Improved exercise performance and increased aerobic capacity after endurance training of patients with stable polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Introduction

This randomized, controlled study on patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis was based on three hypotheses: patients display impaired endurance due to reduced aerobic capacity and muscle weakness, endurance training improves their exercise performance by increasing the aerobic capacity, and endurance training has general beneficial effects on their health status.

Methods

In the first part of this study, we compared 23 patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis with 12 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. A subgroup of patients were randomized to perform a 12-week endurance training program (exercise group, n = 9) or to a non-exercising control group (n = 6). We measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) and the associated power output during a progressive cycling test. Endurance was assessed as the cycling time to exhaustion at 65% of VO₂ max. Lactate levels in the vastus lateralis muscle were measured with microdialysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring citrate synthase (CS) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD) activities in muscle biopsies. Clinical improvement was assessed according to the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) improvement criteria. All assessors were blinded to the type of intervention (that is, training or control).

Results

Exercise performance and aerobic capacity were lower in patients than in healthy controls, whereas lactate levels at exhaustion were similar. Patients in the exercise group increased their cycling time, aerobic capacity and CS and β-HAD activities, whereas lactate levels at exhaustion decreased. Six of nine patients in the exercise group met the IMACS improvement criteria. Patients in the control group did not show any consistent changes during the 12-week study.

Conclusions

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients have impaired endurance, which could be improved by 12 weeks of endurance training. The clinical improvement corresponds to increases in aerobic capacity and muscle mitochondrial enzyme activities. The results emphasize the importance of endurance exercise in addition to immunosuppressive treatment of patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01184625","term_id":"NCT01184625"}}NCT01184625     

Anti-MJ/NXP-2 autoantibody specificity in a cohort of adult Italian patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis

Introduction

Increased frequencies of hyperuricemia and gout have been associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, and recent clinical trials of parathyroid hormone (PTH) have reported hyperuricemic adverse events. We evaluated the potential population impact of PTH on serum uric acid (SUA) levels by using a nationally representative sample of United States adults.

Methods

By using data from 8,316 participants aged 18 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006, we examined the relation between serum PTH and SUA levels with weighted linear regression. Additionally, we examined the relation with hyperuricemia by using weighted logistic regression.

Results

SUA levels increased with increasing serum PTH concentration. After adjusting for age, sex, dietary factors, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and other potentially related biomarkers (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline-phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D), the SUA level differences from the bottom (referent) to top quintiles of serum PTH levels were 0, 8, 13, 14, and 19 ??M (95% CI, 12 to 26; P for trend, < 0.001). These estimates were larger among renally impaired individuals (multivariate SUA difference between the extreme quintiles of PTH, 26 versus 15 ??M among those with GFR ?? 60 versus < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m², respectively) (P for interaction = 0.004). The odds of hyperuricemia by various definitions increased with increasing PTH levels as well (multivariate P values for trend, < 0.05).

Conclusions

These nationally representative data indicate that serum PTH levels are independently associated with serum uric acid levels and the frequency of hyperuricemia at the population level.     

Anti-MJ/NXP-2 autoantibody specificity in a cohort of adult Italian patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis

Introduction

Autoantibodies in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) are associated with unique subsets, clinical course and outcome. Anti-MJ antibodies, which recognize the nuclear protein NXP-2/MORC3, are reported in ~25% of juvenile DM. Prevalence and clinical significance of anti-MJ antibodies in adult Italian PM/DM patients were studied.

Methods

Sera from 58 consecutive adult Italian PM/DM patients were analyzed by immunoprecipitation of ³⁵S-labeled K562 cells extract, ELISA (anti-MJ, Jo-1), Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence. Clinical associations were analyzed using information from medical charts.

Results

Anti-MJ antibodies were the most prevalent specificity (17%) found mainly in DM (30%, 8 cases) vs 8% of PM (2 cases, P = 0.02). Comparing 10 anti-MJ (+) vs 48 anti-MJ (-) cases, DM was more common (P = 0.03), and age at onset was younger in anti-MJ (+) (P = 0.0006). In anti-MJ (+), heliotrope rash (P = 0.01) and calcinosis (P = 0.09) were more frequent. None of them had heart or lung involvement, or malignancy. Myopathy in anti-MJ (+) patients responded well to therapy and none of them had elevated CPK at last visit (0% vs 25% in anti-MJ (-)). Only 60% of anti-MJ (+) showed immunofluorescent nuclear dots staining, despite PML localization of NXP-2/MORC3.

Conclusions

Anti-MJ antibodies are the most frequent specificity in our cohort of adult Italian PM/DM. Anti-MJ (+) were associated with young onset DM, calcinosis, no internal organ involvement and good response of myopathy to therapy. Anti-MJ reported in juvenile DM is also found in adult PM/DM, and could be a new useful biomarker.     

Predictors of survival in a cohort of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: effect of corticosteroids, methotrexate and azathioprine

Introduction  

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are rare diseases for which data regarding the natural history, response to therapies and factors affecting mortality are needed. We performed this study to examine the effects of treatment and clinical features on survival in polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients.     

Severe perturbations of the blood T cell repertoire in polymyositis, but not dermatomyositis patients.

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are diseases characterized by muscle weakness and muscle inflammatory infiltrates. Their pathogenesis remains unclear. A central role for endomysial autoaggressive CD8(+) T cells is suspected in polymyositis and for perivascular B cells in dermatomyositis. We compared the T cell repertoire of 10 polymyositis and 10 dermatomyositis patients by immunoscope, a method providing a global assessment of the T cell repertoire and a sensitive detection of clonal T cell expansions. Samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in the blood (unsorted cells and CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells) and in muscle infiltrates. Dramatic perturbations of the T cell repertoire were observed in the blood of polymyositis but not dermatomyositis patients (p < 0.0005), the latter being undistinguishable from controls. These perturbations were due to oligoclonal expansions of CD8(+) T cells and most blood clonal expansions were also found in muscle. These results indicate that the pathogenesis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis is different and reinforce the view that polymyositis but not dermatomyositis is an autoimmune CD8(+) T cell-mediated disease. Moreover, this method may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis and for noninvasive follow-up of polymyositis patients.     

Cancer risks of dermatomyositis and polymyositis: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

Introduction  

The association of idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) and malignancies has been reported, but rarely in Asian countries. Our aim was to investigate the risk of cancer among IIM patients without a prior history of malignancies, in Taiwan.     

Safety and possible effects of low-intensity resistance training associated with partial blood flow restriction in polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Introduction

Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low-intensity resistance training program combined with partial blow flow restriction (BFR training) in a cohort of patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).

Methods

In total, 13 patients with PM and DM completed a 12-week twice a week low-intensity (that is, 30% one-repetition-maximum (1RM)) resistance exercise training program combined with partial blood flow restriction (BFR). Assessments of muscle strength, physical function, quadriceps cross sectional (CSA) area, health-related quality of life, and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.

Results

The BFR training program was effective in increasing the maximal dynamic strength in both the leg-press (19.6%, P <0.001) and knee-extension exercises (25.2% P <0.001), as well as in the timed-stands (15.1%, P <0.001) and timed-up-and-go test (−4.5%, P =0.002). Quadriceps CSA was also significantly increased after the intervention (4.57%, P =0.01). Similarly, all of the components of the Short Form-36 Health Survey, the Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, and the patient- and physician reported Visual Analogue Scale were significantly improved after training (P <0.05). Importantly, no clinical evidence or any other self-reported adverse event were found. Laboratory parameters (creatine kinase and aldolase) were also unchanged (P >0.05) after the intervention.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that a 12-week supervised low-intensity resistance training program associated with partial blood flow restriction may be safe and effective in improving muscle strength and function as well as muscle mass and health-related quality of life in patients with PM and DM.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01501019","term_id":"NCT01501019"}}NCT01501019. Registered November 29, 2011.     

Serum level of soluble CX3CL1/fractalkine is elevated in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis, which is correlated with disease activity

Introduction

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are chronic inflammatory muscle diseases, in which chemokines are thought to contribute to inflammatory cell migration into muscle. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the expressions of CX3CL1/fractalkine and its corresponding receptor, CX3CR1, in muscle and lung with interstitial lung disease (ILD) of PM patients and DM patients, and determined the correlation between serum soluble CX3CL1 level and disease activity.

Methods

Expressions of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 in muscle and lung tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Serum CX3CL1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. For evaluation of patients' disease activity, serum creatinine kinase, manual muscle testing, and the alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference were used independently.

Results

CX3CL1 was expressed on infiltrated mononuclear cells and endothelial cells in muscle affected by PM and DM and in lung with ILD, whereas CX3CR1 was expressed on some CD4⁺ T cells, a majority of CD8⁺ T cells, and most macrophages in muscle, and on infiltrated mononuclear cells in the lung. Serum soluble CX3CL1 was significantly higher in PM patients and DM patients than in healthy controls. The CX3CL1 level was correlated with serum creatinine kinase and manual muscle testing score. In patients with PM and DM with ILD, serum CX3CL1 was also correlated with alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference. Furthermore, CX3CL1 was significantly decreased after conventional treatment.

Conclusions

The interaction between CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 might contribute to the inflammatory cell infiltration into affected muscle and lung with ILD in PM patients and DM patients. Serum CX3CL1 level could be a surrogate marker of disease activity.     

肝硬化合并肠杆菌科细菌感染患者临床特点及预后相关因素

目的 探讨肝硬化合并肠杆菌科细菌感染患者的病原菌分布、临床特点、病死率及其28 d预后相关影响因素.方法 回顾性分析2011年1月至2017年1月于浙江大学附属第一医院住院的276例肝硬化合并肠杆菌科细菌感染患者的临床资料,应用多元Logistic回归模型分析感染耐药肠杆菌科细菌的相关危险因素.根据感染28 d预后情况...     

Clinical features and hematological findings of COVID-19 patients with blood transfusion

This paper aims to illustrate the clinical characteristics, hematological findings, and blood transfusion information of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Twenty-three COVID-19 patients were treated and transfused with blood products in Wuhan First Hospital from February 12 to March 20, 2020. The patients were divided into a survivor group and a non-survivor group, respectively, according to whether the patient had been discharged or died. The results demonstrated at the time of initial blood transfusion, that the non-survivor group possessed a lower platelet (PLT) than that of the survivor group (P<0.001), and PLT were below the normal range in 6 (85.7%) non-survivor group and in 2 (12.5%) survivor group (P<0.01). Over half of these patients had abnormalities in fibrinogen (FIB), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR), but no significant difference was found between the non-survivor group and survivor group. The non-survivor group had a dramatically higher D-Dimers and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores than those of the survivor group (P<0.01). Six (85.7%) non-survivors but none of the survivors had a DIC score greater than 6 (P<0.001). Fifteen (93.8%) survivors and 2 (28.6%) non-survivors were transfused with RBC (P<0.01). The non-survivors (5/7) possessed a higher proportion for using AP than the survivors (2/16). The study suggests that COVID-19 patients who undergo blood transfusion usually possess coagulation dysfunction, and DIC may be closely related to deteriorating clinical outcomes.     

皮肌炎合并感染的特点与危险因素分析

目的探讨皮肌炎患者合并感染的特点及相关危险因素。方法回顾性分析107例患者的临床资料和感染情况,并填入自制表格,内容包括性别、年龄、住院时间、患者的感染率、感染部位、基础疾病、病原菌等,并采用流行病学方法进行统计分析。结果皮肌炎患者发生医院感染41例,感染率38.32%,感染部位以呼吸道居多,占41.46%,其次为皮肤粘膜感染,占24.39%,泌尿道占14.63%;检出病原菌38株,检出率为92.69%,其中,革兰阳性菌17株占44.74%,革兰阴性菌13株占34.21%,真菌5株占13.16%;通过对感染的相关因素进行分析,其中年龄、住院时间、低蛋白血症和侵入性操作等是导致皮肌炎患者发生感染的主要因素,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论皮肌炎患者感染的发生率高,应当针对相关因素采取合理措施,以有效预防其感染的发生,促进患者早日康复。     

Clinical features of ocular toxoplasmosis in Korean patients

We report here the records of 10 consecutive Korean patients (10 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis which showed the typical clinical manifestations with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies by micro-ELISA between 2006 and 2010. Nine patients were males and 1 was female; their age was 50.5 ± 13.8 years. The most common accompanying signs were vitritis (100%), anterior uveitis (70%), and scattered white deposit (80%). Pre-existing retinochoroidal scar was found in 1 (10%) patient. All patients received antiparasitic chemotherapy and systemic corticosteroid treatment, which resolved the presenting attack and recovered the visual acuity better than initial one in 9 patients and worse in 1. Optic atrophy, cataract, and retinal neovascularization were observed during the follow-up period and recurrence was detected in 3 eyes (30%) 6 to 20 months after the initial attack. In Korea, although rarely detected and reported, ocular toxoplasmosis needs more attention in clinical field of retinal diseases.     

52例HIV／AIDS患者口腔念珠菌病的临床表型及病原学鉴定

目的：口腔念珠菌病（ oral candidiasis,OC）是HIV／AIDS患者中最常见的口腔疾病,研究其临床表型及病原学特点对AIDS相关性口腔念珠菌病的诊断和临床用药有重要的指导意义。方法将70例确诊为HIV／AIDS且初步诊断为AIDS相关性口腔念珠菌病患者使用棉拭子在其病损区取材,接种至科玛嘉念珠菌显色培养基检验。结果 HIV／AIDS患者念珠菌感染的病例为52例,临床表型以假膜型和红斑型为主,其中假膜型最为常见（56％）。 HIV／AIDS患者口腔念珠菌病各致病病原菌以白念珠菌的检出率最高（60．32％）,热带念珠菌次之（19．05％）,光滑念珠菌为（12．70％）,克柔念珠菌（7．94％）。有9例HIV／AIDS伴口腔念珠菌病患者,检测出病原菌的混合感染,其中2例为3种病原菌感染。结论 HIV／AIDS患者口腔念珠菌病临床表型复杂且可以伴发,单纯通过临床表现鉴别诊断常不准确,且病原菌的准确分型可以指导临床用药,降低耐药菌的产生。     

肝肾移植术后患者隐球菌感染的临床特征分析

目的研究肝、肾移植术后患者隐球菌感染的临床特征。方法选取2010年1月到2015年7月来浙江大学医学院附属第一医院就诊的肝、肾移植术后并确诊为隐球菌感染的患者,对其临床特征进行回顾性分析。结果研究周期内有23例患者符合入组要求,其中肾移植术后21例、肝移植术后2例。对23例患者进行分析,发现单纯隐球菌肺炎6例(占26.0%)、单纯隐球菌性脑膜炎6例(占26.0%)、隐球菌性脑膜炎合并隐球菌肺炎8例(占34.7%)、隐球菌败血症2例(占8.6%),皮肤隐球菌感染1例(占4.3%)。所有隐球菌肺炎均经肺穿刺病理确诊,临床表现以发热,咳嗽咳痰,气急症状居多。胸部CT表现为结节、空洞、肿块、渗出等。所有隐球菌脑膜炎患者中9例经脑脊液培养出新生隐球菌、7例脑脊液墨汁染色见隐球菌,其中3例培养及涂片均为阳性。临床表现以头痛、发热、呕吐症状居多,1例并发癫痫,1例并发意识障碍。所有患者分别给予氟康唑、两性霉素B、氟胞嘧啶针、伏立康唑等抗真菌治疗,其中3例隐球菌脑膜炎患者予两性霉素B鞘内注射。经1~6个月治疗后,总体预后情况良好(好转22例,死亡1例)。结论肝、肾移植术后患者因免疫抑制剂的长期使用,隐球菌感染值得重视,其临床症状不典型,易误诊及漏诊,通过对其主要症状及影像学特点判断,结合肺穿刺活检、脑脊液检查、血培养等检查手段,可明显提高隐球菌感染的检出率,从而做到早诊断,早治疗,降低病死率。