Elevated serum B-cell activator factor levels predict rapid progressive interstitial lung disease in anti-melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 antibody positive dermatomyositis

BACKGROUND

Rapid progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is the leading cause of anti-melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 antibody positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+DM) related death. Elevated serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels have been implicated in connective tissue diseases associated ILD. Here, we evaluate whether BAFF could be a prognostic biomarker for predicting RP-ILD in anti-MDA5+DM patients.

METHODS

Serums were collected from 39 patients with anti-MDA5+DM (20 with RP-ILD and 19 with non-RP-ILD), 20 antisynthase syndrome (ASS) patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). BAFF concentration was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Serum BAFF level was higher in anti-MDA5+DM patients than those in ASS patients and HC (3882.32 ± 1880.09 vs. 2540.89 ± 1403.04 and 2486.28 ± 767.97 pg/mL, p = 0.0056 and 0.0038, respectively). Within anti-MDA5+DM groups, RP-ILD patients exhibited higher BAFF concentration than non-RP-ILD group (4549.78 ± 1839.97 vs. 3297.28 ± 1794.69 pg/mL, p = 0.04). The BAFF concentration was positively correlated with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokeratin (CK) in anti-MDA5+DM patients (r = 0.350, p = 0.035; r = 0.393, p = 0.016; r = 0.518, p = 0.001; respectively). The best cut-off value of BAFF concentration was 2971.5 pg/mL by ROC curve (AUC area = 0.690, p = 0.045) and BAFF > 2971.5 pg/mL was an independent risk factor for RP-ILD using multivariate analysis (OR = 9.389, 95% CI = 1.609-54.769; p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum BAFF could be a useful prognostic biomarker for early detecting RP-ILD risk in anti-MDA5+DM patients.

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease risk prediction in anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis: the CROSS model

Background

The prognosis of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+DM) is poor and heterogeneous. Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is these patients' leading cause of death. We sought to develop prediction models for RP-ILD risk in anti-MDA5+DM patients.

Methods

Patients with anti-MDA5+DM were enrolled in two cohorts: 170 patients from the southern region of Jiangsu province (discovery cohort) and 85 patients from the northern region of Jiangsu province (validation cohort). Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify risk factors of RP-ILD. RP-ILD risk prediction models were developed and validated by testing every independent prognostic risk factor derived from the Cox model.

Results

There are no significant differences in baseline clinical parameters and prognosis between discovery and validation cohorts. Among all 255 anti-MDA5+DM patients, with a median follow-up of 12 months, the incidence of RP-ILD was 36.86%. Using the discovery cohort, four variables were included in the final risk prediction model for RP-ILD: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, short disease duration, and male sex. A point scoring system was used to classify anti-MDA5+DM patients into moderate, high, and very high risk of RP-ILD. After one-year follow-up, the incidence of RP-ILD in the very high risk group was 71.3% and 85.71%, significantly higher than those in the high-risk group (35.19%, 41.69%) and moderate-risk group (9.54%, 6.67%) in both cohorts.

Conclusions

The CROSS model is an easy-to-use prediction classification system for RP-ILD risk in anti-MDA5+DM patients. It has great application prospect in disease management.

Proteomic profiling identifies SPP1 associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease in anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis

BACKGROUND

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene five antibody positive (MDA5+) dermatomyositis (DM) is significantly associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). Early detection of RP-ILD remains a major challenge. This study aims to identify and validate prognostic factors for RP-ILD in MDA5+ DM patients.

METHODS

Plasma samples from 20 MDA5+ DM patients and 10 healthy controls (HC) were collected for proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The proteins of interest were validated in independent samples (20 HC, 20 MDA5+ DM with RP-ILD, and 20 non-RP-ILD patients) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

A total of 413 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected between the MDA5+ DM patients and HC. When comparing DEPs between RP-ILD and non-RP-ILD patients, 79 proteins were changed in RP-ILD patients, implicating acute inflammatory response, coagulation, and complement cascades. Six candidate biomarkers were confirmed with ELISA. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), and Kininogen 1 (KNG1) concentrations were significantly elevated in RP-ILD patients than those in non-RP-ILD patients and HC. In the different clinical subgroups, SPP1 was particularly elevated in the high-risk RP-ILD subgroup of MDA5+ DM.

CONCLUSION

This study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of RP-ILD development in MDA5+ DM and suggests the plasma protein SPP1 could serve as a potential blood biomarker for RP-ILD early warning.

Development and external validation of a prediction model for venous thromboembolism in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted this study to develop a risk score algorithm for VTE in patients with SLE that provides individualised risk estimates.

METHODS

We developed a clinical prediction model of VTE in 4502 patients with SLE based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group cohort (CSTAR) from January 2009 to January 2020 and externally validated in 3780 patients with SLE in CSTAR from January 2020 to January 2022. Baseline data were obtained and VTE events were recorded during the follow-up. The prediction model was developed to predict VTE risk within 6 months in patients with SLE, using multivariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. SLE-VTE score and nomogram were established according to the model.

RESULTS

A total of 4502 patients included in the development cohort, 135 had VTE events. The final prediction model (SLE-VTE score) included 11 variables: gender, age, body mass index, hyperlipidaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, C reactive protein, anti-β2GPI antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, renal involvement, nervous system involvement and hydroxychloroquine, with area under the curve of 0.947 and 0.808 in the development (n=4502) and external validation cohort (n=3780), respectively. According to the net benefit and predicted probability thresholds, we recommend annual screening of VTE in high risk (≥1.03%) patients with SLE.

CONCLUSION

Various factors are related to the occurrence of VTE in patients with SLE. The proposed SLE-VTE risk score can accurately predict the risk of VTE and help identify patients with SLE with a high risk of VTE who may benefit from thromboprophylaxis.

Efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with methylprednisolone for primary Sjögren's syndrome: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combination of iguratimod (IGU) and methylprednisolone (MP) for the efficacy and safety of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by a meta-analysis and a trial sequential analysis (TSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical studies of IGU combined with MP for pSS were searched through eight databases. Revman 5.3 and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta were used for the meta-analysis and TSA.

RESULTS

In terms of efficacy endpoints, compared with "HCQ+MP" group, "IGU+MP" group decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [mean difference (MD)=-5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=(-7.37, -2.93), p<0.0001], immunoglobulin G (IgG) [MD=-3.38, 95% CI=(-4.13, -2.64), p<0.00001], immunoglobulin M (IgM) [MD=-0.64, 95% CI=(-1.19, -0.09), p=0.02], Immunoglobulin A (IgA) [MD=-1.16, 95% CI=(-1.92, -0.39), p=0.003], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) [MD=-1.62, 95% CI=(-2.07, -1.17), p<0.0001], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) [MD=-2.07, 95% CI=(-2.54, -1.59), p<0.0001], increase platelet (PLT) [MD=13.21, 95% CI=(9.77,16.65), p<0.00001], and improve Schirmer I test (SIT) [MD=1.86, 95% CI=(1.40, 2.32), p<0.0001]. TSA presented that these benefits observed with the current information volume were all conclusive, except for IgM. In terms of safety endpoints, the total adverse event rates (AEs), leucopenia, gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, skin diseases, and liver dysfunction of the "IGU+MP" group and the "HCQ+MP" group were comparable. And TSA indicated that the results need to be confirmed by additional studies. Harbord regression showed no publication bias (p=0.986).

CONCLUSIONS

IGU combined with MP effectively attenuates autoimmune responses (IgG, IgM, IgA), reduces clinical symptoms and disease activity (ESR, PLT, ESSPRI, ESSDAI), and improves the exocrine gland functional status (SIT) in patients with pSS. IGU combined with MP does not increase the risk of adverse events, which means that IGU combined with MP may be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of pSS and has value for further research exploration.

[Histopathological evaluation of cirrhosis reversal]

A normal liver can develop cirrhosis through long-term and repeated stimulation from various etiologies. Histological manifestations like the collapse of hepatic lobular structure (including microvascular structure) and the formation of pseudolobules can lead to portal hypertension and even decompensated cirrhosis. More and more evidence suggests that effective etiological treatment can not only delay but also reverse the progression of cirrhosis. The mechanism of cirrhosis reversal mainly includes the degradation of extracellular matrix, hepatocyte regeneration, and hepatic lobular remodeling. The "gold standard" for the evaluation of cirrhosis reversal at present is still a liver biopsy. Therefore, the histopathological evaluation of cirrhosis reversal is very important for determining the disease's prognosis, efficacy, and mechanism of exploration.

[Clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis in patients with past hepatitis B virus infection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: 353 cases with PBC who visited the Liver Disease Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2000 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into the past HBV infection group (156 cases) and the no HBV infection group (197 cases). The two groups' baseline clinical features were compared. Ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, and long-term liver transplantation-free survival rate were compared through outpatient and telephone follow-up. Results: PBC with past HBV infection had a significantly reduced female proportion compared to the no HBV infection group (91.9% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, platelet count, cirrhosis proportion, and others. Ursodeoxycholic acid biochemical response rate was reduced in patients with past HBV infection at the end of one year of treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (65.8% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.068). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the GLOBE score (0.57 vs. 0.59, P = 0.26) and UK-PBC 5-year (2.87% vs. 2.87%, P = 0.38), 10-year (9.29% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.39) and 15-year liver transplantation rates (16.6% vs. 14.73%, P = 0.39). Lastly, the overall 5-year liver transplantation-free survival rate had no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients (86.4% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.796). Conclusion: Primary biliary cholangitis had no discernible effect in terms of age at onset, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, cirrhosis proportion, ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, or overall liver transplantation-free survival rate in patients with past hepatitis B virus infections.

[Ten-year changes in clinical characteristics and antiviral treatment patterns of chronic hepatitis B in China: a CR-HepB-based real-world study]

Objective: To understand ten-year changes in clinical characteristics and antiviral treatment patterns of chronic hepatitis B in China. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection:demographic, virologic, hematologic, blood biochemistry, and antiviral treatment data were extracted from the China Registry of Hepatitis B (CR-HepB) database between 2012 and 2022 for descriptive statistics and change trend analysis. Multiple group comparisons were conducted using the Kruskal Wallis H test, while counting data was compared between groups using χ (2) test. Results: A total of 180 012 patients with chronic HBV infection were included, with a median age of 40 years old, and a male proportion accounting for 60.2%. The HBeAg positive rate was 43.3%. Over time, the median age of new patients each year increased from 39 to 47 years, while the HBeAg positive rate decreased from 51.3% to 32.8%. The initial diagnosis of patients was mainly CHB (71.4%), followed by hepatitis B cirrhosis (11.8%), inactive HBsAg carrier status (10.6%), and chronic HBV carrier status (6.2%). Among the newly registered patients every year from 2012 to 2022, the proportion of hepatitis B cirrhosis remained stable, but after 2019, the proportion of CHB increased and the proportion of other diagnoses decreased. The proportion of patients with cirrhosis increased with age in different age groups, with 3.5%, 19.3%, and 30.4% in the < 40, 40-69, and≥70 age groups, respectively. The proportion of women in patients with cirrhosis also increased with age, from 16.1% in those < 30 years old to 44.3% in those≥80 years old. From 2012 to 2022, the proportion of patients receiving first-line nucleos(t)ide analog antiviral treatment increased year by year, from 51.0% in 2012-2013 to 99.8% in 2022. Conclusion: The CR-HepB registration data reflect the changes in clinical characteristics and antiviral treatment patterns in patients with chronic HBV infection in China over the past ten years and can thus provide a reference to promote hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment practice, as well as scientific research.

[Interpretation of the essential updates in guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (Version 2022)]

Chinese Society of Hepatology and Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Medical Association update the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (version 2022) in 2022. The latest guidelines recommend more extensive screening and more active antiviral treating for hepatitis B virus infection. This article interprets the essential updates in the guidelines to help deepen understanding and better guide the clinical practice.

Identification of Three Different Phenotypes in Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene 5 Antibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Patients: Implications for Prediction of Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease

OBJECTIVE

There is substantial heterogeneity among the phenotypes of patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive (anti-MDA5+) dermatomyositis (DM), hindering disease assessment and management. This study aimed to identify distinct phenotype groups in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM and to determine the utility of these phenotypes in predicting patient outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 265 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM were retrospectively enrolled in the study. An unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to characterize the different phenotypes.

RESULTS

Patients were stratified into 3 clusters characterized by markedly different features and outcomes. Cluster 1 (n = 108 patients) was characterized by mild risk of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD), with the cumulative incidence of non-RPILD being 85.2%. Cluster 2 (n = 72 patients) was characterized by moderate risk of RPILD, with the cumulative incidence of non-RPILPD being 73.6%. Patients in cluster 3 (n = 85 patients), which was characterized by a high risk of RPILD and a cumulative non-RPILD incidence of 32.9%, were more likely than patients in the other 2 subgroups to have anti-Ro 52 antibodies in conjunction with high titers of anti-MDA5 antibodies. All-cause mortality rates of 60%, 9.7%, and 3.7% were determined for clusters 3, 2, and 1, respectively (P < 0.0001). Decision tree analysis led to the development of a simple algorithm for anti-MDA5+ DM patient classification that included the following 8 variables: age >50 years, disease course of <3 months, myasthenia (proximal muscle weakness), arthritis, C-reactive protein level, creatine kinase level, anti-Ro 52 antibody titer, and anti-MDA5 antibody titer. This algorithm placed patients in the appropriate cluster with 78.5% accuracy in the development cohort and 70.0% accuracy in the external validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

Cluster analysis identified 3 distinct clinical patterns and outcomes in our large cohort of anti-MDA5+ DM patients. Classification of DM patients into phenotype subgroups with prognostic values may help physicians improve the efficacy of clinical decision-making.

[Different treatment strategies in patients with HBeAg-positive and negative chronic hepatitis B]

Patients with HBeAg-positive and negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have different immunological states and disease progression. Hence, the previously recommended antiviral therapy strategies for the two are different. In recent years, the antiviral indications have gradually eased, and the treatment goal has began to pursue clinical cure, as experts and scholars have gradually attached importance to the potential risk of disease progression in hepatitis B patients. Antiviral treatment strategies are gradually becoming uniform for patients with HBeAg-positive and negative. However, among them, HBeAg-negative patients can be combined with HBsAg quantification and other indicators to further screen the clinically cured dominant population in order to formulate the next treatment strategy.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

Time-dependent changes in RPILD and mortality risk in anti-MDA5+ DM patients: a cohort study of 272 cases in China

OBJECTIVES

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive (anti-MDA5+) DM has a close relationship with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) and is associated with high mortality. However, data regarding the time-dependent risk of RPILD and deaths during disease progression are limited. We conducted this study to investigate whether the risk of RPILD and death were time-dependent or not in anti-MDA5+ DM.

METHODS

We assessed a cohort of 272 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM. The clinical characteristics of patients with anti-MDA5+ were collected, and COX regression was used to analyse independent risk factors for RPILD and death. We also described changes in risk of RPILD and death over time and their potential clinical implications.

RESULTS

There were 272 anti-MDA5+ DM patients enrolled in this study. According to the multivariate cox regression analysis, short disease course, high CRP level, anti-Ro52 positive and anti-MDA5 titre (++∼+++) were independent risk factors of RPILD. High creatine kinase level, high CRP level and RPILD were independent risk factors for death, and >90% RPILD and 84% mortality occurred in the first 6 months after disease onset. Notably, the first 3 months is a particularly high-risk period, with 50% of RPILD and 46% of deaths occurring. Hazards regarding RPILD and mortality diminished over time during a median follow-up of 12 months.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest significant, time-dependent changes in RPILD and mortality risk in anti-MDA5+ DM patients, providing a cut-off time window to estimate disease progression and poor prognosis.

Coexistence of Anti-Ro52 Antibodies in Anti-MDA5 Antibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Is Highly Associated With Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease and Mortality Risk

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common extramuscular complication contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) who are positive for antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5+). We conducted this study to investigate the association of anti-Ro52 antibodies with clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM.

METHODS

We assessed a cohort of 246 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM. To calculate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD) and death while controlling for potential confounders, variables selected by univariate Cox regression analysis were included in a multivariate Cox regression model with the stepwise forward-selection method. A 2-tailed analysis with P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 246 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM were enrolled; 70 patients were male, and the patient group had an average age of 53.1 (12.4) years. Anti-Ro52 was present in 64.2% (158/246) patients. Patients with anti-MDA5+ DM who were positive for anti-Ro52 had a higher rate of RP-ILD (log-rank P < 0.001) and a higher mortality rate (log-rank P = 0.01). For patients with anti-MDA5+ DM who were positive for anti-Ro52, those with a short disease course and high inflammation were at increased risk of RP-ILD and death. The appearance of active rash was an independent protective factor of death.

CONCLUSION

Anti-Ro52 antibodies were highly prevalent in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM, and their coexistence correlated with a higher rate of RP-ILD and mortality. Patients with a short disease course, with increased inflammation, and without rash were more likely to have a poor prognosis.

[Expanding antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B: scale up screening and treatment]

The Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association published "Expert Opinions on Expanding Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B" in 2022, with a focus on "active screening of the existing patients, paying attention to the potential risk of disease progression, and active intervening of the low level viremia," and recommended that specific actions be taken to further optimize the expanding screening, widening the antiviral indications, and scale up the diagnosis and treatment of low level viremia.

Serum fibrinogen-like protein 1 as a novel biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL-1) concentrations and various metabolic characteristics in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and explore whether FGL-1 could be a predictive biomarker for PCOS.

METHODS

This case-control study included 136 patients with PCOS and 34 normal controls recruited in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital between May 2017 and June 2021. Anthropometric characteristics, metabolic parameters, and reproductive hormones were collected. Serum FGL-1 measurement was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

RESULTS

Serum FGL-1 concentrations were higher in patients with PCOS than in control subjects in body mass index (BMI) subgroups, insulin resistance (IR) subgroups, and hepatic function subgroups, respectively. Serum FGL-1 concentrations were significantly associated with BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and serum uric acid (SUA) in all individuals. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value for FGL-1 levels to predict PCOS was 21.02 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 74.3% and a specificity of 70.6%. Both univariate and multiple logistic regressions indicated that the odds ratio (OR) for PCOS significantly increased in the subjects with high levels of FGL-1.

CONCLUSION

In our study, FGL-1 was associated with serum aminotransferase and various metabolic indexes. Moreover, the high risk of PCOS was independently associated with the increased FGL-1 levels, which suggested that FGL-1 could be a predictive biomarker for PCOS.

[Histological regression and clinical benefits in patients with liver cirrhosis after long-term anti-HBV treatment]

Objective: Our study aims to determine histological regression and clinical improvement after long-term antiviral therapy in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis patients. Methods: Treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients with histologically or clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Liver biopsies were performed after 5 years entecavir-based antiviral treatment. Patients were followed up every 6 months. Cirrhosis regression was evaluated based on Metavir system and P-I-R score. Clinical improvement was evaluated before and after the long-term treatment. Kruskal Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for continuous variables, Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Totals of 73 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Among them, 30 (41.1%) patients were biopsy proved liver cirrhosis and the remaining 43 (58.9%) cirrhotic patients were diagnosed by clinical features. Based on Metavir system and P-I-R score, 72.6% (53/73) patients attained histological regression. Furthermore, 30.1% (22/73) were defined as significant regression (Metavir decrease ≥2 stage), 42.5% (31/73) were mild regression (Metavir decrease 1 stage or predominantly regressive by P-I-R system if still cirrhosis after treatment) and 27.4% (20/73) were the non-regression. Compared to levels of clinical characteristics at baseline, HBV DNA, ALT, AST, liver stiffness(decreased from 12.7 to 6.4 kPa in significant regression, from 18.1 to 7.3 kPa in mild regression and from 21.4 to 11.2 kPa in non-regression)and Ishak-HAI score significantly decreased after 5 years of anti-HBV treatment, while serum levels of platelets and albumin improved remarkably (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, only the pre-treatment liver stiffness level was associated with significant regression (OR=0.887, 95%CI: 0.802-0.981, P=0.020). Conclusions: After long-term antiviral therapy, patients with HBV-related cirrhosis are easily to attain improvements in clinical parameters, while a certain percentage of these patients still cannot achieve histological reversal.

[Analysis of change in esophageal varices and clinical characteristics in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis after antiviral therapy]

Objective: To clarify the effect and related factors of antiviral therapy on the change of esophageal varices in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Methods: Fifty-two cases with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis who underwent endoscopy before and after antiviral therapy were selected from prospective cohorts. Patients were divided into three groups: no, mild, and moderate-severe based on the degree of esophageal varices. The changes in the severity of esophageal varices in each group were compared after antiviral therapy. Clinical characteristics (platelet, liver and kidney function, liver stiffness, and virological response) of patients with different regressions were analyzed. Measurement data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Chi-Square test was used for count data. Results: All patients received entecavir-based antiviral therapy. The median treatment time was 3.1 (2.5-4.4) years. The proportion of patients without esophageal varices increased from 30.8% to 51.9%, the proportion of mild esophageal varices decreased from 40.4% to 30.8%, and the proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe esophageal varices decreased from 28.8% to 17.3% (χ²=14.067, P=0.001). A total of 40.4% of patients had esophageal varices regression, and 13.5% had esophageal varices progression. The progression rate was significantly higher in patients with moderate-severe esophageal varices than patients with mild and no esophageal varices (χ²=28.126, P<0.001), and 60.0% of patients with moderate-severe esophageal varices still remained in moderate-severe state after antiviral treatment. Baseline platelet count and 5-year mean change rates were significantly lower in patients with progressive moderate-to-severe esophageal varices than in those without progression (+3.3% vs. +34.1%, Z=7.00, P=0.027). Conclusion: After effective antiviral treatment, 40.4% of patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis combined with esophageal varices has obtained esophageal varices regression, but those with moderate to severe esophageal varices still have a considerable risk of progression while receiving mono antiviral treatment only. Thrombocytopenia and without significant improving are the clinical signs of progression risk after receiving antiviral treatment.

[Reversal of hepatic fibrosis: more evidence and more challenges]

Hepatic fibrosis is a response to various types of hepatic injury, which can lead to cirrhosis and its complications. In recent years, in patients with viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune liver disease and others the fibrosis or even early cirrhosis can be regressed if the etiology are controlled. Liver biopsy is still the gold standard for assessing fibrosis reversal, but non-invasive methods such as transient elastography hold great promise due to the ease to use for dynamic monitoring. Mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis reversal include extracellular matrix degradation, hepatocyte regeneration, and vascular remodeling. Presently, novel agents targeting the steps of fibrosis are urgently need for achieving regression of liver fibrosis.

[Paying attention to other systemic diseases of hepatic manifestations: a return to common sense in clinical practice]

Liver have complex functions with a high workload. Various liver diseases are the result of the interaction of diverse genetic and environmental factors. Moreover, other systemic diseases may also affect liver, producing corresponding manifestations, such as abnormal liver function tests, portal vein or hepatic vein thrombosis, portal hypertension, hepatosplenomegaly and liver space-occupying lesions. Therefore, it is extremely important for hepatologists to have an in-depth understanding of other systemic diseases of hepatic manifestations, especially hematologic, connective tissue, endocrine, and circulatory, in order to improve the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Prognostic factors of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with pulmonary embolism: An 11-year cohort study

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a higher risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) which is life-threatening, but there has been no research focusing on the prognosis of SLE patients with PE. This study was conducted to explore the prognostic factors of mortality in SLE patients with PE.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, SLE inpatients with PE treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 were included and age, gender, smoking history, the onset of SLE and PE, organ involvement, SLE disease activity index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K), severity of PE, and treatment regimen were collected. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were used to explore the prognostic factors of SLE patients with PE.

RESULTS

A total of 86 SLE patients with PE were enrolled, with the age of 37.72±15.79 years old and the average lupus duration of 46.5 months. 17 patients (19.77%) died. 1- and 3-year survival rates were 83.40% and 79.40%. Thrombocytopenia (log-rank p = 0.004) and lymphocytopenia (log-rank p = 0.030) were predictors of mortality, and effective anticoagulation (log-rank p = 0.032), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (log-rank p = 0.021) were protective factors of mortality in SLE patients with PE. Effective anticoagulation was an independent protective factor of mortality in SLE patients with PE (HR = 0.14, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with thrombocytopenia and lymphocytopenia are more likely to develop a poor prognosis. Effective anticoagulation and HCQ could improve the prognosis.

Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 concentrations reflect severity of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 antibody positive dermatomyositis associated interstitial lung disease

OBJECTIVES

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is a major complication of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 antibody positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+DM) with a high mortality rate. The aim of the study is to determine whether serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) could be a prognostic biomarker to predict RP-ILD and prognosis in anti-MDA5+DM patients.

METHODS

A total of 21 anti-MDA5+DM patients with RP-ILD and 20 anti-MDA5+DM patients without RP-ILD were retrospectively included in this study. Serum KL-6 concentration (pg/mL) was measured using the latex agglutination test.

RESULTS

Serum KL-6 level was higher in RP-ILD patients than those in non-RR-ILD patients (1195.61±872.93 vs. 452.6±465.51 pg/mL, p=0.002). The best cut-off value of KL-6 serum level was 500.9 pg/mL using ROC curve (AUC area = 0.7976, p=0.0011). KL-6 >500.9 pg/mL was an independent risk factor for RP-ILD using multivariate analysis (OR=56.38, 95% CI 5.51-577.504, p=0.001). Serum KL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in dead patients than those in the survivor group (1209.34±840.55 vs. 592.41±667.76, p=0.0033), and higher KL-6 concentration was also an independent risk factor for all-cause death after adjusting confounders (OR = 21.94, 95% CI 3.3-145.73, p=0.001). Anti-MDA5+DM patients with higher KL-6 level displayed a significantly decreased one-year survival rate, as compared with lower KL-6 level (36.36% vs. 89.47%, p=0.0008).

CONCLUSIONS

The serum KL-6 levels reflect severity of lung injury and serve as a clinically useful biomarker in detection and monitoring RP-ILD progression in anti-MDA5+DM patients.

[Low-level viremia-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B]

Low-level viremia after antiviral therapy has gradually attracted attention due to its relation to liver fibrosis progression, hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence and long-term survival rate reduction in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In addition, it should be used as a risk factor for intervention during antiviral therapy in order to achieve complete virological response and improve the long-term prognosis of patients.

Lipid-lowering therapy is not intensified beyond 3-months if coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve (FFR) suggests non-obstructive coronary disease: a missed opportunity for prevention?

Background/Introduction

Patients with non-obstructive CAD are at risk for future ASCVD events. Coronary angiography with FFR distinguishes obstructive from non-obstructive CAD, however, it is unknown how FFR assessment impacts subsequent lipid management in obstructive vs non-obstructive CAD.

Purpose

Examine patterns in intensification of lipid-lowering therapy after FFR assessment in those with obstructive vs non-obstructive CAD.

Methods

Records were reviewed from patients at a single institution who underwent FFR, instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR), or computed tomographic (CT)-FFR assessment between 2013–2020. Obstructive CAD was defined as presence of ≥1 lesion with FFR ≤0.8, iFR ≤0.89, or CT-FFR ≤0.8, or presence of obstructive CAD by visual assessment. The impact of obstructive vs non-obstructive CAD on the management of atherogenic lipids (LDL-C and non-HDL-C) after FFR was examined at 3, 6, and 12 months using Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

461 patients had obstructive CAD vs 338 with non-obstructive CAD. Most FFR, iFR, or CT-FFR assessments were performed for a non-ACS indication (n=628 (79%)). Mean (±SD) age was 66±11 yrs, with 248 (31%) women, and 658 (82%) white. Baseline LDL-C was similar in both groups: 2.2±1.1 mmol/L (obstructive CAD) and 2.1±0.9 mmol/L (non-obstructive CAD). Both groups had high baseline statin use (n=349 (76%) (obstructive CAD) vs n=241 (71%) (non-obstructive CAD)). At 3 months, mean LDL-C and non-HDL-C decreased in both those with obstructive (LDL-C −0.4 mmol/L, non-HDL-C −0.4 mmol/L) and non-obstructive CAD (LDL-C −0.3 mmol/L, non-HDL-C −0.4 mmol/L) (p&gt;0.05), with a similar number of new statins initiated in each group. However, at 6 months, LDL-C and non-HDL-C increased in those with non-obstructive CAD (LDL-C +0.2 mmol/L, non-HDL-C +0.4 mmol/L), while atherogenic lipids further decreased in those with obstructive CAD (LDL-C −0.1 mmol/L (p=0.011), non-HDL-C −0.1 mmol/L (p=0.048)). Compared to non-obstructive CAD, there were more statins initiated by 6 months in those with obstructive CAD, although not statistically significant. At 12 months, LDL-C remained significantly lower in those with obstructive CAD compared to those with non-obstructive CAD (Figure, Table).

Conclusions

FFR assessment appears to prompt short-term intensification of lipid-lowering therapy in both those with obstructive and non-obstructive CAD (i.e. over 3 months), but this favorable effect on atherogenic lipids is lost in those with non-obstructive CAD by 6 and 12 months. Those with non-obstructive CAD are likely to benefit from long-term intensification of atherogenic lipid-lowering therapy to prevent ASCVD events, and therefore efforts should be made to maintain intensification of lipid-lowering therapy beyond 3 months in all patients undergoing FFR assessment.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Amgen Investigator Initiated Study

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Value of Non-criteria Antibodies for Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients in a Chinese Cohort

Objective

Although specific anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPLs) have been used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) for years, new biomarkers are required to increase its diagnostic and risk-predictive power. This study aimed to explore the value of several non-criteria aPLs in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

A total of 312 subjects, namely, 100 patients diagnosed with primary APS, 51 with APS secondary to SLE, 71 with SLE, and 90 healthy controls, were recruited. Serum anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM/IgA, anti-β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) IgG/IgM/IgA, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) IgG/IgM, and anti-annexin A5 antibodies (aAnxV) IgG/IgM were tested using ELISA kits.

Results

Of the total number of patients, 30.46% and 6.62% with APS were positive for aCL or aβ2GPI IgA, respectively, while 39.07% and 24.50% were positive for aAnxV or aPS/PT for at least one antibody (IgG or IgM). The addition test of aCL IgA and aAnxV IgM assists in identifying seronegative APS patients, and IgG aPS/PT was linked to stroke.

Conclusion

Detection of aCL IgA, aβ2GPI IgA, aAnxV IgG/M, and aPS/PT IgG/M as a biomarker provides additive value in APS diagnosis and would help in risk prediction for APS patients in medical practice.

Comparing the bone mineral density among male patients with latent autoimmune diabetes and classical type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and exploring risk factors for osteoporosis

AIMS

This study aimed to compare the bone mineral densities (BMDs) among male patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), classical type 1 diabetes (T1DM), and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and to examine the risk factors for developing low BMD in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2017 and October 2020, a total of 57, 67, and 223 male patients with LADA, classical T1DM, and T2DM, respectively, were recruited from the endocrinology department of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital. Hormonal markers of bone metabolism, lipid profiles, uric acid, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and beta-cell function were measured using blood samples. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and right hip by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

The mean BMD values from all three skeletal sites in male patients with LADA were comparable to those with classical T1DM but were much lower than those with T2DM. After adjusting for confounding factors, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that in all male patients with diabetes, body mass index (BMI), uric acid, and fasting C-peptide showed significant positive associations with BMD at all three skeletal sites; however, osteocalcin showed a negative association at all three sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with male patients with T2DM, lower BMDs were observed in patients with LADA and T1DM. Low BMI, uric acid, C-peptide levels, and high osteocalcin levels are risk factors for developing low BMD in male patients with diabetes.

Comparison of Different Test Systems for the Detection of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in a Chinese Cohort

Background

Diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is based on the positivity of laboratory criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Test results for aPLs could be contradictory among different detection methods as well as commercial manufacturers. This study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic and analytic performances of four commercial assays prevalently used in China.

Methods

A total of 313 patients including 100 patients diagnosed with primary APS, 52 with APS secondary to SLE, 71 with SLE, and 90 health controls were recruited. Serum IgG, IgM, and IgA for aCL, and aβ2GPI antibodies were detected with two ELISA and two CLIA systems, and test system with the best diagnostic value was explored of its correlation with key clinical features.

Results

CLIA by YHLO Biotech Co. was considered as the system with the best predictive power, where 58.55 and 57.89% of APS patients were positive for aCL or aβ2GPI for at least one antibody (IgG or IgM or IgA). Overall, CLIA showed better performance characteristics than traditional ELISA test systems.

Conclusion

CLIA was considered as a better platform for aPL detection in APS diagnosis. A combination of other detection platforms could assist in differential diagnosis as well as in identifying high-risk patients.

Tofacitinib as a possible treatment for skin thickening in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the effectiveness of tofacitinib for the treatment of refractory skin thickening in dcSSc.

METHODS

Data from 10 patients with dcSSc treated with tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) were analysed. A total of 12 dcSSc patients treated with intensive conventional immunosuppressants were selected as the historical comparator group. A clinically relevant response was defined as a decrease in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) of >5 points and ≥25% from baseline. Clinical indicators were compared between the two groups to evaluate the effect of tofacitinib.

RESULTS

The mRSS significantly improved the first month after tofacitinib treatment, with a mean change in the mRSS of -3.7 (95% CI -5.52, -1.88; P = 0.001) and greater than the comparators at 6 months [-10.0 (95% CI -14.74, -5.26) vs -4.1 (95% CI -7.49, -0.73), P = 0.026]. Tofacitinib-treated patients had a significantly shorter response time than the comparators (P = 0.015 by log-rank test), with overall response rates of 20% (2/10) vs 0% (0/12) and 60% (6/10) vs 16.7% (2/12) at 1 and 3 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that tofacitinib may be as effective as or even better than intensive conventional immunosuppressants, with a quicker and higher response rate in refractory dcSSc patients with progressive skin thickness.

Predicting the Risk of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, there is no algorithm to identify those at high risk. This study was undertaken to develop a prediction model for PAH in patients with lupus that provides individualized risk estimates.

METHODS

A multicenter, longitudinal cohort study was undertaken from January 2003 to January 2020. The study collected data on 3,624 consecutively evaluated patients diagnosed as having SLE. The diagnosis of PAH was confirmed by right-sided heart catheterization. Cox proportional hazards regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were used to fit the model. Model discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis were performed for validation.

RESULTS

Ninety-two lupus patients (2.54%) developed PAH during a median follow-up of 4.84 years (interquartile range 2.42-8.84). The final prediction model included 5 clinical variables (acute/subacute cutaneous lupus, arthritis, renal disorder, thrombocytopenia, and interstitial lung disease) and 3 autoantibodies (anti-RNP, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB). A 10-year PAH probability-predictive nomogram was established. The model was internally validated by Harrell's concordance index (0.78), the Brier score (0.03), and a satisfactory calibration curve. According to the net benefit and predicted probability thresholds, we recommend annual screening in high-risk (>4.62%) lupus patients.

CONCLUSION

We developed a risk stratification model using routine clinical assessments. This new tool may effectively predict the future risk of PAH in patients with SLE.

Risk of osteonecrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: An 11-year Chinese single-center cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Osteonecrosis (ON), which can lead to physical disability, is a common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ON and identify possible risk factors in Chinese SLE patients.

METHODS

SLE patients who fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria were recruited from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The chi-square test (χ² test) and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate risk factors. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to construct the survival curves and estimate the simultaneous effects of prognostic factors on survival.

RESULTS

We consecutively enrolled 1,158 patients, of which 88 patients (7.6%) developed ON. Among ON patients, 57.1% of patients had isolated femoral head necrosis and 42.9% had multiple joint involvement. The mean age of ON patients (24.62 ± 8.89 years) was significantly younger than SLE patients without ON (27.23 ± 10.16 years, p = 0.09). The ON group presented with a much longer disease course (10.68 ± 5.97 years, p < 0.001) and increased incidence of arthritis, kidney, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement (65.9% [p < 0.05], 57.6% [p < 0.05], and 16.5% [p < 0.05], respectively, in the ON group). ON patients were more likely to be treated with glucocorticoid (GC) and to receive a high dose of prednisolone at the initial stage of SLE (p < 0.05). The percentage of patients who received hydroxychloroquine was much higher in the control group (p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis suggested that CNS involvement and GC therapy were two independent risk factors for ON in SLE patients. The presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPLs) was a risk factor for multiple joint necrosis (odds ratio: 6.28, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

ON remains a serious and irreversible complication in SLE. In addition to glucocorticoid therapy, we found that CNS system involvement was a risk factor for ON, while the administration of hydroxychloroquine was a protective factor. The clinical characteristics of multiple site ON patients were distinct from isolated femoral head necrosis patients. The presence of aPLs was a risk factor for multiple site osteonecrosis.

POS0754 DEVELOPMENT OF A RISK PREDICTION MODEL FOR VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: THE SLE-VTE SCORE

Background:

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a substantially increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). An individual VTE risk assessment is important to ensure that all patients are assessed and given adequate thromboprophylaxis.

Objectives:

We conducted this study to develop a risk score for VTE in patients with SLE.

Methods:

Patients with SLE who participated in the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group were enrolled in this study. Patient baseline information and clinical laboratory indicators were obtained, and VTE events were recorded every 3-6 months during follow-up visits. The risk prediction model was created and internally validated using the bootstrap methods, and a scoring system was established (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Flow chart of study design.

Results:

Out of 4,502 patients included in this study, 135 had a VTE event. After univariate analysis and Lasso regression, the following 11 variables were identified and included in the risk prediction model: male sex, age, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, hyperlipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, hsCRP>3 mg/L, renal involvement, nervous system involvement, anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody positivity, lupus anticoagulant positivity, and no use of hydroxychloroquine. The AUC for the SLE-VTE score (Table 1) was 0.947 (95% CI, 0.9249-0.9694). The SLE-VTE score’s sensitivity and specificity with the optimal cutoff value of 13 were 0.919 and 0.881, respectively. The SLE-VTE score was superior to the GAPSS system in predicting the risk of VTE in patients with SLE (AUC= 0.947 vs. 0.680, P< 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI)= 0.6652, P< 0.001; net reclassification improvement (NRI)= 0.6652, P< 0.001).

Table 1.

Final multivariable analysis for venous thromboembolism risk in patients with SLE

β coefficientsOdds ratio* (95% CI)P-valuePoints in scoring systemMale0.6211.86(0.953-3.503)0.0612Age at study entry(≥50)0.8372.308(1.339-3.915)0.0023BMI02(kg/m20.7922.209(1.333-3.627)0.0023Hyperlipemia0.8382.313(1.246-4.166)0.0063Hypoalbuminemia2.1638.697(5.185-14.794)< 0.0017hsCRP>3 mg/L1.4524.272(2.618-6.968)< 0.0015Anti β2GPI1.0132.754(1.543-4.853)0.0013LA1.5594.752(2.799-8.072)< 0.0015Nervous system2.38210.832(6.163-18.998)< 0.0018Lupus nephritis0.8352.305(1.414-3.756)0.0013No use of hydroxychloroquine1.7715.876(3.722-9.401)< 0.0016

BMI: body mass index; hsCRP: Hypersensitive c-reactive protein; ACL: anticardiolipin, antiβ2GPI: anti-β2-glycoprotein I, LA: lupus anticoagulantm;

Values in bold are statistically significant at p <0.05.

Conclusion:

Various factors are related to the occurrence of VTE in patients with SLE. The proposed SLE-VTE risk score can accurately predict the risk of VTE and help identify SLE patients with a high risk of VTE who may benefit from thromboprophylaxis.

References:

[1]Ramirez GA, Efthymiou M, Isenberg DA, Cohen H. Under crossfire: thromboembolic risk in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology. 2018;58:940-952.

[2]Chung WS, Lin CL, Chang SN, Lu CC, Kao CH. Systemic lupus erythematosus increases the risks of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a nationwide cohort study. J Thromb Haemost. 2014;12:452-458.

[3]Liew NC, Alemany GV, Angchaisuksiri P, et al. Asian venous thromboembolism guidelines: updated recommendations for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Int Angiol. 2017;36:1.

[4]Savino S, Giovanni S, Veronica M, Dario R, Khamashta MA, Laura BM. GAPSS: the Global Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome Score. Rheumatology. 2013:8.

[5]Konstantinides SV, Meyer G, Becattini C, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS). Eur Heart J. 2020;41:543-603.

[6]Moghadamyeghaneh Z, Hanna MH, Carmichael JC, Nguyen NT, Stamos MJ. A Nationwide Analysis of Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Colon and Rectal Surgery. J Gastrointest Surg. 2014;18:2169-2177.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

[A 2020 update on the progress of treatment and new drug clinical trials for hepatitis B]

Long term antiviral therapy with nucleos(ti)ide analogues could suppress HBV viral load thereby prevent the progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon-based therapy could result in sustained virological response in a fair proportion of patients and even HBsAg loss in a small proportion of them. Novel therapies aiming at functional cure (loss of HBsAg) are under active development. Among the categories of many, HBV core protein inhibitors are safe and could suppress the HBV DNA and HBV RNA, but only with modest effect on the level of HBsAg; silencing of HBV mRNA by siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides could produce meaningful and sustainable declining in HBsAg levels; immune modulators with different mode of action showed modest effect on the reduction of HBsAg, but with noticeable adverse event (especially transaminase flares) related to the mode of action. Novel clinical trial design on the combination or sequential use of innovative molecules will ultimately lead to the functional cure of CHB in the near future.

Early Initiation of Anticoagulation Improves the Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated Portal Vein Thrombosis

Objectives: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare and severe clinical phenotype of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with a poor prognosis. Anticoagulation therapy is efficient but is associated with potentially severe bleeding episodes, especially for those patients with thrombocytopenia. We conducted this case-control study to explore the clinical features and associated factors of PVT in APS patients, the re-canalization rate of the PVT after anticoagulation and investigate the beneficial effects of early initiation of anticoagulation in patients with APS associated PVT. Methods: We enrolled patients with APS associated PVT as the case group, and age-, and entry-time-matched APS patients without PVT (1:2) as the control group. We explored the associated factors of PVT in APS patients using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The re-canalization rate of the PVT after anticoagulation was analyzed using the survival analysis. Results: A total of 34 patients (8 males and 26 females) with APS-PVT were enrolled, with a median follow-up time of 3 years (1.5, 7 years). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that thrombocytopenia (OR 6.4, 95%CI 1.561-26.218, P = 0.01), hypersensitive c-reactive protein >3 mg/L (OR 4.57, 95%CI 1.426-14.666, P = 0.011), anti β2GPI positive (OR 5, 95%CI 1.816-13.772, P = 0.002) and aPL double-positive (OR 4.08, 95%CI 1.312-12.429, P = 0.013) were independent associated factors for PVT in APS. Survival analysis revealed that effective anticoagulation could increase re-canalization rate significantly (log-rank p = 0.001), with better prognosis (lower mortality rate, log-rank p = 0.045). Conclusions: PVT could be the first presentation of APS with insidious onset and atypical clinical symptoms and easily be misdiagnosed. For patients with APS, double aPLs positive, thrombocytopenia, and inflammation could be the associated factors of PVT. Early diagnosis and anticoagulation treatment can bring thrombus re-canalization thereby significantly improving the prognosis.

Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group Registry (CSTAR) XIII: prevalence and risk factors for chronic scarring alopecia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

Scarring alopecia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients caused reduced life quality and prolonged disease course. This case-control study aims to survey the prevalence of scarring alopecia during the disease course of SLE and evaluate the risk factors for scarring alopecia in Chinese SLE patients.

Methods

SLE patients in Chinese SLE treatment and Research group (CSTAR) were recruited. Scarring alopecia was defined according to SLICC/ACR-DI which was collected during follow-up visits or via self-reported questionnaires. We collected demographic characteristics, common comorbidities, autoantibody profiles, disease activity status, major organ involvements, and treatment strategies of these patients at registry. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors for scarring alopecia.

Results

We recruited 4792 SLE patients, and 374 (7.80%) patients had scarring alopecia. Mucocutaneous lesions (OR 2.062, p < 0.001), high SLICC/ACR-DI (OR 1.409, p < 0.001), and positive anti-Sm (OR 1.374, p = 0.029) were risk factors for scarring alopecia, while renal (OR 0.714, p = 0.028) and cardio-respiratory involvements (OR 0.347, p = 0.044), and immunosuppressant treatment (OR 0.675, p < 0.001) were significantly negative associated with it.

Conclusions

The prevalence of scarring alopecia in SLE patients is 7.80%. Active treatment strategies should be adopted to prevent scarring alopecia occurring.

[Clinical considerations in the design of clinical trial for innovative hepatitis B drugs]

The research and development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) therapeutic drugs has been undergoing rapid development in recent years in order to achieve the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. The focus of early stage clinical trials (including the first human trial) is the selection of subjects, study design, dose selection, administration method, dose escalation, monitoring, observation and reporting procedures for adverse events/reactions (tolerability evaluation), and criteria for subjects to continue and discontinue administration. Therefore, quantitative pharmacology knowledge is required to analyze the relationship between in vivo drug exposure, efficacy and adverse reactions, and the inclusion of exploratory indicators such as HBV RNA, hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg), etc., to analyze the mechanism and target of innovative drugs and the efficacy of cccDNA in anti-hepatocytes. On the other hand, Phase II-III clinical trials prioritize the optimal dose, efficacy and safety indicators to verify the efficacy and safety of new drugs in a wider range of subjects. This paper refers to the relevant domestic and foreign literature, combined with the author's practical experience in early clinical research, and then briefly introduces the clinical issues that should be paid attention to in the design of clinical trials of CHB innovative drugs.

[Methodological considerations in the design of clinical trial for innovative hepatitis B drugs]

The research and development of innovative drugs targeting the clinical cure of chronic hepatitis B has become active in recent years. In the clinical trials of new drugs for hepatitis B, the use of new design concepts, new methods, and new technologies to evaluate the efficacy of innovative drugs is expected to shorten the clinical research process of candidate new drugs and reduce the cost of new drug development. However, the new designs such as seamless adaptive design and master plan design have few practical applications in clinical trials of innovative hepatitis B drugs. This article will focus on the methodological factors in the design of phase II/III clinical trials of innovative hepatitis B drugs, and introduce the key points of the new clinical trial design in order to provide methodological references for the development of innovative hepatitis B drugs.

[Systematic evaluation of clinical trial protocols of new drugs as a cure of chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To describe the current status of registration and design characteristics of clinical trials of new drugs for curing hepatitis B through domestic and foreign websites, so as to provide references for the follow-up clinical trials of new hepatitis B drugs. Methods: A search was conducted on the US Clinical Trials Database and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center. The search date was from the establishment of the database to May 26, 2020, and the registration trials of new drugs for curing hepatitis B at home and abroad were included. Two researchers independently searched and screened the literature and extracted the data. Results: A total of 106 registered clinical trials of new drugs for curing hepatitis B were included (94 English registration websites and 12 Chinese registration websites), and the number of registrations had increased year by year. Among them, the proportion of therapeutic vaccines and core protein inhibitors were the highest, accounting for 27.4% (n = 29) and 22.6% (n = 24), respectively. The vast majority of clinical trials (n = 96, 90.6%) were in the early stages (Phase I and II). The subjects in phase I clinical trial were mainly healthy people and treated CHB patients, while the subjects in phase II clinical trial were mainly CHB patients who had achieved viral suppression after initial or post-treatment. The main evaluation indicators of Phase I clinical trials were the safety and tolerability of new drugs. The main evaluation indicators in about half of Phase II clinical trials were HBsAg negative conversion/quantitative decline. Overall, the number of clinical trials with the new design was small, accounting for 3.8% (4 / 106). There were relatively few trials of new drugs for curing hepatitis B on domestic registration websites, and the information provided was incomplete. Conclusion: The number of clinical trials of new hepatitis B drugs at home and abroad is increasing year by year, but most of them are in phase I and II, with few adopting new designs. In addition, the information integrity of the domestic website registration center needs to be improved.

Knocking down PFL can improve myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by up-regulating heat shock protein-20

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and mechanism of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) PFL on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) in clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the random number table, 60 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Control group (n=20), I/R group (n=20), and I/R + PFL small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) group (n=20). The I/R model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and then recanalizing it. PFL siRNAs were injected intravenously into the tail vein of rats in I/R + PFL siRNA group to construct a PFL knockout model. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test was used to detect the infarction area of each group. Echocardiography was adopted to measure the ejection fraction [EF (%)] and fraction shortening [FS (%)] of rats in each group. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was applied to detect the morphological changes in myocardial cells in each group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was conducted to detect the apoptosis levels of myocardial cells and fibroblasts in heart tissues in each group. Meanwhile, the protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), and Bcl-2, were measured via Western blotting. Also, the expression level of heat shock protein 20 (HSP-20) in the heart of three groups of rats was examined using immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the effects of PFL siRNAs on the expression level of HSP-20 were detected via Western blotting.

RESULTS

PFL siRNAs could significantly improve I/R-induced cardiac insufficiency in rats, thus increasing EF (%) and FS (%) (p<0.05). Besides, PFL siRNAs could remarkably inhibit cardiac infarction caused by I/R injury and reduce the infarction area from (59.54±3.45)% to (24.85±1.30)% (p<0.05). H&E staining results manifested that, compared with those in I/R group, the cardiac myofilament was better in alignment, degradation and necrosis were milder, and cell edema was notably reduced in I/R + PFL siRNA group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that PFL siRNAs could remarkably reverse the decrease in the HSP-20 expression caused by I/R (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that PFL knockdown can significantly improve the myocardial injury caused by I/R and improve the cardiac function in rats. The mechanism may be related to the activation of HSP-20 by PFL siRNAs. Therefore, PFL is expected to become a new target for the treatment of MI.

Characteristics and risk factors of pulmonary embolism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case control study

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is life threatening but evidence assessing risk factors of PE in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is scarce. This study was conducted to explore the characteristics and risk factors of PE in SLE patients.

METHODS

Using the Hospital Information System of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, we conducted a case-control study in SLE patients complicated with PE from January 2012 to December 2018 as the case group, and age-, sex-, and entry-time-matched SLE patients without PE at the ratio of 1:3 as the control group. We explored the risk factors of PE in SLE patients using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 90 cases confirmed with PE from 6994 hospitalised SLE patients were identified and 257 matched controls were selected (in 13 cases only two controls could be found). The average annual incidence of PE from 2012 to 2018 among hospitalised SLE patients was 1.29% (95% CI: 1.15% to 1.42%), higher than that among all the hospitalised patients (0.347% and 95% CI: 0.34% to 0.354%). In the case group, the majority were female (74/90; 82.2%), with a mean duration of SLE before PE 3.04±2.16 years, and a high mortality rate of 8.9%. Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI >25 kg/m2 [OR 8.221 (3.125-21.622), p<0.001], duration of SLE course <1.5 years [OR 3.815 (1.824-7.97), p<0.001], hypoalbuminaemia [OR 2.8 (1.226-6.397), p=0.015], hsCRP>3 mg/L [OR 3.744 (1.693-8.276), p=0.001], aPL positive [OR 10.57 (4.389-25.46), p<0.001] and the highest dose of glucocorticoids >0.5 mg/kg/day [OR 15.752 (4.753-52.198), p<0.001] were significant independent risk factors of PE in SLE patients. The use of hydroxychloroquine [OR 0.262 (0.117-0.589), p=0.001] was a protective factor of PE in SLE patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides general population-based evidence that SLE patients have an increased risk of PE. Increased vigilance in preventing this serious, but preventable complication, especially within months after SLE diagnosis is recommended.

[Effect of chronic hepatitis B virus DNA negative transformation and HBsAg clearance on the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Achieving HBV DNA negative transformation and HBsAg clearance with effective antiviral therapy can reduce the incidence of HCC, but some patients are still at risk of developing HCC. Therefore, screening high-risk patients for close monitoring is essential to reduce the incidence of HCC. This paper reviews the occurrence of HCC, risk factors and risk prediction models of HBV DNA negative transformation and HBsAg clearance, and provides a basis for screening and follow-up management of high-risk group of HCC with chronic hepatitis B.

[Hemochromatosis International: therapeutic recommendations in HFE hemochromatosis for p.Cys282Tyr homozygous genotype]

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a kind of hereditary metabolic liver disorders. It is caused by mutations in genes related to hemochromatosis, which leads to over deposition of iron in the liver, pancreas, skin, hypophysis, gonad and other organs and tissues of the whole body and is manifested as cirrhosis, diabetes, skin pigmentation, and low libido. Physicians of our country have inadequate understanding and familiarity with this disorder. Both the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases have issued guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hemochromatosis, but these two guidelines are complicated and difficult for Chinese clinical physician to comprehend. In 2018, Hepatology International published therapeutic recommendations in HFE hemochromatosis for p.Cys282Tyr homozygous genotype developed by Hemochromatosis International, these recommendations were objective, simple, and practical. We believe the above-mentioned guideline is understandable and helpful for clinicians and patients without medical education background. Therefore, herein the recommendations are translated into Chinese language, with a view to being able to be clinical work guide for the majority of Chinese hepatologists.

[Reversal of cirrhotic decompensation: re-compensation]

Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease and as the disease progresses to decompensated stage cirrhosis, the mortality rate of patients' increases significantly. The goal of controlling the etiology or treatment in decompensated stage cirrhosis is to improve the liver function of patients, stabilize the disease condition or reverse decompensation, reduce the recurrence of decompensated events and reduce the mortality rate. However, presently, there are few studies on the reversal of cirrhotic decompensation/ re-compensation. Moreover, the effect of prophylactic treatment on re-compensation, evaluation indicators and duration of re-compensation, structure of hepatic lobules and whether microvessels can be reconstructed are unclear, so require further research.

[The correlation of ganglion cell layer thickness with visual field defect in non-functional pituitary adenoma with chiasm compression]

Objective: To investigate the consequences of the thickness of ganglion cell layer (GCL) and visual field defect of non-functional pituitary adenoma with chiasm compression. Methods: A case control study. The study included 40 (80 eyes) non-functional pituitary adenoma patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2015 to February 2017. Twenty patients (no visual field defect group, 40 eyes) of them were detected to be chiasm compressed or touched by the adenoma with no visual field defect detected, and the other 20 patients (visual field defect group, 40 eyes) were the sex-and-age matched pituitary adenoma patients with bitemporal heminopsia. This study also included 20 (control group, 40 eyes) sex-and-age matched healthy controls. The para-papillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in 6 quadrants including nasal, temporal, nasal superior, temporal superior, nasal inferior and temporal inferior as well as the macular GCL thickness and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in 4 quadrants including nasal superior, nasal inferior, temporal superior and temporal inferior were measured. The non-parametric test was used to compare the RNFL, GCL and GCIPL thickness among the three groups. Results: The mean age among the three groups was (46±10) years and the difference among the three groups was not significant (P=0.88). The sex ratio of the three groups was 9∶11 (male∶female) and the difference among the three groups was not significant. The mean axial length among the three groups was (23.22±0.90) mm and the difference among the three groups was not significant (P=0.51). The thickness of para-papillary RNFL of temporal superior, temporal, nasal superior, nasal, nasal inferior quadrants and whole circumference was significantly thinner in the visual field defect group than the control group [(129.88±28.64) μm, (63.63±26.84) μm, (88.08±32.16) μm, (50.68±19.99) μm, (92.48±25.06) μm, and (85.00±20.65) μm vs. (141.10±18.95) μm, (79.12±16.78) μm, (113.68±21.28) μm, (69.67±14.23) μm, (117.80±31.32) μm, and (102.80±9.68) μm, t=2.26, 3.06, 4.14, 4.84, 4.25, 4.88, all P<0.05]. In the nasal quadrant, the para-papillary RNFL of the no visual field defect group was significantly thinner compared with the control group [(61.45±9.83) μm vs. (69.67±14.23) μm, t=2.97, P<0.05]. The total GCL thickness was (30.48±5.42) μm in the visual field defect group, (31.35±2.77) μm in the no visual field defect group, thinner than that in the control group [(33.32±2.92) μm, t=2.92, 3.62; both P<0.05]. The total GCIPL thickness showed no significant difference among the three groups (P=0.07). In the superior and inferior temporal quadrants, the GCL and GCIPL thickness showed no significant difference among the three groups (all P>0.05). In the superior and inferior nasal quadrants, the GCL thickness was (29.41±5.97) μm, and (28.47±5.13) μm in the visual field defect group, (31.15±3.27) μm and (30.61±2.96) μm in the no visual field defect group, and (34.23±3.16) μm and (32.97±2.78) μm in the control group. The GCL thickness in the nasal quadrant was thinner in the visual field defect group (t=4.45, 4.82)and the no visual field defect group(t=4.23, 3.63) than in the control group (all P<0.01). However, no significant difference in GCL thickness was detected between the visual field defect group and the no visual field defect group (both P>0.05). In the superior and inferior nasal quadrants, the GCIPL thickness was (54.06±10.50) μm and (51.77±9.18) μm in the visual field defect group, (58.03±4.00) μm and (56.23±5.37) μm in the no visual field defect group, and (62.26±7.11) μm and (59.39±6.64) μm in the control group. The GCIPL thickness was thinner in the nasal quadrant in the visual field defect group than in the control group (t=3.95, 4.20, both P<0.01). Only in the Superior nasal quadrant, the GCIPL was significantly thinner in the no visual field defect group than the control group (t=3.25, P<0.01). Conclusion: The optic GCL may get thinner in pituitary nonfunctional adenoma with chiasm compression patients without the RNFL layer thinning and visual field defect. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 186-194).

[Qualitative pathological assessment of liver fibrosis regression after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To investigate the methods for qualitative pathological assessment of dynamic changes in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), since antiviral therapy can partially reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and semi-quantitative, rather than qualitative, pathological assessment is often used for the research on liver fibrosis regression. Methods: Previously untreated CHB patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were enrolled, and liver biopsy was performed before treatment and at 78 weeks after the antiviral therapy based on entecavir. The follow-up assessment was performed once every half a year. Based on the proportion of different types of fibrous septum, we put forward the new qualitative criteria called P-I-R classification (predominantly progressive, predominantly regressive, and indeterminate) for evaluating dynamic changes in liver fibrosis. This classification or Ishak fibrosis stage was used to evaluate the change in liver fibrosis after treatment and Ishak liver inflammation score was used to evaluate the change in liver inflammation after treatment. Results: A total of 112 CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy before and after treatment were enrolled, and among these patients, 71 with an Ishak stage of ≥3 and qualified results of live biopsy were included in the final analysis. Based on the P-I-R classification, 58% (41/71) were classified as predominantly progressive, 29% (21/71) were classified as indeterminate, and 13% (9/71) were classified as predominantly regressive; there were no significant differences between the three groups in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, HBeAg positive rate, HBV DNA, and liver stiffness (P < 0.05). After treatment, the proportion of predominantly progressive, indeterminate, or predominantly regressive patients changed to 11% (8/71), 11% (8/71), and 78% (55/71), respectively. Among the 35 patients who had no change in Ishak stage after treatment, 72% (25/35) were classified as predominantly regressive and had certain reductions in the Laennec score, percentage of collagen area, and liver stiffness. Conclusion: This new P-I-R classification can be used to assess the dynamic changes in liver fibrosis after antiviral therapy in CHB patients.