Estimation of prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States using electronic health record data.

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies of autoimmune diseases in the United States (US) have included a limited number of diseases or used meta-analyses that rely on different data collection methods and analyses for each disease.

Methods: To estimate the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the US, we used electronic health record data from six large medical systems in the US. We developed a software program using common methodology to compute the estimated prevalence of autoimmune diseases alone and in aggregate that can be readily used by other investigators to replicate or modify the analysis over time.

Differences in reproductive health discussions in an urban Hispanic population with SLE: lessons from the field.

Objective: Management of reproductive health-related issues is crucial for patients with SLE, given this is a disease that primarily affects women of childbearing age. Little is known as to how the 2020 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Disease Guideline is experienced by an underserved, primarily Hispanic population and their physicians as it relates to pregnancy planning and contraception conversations. Given this population experiences high rates of unplanned pregnancies and worse SLE outcomes compared with the non-Hispanic white population, it is crucial to understand how reproductive health is discussed in this setting.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Outcomes in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) compared to those without RMDs is unclear. This study was undertaken to quantify the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in those with RMDs and describe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in these patients.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review using 14 databases from January 1, 2019 to February 13, 2021.

COVID-19 in Pregnant Women With Rheumatic Disease: Data From the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.

Objective: To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease who were pregnant at the time of infection.

Methods: Since March 2020, the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance has collected cases of patients with rheumatic disease with COVID-19. We report details of pregnant women at the time of COVID-19 infection, including obstetric details separately ascertained from providers.

Belimumab and Rituximab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Tale of Two B Cell-Targeting Agents.

Given the centrality of B cells to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it stands to reason that a candidate therapeutic agent that targets B cells could be efficacious. Both rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to CD20 on the surface of B cells, and belimumab, a mAb that binds and neutralizes the B cell survival factor BAFF, have been extensively studied for the treatment of SLE. Despite the greater ability of rituximab to deplete B cells than that of belimumab, randomized controlled trials of rituximab in SLE failed to reach their primary clinical endpoints, whereas the primary clinical endpoints were reached in four independent phase-III clinical trials of belimumab in SLE.

A patient with primary Sjogren's syndrome, cystic lung disease, and MALT lymphoma treated successfully with rituximab: a case-based review.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) can have a myriad of presentations, ranging from mild xerostomia to more diffuse systemic involvement. It is well established that pSS is associated with a variety of pulmonary pathologies, and it is also known that pSS patients are at higher risk for lymphoma development. Here, we present an unusual case of a woman with primary Sjogren's syndrome who had both diffuse cystic lung disease as well as extranodal MALT lymphoma, successfully treated for both conditions with the CD-20 monoclonal antibody rituximab.

The safety of belimumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease with extensive clinical variability. In 2011, the anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody, belimumab, became the first FDA-approved drug for SLE in 50+ years. As with all immunomodulating medications, the benefits must be weighed against the adverse side effects.