ABSTRACT
To identify the association of Y chromosome microchimerism with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and investigate its relation to pregnancy history, clinical and laboratory variables. The presence of Y chromosome microchimerism was screened in 90 females including 35 women with renal lupus, 25 patients with cutaneous lupus and 30 healthy control females using real time polymerase chain reaction. Demographic parameters, reproductive history, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. The percentage of Y chromosome microchimerism was significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy women and in females with renal lupus versus those with cutaneous lupus. Among patients with renal lupus, Y chromosome microchimerism was strongly associated with disease activity and damage indices as well as with number of pregnancies, while this association was absent regarding number of pregnancies in cutaneous lupus females. A significant increase in disease activity and severity scores was detected in microchimeric renal lupus females when compared to microchimeric cutaneous lupus patients. Healthy control and cutaneous lupus women with microchimerism experienced significant decrease in number of pregnancies and abortions against microchimeric renal lupus group. These results may provide a preliminary suggestion that Y chromosome microchimerism could have a pathogenic role in SLE and it may be related to inflammation, the extent of disease damage and reproductive history. Further studies are needed among SLE patients with different clinical presentations, as fetal microchimerism is a promising field of investigation which may lead to novel strategies in treatment
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Y Chromosome , Prevalence , Lupus Nephritis , Disease Progression , PregnancyABSTRACT
To identify polysomnographic sleep pattern and its correlations with disease specific variables as well as fatigue, depression and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Polysomnographic [PSG] sleep assessment was done for 30 males including 10 healthy subjects and 20 patients with ankylosing spondylitis [AS]. Sleep quality, fatigue and depression were evaluated. Disease specific variables such as disease activity, functional disability, global well being and quality of life were recorded. Ninety percentage of AS patients were classified as poor sleepers. In comparison to controls, patients with AS experienced prolonged sleep latency, lessened sleep efficiency, increased stages I%, II%, deficient SWS%, higher arousal and periodic leg movement indices in a significant manner. Meanwhile obstructive sleep apnea was not a significant finding. Significant correlations were detected between most of the PSG parameters as well as sleep quality index on one hand and different disease specific variables, fatigue, pain, quality of life on the other hand but not with depressive symptoms. Disease activity, fatigue and quality of life were significantly associated with most of PSG sleep components on the multiple regression analysis model. AS patients differ negatively in their sleep from normal population both in quantity and quality. Our findings suggest that multiple factors are associated with PSG sleep disturbances including disease activity, fatigue and quality of life. While treating patients, it is important to question sleep disorders followed by the performance of PSG in order to optimize the management of patients with AS