A Study on Prevalence, Clinical Features and Organ Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Special Reference to Metabolic Profile

Introduction : Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an Autoimmune Disorder with broad spectrum of clinical presentation and is associated with increased prevalence of Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular events. Metabolic Abnormality, when present in SLE patients increases proinflammatory condition and increased Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Objectives : The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of Metabolic Abnormality in SLE patients and to analyze the association with clinical and Demographic Factors. Methods: The study was a single center, hospital based, prospective, observational study for a span of one and a half years over one hundred patients. SLE was diagnosed by revised American Rheumatology Association Criteria for SLE and Metabolic Syndrome by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) Criteria. Data analyzed with SPSS 23.0 software. Results : The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) was prevalent in SLE patients (56%). A statistically significant association is detected between MetS and SLE related variables - Serositis, Cutaneous manifestations, Oral Ulcer, Arthralgia, but no significant association found between MetS and QoL (Quality of Life) related variables like Age, Sex. The MetS components, Hypertension, Diabetes and Hypertriglyceridemia were significantly more prevalent in SLE. Conclusion : MetS contributes to long term Cardiovascular risk in SLE patients and thus identifying MetS can contribute to major benefit towards management of IHD risk.

Sustained release matrix tablet of 100 mg losartan potassium: Formulation development and in vitro characterization

Abstract Sustained release matrix tablets of 100 mg losartan potassium HCl were fabricated with two release retarding polymers namely HPMC K100 M and affinisol by direct compression method. Nine trial formulations were prepared by varying content of these polymers, each from 50 mg to 100 mg; keeping the total weight of the tablet 310 mg. The best formulation was selected based on in vitro drug release profile for 12 hours conducted in Type II dissolution apparatus at 50 rpm and water as dissolution medium. Pre-compression parameters such as bulk density, tap density, Carr's index and Hausner ratio were evaluated for the selected tablet. The tablets were subjected to thickness, weight variation test, drug content, hardness and friability. Drug release kinetics, surface morphology and accelerated stability study were investigated for that selected formulation. Formulation F4 with the composition of 75 mg HPMC K100M and 100 mg affinisol was selected as the best formulation that extended the drug release up to 12 hours. Pre-compression parameters and other tableting properties were within the Pharmacopoeia limit. Release kinetics analysis proved non-fickian zero-order drug release and that was further confirmed by surface morphology of the tablets before and after dissolution study visualized by SEM. The developed formulation was found to be stable for one month stored at 60 ○C.