Treatment of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus including Nephritis with Chlorambucil

Six female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) have been treated with chlorambucil. In five the decision was taken after failure by corticosteroids to control progressive renal disease in the face of unacceptable corticosteroid toxicity. After the introduction of chlorambucil renal function improved and all patients remain well six, six, five, three, and two-and-a-half years later, respectively. On renal biopsy five had focal proliferative glomerulonephritis. Repeat biopsy in two cases showed quantitative improvement. The sixth patient was treated with chlorambucil because of failure by corticosteroids to control peripheral vascular lesions and haemolysis and she remains well four years later. In four patients is it probable that amenorrhoea was related to chlorambucil treatment, but there were no other important side effects although one patient developed a degree of marrow depression during treatment. Chlorambucil may hold advantages over the immunosuppressive drugs normally recommended in this condition, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, as it appears less liable to cause important marrow suppression and, unlike cyclophosphamide is not associated with alopecia and haemorrhagic cystitis.     

系统性红斑狼疮病人的临床护理及出院指导

目的:探讨系统性红斑狼疮患者的护理经验。方法:回顾性分析45例系统性红斑狼疮患者临床及护理资料;在护理过程中采用心理护理、对症处理及出院指导等护理措施,强调加强心理护理和健康教育指导,根据不同年龄、不同性格、不同文化和社会背景,分别给予耐心解释和心理疏导。结果:改变了病人的心理状态和认知能力,使病人保持平和心态,树立坚持长期治疗,战胜疾病的信心。45例病人中除3例因经济问题放弃治疗,其余患者均达到临床缓解。经定期复查,70%的病人得到长期缓解。结论:本组病例采取的护理措施切实可行,行之有效。     

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus associated with Haemobartonella-like Organisms

SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe disease affecting thousands of human beings each year in the United States¹. Its aetiology is not known, although infections and autoimmune processes have been suggested. Immunological mechanisms have been associated with the pathogenesis of anaemia in certain haemotropic infections of domestic animals² caused by the haemobartonella group. This communication describes the possible association between a haemo-bartonella-like agent and SLE.     

Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Registry VI: Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Clinical Phenotype of Chinese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objectives

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical phenotype of patients registered in the Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment and Research (CSTAR) group registry database, the first online registry of Chinese patients with SLE.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study of Chinese SLE patients was conducted using the CSTAR. Our case-control analysis was performed on age- and gender-matched subjects to explore the potential effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical manifestation of SLE.

Results

Smokers comprised 8.9% (65/730) of patients, and the ratio of females/males was 19/46. Thirty-nine patients were current smokers, and 26 were ex-smokers. Data showed significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers in the following areas: nephropathy (58.5% vs. 39.2%; p = 0.003), microscopic hematuria (30.8% vs. 19.1%; p = 0.025), proteinuria (53.8% vs. 34.4%; p = 0.002), and SLE Disease Activity Index(DAI) scores (12.38±8.95 vs. 9.83±6.81; p = 0.028). After adjusting for age and gender, significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers were found with photosensitivity (35.9% vs. 18%; p = 0.006), nephropathy (59.4% vs. 39.8%; p = 0.011), and proteinuria (54.7% vs. 35.2%). Although smokers tended to have greater disease severity compared with nonsmokers (SLEDAI scores: 12.58±8.89 vs.10.5±7.09), the difference was not significant (p = 0.081).

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking triggers the development and exacerbation of SLE, especially with respect to renal involvement. Chinese smokers with SLE should be advised to discontinue cigarette use.