Vagus nerve stimulation as a novel treatment for systemic lupus erythematous: study protocol for a randomised, parallel-group, sham-controlled investigator-initiated clinical trial, the SLE-VNS study.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. SLE is treated with immunosuppressants with suboptimal efficacy and high risk of serious side effects. Patients with SLE have increased risk of mortality, organ damage and debilitating treatment-resistant fatigue.

A cluster of type II interferon-regulated genes associates with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Upregulation of interferon-regulated genes (IRGs), denoted IFN signature, in peripheral blood has been used as an indirect measure of IFN pathway activation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it has not been determined, which IFN signatures that optimally reflect clinical disease activity. In this study, we determined an IFN signature based on the expression of 128 IRGs in whole blood from 34 SLE patients in a cross-sectional (CS) study, 11 with active lupus nephritis followed longitudinally (LS) and 15 healthy controls.

Characteristics of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and association with quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) may affect the clinical course of SLE leading to reduced quality of life. CAN is assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) measures and cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs). In patients with SLE, we aimed to determine the characteristics of CAN and if CAN associates with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Preserves Leg Lean Mass in Geriatric Patients.

Aim: This study aimed to examine changes in lean mass during hospitalization in geriatric patients and the effect of muscle activation by neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Methods: Thirteen patients (69-94 yr) at a geriatric ward completed tests at hospital admission (days 2-3) and discharge (days 8-10). One leg received daily stimulation of the knee extensors, whereas the other leg served as a control leg.

Can electrical stimulation enhance effects of a functional training program in hospitalized geriatric patients?

Background: Hospitalization of older medical patients may lead to functional decline. This study investigated whether simultaneously applied neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can enhance the effects of a functional training program in hospitalized geriatric patients.

Method: This was a quasi-randomized controlled trial in geriatric hospitalized patients (N = 16, age = 83.