Comparing pregnancy outcomes in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD): a descriptive cohort study.

Background: Females diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face an elevated risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). However, the evidence regarding whether a similar association exists in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is inconclusive.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review (2006-2019) of pregnancy outcomes among patients with SLE (n = 51) and UCTD (n = 20) within our institution.

Antibodies to FXa and thrombin in patients with SLE differentially regulate C3 and C5 cleavage.

Objectives: The significance of antibodies directed against activated factor X (FXa) and thrombin (Thr) in patients with SLE and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is unknown. FXa and Thr are coregulated by antithrombin (AT) and activate complement. Therefore, we studied the ability of anti activated factor X (aFXa) and/or anti-(a)Thr IgG from patients with SLE±APS to modulate complement activation.

Stratification of Patients With Sjögren's Syndrome and Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus According to Two Shared Immune Cell Signatures, With Potential Therapeutic Implications.

Objective: Similarities in the clinical and laboratory features of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have led to attempts to treat patients with primary SS or SLE with similar biologic therapeutics. However, the results of many clinical trials are disappointing, and no biologic treatments are licensed for use in primary SS, while only a few biologic agents are available to treat SLE patients whose disease has remained refractory to other treatments. With the aim of improving treatment selections, this study was undertaken to identify distinct immunologic signatures in patients with primary SS and patients with SLE, using a stratification approach based on immune cell endotypes.

COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation and escalation of patient care: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: A subset of patients with severe COVID-19 develop a hyperinflammatory syndrome, which might contribute to morbidity and mortality. This study explores a specific phenotype of COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation (COV-HI), and its associations with escalation of respiratory support and survival.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled consecutive inpatients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to University College London Hospitals and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals in the UK with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 during the first wave of community-acquired infection.