1.
Risk factors for mortality of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jiang M, Chen R, Zhao L, Zhang X
Arthritis research & therapy. 2021;23(1):57
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The current knowledge of the prognostic factors for SLE-associated DAH is controversial. This meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate the relevant risk factors for mortality in SLE-associated DAH. METHODS Studies were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases published up to May 27, 2020, and were selected or removed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two reviewers extracted data independently from the enrolled studies, and the odds ratios (OR) or the standardized mean difference (SMD) was utilized to identify and describe the prognostic factors for mortality. RESULTS Eight studies encompassing 251 patients with SLE-associated DAH were included in the meta-analysis. No significant publication bias was shown. Age at the diagnosis of DAH (SMD = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.08, 0.61), P = 0.01, I(2) = 0.0%) was found to be an independent risk factor of mortality. Longer lupus disease duration (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI (0.01, 0.55), P = 0.042, I(2) = 0.0%), concurrent infection (OR = 2.77, 95% CI (1.55, 4.95), P = 0.001, I(2) = 37.5%), plasmapheresis treatment (OR = 1.96, 95% CI (1.04, 3.70), P = 0.038, I(2) = 14.6%), and mechanical ventilation (OR = 6.11, 95% CI (3.27, 11.39), P < 0.0001, I(2) = 23.3%) were also related to poor survival, whereas no noticeable relationships were revealed between survival and concurrent lupus nephritis (OR = 5.45, 95% CI (0.52, 56.95), P = 0.16, I(2) = 58.4%) or treatment of cyclophosphamide (CTX) (OR = 0.74, 95% CI (0.16, 3.41), P = 0.70, I(2) = 75.5%). CONCLUSIONS Older age at the diagnosis of DAH, longer disease duration of SLE, concurrent infection, plasmapheresis treatment, and mechanical ventilation were found related to increased mortality in patients with SLE-associated DAH according to our meta-analysis. However, due to limited studies with heterogeneity, these results should be interpreted cautiously. Notably, severe diseases rendered the requirement of plasmapheresis treatment and mechanical ventilation are themselves associated with poor outcome. Randomized trials of therapeutics are needed to determine the most efficacious strategies for SLE-associated DAH for better management of this life-threatening complication.
2.
Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy or Additional IVIG for Patients with IVIG-Resistant Kawasaki Disease
Wang Z, Chen F, Wang Y, Li W, Xie X, Liu P, Zhang X, Zhang L, Huang P
Journal of immunology research. 2020;2020:4175821
Abstract
There have been no robust data from clinical trials to guide the clinician in the choice of therapeutic agents for the child with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. The treatment regimen for IVIG-resistant patients varies between institutions, and the best option has not yet been established. Therefore, in this trial, a total of 955 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) were selected and were initially treated with IVIG (2 g/kg), of whom 80 (8.38%) assessed as IVIG resistant were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received the second IVIG treatment (n = 40), and Group B received methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPT, n = 40). The whole fever time, duration of fever after retreatment, hospital days, medical costs, readmission rate, and laboratory examination difference (△) were calculated. Coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were followed up over two years. Patients in the MPT group had shorter fever after retreatment and lower medical costs; more rapid declines in C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils (N%), and platelet (PLT) levels; and more rapid rise in sodium. However, they also probably had a higher incidence of treatment failure and CALs than the additional IVIG treatment group in the long-term follow-up. Caution is still required in the use of MPT to treat IVIG-resistant KD.
3.
Therapeutic effect of double-filtration plasmapheresis combined with methylprednisolone to treat diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis
Li M, Wang Y, Qiu Q, Wei R, Gao Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Zhang X, Chen X
Journal of Clinical Apheresis. 2016;31((4)):375-80.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The efficacy of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), combined with methylprednisolone, to treat diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) was studied. METHODS Twenty-four patients who were admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with diffuse proliferative LN (LN Class IV-G(A)) through renal biopsy from 2011 to 2013 were recruited as the study subjects. The patients' clinical manifestations were nephritic syndrome and/or renal insufficiency. The pathological features were glomerular diffuse proliferative lesions. The patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group and the control group, with 12 patients in each group. The patients in the treatment group were first treated with DFPP combined with methylprednisolone (0.8-1.0 mg/kg/day); subsequently, they were put on methylprednisolone therapy only. The patients in the control group were first put on methylprednisolone pulse therapy (500-1,000 mg) for 3 days; subsequently, they were treated with methylprednisolone (0.8-1.0 mg/kg/day) combined with mycophenolate mofetil (1.5 g/day). The patients were observed for 24 months. Levels of hemoglobin, platelet, albumin, serum creatinine, 24-h urinary protein, serum C3 , antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and anti-Smith were measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Complete remission and recurrence standards were established. The total dosages of methylprednisolone were calculated. Repeated renal biopsy was performed on several patients. RESULTS There was no statistical significance in the baseline conditions of the treatment and the control groups. For the treatment group, no plasmapheresis-related complications occurred. The two groups showed no significant difference in complete remission. The patients' edema and serous effusion resolved, urine volume, serum creatinine, and albumin levels returned to normal, urine protein decreased in treatment group more rapidly than the patients in the control group. The mean dose of methylprednisolone received in the treatment group was lower than in the control group. The complement C3 levels in the treatment group were significantly higher than in the control group. The recurrence rate in the treatment group was lower than in the control group. Repeated renal biopsies on several patients in the treatment group indicated that their pathology improved significantly, changing from LN (IV) to LN(II-III). CONCLUSIONS Appropriate application of DFPP combined with glucocorticoid therapy could accelerate the remission of diffuse proliferative LN, reduce overall glucocorticoid dosage, prevent recurrence, and maintain C3 level in a higher level. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:375-380, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Copyright © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
4.
A prospective study of plasma exchange in the treatment of diffuse scleroderma . Chinese
Ding C, Zhang X
Chung-Hua Nei Ko Tsa Chih [Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine]. 1995;34((9):):616-9.
Abstract
A prospective randomized study to compare the efficacy between plasma exchange (PE) plus D-penicillamine (13 cases) (group I) and D-penicillamine alone (16 cases) (group II) in the treatment of diffuse scleroderma was carried out. Total skin score, the distance between finger and palm, the distance between upper and lower teeth, the index of joint tenderness, grip strength, ESR, IgG, plasma renin and angiotensin II were measured. After 6 times of PE, all parameters in group I showed significant improvement as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). The overall effective rates evaluated by physicians and by patients were 61.1% and 69.2% respectively. One and half year after the 6 times of PE, all parameters in group I were lower than those in group II (P < 0.05). In group I there were less internal organ impairment and hypertension than in group II. The commonest side effect of PE was hypotension; it disappeared after transfusion.