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| 2. |
- Compagno, Michele, et al.
(författare)
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Low diagnostic and predictive value of anti-dsDNA antibodies in unselected patients with recent onset of rheumatic symptoms: results from a long-term follow-up Scandinavian multicentre study.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7732 .- 0300-9742. ; 42:4, s. 311-316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To verify the diagnostic accuracy of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies detected by the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test (CLIFT) in a cohort of unselected patients, referred to a rheumatologist due to recent onset of rheumatic symptoms. Method: A total of 1073 consecutive patients were screened for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs). Serum samples from 292 ANA-positive and 292 matching ANA-negative patients were tested three times for anti-dsDNA antibodies, using two different CLIFT kits (ImmunoConcepts(®) and Euroimmun(®)). An initial clinical diagnosis was made by rheumatologists unaware of the results. The diagnoses were updated after a median follow-up of 4.8 years. Results: CLIFT was positive at least once in 60 patients but only 23 patients were CLIFT positive in all of the assays. Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was made initially in 65 patients, of whom 24 (37%) were CLIFT positive. Many other diagnoses were observed among the CLIFT-positive patients. Overall, 16 (5.5%) ANA-negative patients were CLIFT positive. After approximately 5 years, the diagnosis of SLE remained unchanged in 63 patients (23 CLIFT positive) and altered in only two (one CLIFT positive). Among the 36 CLIFT-positive patients who were not diagnosed with SLE at study entry, only one developed SLE during the follow-up period. Conclusions: CLIFT was not reliable as a diagnostic tool in unselected patients with rheumatic symptoms. ANAs were of little value as a screening test before the CLIFT analysis. CLIFT had surprisingly low positive predictive value (PPV) for the diagnosis of SLE despite its high specificity. For non-SLE patients, being CLIFT positive poses little risk of developing SLE within 5 years.
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| 3. |
- Sandling, Johanna K., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular pathways in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by gene-centred DNA sequencing
- 2021
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 80:1, s. 109-117
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with extensive heterogeneity in disease presentation between patients, which is likely due to an underlying molecular diversity. Here, we aimed at elucidating the genetic aetiology of SLE from the immunity pathway level to the single variant level, and stratify patients with SLE into distinguishable molecular subgroups, which could inform treatment choices in SLE. Methods: We undertook a pathway-centred approach, using sequencing of immunological pathway genes. Altogether 1832 candidate genes were analysed in 958 Swedish patients with SLE and 1026 healthy individuals. Aggregate and single variant association testing was performed, and we generated pathway polygenic risk scores (PRS). Results: We identified two main independent pathways involved in SLE susceptibility: T lymphocyte differentiation and innate immunity, characterised by HLA and interferon, respectively. Pathway PRS defined pathways in individual patients, who on average were positive for seven pathways. We found that SLE organ damage was more pronounced in patients positive for the T or B cell receptor signalling pathways. Further, pathway PRS-based clustering allowed stratification of patients into four groups with different risk score profiles. Studying sets of genes with priors for involvement in SLE, we observed an aggregate common variant contribution to SLE at genes previously reported for monogenic SLE as well as at interferonopathy genes. Conclusions: Our results show that pathway risk scores have the potential to stratify patients with SLE beyond clinical manifestations into molecular subsets, which may have implications for clinical follow-up and therapy selection.
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| 4. |
- Almeida-Brasil, Celline C., et al.
(författare)
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Flares after hydroxychloroquine reduction or discontinuation : results from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort
- 2022
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 81:3, s. 370-378
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To evaluate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares following hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduction or discontinuation versus HCQ maintenance. METHODS: We analysed prospective data from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) cohort, enrolled from 33 sites within 15 months of SLE diagnosis and followed annually (1999-2019). We evaluated person-time contributed while on the initial HCQ dose ('maintenance'), comparing this with person-time contributed after a first dose reduction, and after a first HCQ discontinuation. We estimated time to first flare, defined as either subsequent need for therapy augmentation, increase of ≥4 points in the SLE Disease Activity Index-2000, or hospitalisation for SLE. We estimated adjusted HRs (aHRs) with 95% CIs associated with reducing/discontinuing HCQ (vs maintenance). We also conducted separate multivariable hazard regressions in each HCQ subcohort to identify factors associated with flare. RESULTS: We studied 1460 (90% female) patients initiating HCQ. aHRs for first SLE flare were 1.20 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.38) and 1.56 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.86) for the HCQ reduction and discontinuation groups, respectively, versus HCQ maintenance. Patients with low educational level were at particular risk of flaring after HCQ discontinuation (aHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.87). Prednisone use at time-zero was associated with over 1.5-fold increase in flare risk in all HCQ subcohorts. CONCLUSIONS: SLE flare risk was higher after HCQ taper/discontinuation versus HCQ maintenance. Decisions to maintain, reduce or stop HCQ may affect specific subgroups differently, including those on prednisone and/or with low education. Further study of special groups (eg, seniors) may be helpful.
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| 5. |
- Almeida-Brasil, Celline C., et al.
(författare)
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Retinal toxicity in a multinational inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus on hydroxychloroquine
- 2022
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Ingår i: Lupus Science and Medicine. - : BMJ. - 2053-8790. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To evaluate hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-related retinal toxicity in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort. Methods Data were collected at annual study visits between 1999 and 2019. We followed patients with incident SLE from first visit on HCQ (time zero) up to time of retinal toxicity (outcome), death, loss-to-follow-up or end of study. Potential retinal toxicity was identified from SLICC Damage Index scores; cases were confirmed with chart review. Using cumulative HCQ duration as the time axis, we constructed univariate Cox regression models to assess if covariates (ie, HCQ daily dose/kg, sex, race/ethnicity, age at SLE onset, education, body mass index, renal damage, chloroquine use) were associated with HCQ-related retinal toxicity. Results We studied 1460 patients (89% female, 52% white). Retinal toxicity was confirmed in 11 patients (incidence 1.0 per 1000 person-years, 0.8% overall). Average cumulative time on HCQ in those with retinal toxicity was 7.4 (SD 3.2) years; the first case was detected 4 years after HCQ initiation. Risk of retinal toxicity was numerically higher in older patients at SLE diagnosis (univariate HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09). Conclusions This is the first assessment of HCQ and retinal disease in incident SLE. We did not see any cases of retinopathy within the first 4 years of HCQ. Cumulative HCQ may be associated with increased risk. Ophthalmology monitoring (and formal assessment of cases of potential toxicity, by a retinal specialist) remains important, especially in patients on HCQ for 10+ years, those needing higher doses and those of older age at SLE diagnosis.
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| 6. |
- Barber, Megan R.W., et al.
(författare)
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Economic Evaluation of Damage Accrual in an International Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Inception Cohort Using a Multistate Model Approach
- 2020
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Ingår i: Arthritis Care and Research. - : Wiley. - 2151-464X .- 2151-4658. ; 72:12, s. 1800-1808
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: There is a paucity of data regarding health care costs associated with damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus. The present study was undertaken to describe costs associated with damage states across the disease course using multistate modeling. Methods: Patients from 33 centers in 11 countries were enrolled in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort within 15 months of diagnosis. Annual data on demographics, disease activity, damage (SLICC/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index [SDI]), hospitalizations, medications, dialysis, and selected procedures were collected. Ten-year cumulative costs (Canadian dollars) were estimated by multiplying annual costs associated with each SDI state by the expected state duration using a multistate model. Results: A total of 1,687 patients participated; 88.7% were female, 49.0% were white, mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 34.6 ± 13.3 years, and mean time to follow-up was 8.9 years (range 0.6–18.5 years). Mean annual costs were higher for those with higher SDI scores as follows: $22,006 (Canadian) (95% confidence interval [95% CI] $16,662, $27,350) for SDI scores ≥5 versus $1,833 (95% CI $1,134, $2,532) for SDI scores of 0. Similarly, 10-year cumulative costs were higher for those with higher SDI scores at the beginning of the 10-year interval as follows: $189,073 (Canadian) (95% CI $142,318, $235,827) for SDI scores ≥5 versus $21,713 (95% CI $13,639, $29,788) for SDI scores of 0. Conclusion: Patients with the highest SDI scores incur 10-year cumulative costs that are ~9-fold higher than those with the lowest SDI scores. By estimating the damage trajectory and incorporating annual costs, data on damage can be used to estimate future costs, which is critical knowledge for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of novel therapies.
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| 7. |
- Barber, Megan R.W., et al.
(författare)
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Remission and low disease activity are associated with lower healthcare costs : results from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort
- 2024
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - 0003-4967.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study aims to determine the independent impact of definitions of remission/low disease activity (LDA) on direct/indirect costs (DCs, ICs) in a multicentre inception cohort. Methods: Patients from 31 centres in 10 countries were enrolled within 15 months of diagnosis and assessed annually. Five mutually exclusive disease activity states (DAS) were defined as (1) remission off-treatment: clinical (c) SLEDAI-2K=0, without prednisone/immunosuppressants; (2) remission on-treatment: cSLEDAI-2K=0, prednisone ≤5 mg/day and/or maintenance immunosuppressants; (3) LDA-Toronto Cohort (TC): cSLEDAI-2K≤2, without prednisone/immunosuppressants; (4) modified lupus LDA state (mLLDAS): SLEDAI-2K≤4, no activity in major organs/systems, no new activity, prednisone ≤7.5 mg/day and/or maintenance immunosuppressants and (5) active: all remaining assessments. At each assessment, patients were stratified into the most stringent DAS fulfilled and the proportion of time in a DAS since cohort entry was determined. Annual DCs/ICs (2021 Canadian dollars) were based on healthcare use and lost workforce/non-workforce productivity over the preceding year. The association between the proportion of time in a DAS and annual DC/IC was examined through multivariable random-effects linear regressions. Results: 1692 patients were followed a mean of 9.7 years; 49.0% of assessments were active. Remission/LDA (per 25% increase in time in a remission/LDA state vs active) were associated with lower annual DC/IC: remission off-treatment (DC -$C1372; IC -$C2507), remission on-treatment (DC -$C973; IC -$C2604,) LDA-TC (DC -$C1158) and mLLDAS (DC -$C1040). There were no cost differences between remission/LDA states. Conclusions: Our data suggest that systemic lupus erythematosus patients who achieve remission, both off and on-therapy, and reductions in disease activity incur lower costs than those experiencing persistent disease activity.
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| 8. |
- Bolin, Karin, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Variants in BANK1 are associated with lupus nephritis
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a cause of significant morbidity in SLE. While the genetic background to SLE has been well characterized, less is known about genes predisposing to LN.Methods: The study consisted of 2886 SLE patients, including 947 (33%) with LN. The discovery cohort (Sweden, n=1091) and replication cohort 1 (US, n=962) were genotyped on the Immunochip and replication cohort 2 (Norway/Denmark, n=833) on a custom array chip. Allele frequencies were compared between patients with LN, proliferative nephritis, end-stage renal disease and LN negative patients. SNPs with p-value <0.001 in the discovery cohort were analyzed in replication cohort 1. Ten SNPs associated with LN in the discovery cohort (p<0.0002) were genotyped in replication cohort 2. DNA methylation data were available for 180 LN patients from the discovery cohort.Results: In the discovery cohort, six gene loci were associated with LN (p<1x10-4, NFKBIA, CACNA1S, ITGA1, BANK1, OR2Y and PHCA). SNPs in BANK1 showed the strongest association with LN in replication cohort 1 (p=9.5x10-4), with a tendency for an association in replication cohort 2 (p=0.052). In a meta-analysis of all three cohorts the association between LN and BANK1 rs4699259, was strengthened (p=1.7x10‑7). There were no associations to proliferative nephritis or ESRD in the meta-analysis. Methylation quantitative trait loci (MeQTL) effects between a CpG site and several SNPs in BANK1 were identified.Conclusion: Genetic variations in BANK1 are associated with LN. There is evidence for genetic regulation of DNA methylation within the BANK1 locus, however, the exact role of BANK1 in LN pathogenesis remains to be elucidated.
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| 9. |
- Bolin, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Variants in BANK1 are associated with lupus nephritis of European ancestry
- 2021
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Ingår i: Genes and Immunity. - : Springer Nature. - 1466-4879 .- 1476-5470. ; 22:3, s. 194-202
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The genetic background of lupus nephritis (LN) has not been completely elucidated. We performed a case-only study of 2886 SLE patients, including 947 (33%) with LN. Renal biopsies were available from 396 patients. The discovery cohort (Sweden, n = 1091) and replication cohort 1 (US, n = 962) were genotyped on the Immunochip and replication cohort 2 (Denmark/Norway, n = 833) on a custom array. Patients with LN, proliferative nephritis, or LN with end-stage renal disease were compared with SLE without nephritis. Six loci were associated with LN (p < 1 × 10−4, NFKBIA, CACNA1S, ITGA1, BANK1, OR2Y, and ACER3) in the discovery cohort. Variants in BANK1 showed the strongest association with LN in replication cohort 1 (p = 9.5 × 10−4) and proliferative nephritis in a meta-analysis of discovery and replication cohort 1. There was a weak association between BANK1 and LN in replication cohort 2 (p = 0.052), and in the meta-analysis of all three cohorts the association was strengthened (p = 2.2 × 10−7). DNA methylation data in 180 LN patients demonstrated methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) effects between a CpG site and BANK1 variants. To conclude, we describe genetic variations in BANK1 associated with LN and evidence for genetic regulation of DNA methylation within the BANK1 locus. This indicates a role for BANK1 in LN pathogenesis.
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| 10. |
- Choi, May Yee, et al.
(författare)
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Longitudinal analysis of ANA in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Inception Cohort
- 2022
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81:8, s. 1143-1150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives A perception derived from cross-sectional studies of small systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohorts is that there is a marked discrepancy between antinuclear antibody (ANA) assays, which impacts on clinicians' approach to diagnosis and follow-up. We compared three ANA assays in a longitudinal analysis of a large international incident SLE cohort retested regularly and followed for 5 years. Methods Demographic, clinical and serological data was from 805 SLE patients at enrolment, year 3 and 5. Two HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA1, IFA2), an ANA ELISA, and SLE-related autoantibodies were performed in one laboratory. Frequencies of positivity, titres or absorbance units (AU), and IFA patterns were compared using McNemar, Wilcoxon and kappa statistics, respectively. Results At enrolment, ANA positivity (≥1:80) was 96.1% by IFA1 (median titre 1:1280 (IQR 1:640-1:5120)), 98.3% by IFA2 (1:2560 (IQR 1:640-1:5120)) and 96.6% by ELISA (176.3 AU (IQR 106.4 AU-203.5 AU)). At least one ANA assay was positive for 99.6% of patients at enrolment. At year 5, ANA positivity by IFAs (IFA1 95.2%; IFA2 98.9%) remained high, while there was a decrease in ELISA positivity (91.3%, p<0.001). Overall, there was >91% agreement in ANA positivity at all time points and ≥71% agreement in IFA patterns between IFA1 and IFA2. Conclusion In recent-onset SLE, three ANA assays demonstrated commutability with a high proportion of positivity and titres or AU. However, over 5 years follow-up, there was modest variation in ANA assay performance. In clinical situations where the SLE diagnosis is being considered, a negative test by either the ELISA or HEp-2 IFA may require reflex testing.
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