Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and myasthenia gravis (MG) are autoimmune diseases. Previous case reports and case series suggest an association may exist between these diseases, as well as an increased risk of SLE after thymectomy for MG. We undertook this study to determine whether SLE and MG were associated in large cohorts.
We searched the IBM Watson Health Explorys platform and the Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program (MVP) database for diagnoses of SLE and MG. In addition, we examined subjects enrolled in the Lupus Family Registry and Repository (LFRR) as well as controls for a diagnosis of MG.
Among 59,780,210 individuals captured in Explorys, there were 25,750 with MG and 65,370 with SLE. 370 subjects had both. Those with MG were >10 times more likely to have SLE than those without MG. Those with both diseases were more likely to be women, African American, and at a younger age than MG subjects without SLE. In addition, the MG patients who underwent thymectomy had an increased risk of SLE compared to MG patients who had not undergone thymectomy (OR 3.11, 95% CI: 2.12 to 4.55). Autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anemia and miscellaneous comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease were significantly more common in MG patients who developed SLE. In the MVP, SLE and MG were also significantly associated. Association of SLE and MG in a large SLE cohort with rigorous SLE classification confirmed the association of SLE with MG at a similar level.
While the number of patients with both MG and SLE is small, SLE and MG are strongly associated together in very large databases and a large SLE cohort.

Background There are limited studies analyzing cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to analyze baseline demographics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CLE patients, identify the most common reasons for hospitalizations, and find out the hospitalization outcomes.  Materials and methods We performed the analysis using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2016 and 2019. For the CLE cohort, data for adults aged 18 years and older with the primary or secondary diagnosis of CLE using International Classification of Disease - 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were extracted. For comparison, the SLE cohort was identified by patients aged 18 years and older with primary or secondary diagnoses of SLE using ICD-10 codes. Chi-squared test was used to compare baseline demographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used to calculate outcomes of interest. Results In comparison to the SLE cohort, the CLE cohort was not only older in age and lower percentage female, but also had shorter length of stay, less total hospital charge, and the majority had Medicare as primary insurance. The SLE cohort included predominantly African American patients while the CLE cohort was majority Caucasian patients. The cardiovascular risks were more prevalent in the CLE cohort and most commonly admitted for sepsis, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of outpatient follow-up in CLE patients to closely monitor cardiovascular risk factors, early identification of infections, and routine mental health screenings to reduce hospitalizations and resource utilization.

Vulnerable subjects, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, have been prioritised to receive anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Few data about the safety of these vaccines in SLE are available. The aim of our study is to investigate the safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in SLE. We included 452 SLE patients, referring to seven tertiary centres, who were immunised. A total of 119 (26%) reported side effects (SE) after the first and/or the second shot (the most frequent SE were fever, local reaction, fatigue, and arthralgia). Patients with constitutional symptoms and those on an immunosuppressive regimen (especially belimumab) showed more SE. In addition, 19 (4%) had a flare after the immunisation (flares classified by organ involvement: six musculoskeletal with constitutional symptoms, four renal, three cardio-respiratory, three haematological, two mucocutaneous). None of the patients needed hospitalisation and none died. Moreover, 15 required a transient increase in corticosteroids and four were treated with steroid pulses. One patient required an additional rituximab course. Anti-dsDNA, moderate/high DAS before vaccine, and belimumab were found more frequently in patients with disease flare. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are safe in SLE patients, and they should be recommended in these patients, as the potential benefits widely outweigh the risk of SE. Treatment adjustment might be considered with the aim of minimising SE risk and flare.

BACKGROUND: Disease-specific factors that predispose patients to diverse cardiac diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been established. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for cardiac involvement in patients with SLE drawn from the Korean Lupus Network (KORNET) registry.
METHODS: A total of 437 patients with SLE recruited from the KORNET registry were included in the analysis. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify risk factors for the development of cardiac involvement during the follow-up period. The hazard ratios for risk factors of cardiac involvement were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test.
RESULTS: Of 437 patients with SLE, 12 patients (2.7%) developed new cardiac involvement during a median follow-up period of 47.6 months. Frequencies in men and in patients with anti-Sm antibody, anti-Ro antibody, and at least one Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index (SDI) score in patients with cardiac involvement were higher, compared to those without cardiac involvement (P < 0.001, P = 0.026, P = 0.015, and P < 0.001, respectively). Men gender, older age, anti-Sm antibody, SDI, and corticosteroid dosage were potent predictors for cardiac involvement in patients with SLE in the determination of risk factors for cardiac involvement. Men, anti-Sm antibody positivity, and SDI ≥ 1 increased incidence rates of cardiac involvement for (P < 0.001, P = 0.036, and P < 0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reveal that SLE-related factors such as anti-Sm antibody, SDI, and corticosteroid dosage at baseline are risk factors for cardiac involvement in SLE.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the challenges of recent studies. Women should prevent the onset of relapses with medications before and after pregnancy, and on the other hand, the effect of these medicines considers the health and development of the fetus. In this retrospective study, the effects of anti-phospholipid syndrome and the use of common drugs such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, and azathioprine and their side effects on maternal health and ultimately the development of the fetus have been investigated.
METHODS: This study is a descriptive and retrospective epidemiologic study that was conducted in 2016 to investigate maternal and fetal complications in SLE patients. We prepared forms of data recording, including age, occupation, and other important information and then analyzed them in SPSS version 22.
RESULTS: The results showed that the presence of anti-phospholipid syndrome in pregnant women can lead to abnormalities such as preterm, IUGR, abortion, and fetal death (P value 0.0001). It also leads to complications such as nephritis, arthritis, and preeclampsia in the mother (P value 0.003). This study suggests that methotrexate and cyclosporine medications could cause fetal developmental disorders. The P value of cyclosporine was 0.0001 and the P value of methotrexate was 0.001.
CONCLUSIONS: Anti-phospholipid syndrome in women with SLE who intend to become pregnant can disrupt the development of the embryo. The consumption of methotrexate and cyclosporine medications before and during the pregnancy can have irreparable effects on fetal growth. Key Points • Anti-phospholipid syndrome can disrupt the development of the embryo in women with SLE who intend to become pregnant. • Methotrexate and cyclosporine consumption before and during pregnancy can affect fetal growth. • 7 to 33% of patients whose disease had been suppressed and controlled 6 months before pregnancy seams to relapse during the pregnancy. • Taking medications to control the disease during pregnancy plays an important role in the progression of pregnancy and fetus health.

To investigate efficacy, safety and survival of belimumab and to identify predictors of drug response and drug discontinuation in patients with active SLE in clinical practice.
Data of SLE patients, treated with belimumab, from 11 Italian prospective cohorts were analyzed. SLEDAI-2K, anti-dsDNA, C3, C4, prednisone daily dose, DAS-28, 24-h proteinuria, CLASIa (Cutaneous LE Disease Area and Severity Index Activity) were recorded at baseline and every 6 months. SLE Responder Index-4 (SRI-4) was calculated at 12 and 24 months. Demographic and clinical features and comorbidities were included in the univariate and multivariate analysis. Adverse events were recorded at each visit. Statistics was performed using the SPSS software.
We studied 188 SLE patients, mean follow-up 17.5 ± 10.6 months. The most frequent manifestations, which required the use of belimumab, were polyarthritis (45.2%) and skin rashes (25.5%). SRI-4 was achieved by 77.0% and 68.7% of patients at 12 and 24-months. Independent predictors of 12-month response were SLEDAI-2K ≥ 10 (OR 40.46, p = 0.001) and polyarthritis (OR 12.64, p = 0.001) and of 24-month response were SLEDAI-2K ≥ 10 (OR 15.97, p = 0.008), polyarthritis (OR 32.36, p = 0.006), and prednisone ≥7.5 mg/day (OR 9.94, p = 0.026). We observed a low rate of severe adverse events. Fifty-eight patients (30.8%) discontinued belimumab after a mean follow-up of 10.4 ± 7.5 months. The drug survival was 86.9%, 76.9%, 69.4%, 67.1%, and 61.9% at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months, respectively. No factors associated with drug discontinuation were found.
Belimumab is effective and safe when used in clinical practice setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are ethnic differences in the prevalence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), clinical presentation and autoantibody profile between Roma and Caucasian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including data from Roma and Caucasian SLE patients consecutively attending six hospitals in Spain. Socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of APS, clinical and analytical features of SLE and APS were compared between ethnic groups.
RESULTS: Data from 52 Roma and 98 Caucasian SLE patients were included. Roma SLE patients had a higher risk (odds ratio 2.56, 95% CI 1.02-6.39) and prevalence of APS (28.8% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.027). Furthermore, Roma SLE patients had a statistically significant higher prevalence of abortions (23.5% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.049). In relation to other APS diagnostic criteria, Roma SLE patients had a non-statistically significant higher prevalence of fetal deaths (14.3% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.106) and thrombotic events (21.1% vs. 12.2%, P = 0.160). In relation to SLE clinical features, Roma patients had a significantly higher prevalence of arthritis (75% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.034) and non-significant higher prevalence of serositis (44.2% vs. 29.6%, P = 0.104), discoid lesions (11.5% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.191), oral ulcers (46.1% vs. 34.7%, P = 0.218) and livedo reticularis (21.1% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.374). No statistically significant differences were found in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index or the autoimmune serological profile.
CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and risk of APS were significantly higher in Roma SLE patients. Furthermore, Roma patients had a significantly higher prevalence of abortions and a non-significant higher prevalence of fetal deaths and thrombotic events.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three polymorphisms of CD154 with risk of SLE in Chinese population. The study population comprised 770 Chinese individuals, including 350 SLE patients and 420 healthy controls. The gene polymorphism was measured using Snapshot SNP genotyping assays and confirmed by sequencing. Serum CD154 (sCD154) level was measured by ELISA. Compared with control group, sCD154 levels were significantly increased in case group (P < 0.001). The minor C allele of rs1126535 was associated with a significantly increased risk of SLE as compared to the major T allele (P < 0.001). Furthermore, an increased frequency of C-G-A haplotype was also detected in case group which associated with an increased risk of SLE (P = 0.009). Notably, patients carrying rs1126535CT/CC genotypes had a higher sCD154 level compared with that carrying rs1126535TT genotype (P < 0.05). Unfortunately, analyses on the association between rs1126535 and several clinical manifestations of SLE failed to find any significant results. In conclusion, these results indicated that CD154 gene polymorphisms may associate with the risk of SLE and may play regulation role in the expression of sCD154 in SLE patients.

The objective of this paper is to investigate drivers of cost and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) related to disease activity and fatigue among patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). A questionnaire was sent to members of a patient organization with a self-reported diagnosis of SLE, requesting information on demographics and disease characteristics, medications, resource utilization, informal care, loss of productivity, fatigue and HRQoL in relation to SLE. Mean annual costs per patient were estimated from a societal perspective. HRQoL was measured through EQ-5D and fatigue was measured through a 10 cm VAS scale. Patient-reported disease activity was measured through the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) and corticosteroid dose. Drivers of costs and HRQoL were analyzed through regression analysis. A total of 339 patients out of 737 returned the questionnaire. Mean age was 55; 94% were female. The mean HRQoL measured through the five-item EQ-5D instrument was 0.64 and total costs were estimated at €22,594 (direct costs €7818; indirect costs €14,776). Disease activity, fatigue and corticosteroid doses had a statistically significant impact on costs and HRQoL. This study demonstrates that Swedish patients with SLE have low HRQoL and incur high societal costs and that are both associated with and most likely driven by disease activity, fatigue and corticosteroid use.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy outcomes in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy pregnant women.
METHODS: Cohort comparative study.
METHODS: Two university maternity centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
METHODS: Pregnant women with CLE and SLE and healthy pregnant women.
METHODS: Over a three-year period, 201 participants were allocated to three groups: group 1 (n = 67) contained women with CLE, group 2 (n = 67) women with SLE, and group 3 healthy controls (n = 67). Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. All participants were followed until delivery. Lupus exacerbation was evaluated by Lupus Activity Index score. ANOVA and chi-squared tests were used to compare obstetrical and neonatal outcomes, and regression analysis was used to define independent factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS: Pregnancy losses, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, cesarean sections and lupus exacerbations.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 in rates of pregnancy loss, preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal intensive care admission. Group 1 had lower pregnancy loss (p = 0.005), growth restriction (p = 0.001), preeclampsia (p = 0.05), neonatal intensive care admissions (p = 0.001), cesarean section (p = 0.03), lupus exacerbations (p = 0.05) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (p = 0.02) compared with group 2. In groups 1 and 2, lupus exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibodies were significant independent factors for adverse outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus means comparable pregnancy outcomes to those of the healthy population. Lower rates of disease exacerbation and anti-phospholipid antibodies are potential factors for better pregnancy outcome in CLE compared with SLE.