Clinical features and outcomes of autoimmune hemolytic anemia: a retrospective analysis of 32 cases

Healthcare resource utilization of patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia initiating first line therapy of oral corticosteroids with or without rituximab

This retrospective cohort study described real-world treatment patterns and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) initiating treatment with first-line (1L) oral corticosteroids (OCS) + rituximab (R) compared to 1L OCS. Patients with a wAIHA diagnosis code (D59.11) between 8/2020-3/2022 were identified using US pharmacy and medical claims databases. Patients initiating 1L OCS ± R were identified (date of initiation = 'index date') with a 1-year pre-index period and a variable (minimum 1-year) follow-up period. The final sample comprised 77 1L OCS + R patients and 400 1L OCS patients (~ 60% female, mean age > 64 years). Over the 1-year follow-up, HCRU was higher in the OCS + R cohort with higher mean number of physician office visits (22.9 and 14.4; p < 0.01), including hematology/oncology office visits, and higher utilization of rescue therapy (59.7% and 33.3%; p < 0.01), driven by higher use of injectable corticosteroids. Patients in OCS + R and OCS groups completed 1L therapy after a similar mean duration of 103.5 and 134.6 days, respectively (p = 0.24). In the majority of patients, second-line (2L) therapy was initiated at a similar timepoint: 66.2% OCS + R and 72.0% OCS cohorts (p = 0.31) initiated 2L in a mean of 218.3 and 203.2 days (p = 0.76) after the end of 1L treatment, respectively. The addition of rituximab in 1L did not extend the remission period, with most patients in both cohorts initiating 2L therapy within less than 1 year of completing 1L treatment. 1L OCS + R patients also had substantial HCRU burden. More effective novel therapies are needed to address the high unmet need in wAIHA.

Complement and platelets: prothrombotic cell activation requires membrane attack complex-induced release of danger signals

Complement activation in the diseases paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) results in cytolysis and fatal thrombotic events, which are largely refractory to anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy. Anticomplement therapy, however, efficiently prevents thrombotic events in PNH and aHUS, but the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. We show that complement-mediated hemolysis in whole blood induces platelet activation similarly to activation by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP). Blockage of C3 or C5 abolished platelet activation. We found that human platelets failed to respond functionally to the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a. Instead, complement activation did lead to prothrombotic cell activation in the whole blood when membrane attack complex (MAC)-mediated cytolysis occurred. Consequently, we demonstrate that ADP receptor antagonists efficiently inhibited platelet activation, although full complement activation, which causes hemolysis, occurred. By using an established model of mismatched erythrocyte transfusions in rats, we crossvalidated these findings in vivo using the complement inhibitor OmCI and cobra venom factor. Consumptive complement activation in this animal model only led to a thrombotic phenotype when MAC-mediated cytolysis occurred. In conclusion, complement activation only induces substantial prothrombotic cell activation if terminal pathway activation culminates in MAC-mediated release of intracellular ADP. These results explain why anticomplement therapy efficiently prevents thromboembolisms without interfering negatively with hemostasis.

Predictors for future development of systemic lupus erythematosus in Korean Sjögren's syndrome patients

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the impact of demographic factors, clinical manifestations, disease activity, and serological tests at baseline on future SLE development in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study assessed 1,082 SS patients without other autoimmune diseases at baseline who visited our hospital between January 2012 and March 2021. We analyzed demographic features, extra-glandular manifestations (EGMs), clinical indices, and laboratory values at baseline between the two groups divided per future SLE development (SS/SLE group vs SS group). The probability and predictors of SLE development in SS patients were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 1083.5 days. Forty-nine patients (4.5%) developed SLE that met the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics or 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria. The baseline EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) score was significantly higher in the SS/SLE group (p < .001). The SS/SLE group had more lymphadenopathy and renal involvement (p = .015 and p = .017, respectively). Shorter SS disease duration (<3 years) (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.12, p = .0328), high ESSDAI (HR = 8.24, p < .0001), leukopenia (HR = 4.17, p = .0005), thrombocytopenia (HR = 3.38, p = .0059), hypocomplementemia (HR = 29.06, p<.0001), and positive for anti-dsDNA (HR = 13.70, p < .0001), anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) (HR = 3.82, p = .0027), and anti-ribosomal P (HR = 6.70, p = .0002) at baseline were SLE development predictors in SS patients.

CONCLUSION

Shorter disease duration and higher disease activity of SS at baseline may be risk factors for future SLE development. Serologic predictors of SLE development are hypocomplementemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and positivity for anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, and anti-ribosomal P antibodies. If the above factors are observed, close monitoring will be necessary during the follow-up period, considering the possibility of future SLE development.

Thromboembolism Early After Glucocorticoid Administration in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (PE/DVT) are well-known lethal complications in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). However, the impact of their treatment is unclear. Here, we describe three elderly Japanese patients with AIHA who developed PE/DVT early after glucocorticoid administration. All patients presented with active hemolysis and high D-dimer levels upon admission. Thromboembolism was confirmed within 2 weeks after starting glucocorticoid, suggesting that both active hemolysis and glucocorticoid administration synergistically contributed to the development of PE/DVT. Clinicians should consider that such synergism may increase the risk of thromboembolism in patients with AIHA, and prophylactic anticoagulation is worth considering in patients after starting glucocorticoid.

Blood specimen rejection rate in clinical laboratory: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Clinical laboratory errors have a great impact on patient safety and treatment. Although specimen rejections result in longer turnaround times and increased health-care costs, different studies present inconsistent findings. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of blood specimen rejection in clinical laboratory.

Methods

Electronic databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, HINARI, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were comprehensively searched. Articles were screened and the data extracted independently by authors. Publication bias was checked by funnel-plots and Egger's statistical test. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects model. The I² statistical test were performed to assess heterogeneity. The possible sources of heterogeneity were analyzed through subgroup and sensitivity analysis.

Results

Total of 26 articles with 16,118,499 blood sample requests were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of blood specimen rejection in the clinical laboratory was 1.99% (95% CI: 1.73, 2.25). Subgroup analysis showed that, the highest prevalence of specimen rejection was observed in Asia [2.82% (95%CI: 2.21, 3.43)] and lowest in America [0.55% (95%CI: 0.27, 0.82)]. The leading cause of blood specimen rejection in clinical laboratories were clotted specimen (32.23% (95%CI: 21.02, 43.43)), hemolysis (22.87% (95%CI: 16.72, 29.02)), insufficient volume (22.81% (95%CI: 16.75, 28.87)), and labelling errors (7.31% (95%CI: 6.12, 8.58)).

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of blood specimen rejection rate is relatively high especially in developing regions. Therefore, proper training for specimen collectors, compliance with good laboratory practices specific to specimen collection, transportation, and preparation is required to reduce the rejection rate.

Infrequent Thrombotic Complications in Japanese Patients with Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Objective Patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) are considered to be at an increased risk of thrombosis, and prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is often recommended. However, the occurrence of thrombosis in Asian patients has not been specifically studied. Thrombotic complications and features of Japanese warm AIHA (WAIHA) patients were studied to see if Japanese patients were at an increased risk of thrombosis and should receive prophylaxis for VTE. Patients and Methods Forty-seven consecutive patients with warm WAIHA were retrospectively studied. Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed as primary cases and 18 as secondary cases, and 10 patients were diagnosed with Evans syndrome. Results No patient presented with thrombosis, and over a median observation period of 15 months, 3 patients had ischemic cerebral vascular accidents. However, all three of those patients had other known risks for thrombosis, with only one taking thrombotic prophylaxis. No venous thrombosis occurred in any patients during the follow-up period. There was no mortality associated with thrombosis. D-dimer levels were often elevated in patients with WAIHA, indicating that the coagulation was activated in a considerable number of patients, but not to such a level as to be associated with clinically overt thrombosis. Conclusion Thrombotic complications occur infrequently in Japanese WAIHA patients, and these individuals do not appear to be at a particularly increased risk of thrombosis because of WAIHA. The indication of VTE prophylaxis should be determined individually, considering other risks.

Survival in autoimmune hemolytic anemia remains poor, results from a nationwide cohort with 37 years of follow-up

Introduction

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is considered a chronic disease, with an overall good prognosis. However, recent reports indicate pre‐mature mortality. Causes of death have not been evaluated previously.

Methods

In a nationwide setting, we identified all patients with warm type AIHA or cold agglutinin disease (CAD), and age–sex‐matched comparators from Denmark, 1980–2016. We estimated overall survival and cause‐specific mortality from anemia, infection, cardiovascular causes, hematological or solid cancer, bleeding, or other causes, using cumulative incidence proportions.

Results

We identified 1460 patients with primary AIHA, 1078 with secondary AIHA, 112 with CAD, and 130 801 comparators. One‐year survival and median survival were, 82.7% and 9.8 years for primary AIHA, 69.1% and 3.3 years for secondary AIHA, and 85.5% and 8.8 years for CAD. Prognosis was comparable to the general population only in patients with primary AIHA below 30 years. In all other age and subgroups, the difference was considerable. Cumulated cause‐specific mortality at 1 year was increased among patients versus comparators.

Discussion

All groups of autoimmune hemolytic anemia are associated with increased overall and cause‐specific mortality compared to the general population. This probably reflects unmet needs in both treatment and follow‐up programs.

Hematological involvement in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus: A multi-center study

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may present with features of several systems, including hematological manifestations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of hematological involvement and assess possible associations and correlations in pediatric SLE patients. Method: This is a retrospective multi-center study. The medical records of pediatric SLE patients followed between January 2000 and June 2020 were analyzed. All children fulfilled the criteria of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics. Results: The study included 215 children with SLE, 118 of whom had hematological manifestations. Concomitant renal involvement and low C3 levels were significantly more frequent in patients with hematological involvement (p = 0.04, p = 0.008, respectively). Also, anti-cardiolipin, anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2 GP1), and anti-Sm antibody positivity, and the presence of lupus anticoagulant were more common in the group with hematological findings (p = 0.001 for anti-cardiolipin antibody positivity and p < 0.001 for the positivity of anti-β2 GP1 antibody, anti-Sm antibody, and lupus anticoagulant). The most common hematologic abnormality was anemia (n = 88, 74.5%), with autoimmune hemolytic anemia constituting the majority (n = 40). Corticosteroids followed by IVIG were the mainstay of treatment. In patients resistant to corticosteroid and IVIG treatments, the most preferred drug was rituximab. Low levels of C3, high SLEDAI score, high incidence of renal involvement, and positive antiphospholipid antibodies were associated with hematological involvement in the univariate analysis. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and high SLEDAI score were independently associated with hematological involvement in multivariate analysis (OR: 4.021; 95% CI: 2.041-7.921; p < 0.001 and OR: 1.136; 95% CI: 1.065-1.212; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hematological abnormalities are frequently encountered in pediatric SLE. Positive antiphospholipid antibodies and high SLEDAI scores were associated with hematological involvement.

Complement and the prothrombotic state

In 2007 and 2009 the regulatory approval of the first-in-class complement inhibitor Eculizumab has revolutionized the clinical management of two rare, life-threatening clinical conditions: paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). While being completely distinct diseases affecting blood cells and the glomerulus, PNH and aHUS remarkably share several features in their etiology and clinical presentation. An imbalance between complement activation and regulation at host surfaces underlies both diseases precipitating in severe thrombotic events that are largely resistant to anti-coagulant and/or anti-platelet therapies. Inhibition of the common terminal complement pathway by Eculizumab prevents the frequently occurring thrombotic events responsible for the high mortality and morbidity observed in patients not treated with anti-complement therapy. While many in vitro and ex vivo studies elaborate numerous different molecular interactions between complement activation products and hemostasis, this review focuses on the clinical evidence that links these two fields in humans. Several non-infectious conditions with known complement involvement are scrutinized for common patterns concerning a prothrombotic statues and the occurrence of certain complement activation levels. Next to PNH and aHUS, germline encoded CD59 or CD55 deficiency (the latter causing the disease Complement Hyperactivation, Angiopathic thrombosis, and Protein-Losing Enteropathy; CHAPLE), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), (catastrophic) anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS, CAPS) and C3 glomerulopathy are considered. Parallels and distinct features among these conditions are discussed against the background of thrombosis, complement activation, and potential complement diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.

Epidemiology of Secondary Warm Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (wAIHA) is a haemolytic disorder, most commonly seen among adults and is classified as either primary or secondary to an underlying disease. We describe the age and sex distribution and the proportion of secondary wAIHA. Method: We retrieved 2635 published articles, screened abstracts and titles, and identified 27 articles eligible for full-text review. From these studies, we extracted data regarding number of patients, sex distribution, age at diagnosis, number of patients with secondary wAIHA, and whether the patients were diagnosed through local or referral centres. All data were weighted according to the number of included patients in each study. Results: 27 studies including a total of 4311 patients with wAIHA, of which 66% were females, were included. The median age at diagnosis was 68.7 years, however, wAIHA affected all ages. The mean proportion of secondary wAIHA was 49%, most frequently secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. The proportions of secondary wAIHA reported from primary vs. referral centres were 35% vs. 59%, respectively. Conclusion: This review consolidates previously reported gender distribution. The higher proportion of secondary wAIHA in referral centres suggests that the most severely affected patients are disproportionally more frequent in such facilities.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Pulmonary Embolism: An Association to Consider

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is increasingly recognized as a strong risk factor for venous thrombosis. However, there are currently no guidelines on thromboembolism prevention and management during AIHA. Here, we describe the case of a patient with AIHA and pulmonary embolism and resume the current knowledge on epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and pathophysiology of thrombosis during AIHA, as well as new therapeutic perspectives to prevent thrombus formation during AIHA.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in hospitalized patients: 450 patients and their red blood cell transfusions

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disease in which autoantibodies target red blood cells (RBCs), leading to anemia that ranges from no symptoms to severe life-threatening hemolysis. Little is known about the severity of anemia, blood transfusion efficiency and risk of transfusion-related reactions among hospitalized AIHA patients, especially in those with incompatible RBC transfusions.A retrospective study was conducted among hospitalized AIHA patients from January 2009 to December 2015 in a large tertiary care medical center in southwest China.A total of 450 AIHA hospitalized patients were recruited, of whom 97.3% had warm AIHA, 30.3% had primary AIHA, and 90.7% were treated with corticosteroids. On admission, approximately 3% of patients had an hemoglobin (Hb) <30 g/L, 34% had an Hb between 30 and 59.9 g/L, and 46% had an Hb ranging from 60 to 89.9 g/L. A total of 2509.5 U RBCs were transfused to AIHA patients, and 14 transfusion-related adverse reactions were recorded, without any hemolytic transfusion reactions. With an average transfusion trigger of 52.0 ± 9.3 g/L, 59.7% of the patients received RBCs, and 55.8% of the transfusions were viewed as effective. Least incompatible RBCs were given in 39% of the transfusions, but the transfusion efficiency did not significantly decrease with these incompatible blood transfusions (P = .253). Primary AIHA patients with a nadir Hb of approximately 40 to 50 g/L during their hospital stay had the highest rate of remission and did not require a different total number of RBC transfusions (P = .068) or length of hospitalization (P = .194) compared to other groups with nadir Hb values <30 g/L, ≥30 and <40 g/L, ≥50 and <60 g/L, and ≥60 g/L.One-third of AIHA patients suffered from severe anemia during hospitalization, and transfusions, even with incompatible RBCs, were safe and efficient. However, transfusion triggers between 40 and 50 g/L seemed to benefit the most patients by alleviating the RBC destruction caused by autoantibodies, and a restrictive transfusion strategy was beneficial in AIHA patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in adults: Recommendations from the First International Consensus Meeting

Autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHAs) are rare and heterogeneous disorders characterized by the destruction of red blood cells through warm or cold antibodies. There is currently no licensed treatment for AIHA. Due to the paucity of clinical trials, recommendations on diagnosis and therapy have often been based on expert opinions and some national guidelines. Here we report the recommendations of the First International Consensus Group, who met with the aim to review currently available data and to provide standardized diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches as well as an overview of novel therapies. Exact diagnostic workup is important because symptoms, course of disease, and therapeutic management relate to the type of antibody involved. Monospecific direct antiglobulin test is considered mandatory in the diagnostic workup, and any causes of secondary AIHA have to be diagnosed. Corticosteroids remain first-line therapy for warm-AIHA, while the addition of rituximab should be considered early in severe cases and if no prompt response to steroids is achieved. Rituximab with or without bendamustine should be used in the first line for patients with cold agglutinin disease requiring therapy. We identified a need to establish an international AIHA network. Future recommendations should be based on prospective clinical trials whenever possible.

Evans syndrome in adults - incidence, prevalence, and survival in a nationwide cohort

Patients with Evans syndrome have both immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, but little is known about the epidemiology of this rare syndrome. Evans syndrome can be primary or secondary. This nationwide retrospective study linked health registries to identify 242 patients with Evans syndrome in Denmark in 1977-2017. For comparison, we identified three age-matched and sex-matched cohorts of patients with only immune thrombocytopenia or only autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and a general population cohort. The Evans syndrome cohort had a mean age of 58.5 years at diagnosis, 51.2% were women, and 27.3% were classified as secondary Evans syndrome. The annual Evans syndrome incidence and prevalence rose significantly during the study period, to 1.8 per million person-years and 21.3 per million persons, respectively, in 2016. The median survival with Evans syndrome was 7.2 years (primary Evans syndrome: 10.9 years; secondary Evans syndrome: 1.7 years). Secondary Evans syndrome was associated with higher mortality rates than any of the other cohorts, with a 5-year survival of 38%. Among patients with Evans syndrome, the prevailing causes of death were bleeding, infections, and hematological cancer. In conclusion, we found that both primary and secondary Evans syndrome conferred a poor prognosis. Lethal complications probably derive primarily from manifestations of underlying autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia. Our findings suggested that suspicion of Evans syndrome should prompt vigilant clinical follow-up. International collaborations are warranted to advance our knowledge of optimal management of this rare disease.

Hemolyzed Specimens: Major Challenge for Identifying and Rejecting Specimens in Clinical Laboratories

Pre-analytical quality in clinical chemistry testing is as important as analytical and post-analytical quality. The most prevalent pre-analytical interference and a major source of error producing unreliable laboratory test results is hemolysis of blood samples. In vitro hemolysis may be due to the blood withdrawal technique or sample handling whereas in vivo hemolysis can originate from acquired, hereditary, or iatrogenic conditions and is not technique dependent. Interpreting in vivo or in vitro hemolysis requires clinicians to supply reliable clinical history and findings. Even then, to reject or release the result with interpretation is still under debate. Thus, hemolyzed specimens are a serious pre-analytical problem calling for well-designed and strictly implemented laboratory guidelines. The aim of this non-systematic review (addressed to healthcare professionals) was to highlight the challenges in identifying and rejecting hemolysis specimens.

Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Retrospective Analysis of 60 Turkish Patients

We aimed to analyze 10-year experience of WAIHA patients at a single referral center in Turkey. Clinical data, survival outcome of sixty patients who were diagnosed with WAIHA were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positive. In 21 (30%) patients, IgG plus C3d DAT positivity was documented. 16 patients were secondary WAIHA and most common underlying causes were lymphoproliferative diseases (5 patients) and connective tissue disease (8 patients). Corticosteroids were first choice as a first line therapy with 54.5% CR and 40.2% PR rates. 43.3% of the patients relapsed after a median 12 months. In relapsed patients, rituximab and splenectomy achieved 85% overall response rates. The median OS was not reached. The median DFS was 40 months (95% CI, 19.6-60.4). OS and DFS at 36 months were 89.6% and 51.1%, respectively. DFS at 36 months was lower in patients with IgG plus C3d positive DAT than patients with only positive Ig G DAT (36 vs. 54%) but this difference could not reach statistical significance (p = 0.23). WAIHA was a rare disease with a good prognosis. Corticosteroids were the first option and splenectomy and rituximab received good responses in relapsed patients. Attention should be paid especially in patients with IgG plus C3d DAT positivity since lower DFS were reported. Characteristics and pathogenesis of patients with IgG plus C3d DAT positivity was still an obscure.

Venous thromboembolic events during warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Thrombotic manifestations are a hallmark of many auto-immune diseases (AID), specially of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), as 15 to 33% of adults with wAIHA experience venous thromboembolic events (VTE). However, beyond the presence of positive antiphospholipid antibodies and splenectomy, risk factors for developing a VTE during wAIHA have not been clearly identified. The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize VTEs during wAIHA and to identify risk factors for VTE. Forty-eight patients with wAIHA were included, among whom 26 (54%) had secondary wAIHA. Eleven (23%) patients presented at least one VTE, that occurred during an active phase of the disease for 10/11 patients (90%). The frequency of VTE was not different between primary and secondary AIHA (23.7 vs. 19.2%; p = 0.5). The Padua prediction score based on traditional risk factors was not different between patients with and without VTE. On multivariate analysis, total bilirubin ≥ 40 μmol/L [odds ratio (OR) = 7.4; p = 0.02] and leucocyte count above 7x10⁹/L (OR = 15.7; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with a higher risk of thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibodies were screened in 9 out the 11 patients who presented a VTE and were negative. Thus, the frequency of VTE is high (23%) during wAIHA and VTE preferentially occur within the first weeks of diagnosis. As no clinically relevant predictive factors of VTE could be identified, the systematic use of a prophylactic anticoagulation should be recommended in case of active hemolysis and its maintenance after hospital discharge should be considered. The benefit of a systematic screening for VTE and its procedure remain to be determined.

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia: experience from a single referral center in Mexico City

Background

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated destruction of red blood cells. Warm AIHA (wAIHA) represents 60% of AIHA cases and is associated with the positive detection of IgG and C3d in the direct antiglobulin test (DAT). This study aimed to assess the clinical and laboratorial differences between primary and secondary wAIHA patients from a referral center in Mexico City.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with wAIHA in our institution from January 1992 to December 2015 were included and received corticosteroids as the first-line treatment. We analyzed the response to the first-line treatment, relapse-free survival, and time to splenectomy.

Results

Eighty-nine patients were included. Secondary wAIHA represented 55.1% of the cases. At diagnosis, secondary wAIHA patients showed a DAT mixed pattern more frequently than primary wAIHA patients (36.7 vs. 17.5%, P<0.001). In the survival analysis, patients with secondary wAIHA had a lower time to response (18 vs. 37 days, P=0.05), median disease-free survival (28.51 vs. 50.95 weeks, P=0.018), and time to splenectomy (43.5 vs. 61 wks, P=0.029) than those with primary wAIHA. Due to economic constraints, rituximab was considered as the third-line treatment in only two patients.

Conclusion

Secondary wAIHA may benefit from a longer low-dose steroid maintenance period mainly due to its shorter time to relapse and time to splenectomy than primary wAIHA.

Clinical Features of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Complicated With Evans Syndrome: A Case-Control, Single Center Study

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) complicated with Evans syndrome (ES). We conducted a retrospective case-control study to compare the clinical and laboratory features of age- and gender-matched lupus patients with and without ES in 1:3 ratios. In 5724 hospitalized SLE patients, we identified 27 (0.47%, 22 women and 5 men, average age 34.2 years) SLE patients complicated with ES. Fifteen patients (55.6%) presented with hematologic abnormalities initially, including 6 (22.2%) cases of isolated ITP, 4 (14.8%) cases of isolated AIHA, and 5 (18.5%) cases of classical ES. The median intervals between hematological presentations the diagnosis of SLE was 36 months (range 0-252). ES developed after the SLE diagnosis in 4 patients (14.8%), and concomitantly with SLE diagnosis in 8 patients (29.6%). Systemic involvements are frequently observed in SLE patients with ES, including fever (55.6%), serositis (51.9%), hair loss (40.7%), lupus nephritis (37%), Raynaud phenomenon (33.3%), neuropsychiatric (33.3%) and pulmonary involvement (25.9%), and photosensitivity (25.9%). The incidence of photosensitivity, hypocomplementemia, elevated serum IgG level, and lupus nephritis in patients with ES or without ES was 25.9% vs 6.2% (P = 0.007), 88.9% vs 67.1% (P = 0.029), 48.1% vs 24.4% (P = 0.021), and 37% vs 64.2% (P = 0.013), respectively. Twenty-five (92.6%) patients achieved improvement following treatment of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants as well as splenectomy, whereas 6 patients experienced the relapse and 1 patient died from renal failure during the follow-up. ES is a relatively rare complication of SLE. Photosensitivity, hypocomplementemia, and elevated serum IgG level were frequently observed in ES patients, but lupus nephritis was less observed. More than half of patients presented with hematological manifestation at onset, and progress to typical lupus over months to years. Therefore, monitoring with antoantibodies profile as well as nonhematological presentations are necessary for patients with ITP and (or) AIHA.

Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Childhood Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Retrospective Analysis of 68 Cases

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disease in children, and its clinical severity varies. To better understand disease manifestation and treatment outcome, we analyzed 68 children diagnosed as AIHA for clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes. Data show that primary AIHA accounted for 39.7% of all patients, whereas secondary AIHA accounted for 60.3%. Among them, Evans syndrome (ES) accounted for 20 cases (29.4%). Average hemoglobin was lower in the 1-year or below age group than in the above 1-year age group, combined-antibody group than single-antibody group, and IgM-contained group than non-IgM-contained group (P<0.05 for all). The duration of therapy in the ES group was longer than that in the AIHA-only group (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, 29 cases (29/45, 64.4%) remained in continuous remission. In total, 35.6% of patients relapsed after first complete remission and 56.3% of them still showed good response to glucocorticoid after relapse. There was no difference in the duration of therapy or relapse rate between the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-treatment group and the non-IVIG-treatment group. In conclusion, the severity of anemia correlates with age and serologic types of direct antiglobulin test. Glucocorticoid is efficacious for AIHA regardless of whether it is a first attack or relapse in this cohort of young patients. ES needs longer treatment duration. IVIG does not improve the outcome of AIHA.

The Lbw2 locus promotes autoimmune hemolytic anemia

The lupus-prone New Zealand Black (NZB) strain uniquely develops a genetically imposed severe spontaneous autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) that is very similar to the corresponding human disease. Previous studies have mapped anti-erythrocyte Ab (AEA)-promoting NZB loci to several chromosomal locations, including chromosome 4; however, none of these have been analyzed with interval congenics. In this study, we used NZB.NZW-Lbw2 congenic (designated Lbw2 congenic) mice containing an introgressed fragment of New Zealand White (NZW) on chromosome 4 encompassing Lbw2, a locus previously linked to survival, glomerulonephritis, and splenomegaly, to investigate its role in AIHA. Lbw2 congenic mice exhibited marked reductions in AEAs and splenomegaly but not in anti-nuclear Abs. Furthermore, Lbw2 congenics had greater numbers of marginal zone B cells and reduced expansion of peritoneal cells, particularly the B-1a cell subset at early ages, but no reduction in B cell response to LPS. Analysis of a panel of subinterval congenic mice showed that the full effect of Lbw2 on AEA production was dependent on three subloci, with splenomegaly mapping to two of the subloci and expansions of peritoneal cell populations, including B-1a cells to one. These results directly demonstrated the presence of AEA-specific promoting genes on NZB chromosome 4, documented a marked influence of background genes on autoimmune phenotypes related to Lbw2, and further refined the locations of the underlying genetic variants. Delineation of the Lbw2 genes should yield new insights into both the pathogenesis of AIHA and the nature of epistatic interactions of lupus-modifying genetic variants.