Rebecca Vasquez

A multicentre, cross-sectional study on quality of life in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background  A study at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Medical Center demonstrated that quality of life in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is negatively impacted. Whether patients with CLE in other geographic locations have similar quality of life is unknown.

IgG and IgM Autoantibody Differences in Discoid and Systemic Lupus Patients

Systemic lupus (SLE) patients with discoid lupus (DLE) were reported to have milder disease. To test this observation, we employed sandwich arrays containing 98 autoantigens to compare autoantibody profiles of SLE subjects without DLE (DLE−SLE+) (N=9), SLE subjects with DLE (DLE+SLE+) (N=10), DLE subjects without SLE (DLE+SLE−) (N=11), and healthy controls (N=11). We validated differentially expressed autoantibodies using immunoassays in DLE−SLE+ (N=18), DLE+SLE+ (N=17), DLE+SLE− (N=23), and healthy subjects (N=22). Arrays showed 15 IgG autoantibodies (ten against nuclear antigens) and four IgM autoantibodies that were differentially expressed (q-value<0.05). DLE−SLE+ subjects had higher IgG autoantibodies against dsDNA, ssDNA, dsRNA, histone H2A and H2B, and SS-A (52 kDa) than all other groups including DLE+SLE+ subjects (p<0.05). Immunoassays measuring anti-dsDNA, -ssDNA, and -SS-A (52 kDa) IgG autoantibodies showed similar trends (p<0.05). Healthy and DLE+SLE−subjects expressed higher IgM autoantibodies against alpha beta crystallin, lipopolysaccharide, heat shock cognate 70, and desmoglein-3 than DLE+SLE+ and DLE−SLE+ subjects. IgG:IgM ratios of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens progressively rose from healthy to DLE−SLE+ subjects. In conclusion, lower IgG autoantibodies against nuclear antigens in DLE+SLE+ versus DLE−SLE+ subjects suggest that DLE indicates lower disease severity. Higher IgM autoantibodies against selected antigens in healthy and DLE+SLE−subjects may be non-pathogenic.

Morphea and other localized forms of scleroderma

Purpose of reviewMorphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a disorder of excessive collagen deposition leading to thickening of the dermis and/or subcutaneous tissues and may cause significant morbidity. This review will describe new developments in the evaluation and management of morphea as well as its pathophysiology. The reader will be able to apply these findings to patient management. Recent findingsThe recent development of validated outcome measures (i.e. the localized scleroderma cutaneous assessment tool) as well as consensus treatment recommendations provide a platform for collaboration among specialties to develop both standardized assessment tools and therapeutic trials. New studies have also begun to investigate the immunological underpinnings of morphea. SummaryThe promise of evidence-based treatments for morphea in the near future will provide better care for patients with morphea and understanding its pathophysiology will lay groundwork for the development of new treatments.

IgG, IgM, and IgA Antinuclear Antibodies in Discoid and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

IgG antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). To provide an expanded immunologic view of circulating ANAs in lupus patients, we compared the expressions of IgG, IgM, and IgA ANAs in DLE and SLE patients. In this cross-sectional study, sera from age-, gender-, and ethnic-matched SLE (N = 35), DLE (N = 23), and normal patients (N = 22) were tested for IgG, IgM, and IgA ANAs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) with monkey esophagus as substrate. ELISAs showed elevated levels of IgG ANA, IgM ANA, and IgG/IgM ANA ratios in SLE patients compared with DLE and normal patients. IgA ANA expression was higher in SLE and DLE patients versus normal patients. IIF studies showed higher percentages of patients positive for IgG, IgM, and IgA ANAs in the SLE group. Higher IgG/IgM ANA ratios in SLE than DLE show enhanced class-switching and a more sustained humoral response in SLE. They also suggest a potential connection of IgM ANAs with disease containment.

Clinical Features of Patients with Morphea and the Pansclerotic Subtype: A Cross-sectional Study from the Morphea in Adults and Children Cohort

Objective. Pansclerotic morphea is a poorly described form of morphea with little information on prevalence, demographics, and clinical features. Classification criteria for this subtype varies and the distinction from other forms of morphea, such as extensive generalized morphea and pansclerotic morphea, is not always clear. The purpose of our study was to clarify classification criteria for pansclerotic morphea by identifying its prevalence in the morphea in adults and children (MAC) cohort and describing its demographic and clinical features as compared with generalized morphea. Methods. Patients who met predefined criteria for generalized and pansclerotic morphea were identified using a modified Laxer and Zulian classification system. Baseline demographic and clinical features of the patients were compiled and then analyzed for traits characteristic of pansclerotic morphea versus those of generalized morphea. One hundred and thirteen patients met the criteria for inclusion: pansclerotic (n = 13) and generalized morphea type (n = 100). Results. Patients with pansclerotic morphea were more frequently male (46.2% vs 6%; p < 0.0001); had a shorter time to diagnosis (mean difference of 10.4 mos; 95% CI: 0.8–19.9 mos; p = 0.0332); higher rates of functional impairment (61.5% vs 16%; p = 0.0046); higher rates of deep involvement (61.5% vs 17%; p = 0.004); and higher average Rodnan Skin Score (mean difference of 10.8 points; 95% CI: 5–16.6; p = 0.0017), Localized Scleroderma Skin Damage Index (mean difference 28.3; 95% CI: 9–47.6; p = 0.009), and Physician Global Assessment of Disease Damage scores (mean difference 25.1; 95% CI: 0.3–50; p = 0.048). Conclusion. Our results suggest demographic and clinical features are sufficient to define the pansclerotic subtype as they represent a distinct clinical phenotype with a more rapidly progressive and severe course commonly accompanied by disability. Presence of features of the pansclerotic phenotype should alert practitioners to the possibility of significant morbidity and the need for early aggressive treatment.

A multi-center, cross-sectional study on quality of life in cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients

Background  A study at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Medical Center demonstrated that quality of life in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is negatively impacted. Whether patients with CLE in other geographic locations have similar quality of life is unknown.

How residency programs can foster practice for the underserved

can be understood and standardized. The use of RCM in melasma research centers worldwide may be restricted by cost, convenience, training, and time required to perform an adequate examination. These difficulties will hopefully improve as it is used more frequently. Amore objective scoring system should be developed to measure the reflectance from melanin seen in RCM images, perhaps with software improvements. RCM is a promising technology that may shed new light on the development, classification, and treatment of melasma as it is used more widely.

A multicentre, cross-sectional study on quality of life in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Multicentre, cross-sectional quality of life study of patients with CLE

Background  A study at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Medical Center demonstrated that quality of life in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is negatively impacted. Whether patients with CLE in other geographic locations have similar quality of life is unknown.