Pathogenetic associations of anti-ribosomal P protein antibody titres and its subclasses in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association between anti-ribosomal P antibody (anti-RibP) titres and disease activity in Japanese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: Eighty patients admitted and treated in Niigata University Hospital for new-onset or flare-up of SLE were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Clinical data were obtained from medical records at admission. Anti-RibP index, and cytokine and tryptophan metabolite levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Of the 80 SLE patients, 30 had anti-RibP. Anti-RibP presence was associated with a greater prevalence of skin rash and more severe inflammatory responses, demonstrated by higher inflammatory cytokine levels, hypocomplementemia, and accelerated tryptophan metabolism, in younger patients. The serum anti-RibP index correlated with age at diagnosis, clinical indicators, initial prednisolone dose, and cytokines and tryptophan metabolite levels in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed the anti-RibP index was independently associated with initial prednisolone dose and prevalence of skin rash. Anti-RibP IgG were mainly IgG2 and IgG3 subclasses, and anti-RibP IgG3 was associated with hypocomplementemia, higher disease activity score, accelerated kynurenine pathway activity, and higher proinflammatory cytokine production. The coexistence of anti-dsDNA IgG and anti-RibP IgG2 or IgG3 accompanied higher IL-10 and IFN-α2 levels; furthermore, anti-RibP IgG3 coexistence with anti-dsDNA antibody contributed to the requirement for higher initial prednisolone doses and accelerated kynurenine pathway activity. CONCLUSION: Anti-RibP was associated with clinical manifestations and parameters in SLE, and its index might be a useful indicator of disease severity. Anti-RibP IgG3 was the IgG subclass most strongly associated with the pathogenesis of SLE.

Risks of femoral localized periosteal thickening in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of femoral localized periosteal thickening (LPT), which can precede atypical femoral fracture (AFF), is not low (1-10%) in Japanese patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). We explored the associations between underlying AIRDs and the prevalence of LPT. METHODS: We conducted post hoc analyses of two cohorts that included a total of 280 Japanese women, 105 of whom had AIRDs and had been taking bisphosphonate (BP) and prednisolone (PSL) and 175 of whom had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RESULTS: LPT was detected in a total of 18 patients (6.4%) and 3 (1.1%) developed AFFs. RA was negatively correlated with LPT. A disease other than RA requiring glucocorticoid treatment, BP use ≥5 years, PSL use ≥7 years, and a PSL dose ≥5.5 mg/day were positively correlated with LPT. After adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, and BP duration or daily PSL dose, RA was no longer associated with LPT. CONCLUSIONS: LPT in Japanese patients with AIRDs was associated with BP and glucocorticoid treatment rather than underlying AIRDs. When PSL dose ≥5.5 mg/day is required long-term [typically combined with long-term BP treatment (≥5 years)], clinicians need to pay particular attention in cases LPT and AFF as well as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Giant Cell Arteritis That Presented with Buccal Skin Ulceration along the Facial Artery.

A 68-year-old man presented with right buccal ulceration along the facial artery, temporal pain, lagophthalmos, diplopia, and tongue deviation to the right. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed bilateral temporal artery and right maxillary artery wall thickening, and a diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) was made according to the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria. Treatment with corticosteroids ameliorated his symptoms. This is the first report of GCA with buccal skin ulceration along a facial artery. Because a delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible damage, it is essential to notice rare symptoms, such as skin ulceration and multiple cranial neuropathy-like symptoms.

Massive ascites due to lupus peritonitis in a patient with pre-eclampsia and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are associated with pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia can have systemic manifestations, such as ascites. Lupus peritonitis, a rare condition in patients with SLE, can also cause ascites. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old woman, primigravida, with SLE had a blood pressure of 170/110 mmHg and proteinuria at 29 weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Her blood pressure was stabilized by an antihypertensive drug. At 30 weeks of gestation, a cesarean section was performed for maternal safety because of decreased urine output and massive ascites. Postoperatively, re-accumulation of ascites was observed. On the fourth postoperative day, ascites (approximately 3 L) was discharged from the cesarean section wound. A decrease in serum complement concentrations was observed, and she was diagnosed as having lupus peritonitis. The steroid dose was increased and she recovered well thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Ascites occurs in pre-eclampsia and SLE, but determining which of these conditions causes ascites can be difficult. However, careful observation is necessary because of the differences in treatment of these two conditions.

Lower trabecular bone score is associated with an increased incidence of localized femoral periosteal thickening.

INTRODUCTION: Femoral localized periosteal thickening (LPT, also termed "beaking") of the lateral cortex often precedes an atypical femoral fracture (AFF). Bisphosphonate (BP) use, glucocorticoid use, and Asian race are major risk factors for developing such fractures. The aim of this study was to determine whether the trabecular bone score (TBS) reflecting the lumbar trabecular microarchitecture was related to LPT in glucocorticoid-treated Japanese patients with autoimmune diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 111 women with autoimmune diseases treated with prednisolone (PSL) who had undergone both femoral X-ray and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the L1 - L4 lumbar vertebrae and for whom TBS could be evaluated for two or more of these. RESULTS: Femoral LPT was evident in the X-rays of 18 of 111 patients (16.2%). Higher body mass index (BMI), longer duration of PSL use and longer duration of BP use were significant in patients with LPT compared to those without. The TBS was significantly lower in patients with LPT than in those without (1.314 ± 0.092 vs. 1.365 ± 0.100, p = 0.044); however, the lumbar bone mineral density did not differ significantly (0.892 ± 0.141 vs. 0.897 ± 0.154 g/cm2, p = 0.897). TBS was significantly associated with LPT (odds ratio, 0.004; 95% CI, 0 - 0.96; p = 0.048), but not in the multivariate analysis including BMI, duration of PSL use and duration of BP use. CONCLUSIONS: The TBS was lower in glucocorticoid-treated Japanese women with autoimmune diseases with LPT than in those without LPT, and deteriorated trabecular microarchitecture influenced by longer use of BP and glucocorticoid might be associated with the development of LPT.

Association of coexisting anti-ribosomal P and anti-dsDNA antibodies with histology and renal prognosis in lupus nephritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Anti-ribosomal P protein autoantibodies (anti-P) specifically develop in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Associations of anti-P with lupus nephritis (LN) histological subclass and renal outcome remain inconclusive. We sought to determine the association of anti-P and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) with renal histology and prognosis in LN patients. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with LN, having undergone kidney biopsy, were included. The 2018 revised ISN/RPS classification system was used for pathophysiological evaluation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for > 3 months. RESULTS: Six patients (17.6%) were positive for anti-P and 26 (76.5%) for anti-dsDNA. Among the six patients with anti-P, one did not have anti-dsDNA, but did have anti-Sm antibody, and showed a histological subtype of class V. This patient maintained good renal function for over 14 years. The remaining five patients, who had both anti-P and anti-dsDNA, exhibited proliferative nephritis and were associated with prolonged hypocomplementemia, and the incidence of CKD did not differ from patients without anti-P. CONCLUSION: Although this study included a small number of patients, the results indicated that histology class and renal prognosis associated with anti-P depend on the coexistence of anti-dsDNA. Further studies with a large number of patients are required to confirm this conclusion.

False-positive semiquantitative immunochromatography assays for procalcitonin in three patients with rheumatoid arthritis-A case series.

We report three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with false-positive procalcitonin (PCT) based on semiquantitative immunochromatography assays without infection, but who had negative PCT assay results based on quantitative methods. Immunochromatography was useful for screening; however, other heterophilic antibodies rather than rheumatoid factor were possible to affect, especially in RA flare.

Serum hepcidin level, iron metabolism and osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Hepcidin, a major regulator of iron metabolism and homeostasis, is regulated by inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that hepcidin and iron metabolism are involved in osteoporosis, and the aim of this study was to determine whether serum hepcidin levels are correlated with the degree of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 262 patients with RA (67.5 ± 11.4 years; 77.5% female) were enrolled. Serum iron, ferritin, and hepcidin levels were positively correlated each other. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the serum iron level was positively correlated with femoral T and Z scores, whereas the serum hepcidin level was not. Serum hepcidin level was correlated with the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level, which was in turn positively related to the femoral Z score. Serum hepcidin and serum iron were indirectly and directly related to osteoporosis in patients with RA.

High bisphosphonate treatment rates and the prevalence of atypical femoral fractures in patients with systematic lupus erythematosus: a single-center retrospective study performed in Japan.

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often continues with moderate-to-low doses of glucocorticoids for the long term. Bisphosphonates aid in the prevention and management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). However, long-term use of bisphosphonates increases the relative risk of atypical femoral fracture (AFF) and the incidence is typically 16 or 113 per 100,000 person-years in patients treated with bisphosphonates for 5 or 10 years, respectively. Here, we explored bisphosphonate prescription rate and prevalence of AFF in patients with SLE. In total, 270 patients with SLE were enrolled. The Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research Guideline 2014 for GIOP management and treatment was used. We also explored AFF history through medical records. Most (n = 251) patients were recommended to treat by the GIOP guideline (scores ≥ 3); bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide, or active vitamin D was prescribed for 85.7%. Bisphosphonates were currently used by 66.1% of the patients, and 65% had used them for ≥ 5 years. Of all patients, 76.7% had a history of bisphosphonate use, 5 of 270 (1.9%) had histories of AFF. Four of five patients with AFF had taken bisphosphonates for ≥ 3.5 years, in addition to moderate doses (≥ 10 mg/day) of glucocorticoids. For the SLE patients with a history of bisphosphonate use, the incidence of AFF was calculated to be 278 per 100,000 person-years. Our single-center study found that bisphosphonates were commonly used long term by Japanese patients with SLE. As AFF is not rare, AFF should be cared in patients with SLE.

An adult case of atypical familial Mediterranean fever (pyrin-associated autoinflammatory disease) similar to adult-onset Still's disease.

We present a 55-year-old woman with periodic fever and symptoms similar to adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). She had a heterogeneous mutation of the MEFV gene and colchicine was effective. Atypical familial Mediterranean fever (pyrin-associated autoinflammatory disease) should be considered in patients with periodic fever accompanied by symptoms similar to AOSD.

Utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate using cystatin C and its interpretation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis under glucocorticoid therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have reduced muscle mass. Estimated glomerular filtration ratio using the serum cystatin C concentration (eGFRcys) is more accurate than eGFR using the serum creatinine (eGFRcreat) because cystatin C is not influenced by muscle mass, but glucocorticoid therapy may affect serum cystatin C concentration. METHODS: Fifty patients with RA were included in this study. Renal inulin clearance (Cin) was measured and compared with eGFRcreat, eGFRcys, or the mean of eGFRcreat and eGFRcys (eGFRavg). RESULTS: The mean creatine kinase (CK) concentration was low (36.8 ±â€¯24.4 U/l).The eGFRcreat and eGFRcys regression lines were significantly different from y = x. The mean eGFRcreat value was significantly higher than Cin and that of eGFRcys was lower than Cin. The difference between eGFRcys and Cin was negatively correlated with daily PSL dose. The mean eGFRcys value of patients taking <10 mg PSL was not different from Cin and the eGFRcys regression line was not different from y = x. CONCLUSION: eGFRcys of patients taking a daily PSL dose ≥10 mg was inaccurate, while eGFRcys was underestimated. eGFRcys was more accurate than eGFRcreat or eGFRavg for patients taking a daily PSL dose of <10 mg.

Bone Formation Parameters of the Biopsied Ilium Differ between Subtrochanteric and Diaphyseal Atypical Femoral Fractures in Bisphosphonate-Treated Patients.

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are defined as atraumatic or low-trauma fractures located in the subtrochanteric or diaphyseal sites. Long-term bisphosphonates (BPs) are administered to prevent fragility fractures in patients with primary osteoporosis or collagen diseases who are already taking glucocorticoids (GCs). Long-term BP use is one of the most important risk factors for AFFs. Its pathogenesis is characterized by severely suppressed bone turnover (SSBT), but whether the characteristics of patients are different regarding to location of fracture site remains unknown. In this study, we compared the characteristics and bone histomorphometric findings between subtrochanteric and diaphyseal sites in patients with BP-associated AFFs. Nine women with BP-associated AFFs were recruited, including 3 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 with rheumatoid arthritis, 2 with primary osteoporosis, 1 with polymyalgia rheumatica, and 1 with sarcoidosis. Patients were divided into the subtrochanteric group (n = 5; average age, 52 years; BP treatment, 5.9 years) and the diaphyseal group (n = 4; average age, 77 years; BP treatment, 2.6 years). Compared with the diaphyseal group, the subtrochanteric group had significantly higher daily GC doses (average, 10.9 vs. 2.3 mg/day) and significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels (17.8 vs. 25.6 ng/mL). Bone histomorphometry of the biopsied iliac bone showed SSBT in 3 cases (subtrochanteric, n = 1; diaphyseal, n = 2). Osteoid volume and trabecular thickness were significantly lower in the subtrochanteric group than in the diaphyseal group. Bone formation was inhibited more severely in subtrochanteric than in the diaphyseal group due to the higher GC doses used.

Adult-onset Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis with High Intensity of Muscles Detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Successfully Controlled with Tocilizumab.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an autoinflammatory bone disorder that generally occurs in children and predominantly affects the long bones with marginal sclerosis. We herein report two cases of adult-onset CRMO involving the tibial diaphysis bilaterally, accompanied by polyarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed both tibial osteomyelitis and high intensity of the extensive lower leg muscles. Anti-interleukin-6 therapy with tocilizumab (TCZ) effectively controlled symptoms and inflammatory markers in both patients. High intensity of the lower leg muscles detected by MRI also improved. These cases demonstrate that CRMO should be included in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with bone pain, inflammation, and high intensity of the muscles detected by MRI. TCZ may therefore be an effective therapy for muscle inflammation of CRMO.

Significant association between renal function and area of amyloid deposition in kidney biopsy specimens in both AA amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis and AL amyloidosis.

The kidney is a major target organ for systemic amyloidosis, which results in proteinuria and an elevated serum creatinine level. The clinical manifestations and precursor proteins of amyloid A (AA) and light-chain (AL) amyloidosis are different, and the renal damage due to amyloid deposition also seems to differ. The purpose of this study was to clarify haw the difference in clinical features between AA and AL amyloidosis are explained by the difference in the amount and distribution of amyloid deposition in the renal tissues. A total of 119 patients participated: 58 patients with an established diagnosis of AA amyloidosis (AA group) and 61 with AL amyloidosis (AL group). We retrospectively investigated the correlation between clinical data, pathological manifestations, and the area occupied by amyloid in renal biopsy specimens. In most of the renal specimens the percentage area occupied by amyloid was less than 10%. For statistical analyses, the percentage area of amyloid deposition was transformed to a common logarithmic value (Log10%amyloid). The results of sex-, age-, and Log10%amyloid-adjusted analyses showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in the AA group. In terms of renal function parameters, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (Ccr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicated significant renal impairment in the AA group, whereas urinary protein indicated significant renal impairment in the AL group. Pathological examinations revealed amyloid was predominantly deposited at glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and easily transferred to the mesangial area in the AA group, and it was predominantly deposited at in the AL group. The degree of amyloid deposition in the glomerular capillary was significantly more severe in AL group. The frequency of amyloid deposits in extraglomerular mesangium was not significantly different between the two groups, but in AA group, the degree amyloid deposition was significantly more severe, and the deposition pattern in the glomerulus was nodular. Nodular deposition in extraglomerular mesangium leads to renal impairment in AA group. There are significant differences between AA and AL amyloidosis with regard to the renal function, especially in terms of Ccr, eGFR and urinary protein, even after Log10%amyloid was adjusted; showing that these inter-group differences in renal function would not be depend on the amount of renal amyloid deposits. These differences could be explained by the difference in distribution and morphological pattern of amyloid deposition in the renal tissue.

Effects of Biologic Agents in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Amyloidosis Treated with Hemodialysis.

Objective Our objective was to examine the safety and effects of therapy with biologics on the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with reactive amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis on hemodialysis (HD). Methods Twenty-eight patients with an established diagnosis of reactive AA amyloidosis participated in the study. The survival was calculated from the date of HD initiation until the time of death, or up to end of June 2015 for the patients who were still alive. HD initiation was according to the program of HD initiation for systemic amyloidosis patients associated with RA. Results Ten patients had been treated with biologics before HD initiation for a mean of 28.2 months (biologic group), while 18 had not (non-biologic group). HD was initiated in patients with similar characteristics except for the tender joint count, swollen joint count, and disease activity score (DAS)28-C-reactive protein (CRP). History of biologics showed that etanercept was frequently used for 8 patients as the first biologic. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate according to a Kaplan-Meier analysis (p=0.939) and or associated risk of death in an age-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model (p=0.758) between both groups. Infections were significantly more frequent causes of death in the biologic group than in the non-biologic group (p=0.021). However, treatment with biologics improved the DAS28-CRP score (p=0.004). Conclusion Under the limited conditions of AA amyloidosis treated with HD, the use of biologics might affect infection and thus may not improve the prognosis. Strict infection control is necessary for the use of biologics with HD to improve the prognosis.

Acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia associated with rheumatoid arthritis during the course of treatment for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is potentially fatal infectious complication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during immunosuppressive therapy. Hospital survival due to human immunodeficiency virus-unrelated PCP reaches to 60%. The high mortality rate results from difficulties in establishing an early diagnosis, concurrent use of prophylactic drugs, possible bacterial coinfection. We herein report a case of PCP in RA patients who developed the architectural distortions of lung in spite of combined modality therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old Japanese woman with RA was admitted with shortness of breath. Five weeks previously, she had been started on etanercept in addition to methotrexate (MTX). Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated diffuse ground glass opacities distributed throughout the bilateral middle to lower lung fields, and serum ß-D-glucan was elevated. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed no P. jirovecii, but the organism was detected by polymerase chain reaction method. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was administered with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. However, the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT demonstrated aggravation of the pneumonia with architectural distortions. Additional direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fibers and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy were insufficiently effective, and the patient died on day 25. CONCLUSION: The architectural distortions of lung should be considered as a cause of death of PCP. For this reason, a high suspicion of this infectious complication must be kept in mind in order to establish an early diagnosis and treatment in patients with RA managed with MTX and biologics.

Hemodiafiltration for hepatic encephalopathy induced by Budd-Chiari syndrome in a patient with end-stage kidney disease.

A 36-year-old woman who was undergoing dialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) was admitted to our hospital with consciousness disorder. She was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome due to antiphospholipid syndrome at the age of 28 years. Her kidney function and leg edema gradually deteriorated. After initiation of hemodialysis (HD), transient loss of consciousness due to hepatic encephalopathy during HD treatment occurred frequently. Her kidney replacement therapy was changed to online hemodiafiltration (HDF), which dramatically improved her hepatic coma. Compared with HD, HDF contributed to the increase in Fischer's ratio and decrease in tryptophan level, which has a high protein-bound property. This case suggests that HDF may be beneficial for hepatic encephalopathy in ESKD patients by modulating the amino acid profile.

High triglyceride is a risk factor for silent osteonecrosis of the femoral head in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors related to silent osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Seventy-eight patients with SLE were selected on the basis of having been newly diagnosed and requiring high-dose prednisolone, including pulse therapy with methylprednisolone, as the initial treatment. All the patients initially underwent MRI at 3 months after the start of corticosteroid treatment to detect any early changes in the femoral head. These examinations were then performed again 3 months later. Laboratory parameters were evaluated at the start of steroid treatment and at 1 month thereafter. By 3 months after the start of corticosteroid treatment, silent ONFH was diagnosed by MRI in 21 patients (26.9 %), being bilateral in 11 patients and unilateral in 10. The occurrence of silent ONFH was not related to SLE disease activity index, serological activity, or renal function; it was also unrelated to body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), and the initial dose of prednisolone per unit body weight. However, the total cholesterol level at 4 weeks after the start of steroid treatment tended to be higher in patients with silent ONFH. Patients with a higher triglyceride level showed a significantly higher frequency of silent ONFH both before (p = 0.002) and 4 weeks after (p = 0.036) steroid initiation.A high triglyceride level is an important risk factor for silent ONFH in patients with SLE, and large-scale epidemiologic surveys of such early events are needed in this patient population.