February 2022

Evaluating the Construct of Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Dec 28. Epub ahead of print

Study identifies shifts in the paradigm of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) damage and develops a unifying conceptual framework to inform development of a revised SLE Damage Index (SDI).

Shifts in the concept of damage in SLE have occurred with new insights into disease manifestations, diagnostics, and therapy. Consequently, there is a need for a revised SDI, to incorporate additional factors that contribute to damage accrual.

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Real-world Impact of Flaring on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilisation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2021.Epub ahead of print

Data from the real world underscores the need for more effective strategies and treatments to alleviate or prevent flaring in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Despite data from Hong Kong and Canada showing an association of flaring with reduced health-related quality of life and increased healthcare resourse utilisation and costs, similar international data are limited.

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The Interferon Gene Signature as a Clinically Relevant Biomarker in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Lancet Rheumatol 2022;4:e61–72.

The interferon gene signature (IGS) fits into the paradigm of a personalised approach to care in rheumatic diseases, where an individual’s score could inform either prompt diagnosis, early use of certain therapies, or presage specific clinical phenotypes.

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Flares after Hydroxychloroquine Reduction or Discontinuation: Results from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Inception Cohort

Ann Rheum Dis. 2021:annrheumdis-2021-221295. Epub ahead of print

Evidence suggests that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduction/withdrawal may be safe in some stable patients, but in other settings it may be associated with disease flare. Almeida-Brasil, et al. sought to evaluate SLE flares following HCQ reduction or discontinuation versus HCQ maintenance. Their data suggest that maintaining HCQ was associated with a lower flare risk than reduction or discontinuation, even in patients with low disease activity or remission.

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January 2022

Treatment of refractory subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with baricitinib

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2021. Epub ahead of print

Phase II data and two individual case reports have shown significant improvement in signs and symptoms of disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving baricitinib. This case study by Joos et al. reports a further patient with SLE treated successfully with baricitinib.

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2019-EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria Domains at Diagnosis: Predictive Factors of Long-Term Damage In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Clin Rheumatol. 2021. Epub ahead of print

Single-centre, retrospective analysis identifying that specific domains in the 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria at diagnosis are associated with long-term organ-specific damage, particularly renal and neuropsychiatric harm.

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November 2021

Effectiveness of Belimumab After Rituximab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ann Intern Med. 2021. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.7326/M21-2078.

Preliminary evidence suggests that belimumab after rituximab could be developed as a therapeutic strategy for patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) refractory to conventional therapy.

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