| 1. |
- Pettersson, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of patients' and physicians' assessments of disease activity using the Swedish version of the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 46:6, s. 474-483
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: We compared patients' assessments of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity by a Swedish version of the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) with physicians' assessments by the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). We also explored the performance of the SLAQ in patients with short (< 1 year) versus long (≥ 1 year) disease duration.METHOD: Patients filled out the SLAQ before physicians' assessments. Correlations between SLAQ total, subscales (Symptom score, Flares, Patients global) and SLAM and SLEDAI-2K, as well as between the corresponding items in SLAQ and SLAM, were evaluated using Spearman's ρ. Comparisons between patients with different disease durations were performed with Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared tests.RESULTS: We included 203 patients (79% women), with a median age of 45 years [interquartile range (IQR) 33-57 years] and disease duration of 5 years (IQR 0-14 years). Correlations between physicians' SLAM without laboratory items (SLAM-nolab) and patients' assessments were: SLAQ total, ρ = 0.685, Symptom score, ρ = 0.651, Flares, ρ = 0.547, and Patients global, ρ = 0.600. Of the symptom items, fatigue (ρ = 0.640), seizures (ρ = 0.635), and headache (ρ = 0.604) correlated most closely. Neurology/stroke syndrome, skin, and lymphadenopathy correlated less well (ρ < 0.24). Patients' and physicians' assessments were notably more discordant for patients with short disease durations.CONCLUSION: We confirm that the SLAQ can be used to monitor disease activity. However, the discrepancy between patients' and physicians' assessments was greater for patients with short versus long disease duration. We encourage further use of the SLAQ, but would like to develop a shorter version which would be valuable in modern, partly web-based, clinical care.
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| 2. |
- Diaz-Gallo, Lina-Marcela, et al.
(författare)
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Four Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Subgroups, Defined by Autoantibodies Status, Differ Regarding HLA-DRB1 Genotype Associations and Immunological and Clinical Manifestations
- 2022
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Ingår i: ACR Open Rheumatology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2578-5745. ; 4:1, s. 27-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) constitutes clinical and therapeutical challenges. We therefore studied whether unrecognized disease subgroups can be identified by using autoantibody profiling together with HLA-DRB1 alleles and immunological and clinical data.Methods: An unsupervised cluster analysis was performed based on detection of 13 SLE-associated autoantibodies (double-stranded DNA, nucleosomes, ribosomal P, ribonucleoprotein [RNP] 68, RNPA, Smith [Sm], Sm/RNP, Sjögren's syndrome antigen A [SSA]/Ro52, SSA/Ro60, Sjögren's syndrome antigen B [SSB]/La, cardiolipin [CL]-Immunoglobulin G [IgG], CL-Immunoglobulin M [IgM], and β2 glycoprotein I [β2 GPI]-IgG) in 911 patients with SLE from two cohorts. We evaluated whether each SLE subgroup is associated with HLA-DRB1 alleles, clinical manifestations (n = 743), and cytokine levels in circulation (n = 446).Results: Our analysis identified four subgroups among the patients with SLE. Subgroup 1 (29.3%) was dominated by anti-SSA/Ro60/Ro52/SSB autoantibodies and was strongly associated with HLA-DRB1*03 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.52-4.94). Discoid lesions were more common for this disease subgroup (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.18-2.47). Subgroup 2 (28.7%) was dominated by anti-nucleosome/SmRNP/DNA/RNPA autoantibodies and associated with HLA-DRB1*15 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.41-1.84). Nephritis was most common in this subgroup (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.14-2.26). Subgroup 3 (23.8%) was characterized by anti-ß2 GPI-IgG/anti-CL-IgG/IgM autoantibodies and a higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 compared with the other patients with SLE. Vascular events were more common in Subgroup 3 (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.2-2.5). Subgroup 4 (18.2%) was negative for the investigated autoantibodies, and this subgroup was not associated with HLA-DRB1. Additionally, the levels of eight cytokines significantly differed among the disease subgroups.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that four fairly distinct subgroups can be identified on the basis of the autoantibody profile in SLE. These four SLE subgroups differ regarding associations with HLA-DRB1 alleles and immunological and clinical features, suggesting dissimilar disease pathways.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Grönwall, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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Depressed serum IgM levels in SLE are restricted to defined subgroups
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1521-6616 .- 1521-7035. ; 183, s. 304-315
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural IgM autoantibodies have been proposed to convey protection from autoimmune pathogenesis. Herein, we investigated the IgM responses in 396 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, divided into subgroups based on distinct autoantibody profiles. Depressed IgM levels were more common in SLE than in matched population controls. Strikingly, an autoreactivity profile defined by IgG anti-Ro/La was associated with reduced levels of specific natural IgM targeting phosphoiylcholine (PC) antigens and malondialdehyde (MDA) modified-protein, as well as total IgM, while no differences were detected in SLE patients with an autoreactivity profile defined by anti-cardiolipin/beta(2)glycoprotein-I. We also observed an association of reduced IgM levels with the HEA-DRB1*03 allelic variant among SLE patients and controls. Associations of low IgM anti-PC with cardiovascular disease were primarily found in patients without antiphospholipid antibodies. These studies further highlight the clinical relevance of depressed IgM. Our results suggest that low IgM levels in SLE patients reflect immunological and genetic differences between SLE subgroups.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Gustafsson, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of the first cardiovascular event in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus : a prospective cohort study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 11:6, s. R186-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION :Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of premature mortality among Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Many studies have measured and evaluated risk factors for premature subclinical atherosclerosis, but few studies are prospective and few have evaluated risk factors for hard endpoints, i.e. clinically important cardiovascular events (CVE). We investigated the impact of traditional and lupus associated risk factors for the first ever CVE in a longitudinal cohort of SLE patients.METHODS : A total of 182 SLE patients (mean age 43.9 years) selected to be free of CVE were included. Cardiovascular and autoimmune biomarkers were measured on samples collected after overnight fasting at baseline. Clinical information was collected at baseline and at follow up. End point was the first ever CVE (ischemic heart, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease or death due to CVD). Impact of baseline characteristics/biomarkers on the risk of having a first CVE was evaluated with Cox regression.RESULTS :Follow up was 99.5% after a mean time of 8.3 years. Twenty-four patients (13%) had a first CVE. In age-adjusted Cox regression, any positive antiphospholipid antibody (aPL), elevated markers of endothelial activation (von Willebrand factor (vWf), soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)) and fibrinogen predicted CVEs. Of SLE manifestations, arthritis, pleuritis and previous venous occlusion were positively associated with future CVEs while thrombocytopenia was negatively associated. Among traditional risk factors only age and smoking were significant predictors. In a multivariable Cox regression model age, any positive aPL, vWf and absence of thrombocytopenia were all predictors of the first CVE.CONCLUSIONS : In addition to age, positive aPL, biomarkers indicating increased endothelial cell activity/damage, and absence of thrombocytopenia were independent predictors of CVEs in this prospective study. Our results indicate that activation of the endothelium and the coagulation system are important features in SLE related CVD. Furthermore, we observed that the risk of CVEs seems to differ between subgroups of SLE patients.
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| 7. |
- Gustafsson, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a prospective cohort study
- 2012
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 14:2, s. R46-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION:Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common and a major cause of mortality. Studies on cardiovascular morbidity are abundant, whereas mortality studies focusing on cardiovascular outcomes are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate causes of death and baseline predictors of overall (OM), non-vascular (N-VM), and specifically cardiovascular (CVM) mortality in SLE, and to evaluate Systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE).METHODS:208 SLE patients were included 1995-1999 and followed up after 12 years. Clinical evaluation, CVD risk factors, and biomarkers were recorded at inclusion. Death certificates and autopsy protocols were collected. Causes of death were divided into CVM (ischemic vascular and general atherosclerotic diseases), N-VM and death due to pulmonary hypertension. Predictors of mortality were investigated using multivariable Cox regression. SCORE and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were calculated.RESULTS: During follow-up 42 patients died at mean age of 62 years. SMR 2.4 (CI 1.7-3.0). 48% of deaths were caused by CVM. SCORE underestimated CVM but not to a significant level. Age, high cystatin C levels and established arterial disease were the strongest predictors for all- cause mortality. After adjusting for these in multivariable analyses, only smoking of traditional risk factors, high soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), anti-beta2 glycoprotein-1 (abeta2GP1) and any antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) among biomarkers, remained predictive of CVM.CONCLUSION:With the exception of smoking, traditional risk factors do not capture the main underlying risk factors for CVM in SLE. Rather, cystatin C levels, inflammatory and endothelial markers, and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) differentiate patients with favorable versus severe cardiovascular prognosis. Our results suggest that these new biomarkers are useful in evaluating the future risk of cardiovascular mortality in SLE patients.
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| 8. |
- Gustafsson, Johanna T, et al.
(författare)
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Cigarette smoking, antiphospholipid antibodies and vascular events in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- 2015
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 74:8, s. 1537-1543
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Smoking can induce autoantibodies in persons who are genetically predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the association between smoking and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a question not previously addressed. Further, we explored the relationship between smoking, aPL and vascular events (arterial and venous, VE).METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, clinical evaluation and questionnaire data were collected from 367 prevalent SLE patients. At the same time, we measured aPL (anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2 glycoprotein-1 (aβ2GP1) antibodies IgG/IgM/IgA, and lupus anticoagulant (LA)), and a large set of other SLE-associated autoantibodies for comparison. Association analyses using logistic regression models with smoking, (ever, former and current with never as reference) and antibody status as outcome variable were performed. As a secondary outcome, we investigated the associations between aPL, smoking and VE.RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted models ever, and in particular former, cigarette smoking was associated with the most pathogenic aPL; LA, aCL IgG and aβ2GP1 IgG. Other SLE-associated autoantibodies were not associated with smoking. The combination of smoking and aPL was strongly associated with VE. We noted a positive interaction between smoking-LA and smoking-'triple aPL' positivity for previous VE.CONCLUSIONS: We investigated a large set of commonly occurring autoantibodies in SLE, but only aPL were positively associated with a history of smoking. This association was especially apparent in former smokers. Among ever regular smokers who were aPL positive, we observed a strikingly high frequency of former VE. The underlying mechanisms and temporality between smoking, aPL and VE need further investigations.
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| 9. |
- Gustafsson, Johanna T, et al.
(författare)
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Excess atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus A matter of renal involvement : Case control study of 281 SLE patients and 281 individually matched population controls
- 2017
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 12:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a heterogeneous disease which predominantly affects young females (90%). SLE is associated with a shorter life expectancy than in the general population. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of 2.4 have been reported, which is comparable to diabetes. In modern societies cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of premature mortality. Accelerated atherosclerosis is generally assumed to be the underlying cause for SLE related CVD. However, previous studies diverge regarding whether atherosclerosis is more common in SLE than in controls. With this in mind and based on own clinical experience we hypothesized that accelerated atherosclerosis is not a general feature of SLE, but prevails in SLE subgroups.METHODS: 281 SLE patients and 281 individually age and sex matched population controls, were investigated clinically. Fasting blood samples and risk factor data were collected. All participants were subject to B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. Carotid plaque occurrence and mean intima media thickness (mIMT) were recorded. Two SLE subgroups previously described to be at high CVD risk; 1) patients with nephritis and 2) patients with anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), and one subgroup reported to be at comparatively lower CVD risk; patients positive for Sjögren´s syndrome antigens A/B (SSA/SSB) antibodies were analyzed separately in comparison with their respective matched controls.RESULTS: Median age was 49 (IQR 36-59) years, 93% were females. Manifest CVD; ischemic heart, cerebro- and peripheral vascular disease, prevailed in patients (12% vs. 1%, p<0.0001). Overall plaque prevalence did not differ (20% vs. 16%), but patients had slightly higher mIMT than controls (0.56 vs. 0.53 mm, p<0.0033). After age adjustment plaques, but not mIMT, remained associated with previous CVD events. Therefore we focused further analyses on plaques, a more robust measure of atherosclerosis. Patients with nephritis (40%), but neither aPL (25%) nor SSA/SSB (40%) positive patients, had more plaques than their respective controls (23% vs. 11%, p = 0.008). Notably, patients with nephritis were younger than other SLE patients (45 vs.49 years, p = 0.02). To overcome the confounding effect of age we performed an age-matched nested case-control analysis, which demonstrated that patients with nephritis had twice as often plaques (23%) as both non-nephritis patients (11%, p = 0.038) and controls (12%, p = 0.035).CONCLUSIONS: In SLE excess carotid plaques are essentially confined to the SLE subgroup with nephritis. This subgroup had plaques twice as often as age-matched non-nephritis SLE patients and population controls. Non-nephritis SLE patients, including the aPL positive subgroup, which has a high CVD risk, had similar prevalence of plaques as controls. To prevent later CVD events, this novel observation calls for risk factor screening and initiation of anti-atherosclerotic treatment selectively in SLE nephritis patients. Preferably at nephritis onset, which is often at a young age. In a general perspective this study demonstrates the importance to perform careful clinical subgroup analyses when investigating heterogeneous, hitherto not clearly defined, conditions like SLE.
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| 10. |
- Idborg, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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STRATIFICATION OF SLE PATIENTS FOR IMPROVED DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
- 2013
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 72, s. A80-A80
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background. Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) affect about 2% of the population in Western countries. Sufficient diagnostic criteria are lacking due to the heterogeneity within diagnostic categories and apparent overlap regarding symptoms and patterns of autoantibodies between different diagnoses. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is regarded as a prototype for SAIDs and we hypothesise that subgroups of patients with SLE may have different pathogenesis and should consequently be subject to different treatment strategies.Objectives. Our goal is to find new biomarkers to be used for the identification of more homogenous patient populations for clinical trials and to identify sub-groups of patients with high risk of for example cardiovascular events.Methods. In this study we have utilised 320 SLE patients from the Karolinska lupus cohort and 320 age and gender matched controls. The SLE cohort was characterised based on clinical, genetic and serological data and combined by multivariate data analysis in a systems biology approach to study possible subgroups. A pilot study was designed to verify and investigate suggested subgroups of SLE. Two main subgroups were defined: One group was defined as having SSA and SSB antibodies and a negative lupus anticoagulant test (LAC), i.e., a “Sjögren-like” group. The other group was defined as being negative for SSA and SSB antibodies but positive in the LAC test.i.e. an “APS-like” group. EDTA-plasma from selected patients in these two groups and controls were analysed using a mass spectrometry (MS) based proteomic and metabolomic approach. Pathway analysis was then performed on the obtained data.Results. Our pilot study showed that differences in levels of proteins and metabolites could separate disease groups from population controls. The profile/pattern of involved factors in the complement system supported a division of SLE in two major subgroups, although each individual factor was not significantly different between subgroups. Complement factor 2 (C2) and membrane attack complex (MAC) were analysed in the entire cohort with complementary methods and C2 verifies our results while the levels of MAC did not differ between SLE subgroups. The generated metabolomics data clearly separated SLE patients from controls in both gas chromatography (GC)-MS and liquid chromatography (LC)-MS data. We found for example that tryptophan was lower in the SLE patients compared to controls.Conclusions. Our systems biology approach may lead to a better understanding of the disease and its pathogenesis, and assigning patients into subgroups will result in improved diagnosis and better outcome measures of SLE.
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