests. What makes this case worth reporting is the rare liver involvement in the GPA. After exclusion of coexistence of autoimmune liver disease and drug-induced liver lesion, organ involvement was supported by the reversion of abnormal LFT after the immunosuppression of GPA.

Lactoferrin Increases Antioxidant Activities and Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis in Lupus-Prone Mice Fed with a High-Cholesterol Diet

Lactoferrin (LF) has beneficial effects against various diseases. However, the effects of LF on liver fibrosis in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are unknown. In this study, NZB/W F1 mice were utilized to investigate the effects of LF on SLE. Experiments reveal that LF significantly increases glutathione and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl levels and significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels in both serum and liver in NZB/W F1 mice. LF also lowered matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and liver inflammatory indices, such as aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, significantly decreased expression of fibrotic related molecules, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and TGF-β1 receptor, were observed in the livers of NZB/W F1 mice that had been treated with LF. Significantly, suppressed Smad2/3 signaling, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen deposition were also detected. These findings reveal that LF has beneficial effects on SLE by increasing antioxidant activities and ameliorating liver inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting the therapeutic effectiveness of LF against SLE.

Clinical predictors of silent but substantial liver fibrosis in primary Sjogren's syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and the predictors of silent but substantial liver fibrosis in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).

METHODS

We enrolled 101 pSS patients with normal liver function and structures, and without significant liver diseases or other conditions affecting liver fibrosis. The European league against rheumatism (EULAR) SS patients reported index (ESSPRI) and the EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) were analyzed. Liver stiffness (LS) was measured using transient elastography and 7.4 kPa was determined as the cutoff value for significant liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

The median age of patients (91women) was 53 years and the median LS value was 4.7 kPa. The median ESSPRI and ESSDAI showed no correlation with LS values. Twelve patients (11.9%) had significant liver fibrosis. In multivariate logistic regression, white blood cells count ≤4000.0/mm(3) (Odds ratio [OR] 9.821), serum albumin ≤3.8 mg/dL (OR 16.770) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 27.0 IU/L (OR 20.858) independently predicted silent but substantial liver fibrosis in pSS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of silent but substantial liver fibrosis was 11.9% in pSS and its predictors were leukopenia, decreased serum albumin and increased AST levels.

Liver cirrhosis in selected autoimmune diseases: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

The association between autoimmune diseases and liver cirrhosis has rarely been explored in Asian populations, an endemic area of viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative risk of liver cirrhosis among a group of selective autoimmune diseases in Taiwanese patients and to identify groups of high risk. This retrospective study was a nationwide, population-based study and used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 29,856 patients with definite diagnosis of selected autoimmune diseases (Registry of Taiwan Catastrophic Illness Database, ACR classification) at the starting time point of January 1, 2005, were enrolled in this study. After tracked for a 5-year period, the endpoints were diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (in accordance with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, ICD-9-CM codes 571). The control group was composed of other patients in the same database and consisted of randomly selected 753,495 sex- and age-matched non-autoimmune disease patients. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to calculate the risk of liver cirrhosis after adjusting for certain variables such as comorbidity, living area, and socioeconomic status. Among the patients with selected autoimmune diseases, 1987 liver cirrhosis were observed. Patients with psoriasis had a significantly increased risk of liver cirrhosis (HR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.25-2.81) than control group without psoriasis. The risk of liver cirrhosis was significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (HR 0.29, 95 % CI 0.19-0.44). There is a gradient of risk of liver cirrhosis among the autoimmune diseases; the specific risks need to be investigated on the basis of hypotheses. Conventional immunosuppressive drug administration should be carefully implemented by regular monitoring of liver condition in order to avoid causing an adverse effect of chronic liver fibrosis.

Evaluation and management of gastrointestinal manifestations in scleroderma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extra-cutaneous organ system involved with systemic sclerosis (SSc) affecting approximately 90% of patients. This review summarizes the recent advances in the evaluation and management of gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a growing body of evidence that uncontrolled GERD can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of SSc-associated interstitial lung disease. Newer forms of management of Barrett esophagus are showing significant promise as potentially curative therapy. Gastric antral vascular ectasias have strongly been associated with the presence of RNA polymerase III antibody. Newer technologies have advanced the assessment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in SSc. Evidence of probiotic use for the treatment of gastrointestinal complications is emerging. The UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 questionnaire is being increasingly accepted by the SSc experts as a validated instrument for evaluation of patient-reported outcomes involving the gastrointestinal tract.

SUMMARY

Our knowledge of the complex pathogenesis of gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc has expanded substantially in the last few decades. There has also been considerable technological progress in the evaluation of these manifestations. Patient care is being optimized by close collaboration of rheumatologists and gastroenterologists, leading to a more coordinated approach in the management of these complications.

Clinical Characteristics of Concomitant Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: A Literature Review

Although autoimmune diseases often coexist, concomitant cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are uncommon. In this review paper, 34 cases of SLE with concomitant PBC found in English and Japanese scientific literature and Japanese proceedings were reviewed and summarized, including cases with liver dysfunction complicated by SLE. Of the 34 reported concomitant cases of SLE and PBC, 97.1% (33/34) were females, and PBC was diagnosed initially in 69.0% (20/29), except for five cases in which both SLE and PBC were simultaneously diagnosed. Sjögren's syndrome was the most common autoimmune disease complicating concomitant SLE and PBC (23.5%, 8/34). Five deaths have been reported: two elderly patients died of liver failure because of the worsening of PBC, and another two patients died from pulmonary infection associated with SLE pharmacotherapy. It is uncertain whether concomitant cases occur by chance or share a common immunological or genetic basis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a generalized autoimmune epithelitis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic progressive autoimmune cholestatic liver disease characterized by highly specific antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and the specific immune-mediated injury of small intrahepatic bile ducts. Unique apoptotic feature of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) may contribute to apotope presentation to the immune system, causing unique tissue damage in PBC. Perpetuation of inflammation may result in senescence of BECs, contributing to irreversible loss of bile duct. In addition to the classic liver manifestations, focal inflammation and tissue damage are also seen in salivary glands and urinary tract in a significant proportion of PBC patients. These findings provide potent support to the idea that molecular mimicry may be involved in the breakdown of autoimmune tolerance and mucosal immunity may lead to a systematic epithelitis in PBC patients. Thus, PBC is considered a generalized epithelitis in clinical practice.

Challenge of liver disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: Clues for diagnosis and hints for pathogenesis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) encompass a broad spectrum of liver diseases. We propose here to classify them as follows: (1) immunological comorbilities (overlap syndromes); (2) non-immunological comorbilities associated to SLE; and (3) a putative liver damage induced by SLE itself, referred to as "lupus hepatitis". In the first group, liver injury can be ascribed to overlapping hepatopathies triggered by autoimmune mechanisms other than SLE occurring with higher incidence in the context of lupus (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis). The second group includes non-autoimmune liver diseases, such as esteatosis, hepatitis C, hypercoagulation state-related liver lesions, hyperplasic parenchymal and vascular lesions, porphyria cutanea tarda, and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Finally, the data in the literature to support the existence of a hepatic disease produced by SLE itself, or the occurrence of a SLE-associated prone condition that increases susceptibility to acquire other liver diseases, is critically discussed. The pathological mechanisms underlying each of these liver disorders are also reviewed. Despite the high heterogeneity in the literature regarding the prevalence of SLE-associated liver diseases and, in most cases, lack of histopathological evidence or clinical studies large enough to support their existence, it is becoming increasingly apparent that liver is an important target of SLE. Consequently, biochemical liver tests should be routinely carried out in SLE patients to discard liver disorders, particularly in those patients chronically exposed to potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Diagnosing liver disease in SLE patients is always challenging, and the systematization of the current information carried out in this review is expected to be of help both to attain a better understanding of pathogenesis and to build an appropriate work-up for diagnosis.

Immune Components of Liver Damage Associated with Connective Tissue Diseases

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases are associated with liver abnormalities and often have overlapping pathological and clinical manifestations. As a result, they can present great clinical challenges and evoke questions about diagnostic criteria for liver diseases. Moreover, discriminating between liver involvement as a manifestation of connective tissue disease and primary liver disease can be challenging since they share a similar immunological mechanism. Most patients with connective tissue diseases exhibit liver test abnormalities that likely result from coexisting, primary liver diseases, such as fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-related liver toxicity. Liver damage can be progressive, leading to cirrhosis, complications of portal hypertension, and liver-related death, and, therefore, must be accurately identified. In this review, we highlight the challenges facing the diagnosis of liver damage associated with connective tissue disease and identify immune mechanisms involved in liver damage associated with connective tissue diseases.