Ankle-brachial index and arterial vascular events in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a 5-year prospective cohort.

Objectives: To determine the potential predictive value in patients with systemic lupus erythematous of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) for the occurrence of arterial vascular events.

Methods: 216 lupus patients from a prospective clinical cohort were evaluated using the ABI at the start of the study and then followed up for 5 years. Abnormal ABI was defined as an index ≤0.

Restrictive Use of Oral Glucocorticoids in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Prevention of Damage Without Worsening Long-Term Disease Control: An Observational Study.

Objective: To analyze the influence of 2 different treatment strategies on general and specific damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Two cohorts were identified according to the responsible physicians: patients treated at the autoimmune diseases unit (ADU), and patients treated by other members of the internal medicine (IM) department. Members of the ADU worked with a protocol including the universal prescription of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the use of maximum oral prednisone dosages ≤30 mg/day and maintenance therapy with ≤5 mg/day, by using methylprednisolone pulses and/or early immunosuppressive (IS) drugs.

Predictors of peripheral arterial disease in SLE change with patient's age.

Objective: To analyse the differential influence of risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD) according to age in patients with SLE.

Methods: 216 patients from the Lupus-Cruces cohort were divided in three age groups: ≤34 years, 35-49 years and ≥50 years. A low ankle-brachial index defined PAD.

Peripheral arterial disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence and risk factors.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify variables potentially related to PAD.

Methods: The study included 216 patients with SLE from the Lupus-Cruces prospective observational cohort. The ankle brachial index (ABI) was determined in each patient, with values < 0.

Cardiac valve replacement in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Objective: To analyze the results of cardiac valve replacement in a multicenter cohort of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to identify prognostic factors of poor outcome.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations (cardiac involvement and APS characteristics), operative and early postoperative courses, and long-term followup. All of the patients fulfilled the Sapporo criteria for APS.

Transiently positive anticardiolipin antibodies and risk of thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Fluctuations in the titers of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, but their relation with thrombosis is not completely understood. Prospective inception cohort of 237 patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria). Positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) was defined according to Sapporo criteria.