Association of age with health-related quality of life in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the Georgians Organized Against Lupus study

Potential of bone morphogenetic protein-7 in treatment of lupus nephritis: addressing the hurdles to implementation

Up to 50% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients world-wide develop lupus nephritis (LN). In low to middle income countries and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa, where SLE is prevalent with a more aggressive course, LN and end stage renal disease is a major cause of mortality. While developed countries have the funding to invest in SLE and LN research, patients of African descent are often underrepresented in clinical trials. Thus, the complex influence of ethnicity and genetic background on outcome of LN and SLE as a whole, is not fully understood. Several pathophysiological mechanisms including major role players driving LN have been identified. A large body of literature suggest that prevention of fibrosis-which contributes to chronicity of LN-may significantly improve long-term prognosis. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) was first identified as a therapeutic option in this context decades ago and evidence of its benefit in various conditions, including LN, is ever-increasing. Despite these facts, BMP-7 is not being implemented as therapy in the context of renal disease. With this review, we briefly summarise current understanding of LN pathology and discuss the evidence in support of therapeutic potential of BMP-7 in this context. Lastly, we address the obstacles that need to be overcome, before BMP-7 may become available as LN treatment.

Determinants of health-related quality of life among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Hanoi, Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease which impacts patients' lives. Many studies in high-income countries have focused on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, evidence of awareness of SLE and HRQoL in low- and middle-income countries is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of HRQoL of SLE patients in Vietnam, a lower-middle income country.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology in 2019. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. It consisted of Short Form-36 to assess HRQoL which comprised physical and mental component summaries, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Mental Adjustment to SLE. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the determinants of HRQoL.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty four patients with SLE participated in this study. The majority of the patients were women (n = 126, 94.0%). The mean age of all participants was 37.9 years old (standard deviation [SD] 12.5). Of 134 participants, 104 (77.6%) were married. Older patients were more likely to have a lower score of mental component summary (B=-0.45, 95% CI -0.73, -0.17). Patients with more children were more likely to have a lower score of physical component summary (B=-5.14, 95% CI -9.27, -1.00). Patients who felt more helplessness or hopelessness were more likely to have lower scores of physical and mental component summaries (B=-1.85, 95% CI -2.80, -0.90; B=-1.69, 95% CI -2.57, -0.81). Also, patients who felt more anxious were more likely to have a lower score of mental component summary (B=-1.04, 95% CI -1.77, -0.32). Patients who were more satisfied with their lives were more likely to have higher scores of physical and mental component summaries (B = 1.07, 95% CI 0.50, 1.64; B = 1.08, 95% CI 0.55, 1.61).

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with lower HRQoL in Vietnam were feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, and burdens of parenting roles. However, social support can contribute to a higher HRQoL, such as information support, self-support groups, and daycare services provided at the community level.

Non-traditional risk factors of progression of chronic kidney disease in adult population: a scoping review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a public health concern over the last several years. Nowadays developed countries spend around 3% of their annual health-care budget on patients with CKD. According to the scientific community the most remarkable risk factors for CKD are diabetes and hypertension. Unknown CKD etiology has been reported as a global phenomenon including uncommon risk factors such as: dehydration, leptospirosis, heat stress, water quality, and others. This study aims to report non-traditional risk factors for ESRD based on a scoping review methodology. The scoping review methodology described by Arksey and O'Malley was used by performing an extensive review of the information. A total of 46 manuscripts were reviewed. The non-traditional ESRD risk factors are depicted based on six categories. Gender and ethnicity have been considered as risk factors for ESRD. Erythematous systemic lupus (ESL) is reported as an important risk factor for ESRD. Pesticide use has been an significant risk factor due to its effects on human and environmental health. Some compounds commonly used in homes against insects and plants are related to ESRD. Congenital and hereditary diseases in the urinary tract have been studied as a cause of ESRD in children and young adults. End-stage renal disease is a major concern for public health on a global level. As it can be seen, non-traditional risk factors are several and have different etiologies. It is necessary to put the issue on the table and add it to the public agenda in order to find multidisciplinary solutions.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Adolescent- and Adult-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Longitudinal Study of a Multiethnic US Cohort

OBJECTIVE

The long-term impact of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult SLE patients in comparison to those with adult-onset SLE is unknown. We aim to examine and compare HRQoL trajectories in adults with adolescent- and adult-onset SLE.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the LUpus in MInorities: NAture versus Nurture cohort were included. Adolescent-onset SLE were those diagnosed before 24 years of age, and adult-onset SLE were those diagnosed otherwise. Sociodemographic, clinical, medications, behavioral/psychological, and functioning data were obtained. Longitudinal trajectories of the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS) Short Form 36 health survey scores were compared between the groups using a linear mixed model accounting for time-dependent and independent covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 470 SLE patients were included (95 with adolescent-onset SLE and 375 with adult-onset SLE). The mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 19.7 ± 2.8 years in the adolescent group and 39.3 ± 11.0 years in the adult group. The baseline PCS scores were higher (better physical functioning) in adolescent-onset SLE than in adult-onset SLE (38.9 versus 34.3, respectively; P < 0.001); however, the baseline MCS scores were comparable between the groups (41.4 versus 40.5, respectively; P = 0.53). The HRQoL improved equally in both groups with no statistically significant difference within and between the groups (last mean PCS and MCS scores 43.9 and 45.3 in adolescent-onset SLE; 38.1 and 43 in adult-onset SLE).

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with adolescent-onset SLE exhibited better physical functioning than those in the adult SLE group, despite more severe disease; noteworthy, HRQoL was below the general US population, despite clinically meaningful improvement in HRQoL over time in both groups.

Adverse Health-Related Quality of Life Outcome Despite Adequate Clinical Response to Treatment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective: To determine the prevalence of adverse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in patients with SLE who achieved an adequate clinical response after a 52-week long standard therapy plus belimumab or placebo, and identify contributing factors.

Methods: We included patients who met the primary endpoint of the BLISS-52 (NCT00424476) and BLISS-76 (NCT00410384) trials, i.e., SLE Responder Index 4 (total population: N = 760/1,684; placebo: N = 217/562; belimumab 1 mg/kg: N = 258/559; belimumab 10 mg/kg: N = 285/563). Adverse HRQoL outcomes were defined as SF-36 scale scores ≤ the 5th percentile derived from age- and sex-matched population-based norms, and FACIT-Fatigue scores <30. We investigated factors associated with adverse HRQoL outcomes using logistic regression analysis.

Results: We found clinically important diminutions of HRQoL in SLE patients compared with matched norms and high frequencies of adverse HRQoL outcomes, the highest in SF-36 general health (29.1%), followed by FACIT-Fatigue (25.8%) and SF-36 physical functioning (25.4%). Overall, frequencies were higher with increasing age. Black/African American and White/Caucasian patients reported higher frequencies than Asians and Indigenous Americans, while Hispanics experienced adverse HRQoL outcome less frequently than non-Hispanics. Established organ damage was associated with adverse physical but not mental HRQoL outcomes; particularly, damage in the cardiovascular (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.07–4.21; P = 0.032) and musculoskeletal (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.01–1.96; P = 0.041) domains was associated with adverse SF-36 physical component summary. Disease activity showed no impact on HRQoL outcomes. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, addition of belimumab to standard therapy was associated with lower frequencies of adverse SF-36 physical functioning (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39–0.91; P = 0.016) and FACIT-F (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.34–0.81; P = 0.004).

Conclusions: Despite adequate clinical response to standard therapy plus belimumab or placebo, a substantial proportion of SLE patients still reported adverse HRQoL outcomes. While no impact was documented for disease activity, established organ damage contributed to adverse outcome within physical HRQoL aspects and add-on belimumab was shown to be protective against adverse physical functioning and severe fatigue.

High Disease Severity Among Asians in a US Multiethnic Cohort of Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Knowledge about systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outcomes among US Asians is lacking. We examined SLE disease activity, severity, and damage among Asians of primarily Chinese and Filipino descent in a multiethnic cohort.

METHODS

California Lupus Epidemiology Study (CLUES, n=328) data were analyzed. Data were collected in English, Cantonese, Mandarin or Spanish, using validated instruments for disease activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index), disease severity (Lupus Severity Index [LSI]) and disease damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index). We assessed differences in SLE outcomes among racial/ethnic groups using multivariable linear regression including interaction terms for age at diagnosis and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Asians were the largest racial/ethnic group (38%; [Chinese=22%; Filipino=9%; Other=7%]). Average age at diagnosis (years) was younger among Asians (27.9), particularly Filipinos (22.2), compared with Whites (29.4) and Blacks (34.0). After adjustment, disease activity and damage were not significantly different across groups. Disease severity among Asians was significantly higher than Whites (LSI 7.1 vs 6.5; p<0.05) but similar to Blacks and Hispanics. Early age at diagnosis was associated with greater organ damage among Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics, but not Whites.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE was more severe among US Asians compared to Whites. Filipinos were affected at strikingly young ages. Asians and non-White groups with younger age at diagnosis had greater organ damage than Whites. Such racial/ethnic distinctions suggest the need for heightened clinical awareness to improve health outcomes among Asians with SLE. Further study of SLE outcomes across a range of US Asian subgroups is important.

Quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the mediator role of psychological morbidity and disease activity

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience chronic symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). This study analyzed the variables that contributed to QoL in patients with SLE, including the mediating role of psychological morbidity and disease activity. This study used a transversal design and included 104 women with SLE. Participants answered several instruments assessing fatigue, psychological morbidity (depression and anxiety), body image, disease activity, and quality of life. The results showed that disease activity, fatigue severity, psychological morbidity and body image were associated with all domains of QoL. Additionally, psychological morbidity and disease activity mediated the relationship between body image and psychological morbidity. Also, disease activity mediated the relationship between body image and fatigue severity. According to the results, intervention in patients with SLE should focus on patients' psychological morbidity, particularly in the active phase of the disease. Body image, fatigue severity and psychological morbidity should be monitored in patients with SLE in order to promote QoL.

Association of physical fitness components and health-related quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus with mild disease activity

OBJECTIVES

To study the association of different components of physical fitness [flexibility, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)] and a clustered fitness score with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to analyze whether participants with high fitness level have better HRQoL.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 70 women with SLE (aged 42.5; SD 13.9 years). The back-scratch test assessed flexibility, the 30-sec chair stand and handgrip strength tests assessed muscle strength, and the 6-min walk test (n = 49) assessed CRF. HRQoL was assessed through the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

Flexibility was positively associated with the physical function dimension and the physical component summary (PCS) (rpartial between 0.26 and 0.31; p<0.05), and negatively related with social functioning dimension (rpartial = -0.26; p<0.05). Muscle strength was positively associated with the physical function, physical role, bodily pain dimensions and the PCS (rpartial between 0.27 and 0.49; all p<0.05). CRF was positively associated with the physical function and bodily pain dimensions, and PCS (rpartial between 0.39 and 0.65; all p<0.05). The clustered fitness score was associated with the physical function (B = 17.16) and bodily pain (B = 14.35) dimensions, and the PCS (B = 6.02), all p<0.005. Patients with high fitness level had greater scores in the physical function, physical role, and bodily pain dimensions and the PCS, all p≤0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that muscle strength and CRF are positively associated with HRQoL, while flexibility showed contradictory results. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining adequate fitness levels in women with SLE.

Measuring and monitoring health-related quality of life responsiveness in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: current perspectives

Objective

Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) responsiveness in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, compared to other chronic diseases. This review summarizes the available data in HRQoL responsiveness and sensitivity to change in SLE, and recommends directions for research and clinical application.

Methods

A review of the literature was conducted reporting on HRQoL responsiveness in adult SLE patients between 1984 and 2018. HRQoL studies were assessed for responsiveness, sensitivity of change, minimal important differences, minimal clinical important differences, or change in improvement or deterioration.

Results

Responsiveness or sensitivity to change in health-related status was observed in Medical Outcome Survey Short Form-36, SLE Symptom Checklist, EuroQoL, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 6D. SLE-specific quality of life questionnaire demonstrated greater responsiveness than the individual domains of SF-36. Lupus quality of life showed large responsiveness when there was improvement. LupusPRO and its derivative Lupus Impact Tracker were found to be responsive to change in disease activity, reflecting both improvement and worsening. Lupus Impact Tracker and physical health and pain domains of Lupus quality of life were responsive to SLE composite responder index.

Conclusion

This review highlights the need for further studies that capture responsiveness and change in HRQoL that are clinically meaningful and sustained. Most importantly, the choice of one measure over another is influenced by the purpose of the HRQoL measure, the particular HRQoL domain, and the SLE disease state that are relevant to the research question.

Geriatric Assessment of Physical and Cognitive Functioning in a Diverse Cohort of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To use multidomain functional assessment, which is commonly performed in geriatric patients but is novel in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), to better understand functional impairment in patients with SLE.

METHODS

We recruited 60 adult participants (aged 20-39 years [26.7%], 40-59 years [50.0%], and ≥60 years [23.3%]; 80.0% African American and 90.0% female) from an existing cohort of SLE patients. During in-person visits (from October 2016 to April 2017), we evaluated physical performance (range 0-4, with higher scores indicating better performance), cognitive performance (5 fluid cognition domains; adjusted T scores), and self-reported measures including physical functioning (T scores), activities of daily living (ADLs), falls, and life-space mobility.

RESULTS

In the SLE patients, the mean balance score (3.7) and gait speed score (3.4) were high, while the mean lower body strength score was low (1.8). Cognitive performance was average (score of 5.0) for episodic (47.7) and working (48.6) memory and low average for cognitive flexibility (43.7), processing speed (42.6), and attention/inhibitory control (38.8 [>1 SD below average]) when compared with healthy individuals of the same age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education level. Most participants reported the ability to independently perform basic ADLs, but many reported the inability to independently perform instrumental ADLs. Nearly half (45.0%) of participants reported falling in the prior year. Only 40.0% reported unlimited ability to travel without the help of another person. Scores generally did not differ substantially according to age.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a high prevalence of impairment across multiple domains of function in SLE patients of all ages, similar to or exceeding the prevalence observed in much older geriatric populations. Further research into the added value of geriatric assessment in routine care for SLE is warranted.