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Elmgren J, Nyberg F. Clinical aspects of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:984229. [PMID: 36698816 PMCID: PMC9868707 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.984229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease with a wide clinical spectrum from life-threatening multi-organ inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to limited skin disease in cutaneous LE (CLE). The etiology of CLE is still not fully understood but a multifactorial genesis with genetic predisposition and certain environmental factors as triggers for the development are generally accepted features. Lesions can be induced and aggravated by UV-irradiation and smoking is linked to more severe forms of skin disease and to co-morbidity. Drugs, including many common medicines like antihypertensives, are known to induce subacute CLE (SCLE). The mechanisms involved have recently been shown to be part of the IFN-I pathway and new, specific treatments are currently in clinical trials. CLE is currently classified in subtypes based on clinical presentation and duration into acute CLE (ACLE), SCLE, and chronic CLE (CCLE). Distinct subtypes can be seen in individual patients or coexist within the same patient. Because of the confluent and overlapping picture between these subsets, serology, and histopathology constitute an important role guiding towards correct diagnose and there is ongoing work to update the classification. The Cutaneous Lupus Area Severity Index (CLASI) is a validated tool to measure activity and damage both in clinical trials but also for the clinician to evaluate treatment and follow the course of the disease among patients. CLE is known to have substantial impact on the life of those affected. Several tools have been proposed to measure QoL in these patients, currently Skindex-29 is probably the most used. Patient education is an important part of prevention of flares, including UV-protection and smoking cessation. First-line treatment includes topical corticosteroids as well as topical calcineurin inhibitors with the addition of systemic treatment with antimalarials in more severe or therapy resistant cases. Treatment specifically targeting CLE has been lacking, however novel potential therapies are in later phase clinical trials. In this review we aim to describe the different subsets of the cutaneous form in LE with focus on clinical aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Elmgren
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden,*Correspondence: Julia Elmgren,
| | - Filippa Nyberg
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Trieste L, Cannizzo S, Palla I, Triulzi I, Turchetti G. State of the art and future directions in assessing the quality of life in rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:986218. [PMID: 36213631 PMCID: PMC9537631 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.986218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAs chronic conditions, rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases (rCTDs) significantly affect the quality of life generating an impact on the physical, psychological, social, and economic dimensions of the patients’ lives, having implications on the family, changing the lifestyle and interpersonal relationships. Traditionally, generic and disease-specific measures for Quality of Life (QoL) provide valuable information to clinicians since QoL affects healthcare services utilization, predicts morbidities and mortalities, workability, etc. Moreover, the assessment of unmet clinical needs, satisfaction, the experience with the treatment and the care, the psychological dimensions, and the effects of the diseases, such as fatigue, could represent valuable dimensions to be considered in the QoL impact assessment. It is also necessary to measure the impact of rCTDs by considering the perspectives of family members/informal caregivers, for instance considering values, beliefs, experiences, life circumstances, psychological aspects, family relationships, economic issues, changes in social activities, etc.ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review is to better understand the status of QoL metrics used in clinical and economic research for the assessment of the individual’s perspective on living with rCTDs.Research questionWhat are the main challenges in QoL measures (and/or) measurement/assessment in rCTDs?Materials and methodsScoping review of the literature referring to QoL measures in rCTDs. Database: PUBMED, ISI-Web of Science; last date: 21/09/2021.ResultsAnxiety and depression, body image satisfaction, daily activity, fatigue, illness perception, pain, personality, QoL, resilience, satisfaction with the relationship, self-management, sexual QoL, sleep quality, social support, stress, uncertainty, and work productivity are the observed dimensions covered by the included studies. However, “more shadows than lights” can summarize the review’s outcome in terms of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) domains covered for each of the rCTDs. Also, for those diseases characterized by a relatively high prevalence and incidence, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren’s Syndrome, and Systemic Sclerosis, the analysis of patients’ resilience, satisfaction with the quality of the relationship, personality, and stress are still missing dimensions. It has been observed how reducing items, increasing the number of domains, and disease-specific questionnaires characterize the “technological trajectory,” such as the evolution of questionnaires’ characteristics for assessing QoL and QoL-related dimensions and the burden of rCTDs.ConclusionThe scoping review presents an overview of studies focused on questionnaires used to evaluate the different dimensions of quality of life in terms of general instruments and disease-specific questionnaires. Future research should include the co-design with patients, caregivers, and patient representatives to create questionnaires focused on the unmet needs of people living with rCTDs.
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Wong LS, Lee CH, Yen YT. Increased Epidermal Nerve Growth Factor without Small-Fiber Neuropathy in Dermatomyositis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169030. [PMID: 36012289 PMCID: PMC9408946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of some types of autoimmune connective tissue diseases. SFN with a reduction in epidermal nerve fibers might affect sensory fibers and cause neuropathic symptoms, such as pruritus and pain, which are common in both dermatomyositis (DM) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been recognized as important in nociception by regulating epidermal nerve fiber density and sensitizing the peripheral nervous system. The present study aimed to investigate whether SFN was associated with the cutaneous manifestations of DM and CLE. We also investigated the relationship between SFN and axon guidance molecules, such as NGF, amphiregulin (AREG), and semaphorin (Sema3A) in DM and CLE. To explore the molecular signaling, interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-31, which have been implicated in the cutaneous manifestation and neuropathic symptoms in DM, were examined in keratinocytes. Our results revealed that intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was unchanged in patients with DM, but significantly reduced in IENFD in patients with CLE compared with healthy control. Increased epidermal expression of NGF and decreased expression of Sema3A were demonstrated in patients with DM. Furthermore, IL-18 and IL-31 both induced the production of NGF from keratinocytes. Taken together, IL-18 and IL-31 mediated epidermal NGF expression might contribute to the cutaneous neuropathic symptoms in DM, while SFN might be important for CLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-San Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ta Yen
- Department of Dermatology, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung 928, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-8323146; Fax: +886-7-7337612
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Wong LS, Yen YT. Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases-Related Pruritus: Proper Diagnosis and Possible Mechanisms. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071772. [PMID: 35885674 PMCID: PMC9317505 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pruritus is a well-known bothersome symptom among skin disorders, especially inflammatory skin disorders. Lately, a high prevalence of pruritus in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs) has been revealed. Patients with ACTDs may suffer from varying degrees of pruritus, which affect their quality of life. However, it is rarely recognized both by patients and physicians. Meanwhile, pruritus is not only a symptom but is also related to the disease severity of some ACTDs. The pathophysiology of ACTD related pruritus is ambiguous. This review summarizes the features and possible mechanisms of ACTD-related pruritus, which might lead to proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-San Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Ta Yen
- Department of Dermatology, Fooying University Hospital, Pentong 928, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80420, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-8323146
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