Longitudinal comparison of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 cytokine profiles in adult and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To compare the levels of Th1 (IL-12) and Th2 (IL-6 and IL10) cytokines over a two-year period among systemic lupus erythematosus patients with childhood-onset (cSLE), adult-onset (sSLE), and healthy controls, and correlate with their clinical, laboratory, and treatment manifestations.

Methods: The study included 63 patients with cSLE [57 (90%) women; mean age 19.7 ± 4.

Axonal dysfunction is associated with interferon-γ levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Objective: Axonal/neuronal damage has been shown to be a pathological finding that precedes neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of axonal dysfunction in childhood-onset SLE patients (cSLE) and to determine clinical, immunological and treatment features associated with its occurrence.

Methods: We included 86 consecutive cSLE patients [median age 17 (range 5-28) years] and 71 controls [median age 18 (5-28) years].

Trisomy X in a patient with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a rare, chronic and systemic autoimmune disease generally with a more severe clinical phenotype than the adult-onset SLE. In both conditions, it is known that females are predominantly affected; therefore, the possible overlap of SLE and sex chromosomal abnormalities has attracted attention. Our case report describe the clinical manifestations and immunological profile of a Brazilian female with cSLE and trisomy X.

Familial Aggregation of Childhood- and Adulthood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To assess the familial occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large Brazilian cohort.

Methods: Consecutive patients with SLE were recruited and stratified according to age at disease onset into childhood-onset SLE or adult-onset SLE. Each patient was personally interviewed regarding the history of SLE across 3 generations (first-, second-, and third-degree relatives).

Sleep disorders in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sleep quality, the presence of sleep disorders in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (pAPS), and their possible clinical and laboratory associations. This was a cross-sectional study of 40 consecutive pAPS patients and 211 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Demographic and clinical data, drug use, and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated.

Olfactory function in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. A longitudinal study and review of the literature.

Background/purpose: To evaluate olfactory function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and healthy controls over a 2-year period, and to determine the association of olfactory dysfunction with age, disease activity, disease damage, treatment, anxiety and depression symptoms and limbic structures volumes.

Methods: Consecutive SLE and SSc patients were enrolled in this study. Clinical, laboratory disease activity and damage were assessed according to diseases specific guidelines.

Defining biological subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus: progress toward personalized therapy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease with respect to disease severity, response to treatment, and organ damage. The pathogenesis of SLE includes immunological mechanisms which are driven by both genetic and environmental factors. There are clear differences in the pathogenesis of SLE between patients of different ancestral backgrounds, including differences in genetic risk factors, immunological parameters, and clinical manifestations.

Assessment of condyle, masseter and temporal muscles volumes in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the corticosteroid therapy for both treatment of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and disease activity on two masticatory muscles and condyle of the temporomandibular joint.

Methods: A total of 21 controls and 48 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients were investigated. Volumes of the temporal and masseter muscles and condyle of the subjects were assessed by using a 3D reconstruction in magnetic resonance imaging.

Prevalence and features of metabolic syndrome in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

To estimate the prevalence and features of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), we performed a cross-sectional study of 76 consecutive cSLE patients and 54 healthy controls, age and sex matched. All individuals were assessed for anthropometric and MetS features according to World Health Organization (WHO), NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The cSLE patients were further assessed for clinical and laboratory manifestations, disease activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index), cumulative damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)), and current and cumulative drug exposures.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Is Associated With Asymptomatic Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the association between SNHL and demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including consecutive female SLE patients. We performed audiometry and clinical and laboratory evaluation and determined cardiovascular risk factors in all patients.

Drugs in early clinical development for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Introduction: While immunosuppressive therapy has positively impacted the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), many patients still do not respond to traditional therapy. Thus, active SLE disease remains a significant problem. Furthermore, conventional immunosuppressive treatments for SLE are associated a high risk of side effects.

Depressive symptoms are associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is deeply related to pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially depression. The aim of this study was to explore potential relationships between sera TNF-α levels and mood and anxiety disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods: We included 153 consecutive SLE patients (women 148; median age 30; range 10-62) and 40 (women 37; mean age 28.

Serum interleukin-17 levels are associated with nephritis in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To determine the serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and to evaluate the association between IL-17 and clinical manifestations, disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment.

Methods: We included 67 consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients [61 women; median age 18 years (range 11-31)], 55 first-degree relatives [50 women; median age 40 years (range 29-52)] and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls [42 women; median age 19 years (range 6-30)]. The childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients were assessed for clinical and laboratory systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations, disease activity [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)], cumulative damage [Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Damage Index] and current drug use.

Dysregulation of antiviral helicase pathways in systemic lupus erythematosus.

In the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), our normal antiviral defenses are inappropriately activated, resulting in over-activity of the type I interferon (IFN) pathway. This increased activity of the type I IFN pathway is an important primary pathogenic factor in the disease. Emerging evidence has implicated the antiviral helicases in this process.

Obesity and cytokines in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), atherosclerosis is attributed to traditional and lupus related risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and inflammation. Objective. To evaluate the association between obesity, measures of body fat content, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and -10 levels in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE).

Risk factors in cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and multisystemic autoimmune disorder which predominantly affecting women. The most common cause of death in SLE patients affected by disease for more than 5 years is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiological observations suggest that, together with classical conventional risk factors, other mechanisms (non-conventional/disease-specific factors) promote accelerated atherosclerosis in inflammatory diseases like SLE.

Th1/Th2 cytokine profile in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To determine the serum levels of Th1 (IL-12, IFN-γ,TNF-α) and Th2 (IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10) cytokines in childhood-onset SLE, first-degree relatives and healthy controls. To elucidate their association with disease activity, laboratory and treatment features.

Methods: We included 60 consecutive childhood-onset SLE patients [median age 18 years (range 10-37)], 64 first-degree relatives [median 40 (range 28-52)] and 57 healthy [median age 19 years (range 6-30 years)] controls.

Clinical and serological manifestations associated with interferon-α levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To determine the serum levels of interferon alpha in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls and to evaluate the associations between serum interferon alpha and disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment features.

Methods: We screened consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a longitudinal cohort at the pediatric rheumatology unit of the State University of Campinas between 2009 and 2010. All patients demonstrated disease onset before the age of 16.

[Aspects of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome in lupus erythematosus].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting mainly young women. In last decades premature atherosclerosis has been identified as an important cause of mortality due to SLE related risk factors (inflammation and treatment) and metabolic syndrome (MS). MS is a group of risk factors, originating from an abnormal metabolism, with an increased risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.