Primary headache in SLE -systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To systematically review and synthesize literature on: 1) the overall prevalence of primary headaches and specifically migraines, in patients with lupus since previous systematic review published in 2004; 2) the risk factors associated with primary headaches in patients with lupus; 3) the association of primary headaches with structural brain changes; and 4) "lupus headaches".

Methods: This review used (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) PRISMA guidelines and literature searches in four databases: Ovid-based Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception until 4/2022. Papers on primary headaches in patients with lupus were identified.

Mitigating overuse of antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing through educational intervention: a study in internal medicine and neurology departments.

Introduction/objectives: Overuse of antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests leads to increased costs, false positives, and unnecessary treatments. This study evaluated ANA overuse in internal medicine and neurology departments and assessed the impact of an educational intervention.

Method: This quality improvement educational intervention study examined ANA test overuse in five internal medicine departments and one neurology department at a university-affiliated medical center.

Wnt signaling regulates chemokine production and cell migration of circulating human monocytes.

The β-catenin dependent canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining normal homeostasis. However, when dysregulated, Wnt signaling is closely associated with various pathological conditions, including inflammation and different types of cancer.Here, we show a new connection between the leukocyte inflammatory response and the Wnt signaling pathway.

OMERACT 2023 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Special Interest Group: Winnowing and Binning Preliminary Candidate Domains for the Core Outcome Set.

Background: The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Working Group held a Special Interest Group (SIG) at the OMERACT 2023 conference in Colorado Springs where SLE collaborators reviewed domain sub-themes generated through qualitative research and literature review.

Objective: The objective of the SIG and the subsequent meetings of the SLE Working Group was to begin the winnowing and binning of candidate domain sub-themes into a preliminary list of candidate domains that will proceed to the consensus Delphi exercise for the SLE COS.

Methods: Four breakout groups at the SLE SIG in Colorado Springs winnowed and binned 132 domain sub-themes into candidate domains, which was continued with a series of virtual meetings by an advisory group of SLE patient research partners (PRPs), members of the OMERACT SLE Working Group Steering Committee, and other collaborators.

Steroid treatment suppresses the CD4 T-cell response to the third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease patients.

Prolonged steroid treatment has a suppressive effect on the immune system, however, its effect on the cellular response to mRNA vaccine is unknown. Here we assessed the impact of prolonged steroid treatment on the T-cell and humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) peptide following the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine in systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease patients. We found that CD4 T-cell response to the S peptide in patients on high-dose long-term steroid treatment showed significantly less S-peptide specific response, compare to low-dose or untreated patients.

Immunogenicity and safety of the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has led to the rapid development and administration of the COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. Data about the immunogenicity and adverse effects of the vaccine on patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) is emerging.

Aim: To evaluate Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA-based vaccine second-dose immunogenicity and safety, and the relation between them, in patients with SARDs.

Assessing the Utility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Screening for cognitive impairment (CI) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) relies on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) neuropsychological battery (NB). By studying the concurrent criterion validity, our goal was to assess the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening tool for CI compared to the ACR-NB and to evaluate the added value of the MoCA to the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM).

Methods: A total of 285 adult SLE patients were administered the ACR-NB, MoCA, and ANAM.

Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Older Adults: Diagnosis and Management.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem chronic autoimmune disease with variable clinical manifestations. Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) includes the neurologic syndromes of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system and the psychiatric syndromes observed in patients with SLE. Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus events may present as an initial manifestation of SLE or may be diagnosed later in the course of the disease.

Validity and reliability of patient reported outcomes measurement information system computerized adaptive tests in systemic lupus erythematous.

Background: The evaluation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computerized adaptive test (CAT) in adults with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is an emerging field of research. We aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the PROMIS CAT in a Canadian cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-seven patients completed 14 domains of PROMIS CAT and seven legacy instruments during their clinical visits.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk tools as predictors of cardiovascular disease events in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: SLE is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to determine which among QRISK2, QRISK3, Framingham Risk Score (FRS), modified Framingham Risk Score (mFRS) and SLE Cardiovascular Risk Equation (SLECRE) best predicts CVD.

Methods: This is a single-centre analysis on 1887 patients with SLE followed prospectively according to a standard protocol.

Lupus acute cardiomyopathy is highly responsive to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: Case series and literature review.

Introduction: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is currently used with considerable success for the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among its various indications, IVIg has also been found to be beneficial in myocarditis, whether or not it is associated with an autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, data regarding IVIg treatment for myocarditis/cardiomyopathy in patients with SLE are sparse.

Clinical experience with biologic treatment in resistant eosinophilic fasciitis: Case reports and review of the literature.

Rationale: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is an uncommon connective tissue disorder characterized by limb and trunk erythema, with symmetrical thickening of the skin. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Treatment consists mainly of glucocorticoids.

Association between depression and anxiety with skin and musculoskeletal clinical phenotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To study the clinical phenotypes, determined based on cumulative disease activity manifestations, and sociodemographic factors associated with depression and anxiety in SLE.

Methods: Patients attending a single centre were assessed for depression and anxiety. SLE clinical phenotypes were based on the organ systems of cumulative 10-year SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), prior to visit.

Validity Evidence for the Use of Automated Neuropsychologic Assessment Metrics As a Screening Tool for Cognitive Impairment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Screening for cognitive impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) conventionally relies on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) neuropsychologic battery (NB), which is not universally available. To develop a more accessible screening approach, we assessed validity of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). Using the ACR NB as the gold standard for cognitive impairment classification, the objectives were 1) to measure overall discriminative validity of the ANAM for cognitive impairment versus no cognitive impairment, 2) to identify ANAM subtests and scores that best differentiate patients with cognitive impairment from those with no cognitive impairment, and 3) to derive ANAM composite indices and cutoffs.

Novel biological therapeutic approaches to cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) encompasses a spectrum of dermatologic manifestations which can occur with or without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Treatment of CLE is challenging as the traditional treatments are off label and often fail and there is no drug specifically approved for CLE. The knowledge gained from the emerging trials on biologic therapy in SLE has provided insight into the utility of biologic therapy for CLE.

A practical approach to infarction of the spleen as a rare manifestation of multiple common diseases.

Introduction: There are insufficient data on the aetiologic factors underlying splenic infarction (SI). Therefore, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate diagnostic approach.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with SI from January 2004 to December 2014.

Physical Training in a Medical Fitness Room for Patients with Chronic Diseases: Functional and Metabolic Outcomes.

Background: Physical inactivity is a pivotal factor in the development and progression of various chronic diseases. However, most fitness facilities exclude unhealthy individuals. Therefore, an exercise program that admits such patients is imperative.

Eosinophilic pneumonia following occupational smoke exposure.

Unlabelled: A 21-year-old male patient with a history of occupational exposure to open fire smoke was initially treated with empiric antibiotics for simple community-acquired pneumonia. However, he continued to deteriorate rapidly, developed respiratory failure and needed mechanical ventilation. After possible aetiologies were considered, acute eosinophilic pneumonia was suspected and confirmed by broncho-alveolar lavage.

β-glycosphingolipids ameliorated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in the Psammomys obesus model.

Liver steatosis is a common characteristic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease is increasingly recognized as a major health burden. Accumulating evidence suggests that β-glycosphingolipids play an important role in insulin sensitivity and thus could affect hepatic steatosis. To determine the effect associated with β-glycosphingolipid-mediated amelioration of liver injury, seven groups of Psammomys obesus on a high-energy diet were studied.

Cogan's syndrome--clinical guidelines and novel therapeutic approaches.

Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder, classically characterized by interstitial keratitis and sensorineural hearing loss. Recurrent episodes of inner ear disease might result in deafness. In some patients, it may also be accompanied by systemic vasculitis.