Muscle biopsy abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters

Joint and muscle inflammatory disease: A scoping review of the published evidence

OBJECTIVES

Polyarthritis is commonly reported in idiopathic inflammatory myositis patients, but few studies have focused on the overlap of myositis with rheumatoid arthritis which is a difficult diagnosis in the absence of well-defined diagnostic criteria. The primary objective of this scoping review was to map the field of research to explore the potential diagnoses in patients presenting with both myositis and polyarthritis.

METHODS

Two electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed® and Web of Science®) were systematically searched using the terms (myositis OR 'inflammatory idiopathic myopathies') AND (polyarthritis OR 'rheumatoid arthritis') without any publication date limit.

RESULTS

Among individual records, 280 reports met inclusion criteria after full-text review. There was heterogeneity in the definition of overlap myositis as well as the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis. In many studies, key data were lacking; rheumatoid factor status was reported in 56.8% (n=151), anti-citrullinated proteins antibodies status in 18.8% (n=50), and presence or absence of bone erosions in 45.1% (n=120) of the studies. Thirteen different diagnoses were found to associate myositis with polyarthritis: antisynthetase syndrome (29.6%, n=83), overlap myositis with rheumatoid arthritis (16.1%, n=45), drug-induced myositis (20.0%, n=56), rheumatoid myositis (7.5%, n=21), inclusion body myositis (1.8%, n=5), overlap with connective tissue disease (20.0%, n=56), and others (5.0%, n=14).

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of joint and muscle inflammatory diseases encompasses many diagnoses including primitive and secondary myositis associated with RA or arthritis mimicking RA. This review highlights the need for a consensual definition of OM with RA to better individualise this entity from the numerous differential diagnoses.

Novel aspects of muscle involvement in immune-mediated inflammatory arthropathies and connective tissue diseases

Myalgia, myopathy and myositis are the most important types of muscle impairment in immune-mediated inflammatory arthropathies and connective tissue diseases. Multiple pathogenetic and histological changes occur in the striated muscles of these patients. Clinically, the most important muscle involvement is the one that causes complaints to the patients. In everyday practice, insidious symptoms present a serious problem for the clinician; in many cases, it is difficult to decide when and how to treat the muscle symptoms that are often present only subclinically. In this work, authors review the international literature on the types of muscle problems in autoimmune diseases. In scleroderma histopathological picture of muscle shows a very heterogeneous picture, necrosis and atrophy are common. In rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, myopathy is a much less defined concept, further studies are needed to describe it. According to our view, overlap myositis should be recognized as a separate entity, preferably with distinct histological and serological characteristics. More studies are needed to describe muscle impairment in autoimmune diseases which may help to explore this topic more in depth and be of clinical use.

Scleromyositis: A distinct novel entity within the systemic sclerosis and autoimmune myositis spectrum. Implications for care and pathogenesis

Systemic sclerosis and autoimmune myositis are both associated with decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Their prognosis and management largely depend on the disease subgroups. Indeed, systemic sclerosis is a heterogeneous disease, the two predominant forms of the disease being limited and diffuse scleroderma. Autoimmune myositis is also a heterogeneous group of myopathies that classically encompass necrotizing myopathy, antisynthetase syndrome, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Recent data revealed that an additional disease subset, denominated "scleromyositis", should be recognized within both the systemic sclerosis and the autoimmune myositis spectrum. We performed an in-depth review of the literature with the aim of better delineating scleromyositis. Our review highlights that this concept is supported by recent clinical, serological and histopathological findings that have important implications for patient management and understanding of the disease pathophysiology. As compared with other subsets of systemic sclerosis and autoimmune myositis, scleromyositis patients can present with a characteristic pattern of muscle involvement (i.e. distribution of muscle weakness) along with multisystemic involvement, and some of these extra-muscular complications are associated with poor prognosis. Several autoantibodies have been specifically associated with scleromyositis, but they are not currently integrated in diagnostic and classification criteria for systemic sclerosis and autoimmune myositis. Finally, striking vasculopathic lesions at muscle biopsy have been shown to be hallmarks of scleromyositis, providing a strong anatomopathological substratum for the concept of scleromyositis. These findings bring new insights into the pathogenesis of scleromyositis and help to diagnose this condition, in patients with subtle SSc features and/or no autoantibodies (i.e. "seronegative" scleromyositis). No guidelines are available for the management of these patients, but recent data are showing the way towards a new therapeutic approach dedicated to these patients.

Two clusters of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with muscle involvement in a Chinese cohort

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to depict the clinical features, including myositis specific or associated antibody (MSA/MAA) profile of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with muscle involvement in a Chinese cohort.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied a cohort of 1696 SLE inpatients and screened for concurrent myositis features from January 2013 to June 2021. Propensity score matching was applied to enroll controls without myositis features from our cohort. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were collected. MSA/MAA panels containing 16 autoantibodies (TIF1-γ, MDA5, NXP2, Mi-2α/β, SAE1, Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, SRP, HMGCR, cN-1A, PM-Scl75/100, Ku and Ro52) were tested by line-blotting assay. Binary logistic regression and K-means clustering were applied.

RESULTS

Forty-one of 1696 (2.42%) SLE patients in our SLE inpatient cohort showed features of myositis. Binary logistic regression revealed that new-onset SLE (odds ratio [OR] = 4.77, 95% CI = 1.10-20.57), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (OR = 10.07, 95% CI = 1.65-61.51), positive anti-U1RNP antibody (OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 1.08-17.75), and Raynaud's phenomenon (OR = 7.94, 95% CI = 1.41-44.69) were associated with muscle involvement. Except for anti-Ro52 (50%), anti-Ku antibody (38.2%) was the next frequently detected MSA/MAA in the panel, followed by anti-NXP2 antibody (11.8%). It was noteworthy that multiple MSA/MAAs (≥2, excluding anti-Ro52) coexisted in 9 patients. Patients with myositis features were clustered into 2 subgroups. Cluster 1 was characterized by anti-Ku or anti-Ro52 with high SLE Disease Activity Index, whereas cluster 2 presented with anti-U1RNP, Raynaud's phenomenon and pulmonary arterial hypertension resembling mixed connective tissue disease.

CONCLUSION

In our Chinese SLE inpatient cohort, muscle involvement was infrequent. Nevertheless, distinct features in these SLE patients deserve further study.

Vitamin D supplementation modulates autophagy in the pristane-induced lupus model

Introduction/objectives

Clinical evidence of skeletal muscle involvement is not uncommon in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because of the poor understanding of signaling pathways involved in SLE muscle wasting, the  aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle in mice with pristane-induced lupus.

Methods

Balb/c mice with lupus-like disease induced by pristane injection were randomized into three groups: pristane-induced lupus (PIL; n = 10), pristane-induced lupus + vitamin D supplementation (PIL + VD; n = 10) and healthy controls (CO; n = 8). Physical function was evaluated on days 0, 60, 120 and 180. The tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were collected to evaluate myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and protein expression.

Results

The PIL + VD group showed lower muscle strength compared to the CO and PIL groups at different time points. PIL mice showed similar myofiber CSA compared to CO and PIL + VD groups. LC3-II expression was higher in PIL compared to CO and PIL + VD groups. MyoD expression was higher in PIL mice compared to PIL + VD, while myostatin expression was higher in PIL + VD than PIL group. Myogenin expression levels were decreased in the PIL + VD group compared with the CO group. The Akt, p62 and MuRF expressions and mobility assessment showed no significance.

Conclusions

Changes in skeletal muscle in PIL model happen before CSA reduction, possibly due to autophagy degradation, and treatment with Vitamin D has a impact on physical function by decreasing muscle strength and time of fatigue.. Vitamin D supplementation has a potential role modulating physical parameters and signaling pathways in muscle during pristane-induced lupus model.

Muscle involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: multimodal ultrasound assessment and relationship with physical performance

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were (1) to explore US findings for muscle mass, muscle quality and muscle stiffness in SLE patients and healthy subjects; (2) to investigate the relationship between the US muscle findings and physical performance in SLE patients and healthy subjects.

METHODS

Quadriceps muscle thickness was used for assessment of muscle mass, muscle echogenicity (using a visual semi-quantitative scale and grayscale analysis with histograms) for assessment of muscle quality, and point shear-wave elastography (SWE) for assessment of muscle stiffness in 30 SLE patients (without previous/current myositis or neuromuscular disorders) and 15 age-, sex- and BMI-matched healthy subjects. Hand grip strength tests and short physical performance battery (SPPB) tests were carried out in the same populations.

RESULTS

No difference was observed between SLE patients and healthy subjects for quadriceps muscle thickness (35.2 mm ±s.d. 6.8 vs 34.8 mm ± s.d. 6.0, respectively, P = 0.79). Conversely, muscle echogenicity was significantly increased in SLE patients (visual semi-quantitative scale: 1.7 ± s.d. 1.0 vs 0.3 ± s.d. 0.5, respectively, P < 0.01; grayscale analysis with histograms: 87.4 mean pixels ± s.d. 18.8 vs 70.1 mean pixels ± s.d. 14.0, respectively, P < 0.01). Similarly, SWE was significantly lower in SLE patients compared with healthy subjects {1.5 m/s [interquartile range (IQR) 0.3] vs 1.6 m/s (IQR 0.2), respectively, P = 0.01}. Muscle echogenicity was inversely correlated with grip strength (visual semi-quantitative scale, Rho: -0.47, P = 0.01; grayscale analysis with histograms, Rho: -0.41, p < 0.01) and SPPB (visual semi-quantitative scale, Rho: -0.50, P < 0.01; grayscale analysis with histograms Rho: -0,46, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

US assessment of muscle echogenicity and stiffness is useful for the early detection of muscle involvement in SLE patients.

Intermuscular adipose tissue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Patients with SLE frequently have debilitating fatigue and reduced physical activity. Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) accumulation is associated with reduced physical exercise capacity. We hypothesised that IMAT is increased in patients with SLE and associated with increased fatigue, reduced physical activity and increased inflammation.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 23 patients with SLE and 28 control participants were evaluated. IMAT was measured in the calf muscles using sequential T ₁-weighted MRI. Patient-reported physical activity and fatigue were measured and a multiplex proteomic assay was used to measure markers and mediators of inflammation.

RESULTS

IMAT accumulation (percentage of IMAT area to muscle area) was significantly higher in SLE versus control participants (7.92%, 4.51%-13.39% vs 2.65%, 1.15%-4.61%, median, IQR, p<0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, race and body mass index (p<0.001). In patients with SLE, IMAT accumulation did not differ significantly among corticosteroid users and non-users (p=0.48). In the study cohort (patients and controls), IMAT was positively correlated with self-reported fatigue score (rho=0.52, p<0.001) and inversely correlated with self-reported walking distance (rho=-0.60, p<0.001). Several markers of inflammation were associated with IMAT accumulation in patients with SLE, and gene ontology analysis showed significant enrichment for pathways associated with macrophage migration and activation in relation to IMAT.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SLE have greater IMAT accumulation than controls in the calf muscles. Increased IMAT is associated with greater fatigue and lower physical activity. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that improve muscle quality to alleviate fatigue in patients with SLE.

Clinical and histopathological features of myositis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective

The objectives of this study were to compare the clinical features of patients with SLE with and without myopathy and to describe the muscle biopsy features of patients with SLE myopathy.

Methods

This nested case–control study included all subjects enrolled in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort database from May 1987 to June 2016. Subjects with elevated creatine kinase along with evidence of muscle oedema on MRI, myopathic electromyography and/or myopathic muscle biopsy features were defined as having SLE myopathy. Demographic, serological and clinical features were compared between patients with SLE with and without myopathy. Muscle biopsies were histologically classified as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, necrotising myopathy or non-specific myositis.

Results

From among 2437 patients with SLE, 179 (7.3%) had myopathy. African American patients were more likely to develop myositis than Caucasian patients (p<0.0001). Compared with those without myopathy, patients with SLE myopathy were more likely to have malar rash (OR 1.67, 1.22–2.29), photosensitivity (OR 1.43, 1.04–1.96), arthritis (OR 1.81, 1.21–2.69), pleurisy (OR 1.77, 1.3–2.42), pericarditis (OR 1.49, 1.06–2.08), acute confusional state (OR 2.07, 1.09–3.94), lymphopaenia (OR 1.64, 1.2–2.24), anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (OR 1.52, 1.09–2.13), lupus anticoagulant (OR 1.42, 1–2), cognitive impairment (OR 1.87, 1.12–3.13), cataract (OR 1.5, 1.04–2.18), pulmonary hypertension (OR 1.98, 1.13–3.47), pleural fibrosis (OR 2.01, 1.27–3.18), premature gonadal failure (OR 1.9, 1.05–3.43), diabetes (OR 1.92, 1.22–3.02) or hypertension (OR 1.45, 1.06–2). Among 16 muscle biopsies available for review, the most common histological classifications were necrotising myositis (50%) and dermatomyositis (38%).

Conclusions

Patients with SLE myopathy have a higher prevalence of numerous SLE disease manifestations. Necrotising myopathy and dermatomyositis are the most prevalent histopathological features in SLE myopathy.

Peripheral nervous system manifestations of rheumatological diseases

Rheumatological diseases result in immune-mediated injury to not only connective tissue, but often components of the peripheral nervous system. These overlap conditions can be broadly categorized as peripheral neuropathies and overlap myositis. The peripheral neuropathies are distinctive as many have unusual presentations such as non-length-dependent, small fiber neuropathies and sensory neuronopathies (both due to dorsal root ganglia dysfunction), multiple mononeuropathies (e.g. vasculitic neuropathies), and even cranial neuropathies. Overlap myositis is increasingly recognized and is often associated with specific autoantibodies. Sarcoidosis also has widespread neurological manifestations and impacts both the peripheral nerves and muscle. Much work is needed to fully characterize the vast presentations of these overlap diseases. Given the rarity of these disorders, they are understudied, resulting in significant knowledge gaps with regards to their underlying pathophysiology and the best treatment approach. A basic knowledge of these disorders is mandatory for both practicing rheumatologists and neurologists as prompt recognition and early initiation of immunotherapy may prevent significant morbidity and permanent disability.

The clinicoserological spectrum of inflammatory myopathy in the context of systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus

The autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) are characterised by a pathological triad composed of autoimmunity/inflammation, microangiopathy and aberrant tissue remodelling. Disease terms such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), scleroderma/systemic sclerosis (SSc), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are helpful clinically but disguise the considerable overlap that exists within these 'distinct' disorders. This is perhaps best demonstrated by inflammatory myopathy, which can be present in SSc or SLE, but can itself be absent in clinically amyopathic IIM. Archetypal clinical manifestations of ARD (such as Raynaud's phenomenon) are frequently present, albeit with varying prominence, within each of these diseases. This is certainly the case for inflammatory myositis, which has long been recognised as an important clinical feature of both SSc and SLE. Progress in elucidating the clinicoserological spectrum of autoimmune rheumatic diseases has identified autoantibody specificities that are strongly associated with 'overlap' disease and the presence of inflammatory myositis in SSc and SLE. In this review, we shall describe the prevalence, burden, prognostic value and management considerations of IIM in the context of both SSc and SLE. A major emphasis on the value of autoantibodies shall highlight the value of these tools in predicting the future occurrence of inflammatory myositis in both SSc and SLE. Where applicable, unmet research needs shall be highlighted. The review emphasises the importance of myopathy as a common feature across all the ARDs, and highlights specific antibody specificities that are strongly associated with myopathy in the context of SLE and SSc.

Myositis in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Myositis is an infrequent feature of SLE and may often be overlooked. We aimed to estimate the incidence of myositis in SLE, and to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with it.

METHODS

Within our lupus cohort, we identified potential myositis cases using the SLICC Damage Index for muscle atrophy or weakness, the SLEDAI-2K item for myositis, and annually measured serum creatinine kinase. Cases were confirmed through chart review. We performed descriptive analyses of prevalent myositis cases as of January 2000. From that point onward, we studies patients without myositis to determine risk of incident myositis, using cohort analyses adjusted for demographic variables (age, sex, race/ethnicity).

RESULTS

As of January 2000, there were 5 prevalent myositis cases in our SLE cohort. Among 560 SLE patients with a study visit from January 2000 onward, with no history of myositis at baseline, 5 new cases (4 females, 1 male) were identified over an average follow-up of 8.5 years (incidence 1.05 cases per 1000 person-years). There was a higher proportion of Caucasians in the non-myositis group versus myositis group, with a trend for fewer females in the myositis cases. Arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and anti-Smith antibodies were common pre-existing features, occurring in all incident myositis cases. In Cox regression analyses adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and sex, non-Caucasian patients had a markedly increased risk of developing myositis.

CONCLUSION

We found a low incidence of myositis in our SLE cohort. A cluster of variables, particularly non-Caucasian race/ethnicity, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and anti-Smith antibodies were associated with risk of developing myositis in SLE. These variables may aid clinicians in identifying SLE patients at highest risk for this important complication.

Systemic lupus erythematosus-myositis overlap syndrome with lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus-myositis overlap syndrome is rare with prognostic implications. Reports suggest that systemic lupus erythematosus-myositis overlap syndrome with lupus nephritis has a variable clinical outcome. We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus-myositis overlap syndrome with lupus nephritis in a 28-year-old female, who presented with facial puffiness, proximal muscle weakness, and proteinuria.

Metabolic and Structural Skeletal Muscle Health in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Related Fatigue: A Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential structural and metabolic role of skeletal muscle in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related fatigue.

METHODS

A case-control, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was conducted. Cases were patients with inactive SLE who reported chronic fatigue. Controls were age- and sex-matched healthy members of the general population. Patients were clinically characterized and then underwent a 3T whole-body MRI scan. Resting and dynamic ³¹ P MRI spectroscopy of the calf muscles was applied, from which phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery halftime, a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction, was computed. In addition, microstructural sequences (T1-weighted anatomic images, T2 mapping, and diffusion tensor imaging) were acquired. Descriptive statistics evaluated group differences and within-case physical fatigue correlations were explored.

RESULTS

Of the 37 recruits (mean age 43.8 years, 89.2% female), cases (n = 19) reported higher levels of physical fatigue, pain, depression, and sleep disturbance compared to the control group (P < 0.0001). PCr was greater (P = 0.045) among cases (mean ± SD 33.0 ± 9.0 seconds) compared to controls (mean ± SD 27.1 ± 6.6 seconds). No microstructural group differences were observed. Within cases, physical fatigue did not correlate with PCr (r = -0.28, P = 0.25).

CONCLUSION

We report preliminary data demonstrating greater skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction among fatigued patients with SLE compared to healthy controls.

Inflammatory myositis in systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

The coexistence of inflammatory myositis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been extensively studied. In this study, we describe the incidence, distinct types of inflammatory myositis, and risk factors for this finding in a cohort of pediatric and adult SLE patients.

METHODS

We identified SLE patients with coexisting myositis followed between 2010 and 2019 at two pediatric hospitals and one adult hospital. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pathological features of myositis were collected, and descriptive statistics were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 1718 individuals were identified as having SLE (451 pediatric and 1267 adult patients). Of these, 108 were also diagnosed with inflammatory myositis (6.3%). People of black race had a significantly higher prevalence of inflammatory myositis, as did those with childhood-onset SLE compared to adult-onset disease. In the majority of patients (68%), SLE and inflammatory myositis presented concurrently. Overlapping features of systemic sclerosis occurred in 48%, while dermatomyositis-specific rashes were present in a third. Arthralgias and inflammatory arthritis were seen in >90%. Thrombotic events and significant pregnancy-related morbidity were present in more than a third of patients. Lymphopenia, hypocomplementemia, and a positive RNP were the most common laboratory features noted. Myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) and myositis-associated antibodies (MAA) were present in >40% of patients. A review of 28 muscle biopsy reports revealed a wide array of pathological features, including nonspecific changes, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and necrotizing auto-immune myopathy.

CONCLUSION

In our SLE patient population, 6.3% presented with concurrent inflammatory myositis. Dermatomyositis-specific rashes, clinical features of systemic sclerosis, arthralgias and arthritis, and cytopenias were common coexisting clinical manifestations. A high frequency of RNP, MSA, and MAA were found. People of black race and with childhood-onset disease had a higher prevalence of myositis. Our findings suggest that SLE patients of black race, with childhood-onset SLE, and who possess MSA or MAA should be routinely screened for myositis.

Fragmented QRS complex in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at the time of diagnosis and its relationship with disease activity

Objective

Cardiovascular disease is an important contributor to the mortality rate of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is related to SLE disease activity. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes, defined by additional spikes in the QRS complex, are useful for identifying myocardial scars on electrocardiography and can be an independent predictor of cardiac events. We aimed to assess the relationship between disease activity in patients with SLE and fQRS at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

Forty-four patients with SLE were included. Patients with cardiac diseases, other rheumatic diseases, and prior treatment at the time of electrocardiography measurement were excluded. The appearance of fQRS represented exposure. The primary outcome was SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between fQRS and SLEDAI-2K adjusted for age, sex, and time from the estimated onset date to the date of diagnosis.

Results

Among patients with SLE at diagnosis, 26 (59.1%) had fQRS. The median SLEDAI-2K was 18 (interquartile range [IQR], 12–22) and 9 (IQR, 8–15) in the fQRS(+) and fQRS(-) groups, respectively. SLEDAI-2K was significantly higher in the fQRS(+) group than in the fQRS(-) group (regression coefficient, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–4.61; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that fQRS(+) patients with SLE had high disease activity. fQRS could likely detect subclinical myocardial involvement in patients with SLE and predict long-term occurrence of cardiac events.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Symptoms and Signs at Initial Presentations

BACKGROUND

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystem inflammatory condition that causes microvascular inflammation with the production of various auto-antibodies that play a major role in its pathogenesis. SLE can affect both sexes, all ages, and all ethnic groups with widespread geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds. Asia encompasses people of many sociocultural backgrounds with diverse ethnic.

OBJECTIVE

Due to a lack of national epidemiological research, the incidence and prevalence of SLE in Middle Eastern and Arab countries, have only recently been studied. This article aims to explore the status of SLE in Oman and to record symptoms and signs of SLE at first presentation.

METHODOLOGY

Medical records of all patients diagnosed with SLE at the Royal Hospital from 2006 to 2014 were reviewed for information recorded at first visit. SLE diagnosis was based on the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria; ACR97 (which includes the clinical manifestation and laboratory evidence). Patients with SLE disease manifestations extrapolated and analyzed. There were 966 patients diagnosed with SLE during the period from 2006 to 2014. Mean (SD) age at presentations was 35.5 (11.5) years. Majority of patients were female which constitutes 88.7% of the total SLE patients with mean age 27.6 (1.4) years.

RESULTS

Constitutional symptoms were found in 48.68 of SLE population including fatigue in 35.22%, and weight changes in 13.43%. The cutaneous manifestations that were present included malar rash 37.69%, photosensitivity 35.10%, discoid lupus 17.63%, and hair loss 39.29%. Musculoskeletal manifestations were commonly seen among the studied population including arthralgia in 68.75%, myalgia in 55.65%, arthritis in 48.31%, whilst myositis, tendon abnormalities and avascular necrosis were found in only 2.47%, 0.31% and 1.98%. respectively.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study of the symptoms and signs at initial clinical presentation of SLE patients compared to other studies done regionally where most have focused on clinical manifestations during the progression course of SLE. SLE manifestations may be related to the differences in the genetic make-up of the patients who come from various ethnic groups despite similar geography or sociocultural background, or to referral bias, as some studies were performed in the nephrology units and others in the rheumatology units. There is a pressing need to establish a nationwide and regional collaboration to establish LUPUS and to put forward a strategic planning with each MOH to provide an easy and efficient report of SLE cases and provide various effective management for such a debilitating syndrome.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies overlapping with systemic diseases

A muscle biopsy is currently requested to assess the diagnosis of an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy overlapping with a systemic disease. During the past few years, the classification of inflammatory myopathy subtypes has been revisited progressively on the basis of correlations between clinical phenotypes, autoantibodies and histological data. Several syndromic entities are now more clearly defined, and the aim of the present review is to clarify the contribution of muscle biopsy in a setting of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies overlapping with systemic diseases.
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Neurological Disease in Lupus: Toward a Personalized Medicine Approach

The brain and nervous system are important targets for immune-mediated damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), resulting in a complex spectrum of neurological syndromes. Defining nervous system disease in lupus poses significant challenges. Among the difficulties to be addressed are a diversity of clinical manifestations and a lack of understanding of their mechanistic basis. However, despite these challenges, progress has been made in the identification of pathways which contribute to neurological disease in SLE. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of neurological disease in lupus will inform both classification and approaches to clinical trials.

Assessment of condyle, masseter and temporal muscles volumes in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the corticosteroid therapy for both treatment of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and disease activity on two masticatory muscles and condyle of the temporomandibular joint.

METHODS

A total of 21 controls and 48 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients were investigated. Volumes of the temporal and masseter muscles and condyle of the subjects were assessed by using a 3D reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging. The ITK-SNAP, a medical imaging software, was used for 3D reconstruction. A dental examination with registration of occlusion was performed in subjects. Data were statistically analyzed by means of the Dahlberg's test associated with paired t-test, Fisher's exact test and Chi-square.

RESULTS

There was a positive correlation between temporalis muscle and age (p = 0.032), masseter volume (p = 0.029) and condyle volume (p = 0.013). The mean volume measurements of temporal and masseter muscles and condyle were not statistically associated with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus regarding disease activity and corticosteroid therapy (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between malocclusion and volume of muscles and condyle.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that volume of the target structures has no correlation with cumulative corticosteroid dose, disease activity, and malocclusion.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and exercise

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rheumatic disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, especially fatigue, pain and reduced quality of life. Physical exercise is a useful tool for improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing metabolic abnormalities and fatigue and improving quality of life. However, very few studies have focused on the relationship between SLE and physical exercise. This paper reviews the main SLE symptoms that can be alleviated by exercising, as well as the results of studies seeking to analyse the exercise capacity and physical training possibilities of SLE patients. Considerations for future research are also discussed.

SLE myopathy: a clinicopathological study

AIM

To study the histological changes in muscle biopsy in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and presenting with muscle symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with SLE presenting with muscle symptoms at presentation or during follow-up and treatment between January 2010 and May 2014 and who underwent muscle biopsy were included in the study. Demographic, clinical features, serological markers, and Electromyoneurography findings were collected. Muscle biopsies were evaluated for inflammation, fiber type abnormalities, vasculitis and interstitial changes according to 2004 European Neuromuscular Centre criteria.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients underwent muscle biopsy in the study period. Clinical presentations included mucocutaneous (9), musculoskeletal (14), hematological (3), renal (8), hepatic (1) and central nervous system (CNS) (4) manifestations, and neuropathy (4), serositis (2), Raynaud's phenomenon (1) and infectious complications (8). Histological findings were perivascular/perimysial inflammation (7/15), type 1 predominance (7/15) and type 2 atrophy (13/15). Clinical evidence of myositis was seen in 8.8% of patients in the SLE registry, whereas histological evidence of myositis was seen in 46.66% of biopsied patients with muscle symptoms. There was no significant difference in clinical, serological, laboratory and muscle histology features between groups of patients with or without myositis. Type 2 atrophy was the predominant finding in SLE patients irrespective of time of muscle biopsy, treatment received and presence or absence of myositis.

CONCLUSIONS

Histological evidence of myositis was found in 46.66% of SLE patients and there were no significant differences in clinical/laboratory features in patients with or without myositis. Type 2 atrophy was seen in patients irrespective of time of the biopsy, treatment received and presence or absence of myositis. Type 2 atrophy was considered the major cause for muscle symptoms.

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, associated with antibodies to signal recognition particle, together with lupus nephritis: case presentation and management

A male patient with limb weakness, myalgia and edema was subsequently found to have an immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) on biopsy. Targeted myopathic antibody analysis revealed antibodies to signal recognition particle (SRP). Anti-SRP-associated necrotizing myopathy was diagnosed. This case was complicated by the concurrent development of class III lupus nephritis. We discuss an interesting case progression and development as well as the management of these difficult to treat conditions.

Muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical disability in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Data describing relationships between muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical disability among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited. The present study examines the relationship of muscle strength and muscle mass with physical disability among adult women with SLE.

METHODS

A total of 146 women from a longitudinal SLE cohort participated in the study. All measures were collected during an in-person research visit. Lower extremity muscle strength was assessed by peak knee torque of extension and flexion and by chair-stand time. Total lean body mass, appendicular lean mass, and fat mass (kg/m(2) ) were measured by whole-body dual x-ray absorptiometry. Self-reported physical disability was assessed using the Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36) physical functioning subscale, and the Valued Life Activities (VLA) disability scale. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients tested the correlations between muscle strength, muscle mass, and disability scores. Regression analyses modeled the effect of lower extremity muscle strength and mass on SF-36 and VLA disability scores controlling for age, SLE duration, SLE disease activity measured with the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire, physical activity level, prednisone use, body composition, and depression.

RESULTS

On all measures, reduced lower extremity muscle strength was associated with poorer SF-36 and VLA disability scores. Trends persisted after adjustment for covariates. Muscle mass was moderately correlated with muscle strength, but did not contribute significantly to adjusted regression models.

CONCLUSION

Lower extremity muscle strength, but not muscle mass, was strongly associated with physical disability scores. While further studies are needed, these findings suggest that improving muscle strength may reduce physical disability among women with SLE.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the muscle architecture in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system chronic inflammatory disease with a broad spectrum of clinical and serological manifestations. Although clinical evidence of proximal skeletal muscle involvement is not rare in patients with SLE, there is no knowledge about the effects of SLE on the macroscopic structural parameters of the muscles. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the muscle strength and structure of SLE patients using isokinetic testing and ultrasonographic imaging. Thirty-one SLE patients (5 men, 26 women) with a mean age of 38.61 ± 10.68 years and mean disease duration of 3.71 ± 3.23 years without any previous history of myositis and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Ultrasonographic evaluations were performed with a 7- to 12-MHz linear probe from vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles of the nondominant extremity. Measurements included muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicule length. Isokinetic nondominant knee muscle strength tests were performed at 60 and 180°/s. We found that muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length of vastus lateralis muscles were increased in patients with SLE in comparison to control subjects (p < 0.001, p = 0.007, and p = 0.217, respectively). On the other hand, the measurements pertaining to the gastrocnemius muscles were found to be similar between the two groups. We observed that all isokinetic knee muscle strength values were decreased in SLE patients, and knee strength values were found to be negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with height (all p < 0.01). We found that the structural and strength changes were seen in the proximal muscles of SLE patients. Pathophysiology and clinical relevance of these changes need to be further investigated.

High prevalence of myositis in a southeastern United States pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus cohort

Inflammatory myositis is reported in 4-16% of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of myositis in a cohort of pediatric SLE patients in the southeastern United States. A retrospective chart review was performed of 55 SLE patients evaluated by Pediatric Rheumatologists in Alabama since January 1, 2008. Patients were defined as having myositis if they satisfied one of the following categories: 1) Proximal muscle weakness on exam with lower extremity muscle edema on MRI; 2) Proximal muscle weakness with elevation in CK, AST, aldolase, or LDH muscle enzymes; or 3) Patient reported weakness or muscle pain and an elevated CK. Inflammatory myositis was present as a feature of SLE in 31% (n = 17) with a 95% confidence interval of 19-45%, statistically different from the reported rates of 4-16% (p < 0.0001). Myositis was positively associated with the presence of anti-ribonucleoprotein antibodies (p = 0.009). Negative associations with myositis were the presence of anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (p = 0.02) and hematologic disorders (p = 0.02). Thus, in the state of Alabama, pediatric SLE myositis is present at a statistically higher rate than previously published values of adult SLE myositis, possibly reflecting geographic (genetic or environmental) and/or age-of-onset related influence(s).

Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus: an association with reduced physical fitness

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by fatigue; however, little research has been performed to identify non-pharmacological strategies, such as physical exercise, that can be employed in the prevention and treatment of fatigue in patients with SLE. Moreover, it is not clear whether physical fitness (defined here as cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength) and functional capacities are related to SLE-associated fatigue. Here, we review the studies, mechanisms and results that relate to SLE-associated fatigue. The main findings indicate that SLE patients have lower cardiovascular capacity than healthy subjects. Physical fitness, muscle strength and functional capacity are also lower in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals. The effects of exercise programs in reducing symptoms of fatigue in SLE patients remain unclear.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and familial Mediterranean fever: a possible negative association between the two disease entities – report of four cases and review of the literature

Serositis is a common clinical manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as being the hallmark of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most prevalent monogenic disease in the Jewish population. We have treated four patients who suffered from both SLE and FMF since 2001 in our clinic, which also serves as the national center for FMF. Our cases illustrate both similarities and dissimilarities between the clinical manifestations of these two diseases, an aspect which should be borne in mind, especially in the young female patients. In general, it seems that co-occurrence of FMF moderates the presentation of lupus.

Interface dermatitis

Interface dermatitis can be classified based upon the cell type that dominates the infiltrate (ie, neutrophilic, lymphocytic, or lymphohistiocytic) or by the intensity of the interface inflammation. Regarding lymphocytic interface dermatitis, there are 2 broad categories: cell-poor interface dermatitis, when only a sparse infiltrate of inflammatory cells is present along the dermoepidermal junction, or cell rich, which typically occurs as a heavy bandlike infiltrate that obscures the basal layers of the epidermis. In the case of lymphocytic interface dermatitis, the latter is often termed a lichenoid interface dermatitis. This review focuses upon the mononuclear cell-predominant forms of interface dermatitis.

Differential diagnosis of high serum creatine kinase levels in systemic lupus erythematosus

We report the clinical and bioptic findings for a 57-year-old woman with severe chloroquine-induced myopathy. Since 1989, she had been suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with renal involvement and undergone periods of treatment with azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Additional therapy with chloroquine (CQ) was started because of arthralgia. At the same time, slightly increased creatine kinase (CK) levels were noted. Myositis was suspected, and the patient was treated with steroids. The CK increase persisted, however, and she developed progressive muscular weakness and muscular atrophy. Routine controls revealed markedly elevated CK levels of 1,700 U/l. The neurological and electrophysiological findings were not typical of myositis. Thus, muscle biopsy of the deltoid muscle was performed in order to exclude polymyositis or toxic myopathy. As it revealed chloroquine-induced myopathy, medication was stopped. Discriminating between primary SLE-induced affection of the musculoskeletal system and drug-induced side effects is important for appropriate treatment of SLE patients.

SLE/myositis overlap: are the manifestations of SLE different in overlap disease?

Myositis is a rare but recognized complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study compares clinical and laboratory features in patients with SLE complicated by myositis with patients with SLE who do not have myositis. Thus we reviewed the notes of 10 patients with an overlap of biopsy-proven myositis and SLE and compared their clinical, serological and immunogenetic features with 290 patients with SLE without myositis. Our data suggests that patients with SLE associated with myositis are more likely to have alopecia, oral ulcers, erosive joint disease and pulmonary disease but less likely to have renal disease. Our SLE/myositis patients were likely to die at a younger age. The overall disease process seems to be influenced by the presence of anti-RNP autoantibodies.

A swollen leg unmasks longstanding SLE

We report a case of long-standing SLE which presented with symptomatic muscle vasculitis on a background of photosensitivity, arthralgia and myalgia. The diagnosis was complicated by cardiomyopathy, nephrotic syndrome and diabetes. We highlight the benefits of aggressive treatment in severe disease and the importance of recognising and treating comorbidity especially ih relation to atherosclerosis.

Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: the value of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of muscle involvement

CONTEXT

One of the major current challenges related to juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy is the search for highly sensitive and specific non-invasive methods for diagnosis as well as for follow-up.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to describe typical magnetic resonance imaging findings and to investigate the usefulness of this method in detecting active muscle disease in juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

DESIGN

Transverse study, blinded assessment.

SETTING

University referral unit (Pediatric Rheumatology section, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo / Escola Paulista de Medicina).

SAMPLE

Thirteen patients (9 girls) with dermatomyositis, as well as 13 patients (12 girls) with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and 10 normal children (5 girls), were enrolled in the study.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of gluteus maximus, quadriceps, adductors and flexors were performed and evaluated by two radiologists, blinded to all clinical information. Spin-echo in T1, DP, T2 and IR was used in all MRI images.

RESULTS

The different muscle groups presented non-uniform involvement in the patients. The patients with dermatomyositis presented acute and chronic muscular alterations, while those with lupus presented only chronic myopathy, especially atrophy. In the dermatomyositis group, the major alterations were found in the gluteus and flexor regions (signal intensity and fat replacement). The signal intensity was increased in all acute myopathies.

CONCLUSION

The qualitative and quantitative resonance analyses are useful in detecting clinically active disease in patients with dermatomyositis.

Skeletal muscle immune deposits in systemic lupus erythematosus. Correlation with histologic changes, autoantibodies, and clinical involvement

Skeletal muscle biopsy and autopsy samples of 132 SLE patients were studied by immunofluorescence and light microscopic techniques. Immune deposits were compared to histologic abnormalities and clinical and serologic findings. Immune deposits with a mainly granular pattern were observed at different locations in 49 patients (37%). They correlated significantly (p<0.001) with inflammatory myopathy, demonstrated in 33(25%), with noninflammatory myopathy which occurred in 38 (29%) vasculitis, observed in 13(10%), and with noninflammatory vasculopathy which was noted in 10 patients (8%). The correlation of muscle immune deposits with anti-DNA antibodies was significant at p= 0.016. Anti-Sm and anti-U1 RNP antibodies were associated significantly with the intensity of immune deposits. Furthermore, a correlation of immune deposits with increased creatine phosphokinase and myopathic electromyogram, but not with evidence of clinical involvement, was shown. A key pathogenetic role of immune deposits in the development of skeletal muscle histologic abnormalities in SLE was demonstrated.

Mixed connective tissue disease. A clinical, histologic, and immunofluorescence study of eight cases

A study of the cutaneous eruptions of eight patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was performed to better characterize its dermatopathology and to explore a role for the membrane attack complex of complement C5b-9 in lesional pathogenesis. Nine lesional skin biopsies were obtained from eight patients with MCTD and analyzed by conventional light microscopy. Direct immunofluorescence (IF) and indirect IF using a monoclonal antibody to C5b-9 were applied in six and five cases respectively. The biopsied cutaneous eruptions were characterized clinically as photo-distributed erythematosus annular and/or papulosquamous lesions mimnicking subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) in five of eight patients as an ill-defined, telangiectatic, scaly patch on the face in one patient, palpable purpura in one patient, and dorsal hand blisters resembling porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) in another. With the exception of the latter two patients, the histology appeared similar, comprising a cell poor and/or lichenoid interface dermatitis with suprabasilar exocytosis around necrotic keratinocytes in the absence of deep periadnexal or perivascular extension or conspicuous follicular plugging, a pattern similar to that of SCLE. However, the lesions differed from SCLE by virtue of vasculopathic alterations comprising vascular ectasia, hypovascularity, and/or luminal thrombosis confined to the superficial vascular plexus and a sclerodermoid tissue reaction, the latter seen in two cases. One biopsy showed a pustular leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV). In another case, a biopsied hand blister demonstrated a PCT-like appearance histologically, namely, pauci-inflammatory subepithelial blister formation with hyalinization of dermal papillae capillaries accompanied by an LCV. There was nuclear keratinocyte decoration with IgG and C5b-9 in all cases studied, accompanied by a positive lupus band test in two cases and homogenous deposition of immunoreactants along the dermoepidermal junction and within vessels in the PCT-like eruption. Granular vascular decoration with immunoreactants including C5b-9 was seen in two LCV cases and in two biopsies from rashes clinically mimicking SCLE. Although the epidermal pathology of MCTD mimicks that of SCLE, a concomitant vasculopathy paralleling that seen in skin lesions of dermatomyositis distinquishes the dermatopathology of MCTD from that of SCLE. Corroborating the role of microangiopathy in the pathogenesis of the skin lesions of MCTD was the demonstration of C5b-9 in blood vessels. The deposition of C5b-9 in keratinocytes may explain the pattern Of IgG decoration of keratinocytes; the formation of plasmalemmal pores may permit binding of immunoglobulin to antigens in the nucleus and/or cytosol. The C 5b-9 complex may be the effector mechanism of epithelial and/or endothelial cell injury in MCTD or may serve to augment the effects of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Skeletal muscle lymphocytic vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: relation to disease activity

Lymphocytic vasculitis (LV) characterises systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and this potentially reversible lesion, which may be subclinical, may imply overt systemic disease activity. Needle quadriceps muscle biopsy was performed in 26 unselected patients with SLE and the presence of LV in these muscle specimens was compared with SLE disease activity scored using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Index (BILAG). Ten of the 22 patients with active disease showed evidence of LV compared with none of the four patients with inactive disease. In the patient group with LV, significantly higher ESR and urine neopterin values were found with P = 0.002 and P = 0.02, respectively compared with patients without LV. Features of vasculitis (as defined by BILAG) were also significantly more common in these patients (P = 0.005). None of the other parameters, including creatine kinase, were significantly different between the two patient subgroups. Thus, LV in needle quadriceps muscle biopsy specimens is a further valuable marker of disease activity in patients with SLE and might provide histological evidence of a systemic vasculitic process in a group of patients with diverse clinical manifestations.

An electron microscopic study of muscle capillary wall thickening in systemic lupus erythematosus

Capillary vessel wall thickening may contribute to the muscle fibre atrophy and impaired pulmonary gas transfer notable in SLE/MCTD. Using electron microscopy we measured the thickness of unilaminar capillary basement membranes (CBM) and quantified basement membrane laminae and pericyte layers in the skeletal muscle biopsies of 31 patients with SLE, including 14 with MCTD, and 11 controls. Capillary basement membrane thickness was significantly increased in SLE compared with controls (P < 0.01) and was significantly associated with the level of C3dg (P < 0.01). Patients with MCTD had significantly greater layering of pericytes and laminae compared with patients with SLE alone (P < 0.0001 for both variables). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that ANA titre was a good predictor of pericyte layering (R = 0.63, P = 0.003) and of basement membrane lamination (P < 0.0001), with steroid therapy having a significant negative association with the number of laminae (P < 0.02). A negative association between KCO and the number of layers of basement membrane (R = 0.51, P = 0.01) was documented. However, multiple regression analysis revealed no association between parameters of thickened vessel walls and the presence of muscle fibre atrophy.