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- Arkema, Elizabeth V, et al.
(author)
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Case definitions in Swedish register data to identify systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2016
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In: BMJ Open. - : B M J Group. - 2044-6055. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To develop and investigate the utility of several different case definitions for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using national register data in Sweden.METHODS: The reference standard consisted of clinically confirmed SLE cases pooled from four major clinical centres in Sweden (n=929), and a sample of non-SLE comparators randomly selected from the National Population Register (n=24 267). Demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and autoimmune disease family history were obtained from multiple registers and linked to the reference standard. We first used previously published SLE definitions to create algorithms for SLE. We also used modern data mining techniques (penalised least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression, elastic net regression and classification trees) to objectively create data-driven case definitions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the case definitions identified.RESULTS: Defining SLE by using only hospitalisation data resulted in the lowest sensitivity (0.79). When SLE codes from the outpatient register were included, sensitivity and PPV increased (PPV between 0.97 and 0.98, sensitivity between 0.97 and 0.99). Addition of medication information did not greatly improve the algorithm's performance. The application of data mining methods did not yield different case definitions.CONCLUSIONS: The use of SLE International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in outpatient clinics increased the accuracy for identifying individuals with SLE using Swedish registry data. This study implies that it is possible to use ICD codes from national registers to create a cohort of individuals with SLE.
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3. |
- Arkema, Elizabeth V., et al.
(author)
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Stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus : a Swedish population-based cohort study
- 2017
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : HighWire Press. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 76:9, s. 1544-1549
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with the general population by age, sex and time since SLE diagnosis METHODS: Adults with incident SLE were identified from the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR, n=3390) and general population comparators from the Total Population Register were matched on age, sex and county (n=16730). Individuals were followed prospectively until first of death, December 2013, emigration or incident stroke (identified from the NPR, Cause of Death Register and the Stroke Register). Incidence rates, rate differences and HR were estimated comparing SLE with non-SLE. Estimates were stratified by sex, age and time since diagnosis.RESULTS: We observed 126 strokes in SLE and 304 in the general population. Individuals with SLE had a twofold increased rate of ischaemic stroke compared with the general population (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.8). The HR for intracerebral haemorrhage was 1.4 (95% CI 0.7 to 2.8). There was effect modification by sex and age, with the highest HRs for females and individuals <50 years old. The HR for ischaemic stroke was highest in the first year of follow-up (3.7; 95% CI 2.1 to 6.5).CONCLUSIONS: The relative risk of ischaemic stroke in SLE was more than doubled compared with the general population, and importantly, the highest relative risks were observed within the first year after SLE diagnosis. Thus, the first encounter with patients presents an opportunity for rheumatologists to screen for risk factors and intervene.
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4. |
- Arkema, Elizabeth V, et al.
(author)
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What to Expect When Expecting With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) : A Population-Based Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in SLE and Pre-SLE.
- 2016
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In: Arthritis care & research. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 2151-464X .- 2151-4658. ; 68:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To assess maternal and fetal outcomes associated with subclinical (pre-systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and SLE presenting up to 5 years postpartum) and prevalent maternal SLE during pregnancy compared with the general population.METHODS: This prospective cohort study used population-based Swedish registers to identify 13,598 women with first singleton pregnancies registered in the Medical Birth Register (551 prevalent SLE, 65 pre-SLE within 0-2 years, 133 pre-SLE within 2-5 years, and 12,847 general population). SLE was defined as ≥2 SLE-coded discharge diagnoses in the patient register with ≥1 diagnosis from a specialist. Unadjusted risks of adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes were calculated by SLE status, and Cochran-Armitage tests evaluated trend across exposure groups.RESULTS: Maternal outcomes such as preeclampsia, hypothyroidism, stroke, and infection were more common among women with SLE. Sixteen percent of prevalent-SLE pregnancies were diagnosed with preeclampsia compared with 5% of those from the general population. Among the pre-SLE women, preeclampsia was found in 26% of those with SLE within 2 years postpartum and 13% in those with SLE within 2-5 years postpartum. Similarly, infant outcomes, such as preterm birth, infection, and mortality, were worse among those born to mothers with prevalent SLE and pre-SLE during pregnancy. The test for trend was significant for most outcomes.CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that adverse maternal and fetal outcomes are more common in SLE pregnancies. Furthermore, these unfavorable outcomes are observed in pregnancies occurring prior to the diagnosis of SLE. Thus, the underlying immunologic profile of SLE and alterations preceding clinical SLE may contribute to these pregnancy complications.
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- de Vries, Mirjam K, et al.
(author)
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Tuberculosis risk in ankylosing spondylitis, other spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis in Sweden: a population-based cohort study.
- 2018
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In: Arthritis care & research. - : Wiley. - 2151-4658 .- 2151-464X. ; 70:10, s. 1563-1567
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), particularly following treatment with biologicals. Since these therapies are increasingly used in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), other types of spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), we investigated the corresponding TB risks in these patients.We identified individuals with AS/SpA/PsA, and non-AS/SpA/PsA comparators by linking Swedish national Patient, Population, TB and Rheumatology registers, and followed them for TB occurrence. Incidence rates were estimated for biological-naïve and biological-exposed patients, and the comparators. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for age, sex and country of birth.38,702 patients with AS/SpA/PsA, and 200,417 general population persons were included. Among patients, 11 active TB cases were identified, with an incidence rate (per 105 ) of 22 (95%CI 8.3 to 59.2) for biological-exposed patients, 2.7 (95%CI 1.3 to 5.6) for biological-naïve patients and 2.4 (95%CI 1.8 to 3.3) for non-AS/SpA/PsA comparators. The adjusted HR comparing biological-naïve patients to the general population was 1.2 (95%CI 0.5 to 2.7), and 7.5 (95%CI 1.9 to 29) comparing biological-exposed to biological-naïve patients.Biological-naïve AS/PsA /SpA are not at an increased TB risk in Sweden. Following treatment with biologicals, risks increased but the absolute TB risk was low. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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- Holmqvist, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus : a meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies
- 2015
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In: RMD Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2056-5933. ; 1:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous studies of stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have had limited statistical power, combined stroke subtypes into composite outcomes, and lacked a reference population estimate. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to summarise the stroke subtype-specific risk in patients with SLE compared to the general population. A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed for cohort studies examining the risk of stroke in SLE and including a general population comparator. Random effects models were used to pool the risk ratio (RR) for stroke. Subgroup analyses were carried out to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. 10 studies were included which reported RRs for overall stroke (n=5), ischaemic stroke (n=6), intracerebral haemorrhage (n=3) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (n=3). The pooled RR for overall stroke was 2.53 (95% CI 1.96 to 3.26), ischaemic stroke 2.10 (95% CI 1.68 to 2.62), intracerebral haemorrhage 2.72 (95% CI 2.15 to 3.44) and subarachnoid haemorrhage 3.85 (95% CI 3.20 to 4.64). Significant heterogeneity among studies for ischaemic stroke was detected (p=0.002). Relative risk of stroke was highest among individuals younger than 50 years of age. Individuals with SLE have a twofold higher risk of ischaemic stroke, a threefold higher risk of intracerebral haemorrhage, and an almost fourfold higher risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage compared to the general population. Future studies should focus on whether comorbidity and disease flares are related to stroke, when individuals are at the highest risk, and how the targeting of specific groups of patients with SLE may reduce this risk.
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- Moshtaghi-Svensson, John, et al.
(author)
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The Risk of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies : A Swedish Population-Based Cohort Study
- 2019
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In: Arthritis care & research. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2151-464X .- 2151-4658. ; 71:7, s. 970-976
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared to that in the general population and to investigate how it varies by sex, age, clinical subdiagnosis, and time since IIM diagnosis.METHODS: All patients in Sweden with newly diagnosed IIM were identified from the National Patient Register, and general population comparators were identified from the Total Population Register. The study population was followed prospectively until death, emigration, December 2013, or first incident stroke. Incidence rates, rate differences, and hazard ratios (HRs) comparing patients with IIMs to the general population were estimated and stratified by age, sex, type of IIM, and time since diagnosis. To account for the competing risk of death, the subdistribution HR was estimated using Fine and Gray models.RESULTS: We observed 34 and 229 stroke events in 663 IIM patients and 6,673 comparators, respectively. The HR was elevated for ischemic stroke (HR 2.1 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4, 3.0]). Few hemorrhagic stroke events were identified, but an increased risk was observed (HR 1.9 (95% CI 0.7, 5.5]). The association remained elevated for both outcomes when taking the competing risk of death into account. For ischemic stroke, the rate difference was highest in the oldest age group (≥68 years), while the HR was highest in the youngest age group (<56 years).CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the risk of both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke is increased in patients with IIMs, but it should be kept in mind that stroke is a rare event. Focus on prevention should be directed toward groups with the highest absolute risk, especially older patients.
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8. |
- Otterman, Gabriel, et al.
(author)
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Childhood death rates declined in Sweden from 2000 to 2014 but deaths from external causes were not always investigated
- 2019
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 108:1, s. 160-168
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: Countries that conduct systematic child death reviews report a high proportion of modifiable characteristics among deaths from external causes and this study examined the trends in Sweden.METHODS: We analysed individual level data on external, ill-defined and unknown causes from the Swedish cause of death register from 2000-2014 and mortality rates were estimated for children under the age of one and for those aged 1-14 and 15-17 years.RESULTS: Child deaths from all causes were 7,914 and 2,006 (25%) were from external, ill-defined and unknown causes: 610 (30%) were infants, 692 (34%) were 1-14 and 704 (35%) were 15-17. The annual average was 134 cases (range 99-156) during the study period. Mortality rates from external, ill-defined and unknown causes in children under 18 fell 19%, from 7.4 to 6.0 per 100,000 population. A sizeable number of infant deaths (8.0%) were registered without a death certificate during the study period, but these counts were lower in children aged 1-14 (1.3%) and 15-17 (0.9%).CONCLUSION: Childhood deaths showed a sustained decline from 2000-2014 in Sweden and a quarter were from external, ill-defined or unknown causes. Systematic, interagency death reviews could yield information that could prevent future deaths.
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9. |
- Rossides, Marios, et al.
(author)
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Mortality and Functionality after Stroke in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- 2017
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In: Journal of Rheumatology. - Toronto, Canada : The Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Co. Ltd. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 44:11, s. 1590-1596
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate mortality and functional impairment after stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).METHODS: Using Swedish nationwide registers, we identified 423 individuals with SLE and 1652 people without SLE who developed a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (1998-2013) and followed them until all-cause death or for 1 year. HR for death after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and the risk ratio of functional impairment (dependence in either transferring, toileting, or dressing) 3 months after ischemic stroke were estimated.RESULTS: One year after stroke, 22% of patients with SLE versus 16% of those without SLE died. After ischemic stroke, patients with SLE had an increased risk of death (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.39-2.45), which was attenuated after controlling for SLE-related comorbidities (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04-1.91). Functional impairment at 3 months was increased in SLE by almost 2-fold (risk ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.16-2.57). After hemorrhagic stroke, patients with SLE had an HR of 2.30 (95% CI 1.38-3.82) for death, which was increased even during the first month.CONCLUSION: Compared to subjects without SLE, mortality after ischemic stroke increases after the first month in individuals with SLE, and functionality is worse at 3 months. SLE is associated with all-cause death after hemorrhagic stroke even during the first month. A shift of focus to patient functionality and prevention of hemorrhagic strokes is required.
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10. |
- Simard, Julia F, et al.
(author)
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Early-onset Preeclampsia in Lupus Pregnancy.
- 2017
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In: Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. - : Wiley. - 0269-5022 .- 1365-3016. ; 31:1, s. 29-36
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that occurs during childbearing years and has been associated with preeclampsia. However, little is known about preeclampsia of early onset, which is associated with severe adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.METHODS: Using national population-based Swedish registers we identified women with SLE (≥2 visits with corresponding ICD codes) and a sample without SLE who gave birth to singleton infants 2001-12. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for early-onset preeclampsia (defined by ICD codes corresponding to preeclampsia registered at <34 weeks) in SLE women were calculated based on adjusted modified Poisson models for first, subsequent, and all pregnancies.RESULT: Among 742 births to women with SLE and 10 484 births to non-SLE women, there were 32 (4.3%) and 55 (0.5%) diagnoses of early-onset preeclampsia respectively. SLE was associated with an increased risk of early-onset preeclampsia (RR 7.8, 95% CI 4.8, 12.9, all pregnancies). The association remained similar upon restriction to women without pregestational hypertension. Adjustment for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)-proxy attenuated the association. RRs for early-onset preeclampsia were smaller for subsequent pregnancies (RR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0, 11.2) compared to first and all (see above).CONCLUSION: Women with SLE are at increased risk of early-onset preeclampsia and this increased risk may be independent of the traditional risk factors such as pregestational hypertension, APS, BMI, or smoking. Women with SLE during pregnancy should be closely monitored for early-onset preeclampsia and future research needs to identify the non-traditional preeclampsia factors that might cause this serious outcome.
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