Systemic lupus erythematosus in India

Integrating spiritual disposition intervention into behavioral medicine: A case report on systemic lupus erythematosus from India

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory systemic autoimmune disease. The disease manifests as the body's immune cells start attacking healthy connective tissue, which affects the skin, kidneys, blood vessels, brain, and other vital organs. As with any other chronic illness, the disease has psychological implications.Purpose: Literature suggests patients with SLE experience anxiety, depression, anger, and stress along with physiological symptoms. There is a strong association between the occurrence of stress and the onset of the disease. These psychological symptoms can be ameliorated through spiritual activities such as meditation, mindfulness, journaling, and reading.Mehtod: This case report is based on the importance of spirituality in the healthcare system. The study focuses on the concept of a whole-person-centered approach to the medical care industry. Spirituality has been proven to have a positive effect on health and illness. Hence, a 10-week intervention with 30 sessions focusing on spiritual dispositions was provided to the patient for this study, along with regular pharmacological treatment. The present case report is of a 56-year-old woman from New Delhi, India, who was diagnosed with SLE 2 years ago.Results: The results reveal the positive effect of the intervention, as it led to a significant decrease in stress levels and depressive symptoms; it also resulted in improved quality of life, an enhanced coping style, and bolstered health hardiness. There was an increase in the score of a spiritual personality.Conlcusion: Spiritual Disposition as an intervention was sucessfull in reducing psychological implications of the disease thus leading to overall positve growth in the patient.

Rituximab as add-on therapy in patients with resistant lupus nephritis who have failed induction or maintenance therapy with other agents: A real-world experience from a single center in Mumbai

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis (LN) is associated with poor outcomes and a significant risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Some patients with resistant LN do not respond adequately to current treatment options and need alternative strategies or therapies.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab as a re-induction therapy (Re-RTX) followed by maintenance therapy for patients with resistant LN.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with resistant LN (failed initial induction therapy or severe relapse after remission) were analyzed. Re-RTX was co-administered with other immunosuppressants. The primary KDIGO criteria outcomes included renal response (complete and partial), disease progression, relapses, and infections.

RESULTS

The median age was 28 years (IQR 24.5-42), and the female-to-male ratio was 11:1. All patients had active LN, and 91.3% had proliferative LN. Baseline creatinine was 1.075 mg% (IQR 0.7-1.38), and mean urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) was 4.9 (IQR 2.8-6.65). Of the patients receiving RTX as re-induction therapy, 66.6% (16/24) had failed initial induction therapy with other immunosuppressants, whereas 33.3% (8/24) had severe relapse during maintenance therapy.Re-RTX had a favorable renal response at 6 months, with 91.7% of the patients responding (20.8% complete response and 70.8% partial response). At 12 months, 58.3% of the patients maintained a renal response (25% complete response and 33.3% partial response). Approximately one-third of patients relapsed within a year.Fourteen patients (58.3%) continued RTX maintenance therapy with two different treatment regimens. At 6 months, Regimen-1 (500 mg every 6 months) resulted in a partial response in 43% (3/7) and relapse in 57% (4/7) of patients. Regimen 2 (1 g dose per year) achieved a complete response in 28.5% (2/7) and a partial response in 71.5% (5/7) with no relapses at 6 months.At a median follow-up of 29 months, adverse renal outcomes were observed in 29.16% of the patients with progression to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The overall use of Re-RTX was considered safe, with a reported infection prevalence of 16%, which is comparable to the existing data.

CONCLUSION

Re-RTX demonstrated efficacy and safety as an induction therapy for resistant LN. However, the response waned after 1 year, underscoring the need for optimized maintenance therapy.

Clusters based on demography, disease phenotype, and autoantibody status predicts mortality in lupus: data from Indian lupus cohort (INSPIRE)

OBJECTIVES

SLE is associated with significant mortality, and data from South Asia is limited. Thus, we analysed the causes and predictors of mortality and hierarchical cluster-based survival in the Indian SLE Inception cohort for Research (INSPIRE).

METHODS

Data for patients with SLE was extracted from the INSPIRE database. Univariate analyses of associations between mortality and a number of disease variables were conducted. Agglomerative unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis was undertaken using 25 variables defining the SLE phenotype. Survival rates across clusters were assessed using non-adjusted and adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models.

RESULTS

Among 2072 patients (with a median follow-up of 18 months), there were 170 deaths (49.2 deaths per 1000 patient-years) of which cause could be determined in 155 patients. 47.1% occurred in the first 6 months. Most of the mortality (n = 87) were due to SLE disease activity followed by coexisting disease activity and infection (n = 24), infections (n = 23), and 21 to other causes. Among the deaths in which infection played a role, 24 had pneumonia. Clustering identified four clusters, and the mean survival estimates were 39.26, 39.78, 37.69 and 35.86 months in clusters 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CI) were significant for cluster 4 [2.19 (1.44, 3.31)], low socio-economic-status [1.69 (1.22, 2.35)], number of BILAG-A [1.5 (1.29, 1.73)] and BILAG-B [1.15 (1.01, 1.3)], and need for haemodialysis [4.63 (1.87,11.48)].

CONCLUSION

SLE in India has high early mortality, and the majority of deaths occur outside the health-care setting. Clustering using the clinically relevant variables at baseline may help identify individuals at high risk of mortality in SLE, even after adjusting for high disease activity.

Mortality in a cohort of Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A comparison with African, Arabic, and Mediterranean studies

Objectives

The study aimed to examine the frequency, causes, and predictors of mortality in a cohort of Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and compare mortality causes and the survival rate in our cohort to African, Arabic, and Mediterranean studies.

Patients and methods

In this retrospective study, a review of medical records of 563 SLE patients (516 females, 47 males; median of age: 32 [IQR: 26-38 years]; range, 14 to 63 years) fulfilling the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria between January 2015 and December 2019 was done. The data extracted included demographic, clinical, and laboratory features, treatments used, disease activity as measured by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and damage index as measured by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index. Causes of mortality were also reported.

Results

Out of 563 reviewed medical records, 50 (8.9%) patients died. Infection (28%) and organ damage (18%) were the most commonly reported causes of death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients with cardiac manifestations, renal failure, those receiving higher doses of either oral (in their last visit) or intravenous (higher cumulative pulse steroids) steroids were at increased risk of mortality (p=0.011, p<0.001, p=0.01, and p<0.001, respectively; 95% confidence intervals 7.2, 63.9, 1.2, and 1.09, respectively). The overall survival at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 96.6%, 93.3%, 91.0%, and 83.2%, respectively, and 56.2% at 25 years until the end of the follow-up.

Conclusion

Cardiac manifestations, renal failure, and higher steroid doses were independent predictors of mortality in our cohort. As in most African countries, infection was the main cause of death in our study; however, the mortality rate and the five-year survival among our cohort were better than in African (sub-Saharan) countries and similar to Arabic and Mediterranean countries.

Long-term outcome and predictors of long-term outcome in patients with lupus nephritis managed at a tertiary hospital in Mumbai

AIM

Study the long-term outcome of the patients with LN and identify the baseline factors that can predict the long-term outcome of these patients.

METHODS

All biopsy-proven LN patients who attended our regular 'lupus nephritis' clinic from 2013 to 2021 were studied. Data of these patients were collected from the hospital patient records. Standard therapy was given as per the KDIGO guidelines, and the renal response was evaluated according to KDIGO outcome criteria. Cox' regression analysis was used to determine predictors of chronic kidney disease (persistent doubling of serum creatinine with creatinine ≥1.5 mg%). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for renal survival.

RESULTS

Eighty patients with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. Median age of onset was 24 years (IQR18-35). Median follow up was 6.5 years (IQR 3-10). World Health Organisation renal biopsy profile was Class I 1(1.2 %), Class II 6(7.5 %), Class III 9(11.2 %), Class IV 36(45 %), Class V 18(22.5 %) and Mixed Class IV + V 10 (12%). Complete remission was achieved in 63.75%, 70 % and 66.6% patients at 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively. Survival with normal renal function was 88.5 %, 85.8% and 60 % at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Risk factors for poor outcome on univariate analysis were presence of Raynaud's phenomena-hazard ratio(HR) 7.78 (CI 1.944-31.207; p < .004), baseline hypertension-HR 5.356 (CI 1.479-19.403; p < .011), tubulointerstitial involvement-HR 1.076 (CI 1.032-1.222; p < .001), time to complete response-HR 1.036 (CI 1.036-1.067; p < .02 ), serum creatinine at 6 months HR 10.51 (CI 2.19-50.39; p < .003), failure to achieve complete response at 2 years HR 6.271 (CI 1.567-25.092; p < .009) and the number of nephritic flares HR 1.868(CI 1.103-3.164 ; p < .02). Renal relapses were quite common, with 1.8 flares per 10 patient-years of follow up. Infection was the most common cause of death, with bacterial lower respiratory infections and pulmonary tuberculosis being the most common.

CONCLUSIONS

Apart from conventional risk factors, other predictive factors like the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy on kidney biopsy, and initial response to induction therapy by 6 months have a significant impact on the long-term outcome in patients with LN.

Adult systemic lupus erythematosus in Egypt: The nation-wide spectrum of 3661 patients and world-wide standpoint

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to present the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatment pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Egyptian patients over the country and compare the findings to large cohorts worldwide. Objectives were extended to focus on the age at onset and gender driven influence on the disease characteristics.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

This population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study included 3661 adult SLE patients from Egyptian rheumatology departments across the nation. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were assessed for all patients.

RESULTS

The study included 3661 patients; 3296 females and 365 males (9.03:1) and the median age was 30 years (17-79 years), disease duration 4 years (0-75 years) while the median age at disease onset was 25 years (4-75 years). The overall estimated prevalence of adult SLE in Egypt was 6.1/100,000 population (1.2/100,000 males and 11.3/100,000 females).There were 316 (8.6%) juvenile-onset (Jo-SLE) and 3345 adult-onset (Ao-SLE). Age at onset was highest in South and lowest in Cairo (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

SLE in Egypt had a wide variety of clinical and immunological manifestations, with some similarities with that in other nations and differences within the same country. The clinical characteristics, autoantibodies and comorbidities are comparable between Ao-SLE and Jo-SLE. The frequency of various clinical and immunological manifestations varied between gender. Additional studies are needed to determine the underlying factors contributing to gender and age of onset differences.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pregnancy: A Brief Review

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects young women of childbearing age group. There is a complex immunologic interplay during pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The pregnancy has direct impact on the disease where an increased rate of flares is noted, and lupus leads to increased risk of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, preterm birth as well as miscarriages, particularly those with antiphospholipid antibodies. Neonates born to patients with lupus are at increased risk of neonatal lupus as well as heart block if born to patients with positive SSA/SSB. Despite the increased risk of morbidity, recent data suggest improved outcomes in pregnant patients with lupus. A multidisciplinary approach with careful monitoring of pregnancy and lupus could reduce adverse outcomes in these patients. This requires careful pregnancy planning, defining the clinical and serologic involvement of lupus, careful monitoring the patient for adverse pregnancy outcome as well as lupus flares and comprehensive understanding of the drugs that can be safely used in pregnancy. Fetuses should be carefully monitored for heart and neonates for neonatal lupus. Hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine and corticosteroids can be used during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Similarly, appropriate therapy needs to be instituted for hypertensive diseases in pregnancy. Anticoagulant therapy may be necessary for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

[Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean: A case-series in adult patients from a University Hospital]

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed at assessing the epidemiology and clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Reunion Island, South West of Indian Ocean.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at the University Hospital of La Reunion (Saint-Denis) by charts review from 2004 to 2015. Patients with a SLE diagnosed over 15 years according to SLICC 2012 criteria were included. Incidence and prevalence were inferred from national health insurance database and population census results.

RESULTS

In total, 123 patients met inclusion criteria: 116 were women (94%) and mean age at diagnosis was 34.7±13.4 years. Ten percent of all patients had a least one parent with autoimmune disease, and 4% with lupus. The main manifestations were musculoskeletal (89%) and mucocutaneous with acute or subacute lesions (76%), alopecia (25%), ulcers (15%) and discoid lupus (11%). Lupus nephropathy occurred in 39%, serositis in 31% and neurological features in 15%. Antinuclear antibodies were positive in 99% (threshold >1/80), and associated to anti-DNA (70%), anti-SSA (47%), anti-RNP (42%), and anti-Sm (37%). APL syndrome was diagnosed in 15%. The average annual standardized incidence between 2010 and 2016 was 6.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6-6.9). The prevalence was 76 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016 (95% CI: 70-82).

CONCLUSION

Lupus in the multi-ethnic population of Reunion Island is characterized by high incidence and high rates of articular and renal manifestations, as well as anti-ENA antibodies.

Rheumatology science and practice in India

The practice of rheumatology in a country like India presents its own unique challenges, including the need to manage patients in a cost-constrained setting, where the lack of uniform government funding for healthcare merits the need to optimize the use of cheaper medicines, as well as devise innovative strategies to minimize the use of costlier drugs such as biologic disease-modifying agents. Use of immunosuppressive agents is also associated with increased risks of infectious complications, such as the reactivation of tuberculosis. In this narrative review, we provide a flavor of such challenges unique to Rheumatology practice in India, and review the published literature on the management of common rheumatic diseases from India. In addition, we critically review existing guidelines for the management of rheumatic diseases from this part of the world. We also discuss infectious etiologies of rheumatic complaints, such as leprosy, tuberculosis, and Chikungunya arthritis, which are often encountered here, and pose a diagnostic as well as therapeutic challenge for clinicians. There remains a need to identify and test more cost-effective strategies for Indian patients with rheumatic diseases, as well as the requirement for more government participation to enhance scant facilities for the treatment of such diseases as well as foster the development of healthcare services such as specialist nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to enable better management of these conditions.

Lupus retinopathy: a marker of active systemic lupus erythematosus

Retinopathy in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with severe disease and poorer prognosis. We studied retinopathy in our cohort of Indian lupus patients. Four hundred and thirty-seven patients fulfilling the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics-American College of Rheumatology-2012 criteria, attending the department of Clinical Immunology were enrolled under this cross-sectional study. A comprehensive clinical (including ophthalmological) examination and immunological profile were performed. Retinopathy was defined if cotton-wool spots, haemorrhages, vasculitis, retinal detachment or optic disc changes as papilledema, optic atrophy were present. Disease activity was assessed using SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Mean age of participants was 28.06 ± 9.7 years (93.1% females); median disease duration 12 months (Interquartile range-IQR 6.36). Forty-five (10.3%) had SLE associated retinopathy. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia [31.1 vs 14.5%, p value 0.004, odd's ratio-OR (95% confidence interval-CI) 2.65 (1.33-5.29)], serositis [33.3 vs 18.9%, p value 0.023, OR (CI) 2.14 (1.11-4.10)], lupus nephritis [62.2 vs 40.8%, p value 0.006, OR (CI) 2.38 (1.26-4.50)], seizures [28.9 vs 12.8%, p value 0.004, OR (CI) 2.77 (1.36-5.65)] and median SLEDAI score (24 vs 12, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in those with retinopathy. On adjusted binary logistic regression, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, lupus nephritis and presence of antibodies to Smith antigen were predictors for retinopathy. Retinopathy is common in SLE, a marker of active disease with frequent renal involvement and should be screened for in all patients with lupus.

Hepcidin and Ferritin: Important Mediators in Inflammation Associated Anemia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with female preponderance. Anemia is found in 50% of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients. This is a cross sectional case control study with 30 female Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients having inflammation associated anemia (Hemoglobin < 10.0 gm/dl) and 30 age matched controls with the aim to measure serum hepcidin and ferritin levels, correlate and study their role as homeostatic regulators of iron metabolism and utility as markers. Serum transferrin, ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity, hsCRP, liver enzymes and renal parameters were analyzed by using automated analyser. Hepcidin levels were estimated by Sandwich-ELISA method. There was significant decrease in Iron (p < 0.0001), Iron Binding capacity (p < 0.0001), Transferrin (p < 0.0001) in patients, and a significant increase in inflammatory markers: hs-CRP (p < 0.0001), ESR (p < 0.0001) compared to controls. Significant increase in both Hepcidin (p < 0.0001) and Ferritin (p < 0.0001) was observed in patients with significant positive correlation (r = 0.711) with each other. Additionally, ferritin and hepcidin significantly positively correlated with hs-CRP and ESR (r = 0.526, 0.735); (r = 0.427, 0.742) respectively. Negative correlation with hemoglobin, iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin with hepcidin (r = - 0.80, - 0.307, - 0.553, - 0.584) and ferritin (r = -0.722, - 0.22, - 0.654, - 0.728) was observed respectively. On ROC analysis both hepcidin and ferritin has sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 100% at cut-off values of 110 and 49 respectively. AUC of hepcidin was 0.993 and ferritin was 0.978. We have established a positive linear correlation between Hepcidin and Ferritin levels in disease activity and the changes correlated with the inflammatory state and anemia in patients, making them important mediators and potential markers of inflammation associated anemia.

The effect of ethnicity and genetic ancestry on the epidemiology, clinical features and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus

In this in-depth review, we examine the worldwide epidemiology of SLE and summarize current knowledge on the influence of race/ethnicity on clinical manifestations, disease activity, damage accumulation and outcome in SLE. Susceptibility to SLE has a strong genetic component, and trans-ancestral genetic studies have revealed a substantial commonality of shared genetic risk variants across different genetic ancestries that predispose to the development of SLE. The highest increased risk of developing SLE is observed in black individuals (incidence 5- to 9-fold increased, prevalence 2- to 3-fold increased), with an increased risk also observed in South Asians, East Asians and other non-white groups, compared with white individuals. Black, East Asian, South Asian and Hispanic individuals with SLE tend to develop more severe disease with a greater number of manifestations and accumulate damage from lupus more rapidly. Increased genetic risk burden in these populations, associated with increased autoantibody reactivity in non-white individuals with SLE, may explain the more severe lupus phenotype. Even after taking into account socio-economic factors, race/ethnicity remains a key determinant of poor outcome, such as end-stage renal failure and mortality, in SLE. Community measures to expedite diagnosis through increased awareness in at-risk racial/ethnic populations and ethnically personalized treatment algorithms may help in future to improve long-term outcomes in SLE.

Comparison of ethnicity, gender, age of onset and outcome in South Africans with systemic lupus erythematosus

Ethnicity, gender and age of onset are reported to influence the expression and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus. We studied a multi-ethnic cohort of 408 South Africans (91.2% females) comprising 237 (58.1%) Indians, 137 (33.6%) African Blacks, 17 (4.2%) Mixed ethnicity and 17 (4.2%) Whites. The most common manifestations were arthritis (80.6%), photosensitivity (67.2%), oral ulcers (50.0%), malar rash (49.0%) and renal (39.2%). The common laboratory findings were positive anti-nuclear factor (96.8%), haematological (74.8%) and anti-dsDNA antibodies (45.3%). Serositis ( p = 0.002), nephritis ( p = 0.039), leucopaenia ( p = 0.001), haemolytic anaemia ( p = 0.026), anti-dsDNA antibodies ( p = 0.028) and anti-Sm antibodies ( p = 0.050) were more common in African Blacks compared to Indians. Males had increased prevalence of discoid rash ( p = 0.006) and anti-Sm antibodies ( p = 0.016). Discoid rash ( p = 0.018), renal involvement ( p < 0.001), psychosis ( p = 0.028), seizures ( p = 0.020), anti-dsDNA antibodies ( p = 0.009), leucopaenia ( p = 0.006), haemolytic anaemia ( p = 0.017) and thrombocytopaenia ( p = 0.023) were more common with early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus. On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of death were renal involvement, anti-dsDNA antibodies and seizures. There were 53 (13%) deaths and the five- and 10-year survival was 90.8% and 85.7% respectively, with no differences related to ethnicity or age of onset. In conclusion, we report on the spectrum and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus in a large South African multi-ethnic cohort.

The global burden of SLE: prevalence, health disparities and socioeconomic impact

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that can potentially lead to serious organ complications and even death. Its global burden - in terms of incidence and prevalence, differential impact on populations, economic costs and capacity to compromise health-related quality of life - remains incompletely understood. The reported worldwide incidence and prevalence of SLE vary considerably; this variation is probably attributable to a variety of factors, including ethnic and geographic differences in the populations being studied, the definition of SLE applied, and the methods of case identification. Despite the heterogeneous nature of the disease, distinct patterns of disease presentation, severity and course can often be related to differences in ethnicity, income level, education, health insurance status, level of social support and medication compliance, as well as environmental and occupational factors. Given the potential for the disease to cause such severe and widespread organ damage, not only are the attendant direct costs high, but these costs are sometimes exceeded by indirect costs owing to loss of economic productivity. As an intangible cost, patients with SLE are, not surprisingly, likely to endure considerably reduced health-related quality of life.

Lupus Around the World

This study demonstrates demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics with special reference to infections in Saudi patients with SLE. One-hundred and ninety-nine patients with SLE treated at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia over a period of 15 years (1990—2005) were retrospectively reviewed. There were 162 females and 37 males (4.4 : 1) with an average age of 35 years at onset of disease. Duration of diseases ranged from one to 23 years with a mean of 7.23 years. Some of the clinical characteristics of SLE patients observed were nephritis (53.7%), fever (53.26%), neuropsychological disorder (36.18%), malar/butterfly rash (27.6%), pulmonary disorder (22.6%), photosensitivity (21.6%), cardiac involvement (21.1%) and oral ulcers (19.09%). Infection was the major complication with 58.79% of SLE patient having suffered from various infections. A total of 22 species of pathogens including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, viruses and fungi were isolated from 117 SLE patients. Single to multiple episode of infection with various pathogens were recorded however, majority of patients harboured one or two species of pathogens. Bacterial infection was predominant (78.6%) followed by viral (28.2%) and fungal (28.2%) infections. Forty-four percent of SLE patients were found to be infected with organisms classified as opportunistic. The high incidence of infections in SLE patients may be attributed to the multiple intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors including deficiency of complement (C3 and C4), disease activity, renal impairment, use of glucocorticoid and cytotoxic drugs. It is concluded that more judicious use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents will be critical to limit the infections in SLE and a high alert and close monitoring of patients will ensure optimal patient outcome, both in terms of morbidity and mortality. Lupus (2007) 16, 755—763.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in Pakistan

Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been described from different geographical regions in the world, with some clinical differences among different racial groups. Although data on the characteristics of SLE in Pakistan is scarce, it is not uncommon in the South East Asian region. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to delineate the clinical pattern and disease course in Pakistani patients with SLE and to compare it with international data on lupus patients. A total of 196 patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatism Association admitted to the hospital between 1986 and 2001 were studied by means of a retrospective review of their records. Demographically, it was seen that SLE is a disease predominantly of females in their third decade, which is consistent with worldwide data. The mean age of presentation was 31 years (range 14-76) and the mean duration of follow up was 34 (4-179) months. Generally, there was less cutaneous (46%), arthritic (38%), serositis (22%) and renal involvement (33%) but more neuropsychiatric symptoms (26%) in our population. Eighty-six percent of patients were ANA positive, whereas anti dsDNA was positive in 74% of patients. Infections, renal involvement, seizures and thrombocytopenia were associated with poor prognosis (P, 0.05). This study is the first of its kind in Pakistan. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of SLE patients in our study place our population in the middle of a spectrum between the Caucasians and other Asian populations. It has shown that the clinical characteristics of SLE patients in this country may be different to those of its neighbors.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in Nepal: A review

Nepal is a small country that is landlocked between India and China. Several ethnic groups live within the 147,181 km(2) of this country. Geographic diversity ranges from the high Himalayas to the flatlands of the Ganges plains. Lupus nephritis (LN), a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a common kidney problem in Nepal; but the real incidence and prevalence of SLE in Nepal is largely not known. Here, it more commonly affects people (mostly women) living in the southern flatlands, but SLE is reported to be uncommon further south in India. Even though the disease appears to be common, good quality research is uncommon in Nepali literature. This article was written to provide a review of the articles published to date about SLE in Nepal and to discuss the gaps in knowledge that require further evaluation.

Lupus Nephritis: A Different Disease in European Patients?

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis (LN) is still associated with significant mortality and substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal failure. Its outcome is related to the class and severity of LN and response to treatment, and it is poorer in patients with renal relapses. Ethnicity has a relatively well-defined impact on the outcome of the patients and their response to treatment and must always be taken into consideration in treatment decisions.

SUMMARY

In this article, we provide a review of the impact of ethnicity on the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the proportion of patients with SLE developing LN, outcomes of SLE and LN and response of LN to treatment. In European patients, the prevalence of SLE and the proportion of SLE patients with LN are lower and the outcome of LN is better than in nonwhite populations. European patients may respond better to some modes of treatment [e.g. cyclophosphamide (CYC) or rituximab] and may be less frequently refractory to treatment compared to black patients with LN. Although these differences may be largely genetically driven, socioeconomic factors (poverty, education, insurance, access to health care and adherence to treatment) may also play a significant role in some disadvantaged patients.

KEY MESSAGE

Treatment of LN may be different in patients with different ethnicity. Less aggressive disease in European patients may better respond to less aggressive treatment. Treatment of LN in nonwhite patients may require newer (more effective) therapeutic approaches, but targeting negative socioeconomic factors might be even more effective.

FACTS FROM EAST AND WEST

(1) The prevalence of SLE is lower among Caucasians than other ethnicities. A higher prevalence is observed among Asians and African Americans, while the highest prevalence is found in Caribbean people. The prevalence of LN in Asian SLE patients is much higher than in Caucasians as well. However, the 10-year renal outcome and renal survival rate appear to be better in Asians. (2) Polymorphisms of genes involved in the immune response, such as Fcγ receptor, integrin alpha M, TNF superfamily 4, myotubularin-related protein 3 and many others, might be partly responsible for the differences in prevalence between the different ethnic groups. European ancestry was shown to be associated with a decrease in the risk of LN even after adjustment for genes most associated with renal disease. (3) Access to health care is a key determinant of disease progression, treatment outcome and the management of complications such as infections, particularly in South Asia, and might also explain disparities between clinical outcomes. (4) The efficacy of low-dose CYC combined with corticosteroids for induction treatment of LN was proved in European Caucasian patients. This treatment is also used in Asia, although no formal evaluation of efficacy and safety in comparison with other treatment regimens exists in this population. The efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is similar to that of CYC, and similar between Asians and Caucasians. MMF may be more effective than CYC in inducing response in high-risk populations such as African American or Hispanic patients. MMF might cause less infection-related events in Asians, but its high cost prevents broader usage at present. (5) For maintenance therapy, corticosteroid combined with azathioprine (AZA) or MMF is used worldwide, with a broadly similar efficacy of both treatments, although there are data suggesting that in high-risk populations (e.g. African Americans) MMF may be more effective in preventing renal flares. AZA is often preferred in Asia due to economic constraints and because of its safety in pregnancy. (6) Alternative therapies under investigation include rituximab, which might be more efficient in Caucasians, as well as belimumab. Recent Japanese and Chinese studies have indicated a potential benefit of tacrolimus as a substitute for or in addition to CYC or MMF (dual or triple immunosuppression). Mizoribine is used in Japan exclusively.

Clinical and immunological characteristics in 552 systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a southern province of China

AIM

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Hakka populations.

METHODS

We studied the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics in a cohort of 552 SLE patients diagnosed at the Rheumatology Department in MeiZhou People's Hospital from January 2008 to December 2012. There were 495 women and 57 men (8.7 : 1) with a mean age of 35.3 years (range 12-78 years). The mean age at disease onset and the mean disease duration were 31.8 ± 14.4 years and 3.3 ± 2.8 years, respectively.

RESULTS

The most common clinical manifestations were arthritis (61.6%), followed by malar rash (52.7%), photosensitivity (22.8%), mouth ulcers (17.0%) and discoid lupus (14.7%). The prevalence was 46.7% for nephritis (by biopsy), 18.3% for pleuritis, 15.6% for pericarditis and 4.9% for neuropsychiatric manifestations. The most common hematological manifestations were anemia (63.8%), followed by leucopenia (29.0%) and thrombocytopenia (14.9%). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 99.8% of patients, followed by anti-double-stranded DNA (81.3%), anti-SSA (Sjögren's syndrome antigen A)/Ro (58.7%), anti-ribonucleoprotein (36.8%), anti-Sm (35.7%), and anti-SSB/La (15.0%). Anti-cardiolipin immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM were detected in 18.3% and 14.1% of patients, respectively. Active disease and infections were the two major causes of death.

CONCLUSION

The clinical and immunological characteristics of the SLE patients in our study place our population in the middle of the spectrum between other Asian and Caucasian populations.

Assessment of clinical manifestations, disease activity and organ damage in 996 Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: comparison with other Asian populations

AIM

To describe the clinical manifestations, disease activity and organ damage in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHOD

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR damage index (SDI) were assessed in patients with SLE from 1998 to 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 996 SLE patients were analyzed. The common accrual of ACR criteria included: immunologic (93%), hematologic (93%), arthritic (66%) and nephritic (50%). In the inception cohort over 10 years of follow-up (n = 120), the number of ACR criteria increased significantly (5.0 ± 1.2 to 5.7 ± 1.3), and nephritis, serositis and neuropsychiatric symptoms tended to increase continuously over time. SLEDAI-2K decreased significantly (5.6 ± 3.4 to 4.1 ± 1.2), but the percentage of patients with SLEDAI scores ≥ 12 did not decrease over time. The common organ damages were musculoskeletal (14.9%) and renal (11.1%). The mean SDI score increased significantly (0.4 ± 0.8 to 1.1 ± 1.6) and renal damage had two peaks in 1 and 6-10 years, musculoskeletal and neuropsychiatric damage were predominant from 1 to 5 years, and ophthalmic damage increased sharply over 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Compared to other Asian cohorts, disease activity was lower and organ damage was less in our Korean cohort. Nephritis, serositis and neuropsychiatric symptoms increased continuously over time. Overall disease activity decreased significantly, but a small portion of severe disease activity continued during the disease course. The most common organ damage was musculoskeletal. The time in organ damage development varied, which reflects the possible causality, such as disease itself and/or treatment.

Rheumatology in India--quo vadis?

Rheumatology has been a neglected subspecialty in India. A staggering patient load, a severely inadequate number of trained rheumatology specialists, therapeutic nihilism and limited advocacy are some of the critical challenges that confront rheumatology care, and possibly explain the high rates of reliance on complementary and alternative medicines in India. Disease spectrum and treatment patterns are not remarkably different from those in other countries, but biologic agents have limited use and are administered for short periods only. Consequently, outcomes in India do not yet match those reported in developed countries. Furthermore, the high prevalence of infectious diseases continues to be a major contributor to mortality in patients with rheumatic disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Several tropical diseases with rheumatic manifestations are relevant in India, including chikungunya, brucellosis, leptospirosis, dengue and melioidosis. To address the many problems with rheumatology care in India, curricular reforms, capacity building, patient education and political support are sorely needed.

Serum ferritin level correlates with SLEDAI scores and renal involvement in SLE

Introduction

Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant that is elevated in various autoimmune disorders. Serum ferritin levels have been positively correlated with disease activity scores of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Further, enhanced levels of ferritin have also been reported in lupus nephritis. However, there are no reports from the Indian subcontinent.

Methods

Seventy-six female SLE patients, diagnosed on the basis of revised ACR criteria, and 50 healthy females, age matched from similar geographical areas, were enrolled in the present study. Serum levels of ferritin, IFN-α and IL-6 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical, biochemical, serological and other markers of disease activity (C3, C4 and anti-dsDNA) were measured by standard laboratory procedure.

Results

Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls ( p < 0.0001). Ferritin levels positively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) ( p = 0.001, r = 0.35), anti-dsDNA ( p = 0.001, r = 0.35), IFN-α ( p < 0.0001, r = 0.51) and IL-6 (p < 0.0001, r = 0.65) and negatively correlated with C3 ( p = 0.0006, r = −0.38) and C4 ( p = 0.01, r = −0.28). Interestingly, serum levels of ferritin were positively associated with proteinuria ( p = 0.001, r = 0.36), serum urea ( p = 0.0004, r = 0.39) and serum creatinine ( p = 0.0006, r = 0.38).

Conclusion

Serum ferritin is an excellent marker of disease activity and renal dysfunction in SLE.

A nationwide study of SLE in Japanese identified subgroups of patients with clear signs patterns and associations between signs and age or sex

We performed a nationwide study to determine the distributions of the signs and clinical markers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and identify any patterns in their distributions to allow patient subclassification. We obtained 256,999 patient-year records describing the disease status of SLE patients from 2003 to 2010. Of these, 14,779 involved patients diagnosed within the last year, and 242,220 involved patients being followed up. Along with basic descriptive statistics, we analyzed the effects of sex, age and disease duration on the frequencies of signs in the first year and follow-up years. The patients and major signs were clustered using the Ward method. The female patients were younger at onset. Renal involvement and discoid eczema were more frequent in males, whereas arthritis, photosensitivity and cytopenia were less. Autoantibody production and malar rash were positively associated with young age, and serositis and arthritis were negatively associated. Photosensitivity was positively associated with a long disease duration, and autoantibody production, serositis and cytopenia were negatively associated. The SLE patients were clustered into subgroups, as were the major signs. We identified differences in SLE clinical features according to sex, age and disease duration. Subgroups of SLE patients and the major signs of SLE exist.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: epidemiology, pathophysiology, manifestations, and management

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by production of autoantibodies directed against nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens, affecting several organs. Although cause is largely unknown, pathophysiology is attributed to several factors. Clinically, this disorder is characterized by periods of remission and relapse and may present with various constitutional and organ-specific symptoms. Diagnosis is achieved via clinical findings and laboratory examinations. Therapies are based on disease activity and severity. General treatment considerations include sun protection, diet and nutrition, smoking cessation, exercise, and appropriate immunization, whereas organ-specific treatments include use of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive agents, and biologic agents.

Q222R polymorphism in DNAse I gene is a risk factor for nephritis in South Indian SLE patients

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder in which defective apoptotic clearance is considered to be an important factor in pathogenesis. DNAse I is associated with disposal of apoptotic nuclear debris. The defective enzyme production due to +2373 A to G (Q222R) in exon 8 is reported to be a genetic risk factor for SLE. SLE in Indians is reported to be severe. There are no genetic studies reported from India which have explored this aspect of DNAseI gene. This study aimed to analyze whether Q222R is a susceptibility factor for SLE and to study its influence on clinical manifestations and autoantibody production in South Indian Tamils.

METHOD

Three hundred SLE cases (based on ACR 1982 criteria) and 530 age, sex similar and ethnicity matched controls were recruited. All the cases and controls were genotyped for DNAse I Q222R polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

DNAse I Q222R polymorphism is prevalent in our population. We observed higher frequency of Q/R in patients compared with controls (60% vs. 53%). This was found to be a genetic risk for SLE susceptibility (p = 0.04, odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1-2.1). It also conferred a significant risk for development of nephritis (p = 0.007, odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.2-3.2).

CONCLUSION

DNAse I Q222R polymorphism is a potential genetic risk factor for SLE in South Indian Tamils. In addition, the mutant allele confers a significant risk for lupus nephritis.

Features and outcomes of lupus nephritis in Morocco: analysis of 114 patients

BACKGROUND

There is wide variation in clinical presentation and outcome of lupus nephritis (LN) among different ethnic groups. Few data for LN exist on North Africans, especially those from Morocco. The aim of our study was to review retrospectively the features and outcome of LN in Moroccan patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective study. A total of 114 patients with LN were included. All patients met American Rheumatism Association criteria. LN was classified according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification. We adopted previously defined outcome criteria for LN.

RESULTS

There were 101 females and 13 males, with a mean age of 29.9 years. At first presentation, we noted hypertension in 33%, hematuria in 76%, nephrotic syndrome in 53%, and renal failure in 60% of cases. Renal biopsy revealed predominant proliferative classes in more than 80% of patients. Patients received different regimens mainly based on intravenous cyclophosphamide. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, remission occurred in 45.5%, relapses in 82%, end-stage renal failure in 21%, and death in 16% of cases. Infection and neurological and cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent causes of death.

CONCLUSION

LN seems to be severe in our study, with a predominance of proliferative forms, severe renal manifestations, and poor renal and overall survival.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in the multiethnic Malaysian population: disease expression and ethnic differences revisited

Objectives

Ethnic differences in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been previously described in the multiethnic Malaysian population. However, there have since been many demographic and socioeconomic changes in the country. The aim of this study is to re-examine the clinical and immunological profiles of Malaysian SLE patients of different ethnic backgrounds.

Methods

Consecutive follow-up patients at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from July 2010 until March 2011 were included in the study.

Results

The most common clinical manifestations were malar rash (61.3%), arthritis (52.3%), haematological disease (51.6%), oral ulcers (51%) and renal disease (40.6%). Ethnic Indians had fewer malar and discoid rashes but were at higher risk of arthritis, serositis, renal and neuropsychiatric disease compared to Malays and Chinese Malaysians. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was less common in Chinese. A longer duration of SLE correlated with a lower SLEDAI score.

Conclusion

Overall, the spectrum disease expression was similar to the earlier Malaysian study but the frequency of the more severe disease manifestations, viz. renal, haematological, neuropsychiatric involvements and serositis, were lower. This study further emphasises differences primarily between ethnic Indians and the other races in Malaysia.

Rare cause of seizures, renal failure, and gangrene in an 83-year-old diabetic male

We report an 83-year-old diabetic male who presented with acute-onset renal failure, seizures, psychosis, pneumonia, and right foot gangrene. Investigations revealed thrombocytopenia, CSF lymphocytosis, ANA and dsDNA positivity, hypocomplementemia, and pneumonitis following which he was treated with pulse methylprednisolone. He was treated for Pseudomonas-related ventilator-associated pneumonia, candiduria, and E. coli-related bedsore infection prior to discharge. He was discharged at request and died 17 days later due to a respiratory infection.

Mannose binding lectin: a biomarker of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity

Introduction

A role for mannose binding lectin (MBL) in autoimmune diseases has been demonstrated earlier and elevated level of MBL has been shown in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In the current study, we investigated MBL as a potential biomarker for disease activity in SLE.

Methods

In a case control study SLE patients (93 females) and 67 age, sex, ethnicity matched healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma MBL levels were quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical, serological and other markers of disease activity (C3, C4 and anti-dsDNA) were measured by standard laboratory procedures.

Results

Plasma MBL levels were significantly high in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). MBL levels were variable in different clinical categories of SLE. Lower levels were associated with musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations (P = 0.002), while higher and intermediate MBL levels were significantly associated with nephritis in combination with other systemic manifestations (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 respectively). Plasma MBL correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (P = 0.0003, r = 0.36), anti-dsDNA (P < 0.0001, r = 0.54), proteinuria (P < 0.0001, r = 0.42) and negatively correlated with C3 (P = 0.007, r = -0.27) and C4 (P = 0.01, r = -0.29).

Conclusions

Plasma MBL is a promising marker in the assessment of SLE disease activity.

Cytokine imbalance in systemic lupus erythematosus: a study on northern Indian subjects

OBJECTIVE

The phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Asian Indians is more severe as compared with that in Caucasians. The reason is not clear. In this context, we studied serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interlekin-10 (IL-10). Their interrelations and correlation with SLEDAI scores were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with active SLE and 40 controls were studied. The mean SLEDAI score and anti-ds DNA level of the patients were 21.45 ± 8.61 and 176.68 ± 81.31 (IU/ml), respectively. Cytokines were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

In controls, the levels of IFN-γ were highest, followed by TNF-α, IL-10 & IL-4. In patients, however, the levels of TNF-α were highest, followed by IFN-γ, IL-10 & IL-4. IL-10 and IL-4 correlated negatively, and IFN-γ and TNF-α correlated positively with the SLEDAI scores. As compared with controls, in patients, the mean values of TNF-α, IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio were higher by 6.9, 2.9 and 2.3 times, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between these two cytokines in patients (r = 0.327, p < 0.05) but not in controls. The levels and ratio of IL-4 and IFN-γ were comparable between patients and controls. These two cytokines correlated negatively both in controls (r = -0.358, p < 0.05) and patients (r = -0.990, p < 0.001). The ratio of TNF-α/IL-4 was 4.2 times higher, and those of IFN-γ/IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-10 were 1.89 and 3.40 times lower in patients as compared with controls. A positive correlation between IL-10 and IL-4 (r = 0.345, p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between IL-10 and IFN-γ (r = -0.382, p < 0.05) were observed only in patients.

CONCLUSION

This study showed a distinct profile of cytokine imbalance in patients with SLE from the northern plains of India. The levels, ratios and correlations of cytokines in patients suggested significant deviation from normal. Correlations of cytokines with SLEDAI scores indicated that TNF-α contributes significantly to the pathological manifestations of SLE in patients from the region. A detailed study is warranted.

Epidemiology and management of refractory lupus nephritis

Although the survival of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) has improved considerably in recent years, refractory LN appears in a substantial proportion of patients and, therefore, treatment of LN remains a real challenge today. We will use the term "refractory" LN, for those cases with none or partial response to first-line therapies. In this sense, numerous epidemiological factors, including racial, socioeconomic, histological and serological parameters, may influence treatment response and, therefore, may have an impact on the outcome of renal involvement. Initial conventional therapy will depend somewhat on these epidemiological factors. If this initial therapy fails, fortunately today we have alternative therapies that include the multitarget therapy and the use of biologics. Published evidence about these therapies is presented in this review. Important terms in the management of LN, such as the definition of complete response, partial response, sustained response and renal flare as well as the discrimination of different types of flare, are also discussed here according to the European consensus statement on the terminology used in the management of lupus glomerulonephritis.

Infections in systemic lupus erythematosus

Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Survival rates for SLE patients in developing countries are comparatively lower than those reported in industrialized countries, with early death from infection and active disease. In addition to the role of immunosuppressive agents in enhancing susceptibility to infection, infectious agents are also known to trigger lupus disease expression and activity. The endemicity of certain infections like tuberculosis further poses a special health issue in developing countries.

Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus in Asia

In this paper we aim to review the prevalence, incidence and disease presentation of lupus patients in Asian populations. The database of the National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE) through PUBMED up to September 2009 was searched for relevant articles using the search terms 'systemic lupus erythematosus', 'epidemiology', and 'Asia'. Articles on lupus prevalence, incidence, and clinical manifestations were retrieved and their bibliographies further screened for relevant articles. Proceedings of national, regional, and international rheumatology and SLE conferences were likewise searched for relevant abstracts. Retrieval rate of relevant articles was approximately 80%. Prevalence and incidence figures are expressed per 100,000 populations. Among the articles reviewed, epidemiologic information was usually obtained through population surveys or hospital cohorts. Prevalence data are available from 24 countries, and generally fall within 30-50/100,000 population. However, one survey showed a higher prevalence of 70 (Shanghai), while three others showed a lower prevalence of 3.2-19.3 (India, Japan, Saudi Arabia). Only three countries have recorded incidence rates and these varied from 0.9 to 3.1 per annum. Thirty articles from 21 countries describe lupus disease presentation. Common manifestations include mucocutaneous lesions (seen in 52-98% of patients) and arthritis/musculoskeletal complaints (36-95%). Antinuclear antibodies were generally positive in 89-100% of patients, except for two studies. Renal involvement ranged from 18% to 100% with most articles reporting this in >50% of their patients. Discoid lesions, serositis, and neurologic involvement were the least frequently seen symptoms. There is varying epidemiologic information regarding systemic lupus erythematosus among countries in Asia. Prevalence rates usually fall within 30-50/100,000 population. Incidence rates, as reported from three countries, varied from 0.9/100,000 to 3.1% per annum. It is difficult to make generalizations about how the epidemiologic character of the disease varies from country to country. However, similarities in disease manifestations can be observed. .

Cardiovascular co-morbidity in Asians with lupus: theoretical concern or clinical reality?

Immuno-inflammatory diseases like lupus are associated with premature atherosclerosis. With improved survival, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has emerged as an important late complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The burden of this co-morbidity in Asian patients is not fully known but is likely to be high. We review the literature available and draw attention to this oft overlooked problem.

Clinical and serologic correlations and autoantibody clusters in systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective review of 917 patients in South China

Ethnicity and environmental factors could be involved in the heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We conducted this study to define clinical and serologic correlations and autoantibody clusters in SLE patients in South China. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 917 patients with SLE admitted to our hospital between January 2005 and June 2008. We found the following associations between autoantibodies and clinical manifestations to be statistically significant: anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) with higher prevalence of renal disorder, leukopenia, and anemia; anti-Sm with higher prevalence of malar rash/discoid rash, pericarditis, and leukopenia; anti-ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) with higher prevalence of Raynaud phenomenon and photosensitivity; anti-deoxyribonucleoprotein (anti-DNP) with higher prevalence of arthritis and lower prevalence of renal disorder; anti-Scl-70 with higher prevalence of anemia and Raynaud phenomenon; anti-Jo-1 with higher prevalence of pericarditis; and anti-centromere with higher prevalence of Raynaud phenomenon. Three autoantibody clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (anti-Ro, anti-Sm, and anti-RNP [Ro/Sm/RNP], with a significantly lower percentage of elderly SLE and higher prevalence of photosensitivity, malar rash/discoid rash, Raynaud phenomenon, and leukopenia); Cluster 2 (anti-Ro [Ro], with a lower percentage of pediatric SLE); and Cluster 3 (the absence of anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies [ENA ve], with a lower percentage of adult SLE and lower prevalence of alopecia). In summary, this study not only confirms both anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm as specific markers for classifying SLE, but also demonstrates that photosensitivity is not associated with anti-Ro but with anti-RNP, and a negative association is found between renal disorder and anti-DNP in patients in South China. These results are different from results found in other populations. The higher prevalence of anti-dsDNA and renal disorder results in less difference in the prevalence of anti-dsDNA and renal disorder among the 3 autoantibody clusters in SLE patients in South China, which could be related to ethnicity and widespread industrial pollution in South China.

The geoepidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with manifold clinical manifestations and immunological abnormalities, affecting primarily women. Although accurate current data on its incidence and prevalence are largely lacking, there are numerous indications that SLE is far less common in Europeans and their descendants compared to all other ethnicities. The clinical manifestations of the disease show geographic or ethnic variation, generally being less severe in patients of European ancestry than in African, Asian, certain "Hispanic" or mestizo, and various indigenous populations. In particular, renal involvement is far more common in non-European patients. Genetic as well as environmental, sociodemographic and sociocultural factors are likely to contribute to the differences in the incidence and clinical expression of SLE.

Clinical and immunological manifestations in 624 SLE patients in Saudi Arabia

Our objective was to study the demographic, clinical, laboratory features, therapy, and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In this retrospective study, which covered a 27-year period (1980–2006), 624 SLE patients referring to King Khalid University hospital, Riyadh were included. There were 566 females and 58 males (9.8:1) with a mean age of 34.3 (range 8–71) years and mean age at disease onset of 25.3 years (range 0.08–67). The mean disease duration was 9.3 years (range 0.3–30). The most common disease manifestations were hematological abnormalities (82.7%), arthritis (80.4%), and mucocutaneous symptoms (64.3%). The prevalence of malar rash was 47.9%, discoid rash 17.6%, photosensitivity 30.6%, oral ulcers 39.1%, serositis 27.4%, nephritis 47.9%, and neuropsychiatric manifestations 27.6%. Lymphopenia (40.3%), anti-Ro (53.1%), anti-La (26.6%), anti-Sm (41.6%), anticardiolipin IgG (49.7%), and IgM (33.5%) antibodies were highly prevalent. Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 99.7% and anti-DNA in 80.1% patients. Low C3 and C4 were observed in 45.4% and 42.2%, respectively. Therapy included oral steroids (96.2%), IV cyclophosphamide (34.1%) and azathioprine (32.1%) along with other drugs. Long-term remission was achieved in 82.4%, disease was active in 2.6%, renal failure occurred in 4.3% requiring dialysis, 6.7% lost follow up and 4.0% patients died. Infections (48%) and active SLE (36%) were the common causes of death. The 5- and 10-year patient survival rate was 98% and 97%, respectively. This study suggests that, in our patients, SLE manifests with features similar to SLE patients from other Arab countries and Caucasia. In comparison to Caucasians, higher prevalence of anti-Ro antibodies is observed in our study, in some Middle-Eastern and Asian countries; this may likely be due to inter-ethnic variation owing to genetic differences. Our 5-year patient survival rate was similar to that of western countries, while 10-year survival rate was better than that of most places.