Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication due to its high mortality. Early treatment benefits the outcome. Reports on predictive factors of PH in SLE patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case series of PH in SLE patients that were attended in the Rheumatology Section of the J. M. Cullen Hospital and to compare this data with published results. METHODS: Patients with SLE (1982-1997 ACR criteria) and PH diagnosed by clinical criteria (cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis), haemoglobin below 12 g/dL or drop greater than 2 points, new radiological infiltrate and bronchioalveolar lavage, monitored between June 1987 and December 2019 were studied. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and prognosis data related to PH were analysed. RESULTS: From a database of 306 SLE patients, 25 (8.2%) developed 29 episodes of PH. PH was the first manifestation of SLE in 8 patients. Renal involvement was the most frequent manifestation prior to the development of PH. SLE activity (measured by SLEDAI) was high during the episodes (mean: 16.8). Renal failure (p = .027) and mechanical respiratory support (p = .006) were related to mortality (40.7%) with statistical significance. Patients with SLEDAI higher to 10 at SLE onset showed more likelihood of developing PH. The OR was 2.68 (p = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment in SLE has progressed in recent years, PH continues to be a rare and severe complication of this disease. When a PH is suspected, studies to confirm it must be done rapidly, since early diagnosis and aggressive treatment have been shown to improve survival. We observed that patients with renal involvement and mechanical respiratory support had higher mortality than SLE patients without them.

Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients. / Hemorragia alveolar difusa en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication due to its high mortality. Early treatment benefits the outcome. Reports on predictive factors of PH in SLE patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case series of PH in SLE patients that were attended in the Rheumatology Section of the J. M. Cullen Hospital and to compare this data with published results. METHODS: Patients with SLE (1982-1997 ACR criteria) and PH diagnosed by clinical criteria (cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis), haemoglobin below 12 g/dL or drop greater than 2 points, new radiological infiltrate and bronchioalveolar lavage, monitored between June 1987 and December 2019 were studied. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment and prognosis data related to PH were analysed. RESULTS: From a database of 306 SLE patients, 25 (8.2%) developed 29 episodes of PH. PH was the first manifestation of SLE in 8 patients. Renal involvement was the most frequent manifestation prior to the development of PH. SLE activity (measured by SLEDAI) was high during the episodes (mean: 16.8). Renal failure (p = 0.027) and mechanical respiratory support (p = 0.006) were related to mortality (40.7%) with statistical significance. Patients with SLEDAI higher to 10 at SLE onset showed more likelihood of developing PH. The OR was 2.68 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment in SLE has progressed in recent years, PH continues to be a rare and severe complication of this disease. When a PH is suspected, studies to confirm it must be done rapidly, since early diagnosis and aggressive treatment have been shown to improve survival. We observed that patients with renal involvement and mechanical respiratory support had higher mortality than SLE patients without them.

Infecciones graves en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes tratados con ciclofosfamida / Severe infections in patients with autoimmune diseases treated with cyclophosphamide

Introducción Las infecciones son una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en los pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas. Los corticoides y los inmunosupresores como la ciclofosfamida (CF) son algunos de los factores que se asocian a esta complicación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el porcentaje de pacientes que presentaron infecciones graves durante el tratamiento con CF y en los 3 meses posteriores. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 60 pacientes con diferentes enfermedades autoinmunes que recibieron tratamiento con CF. Se valoró el porcentaje de infecciones graves. Resultados. La patología mñas común fue el lupus eritematoso sistémico y la indicación más común fue la glomerulonefritis proliferativa difusa. El 15% de los pacientes presentó un episodio infeccioso. Las infecciones más frecuentes fueron neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en 3 casos y herpes zóster en 2 casos. La dosis acumulada de corticoides fue el único parámetro que se asoció a infecciones 32,8 ± 16,7 vs. 20,1 ± 15,3 p = 0,007. Conclusión. Un seguimiento estricto, la utilización de corticoides en la menor dosis posible y el tratamiento enérgico de los procesos infecciosos permiten un perfil de seguridad aceptable en aquellos pacientes tratados con CF (AU)

Introduction. Infectious diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with connective tissue diseases. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide (CYC), increases the risk of infections. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence rates of severe infections in patients who received treatment with CYC. Patients and methods. The records of 60 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases who received treatment with CYC were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the rate of severe infections that occurred during CYC therapy and the 3 subsequent months. Results. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the most common disease, and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis the most frequent indication. Severe infection occurred in 9 patients (15%). Community acquired pneumonia was the most frequent infection with 3 cases (33%) followed by Herpes Zoster with 2 reports (22%). The cumulative dose of corticosteroid was the only significant risk factor for infection 32.8±16.7 vs. 20.1±15.3 P=.007. Conclusion. The use of lower doses of corticosteroids and an aggressive management of infectious complications, allows for an acceptable safety profile in patients treated with CYC (AU)

Severe infections in patients with autoimmune diseases treated with cyclophosphamide.

INTRODUCTION: Infectious diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with connective tissue diseases. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide (CYC), increases the risk of infections. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence rates of severe infections in patients who received treatment with CYC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 60 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases who received treatment with CYC were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the rate of severe infections that occurred during CYC therapy and the 3 subsequent months. RESULTS: Systemic lupus erythematosus was the most common disease, and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis the most frequent indication. Severe infection occurred in 9 patients (15%). Community acquired pneumonia was the most frequent infection with 3 cases (33%) followed by Herpes Zoster with 2 reports (22%). The cumulative dose of corticosteroid was the only significant risk factor for infection 32.8±16.7 vs. 20.1±15.3 P=.007. CONCLUSION: The use of lower doses of corticosteroids and an aggressive management of infectious complications, allows for an acceptable safety profile in patients treated with CYC.