| 1. |
- Nived, Ola, et al.
(author)
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Adherence with advice and prescriptions in SLE is mostly good, but better follow up is needed: A study with a questionnaire.
- 2007
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In: Lupus. - : SAGE Publications. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 16:9, s. 701-706
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the information policy given to all systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. One hundred consecutive SLE patients were asked to answer anonymously a questionnaire covering demographic issues including education, adherence with prescriptions and advice given and methods of sourcing information. Seventy-three females and ten males responded. The demographic data showed that 34 had a university education, 29 high school and 19 primary school education. An inability to work due to disease was increased compared with the matched population (P < 0.001). Forty-two reported that they had received advice about physical training and forty of them followed this advice. Only 28 out of 46 smokers reported that they had got any advice about smoking, and out of these only 13 followed the advice. The patients with university background were less likely to smoke (P < 0.05) and followed the advice more often (P < 0.05). Most patients followed given advice about exposure to sunlight. Thirty-five percent of those prescribed glucocorticoids reported that they varied from the prescribed dosages without consultation with their specialist. This behaviour was more common in the university group (P < 0.05), this grouping also had a higher median dosage. Seventy-three patients had read the booklet about SLE provided by the clinic. Accessing internet information was more common for those with university education (P < 0.01). This study shows that on the whole SLE patients follow given advice, but adherence varies. Aside from the issue of glucocorticoid dosage adherence, educational level seems to be the most important predictor for adherence to advice. Thus, we conclude that a more individualized approach to delivery of information is required and better follow up is needed.
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| 2. |
- Bengtsson, Christine, et al.
(author)
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Systemic lupus erythematosus and cardiac risk factors : medical record documentation and patient adherence
- 2011
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In: Lupus. - Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire : Stockton. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 20:10, s. 1057-1062
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study explores patients' knowledge of cardiac risk factors (CRFs), analyses how information and advice about CRFs are documented in clinical practice, and assesses patient adherence to received instructions to decrease CRFs. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with >= 4 ACR criteria participated through completing a validated cardiovascular health questionnaire (CHQ). Kappa statistics were used to compare medical records with the self-reported CHQ (agreement) and to evaluate adherence. Two hundred and eleven (72%) of the known patients with SLE participated. The mean age of the patients was 55 years. More than 70% of the SLE patients considered hypertension, obesity, smoking and hypercholesterolaemia to be very important CRFs. The agreement between medical record documentation and patients' reports was moderate for hypertension, overweight and hypercholesterolaemia (kappa 0.42-0.60) but substantial for diabetes (kappa 0.66). Patients' self-reported adherence to advice they had received regarding medication was substantial to perfect (kappa 0.65-1.0). For lifestyle changes in patients with hypertension and overweight, adherence was only fair to moderate (kappa 0.13-0.47). Swedish SLE patients' awareness of traditional CRFs was good in this study. However, the agreement between patients' self-reports and medical record documentation of CRF profiles, and patients' adherence to medical advice to CRF profiles, could be improved. Lupus (2011) 20, 1057-1062.
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| 3. |
- Blomberg, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Increased antiretroviral antibody reactivity in sera from a defined population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Correlation with autoantibodies and clinical manifestations
- 1994
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 1529-0131 .- 0004-3591. ; 37:1, s. 57-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE. The implied role of retroviruses in the pathogenesis of murine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) led us to study antiretroviral antibodies in a population-based SLE cohort. METHODS. Immunoassays using whole virus and synthetic peptides were performed on sera from 72 patients with SLE and 88 control subjects. RESULTS. Reactions with whole baboon endogenous virus occurred more frequently in patients with SLE, and correlated with the presence of anti-RNP and anti-Sm. Some retroviral env and gag peptides, several of which were similar to U1 small nuclear RNP, reacted more strongly in patients with SLE, and their presence was correlated with discoid rash, hematologic disorder, and other symptoms. CONCLUSION. These results provide circumstantial evidence for involvement of retroviruses in the pathogenesis of human SLE; further studies should be carried out using other techniques for measurement of retroviral expression.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Association between SLE nephritis and polymorphic variants of the CRP and Fc gamma RIIIa genes
- 2007
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In: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 46:9, s. 1417-1421
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. To study the relationship between clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with polymorphisms in suggested susceptibility genes encoding Fc gamma RIIa, Fc gamma RIIIa, Fc gamma RIIIb, CRP and IL-1Ra. Methods. Genetic polymorphisms were analysed in 323 unrelated SLE patients and 200 healthy blood donors. The genotype frequencies were compared between clinical subsets of SLE patients, as well as with healthy controls. Clinical manifestations included the ACR classification criteria. Nephritis was further classified according to WHO class on renal biopsy. Results. Presence of a CRP4 A-allele was associated with SLE nephritis (P< 0.01) and inversely correlated with arthritis (P < 0.01), when comparing within the SLE group. The Fc gamma RIIIa F/F genotype was also associated with nephritis (WHO class III and IV, P=0.04 for the SLE group) and in combination with the CRP4 A-allele a stronger association was noted (P<0.001). Furthermore, the Fc gamma RIIIb NA2/NA2 genotype was associated with butterfly rash (P< 0.01). An association was found between seizures and the presence of both the Fc gamma RIIa R/R and the Fc gamma RIIIa F/F genotypes (P< 0.01) and an inverse correlation between serositis and the CRP4 A-allele when present together with the IL-1Ra 2-allele (P=0.01). Furthermore, a combination of the Fc gamma RIIa R/R genotype and CRP4 A-allele was associated with lymphopenia (P= 0.02) and a similar result was found for the combination of Fc gamma RIIIa F/F and Fc gamma RIIIb NA2/NA2 (P= 0.04). Conclusions. Polymorphic variants of the CRP and Fc gamma-receptor genes are associated with the clinical phenotype in SLE. Our findings suggest an immune complex-mediated pathogenesis in nephritis and seizures, while development of arthritis may depend on other pathogenetic pathways.
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| 6. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Association of the Charlson Comorbidity Index With Mortality in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- 2011
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In: Arthritis Care and Research. - : Wiley. - 2151-4658 .- 2151-464X. ; 63:9, s. 1233-1237
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To investigate whether comorbidity as assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is associated with mortality in a long-term followup of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods. Data were collected from 499 SLE patients attending the Lupus Clinic at the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and 170 SLE patients from the Department of Rheumatology at Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. This included data on comorbidity, demographics, disease activity, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI), and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). Variables were entered into a Cox proportional hazards survival model. Results. Mortality risk in the Montreal cohort was associated with the CCI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.57 per unit increase in the CCI, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.18-2.09) and age (HR 1.04 per year increase in age, 95% CI 1.00-1.09). The CCI and age at diagnosis were also associated with mortality in the Lund cohort (CCI: HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.60; age: HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.12). Furthermore, the SDI was associated with mortality in the Lund cohort (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.19-1.64), while a wide CI for the estimate in the Montreal cohort prevented a definitive conclusion (HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.97-1.48). We did not find a strong association between mortality and sex, race/ethnicity, disease activity, or APS in either cohort. Conclusion. In this study, comorbidity as measured by the CCI was associated with decreased survival independent of age, lupus disease activity, and damage. This suggests that the CCI may be useful in capturing comorbidity for clinical research in SLE.
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| 7. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Direct and indirect costs for systemic lupus erythematosus in Sweden. A nationwide health economic study based on five defined cohorts
- 2016
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In: Seminars in Arthritis & Rheumatism. - : Elsevier BV. - 0049-0172 .- 1532-866X. ; 45:6, s. 684-690
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to calculate total costs of illness and cost -driving disease features among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Sweden. Methods: Five cohorts of well-defined SLE patients, located in different parts of the country were merged. Incident and prevalent cases from 2003 through 2010 were included. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria was used. From the local cohorts, data on demographics, disease activity (SLEDAI 2K), and organ damage (SDI) were collected. Costs for inpatient care, specialist outpatient care and drugs were retrieved from national registries at the National Board of Health and Welfare. Indirect costs were calculated based on sickness leave and disability pensions from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Results: In total, 1029 SLE patients, 88% females, were included, and approximately 75% were below 65 years at the end of follow-up, and thus in working age. The mean number of annual specialist physician visits varied from six to seven; mean annual inpatient days were 3.1-3.6, and mean annual sick leave was 123-148 days, all per patient. The total annual cost was 208,555 SEK ($33,369 = 22,941(sic)), of which direct cost was 63,672kr ($10,188 = 7004(sic)) and the indirect cost was 144,883 SEK ($23,181 = 15,937(sic)), all per patient. The costs for patients with short disease duration were higher. Higher disease activity as measured by a SLEDAI 2K score > 3 was associated with approximately 50% increase in both indirect and direct costs. Damage in the neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal domains were also linked to higher direct and indirect costs, while organ damage in the renal and ocular systems increased direct costs. Conclusion: Based on this study and an estimate of slightly more than 6000 SLE patients in Sweden, the total annual cost for SLE in the country is estimated at $188 million (= 129.5 million (sic)). Both direct (30%) and indirect costs (70%) are substantial. Medication accounts for less than 10% of the total cost. The tax paid national systems for health care and social security in Sweden ensure equal access to health care, sick leave reimbursements, and disability pensions nationwide. Our extrapolated annual costs for SLE in Sweden are therefore the best supported estimations thus far, and they clearly underline the importance of improved management, especially to reduce the indirect costs. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 8. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Gene-environment interactions in the aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2007
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In: Autoimmunity. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0891-6934 .- 1607-842X. ; 40:8, s. 613-617
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease that displays a multitude of symptoms and a vast array of autoantibodies. The disease course may vary substantially between patients. The current understanding of SLE aetiology includes environmental factors acting on a genetically prone individual during an undetermined time period resulting in autoimmunity and finally surpassing that individual's disease threshold. Genetic differences and environmental factors may interact specifically in the pathogenetic processes and may influence disease development and modify the disease course. Identification of these factors and their interactions in the pathogenesis of SLE is vital in understanding the disease and may contribute to identify new treatment targets and perhaps also aid in disease prevention. However, there are several problems that need to be overcome, such as the protracted time frame of environmental influence, time dependent epigenetic alterations and the possibility that different pathogenetic pathways may result in a similar disease phenotype. This is mirrored by the relatively few studies that suggest specific gene-environment interactions. These include an association between SLE diagnosis and glutathion S-transferase gene variants combined with occupational sun exposure as well as variants of the N-acetyl transferase gene in combination with either aromatic amine exposure or hydralazine. With increased knowledge on SLE pathogenesis, the role of environmental factors and their genetic interactions may be further elucidated.
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| 9. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Genetically determined mannan-binding lectin deficiency is of minor importance in determining susceptibility to severe infections and vascular organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- 2007
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In: Lupus. - : SAGE Publications. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 16:4, s. 245-253
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deficiency of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) has been reported to impact susceptibility to severe nfections and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, MBL gene polymorphisms were analysed in 143 SLE patients and the frequency of severe infections and organ damage according to SLICC/ACR Damage Index regarding cerebrovascular accidents, angina pectoris, coronary by-pass surgery, myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease leading to significant tissue loss, were recorded during a mean follow-up time of 15 years from diagnosis. In a multiple logistic regression model, smoking (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.030), alcohol intake (P = 0.027) and higher triglyceride concentration (P = 0.026) were associated with cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral arterial organ damage (CPAD), while the association with MBL deficiency did not reach significance (P = 0.098). Alcohol intake (> 15 g/month) was inversely correlated with CPAD (OR = 0.29, 95%Cl 0.096-0.87). MBL deficiency was not significantly more common in SLE patients with severe infections in a multivariate analysis (P > 0.3). In conclusion, classical risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, low alcohol intake and elevated triglyceride concentration were relatively more important for development of CPAD than MBL deficiency in SLE. Furthermore, MBL deficiency did not contribute to development of major infections in SLE.
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| 10. |
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