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Abstract Introduction Lupus nephritis (LN) treatment aims to control and prevent flares and irreversible kidney damage. Around 30% of patients are unresponsive to treatment; however, real-world LN treatment patterns have not been reported. Objectives of this retrospective cohort study (GSK 209758) were to quantify the time to switching/re-initiating induction therapy in patients with LN initiating immunosuppressant therapy and conversion from induction to maintenance immunosuppressant therapy, and to assess corticosteroid use. Methods Patients with LN initiating induction or maintenance immunosuppressant therapy were identified using claims data. Patients were followed up from the index date (immunosuppressant initiation date) until treatment discontinuation, death, disenrollment, administrative censoring, or the end of follow-up period. The cumulative incidence of switching/re-initiating induction therapy and conversion to maintenance therapy was estimated using outpatient pharmacy claims and procedure codes. Corticosteroid use was estimated using pharmacy claims; a mean daily dose of ≥ 7.5 mg/day was considered high. Results In total, 5000 patients with LN contributed 5516 treatment episodes (induction cohort, N = 372; maintenance cohort, N = 5144). In the induction cohort, the cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval) of switching between induction therapies was 24.6% (20.1–30.0) at 12 months, while 59.6% (52.4–66.1) of patients converted to maintenance therapy at 12 months. In the maintenance cohort, 21.2% (19.9–22.5) re-initiated induction therapy at 12 months. Oral corticosteroid use decreased during the follow-up in both cohorts, but 21.5% of patients remained on a high dose at 12 months in the induction cohort, while 15.8% in the maintenance cohort were taking a high dose at 24 months. Conclusions Around a quarter of patients with LN initiating immunosuppressant therapy switched within 12 months, while a fifth re-initiated induction therapy within 12 months. Use of high corticosteroid doses were observed during 24 months of follow-up. These data suggest that many patients do not respond to existing standard LN therapies.

**Background:** Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to irreversible organ damage (OD). Data describing the patient burden of OD, as compared with SLE without OD, are limited. **Objective:** To develop a comprehensive conceptual model describing the burden experienced by patients living with SLE-associated OD. **Methods:** There were three phases to this qualitative study. First, a targeted literature review was conducted to inform a draft conceptual model. Second, key opinion leaders (KOLs) were interviewed to assess the draft conceptual model and help shape patient interview materials. Third, patients of different demographic backgrounds from across the United States were interviewed individually to gather their perspectives on living with SLE-associated OD. Data from concept elicitation interviews with KOLs and patients were coded and analyzed using NVivo software to identify the key concepts of the overall patient burden of SLE-associated OD. Findings from the KOL and patient interviews were used to finalize the conceptual model. **Results:** KOLs highlighted that SLE-associated OD carried a higher rate of mortality than SLE alone. Participants with SLE-associated OD (n = 40) experienced detrimental impacts across 4 areas of their lives: physical, cognitive, psychosocial functioning, and economic and work-related well-being. Physical impacts were described by all participants, often affecting their ability to perform everyday tasks. Many also described deterioration of cognitive functioning. Almost all participants experienced emotional impacts and challenges to their relationships and social lives resulting from living with SLE-associated OD. Additionally, SLE-associated OD imposed an economic burden including increased healthcare costs. SLE-associated OD had a more severe and debilitating impact on all aspects of the patient’s quality of life than SLE prior to OD development, including further limitations in activities of daily living after the development of OD. **Discussion:** Study findings guided the development of a comprehensive conceptual model that fully represents the patient experience of living with SLE-associated OD, highlighting the additional burden of OD when compared with SLE alone. **Conclusions:** The conceptual model will inform improvements in disease management, which may result in better patient outcomes and aid development of clinical outcome assessments of disease burden.

Abstract Background Elevated B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) correlate positively with disease activity; BLyS expression is directly linked to interferon (IFN) pathway activation. This post hoc meta-analysis of BLISS-52 and BLISS-76 explored the relationship between baseline BLyS mRNA/protein levels and/or type 1 IFN-inducible gene signature (IFN-1) and responses to the BLyS-targeting monoclonal antibody belimumab in SLE. Methods In BLISS-52 and BLISS-76, patients with autoantibody-positive SLE and a SELENA-SLEDAI score ≥ 6 and receiving stable standard SLE therapy were randomised to intravenous belimumab 10 mg/kg or placebo, plus standard of care (SoC), for 52 or 76 weeks. For this post hoc meta-analysis, patients with an appropriate mRNA sample were stratified by BLyS mRNA expression (tertiles: high/medium/low; revised quantiles: high/low), IFN-1 mRNA expression (high/low) and BLyS protein level (high/low). Co-primary endpoints were correlation between baseline BLyS and IFN-1 mRNA levels and SLE Responder Index (SRI)4 response at week 52 within BLyS/IFN-1 subgroups. Secondary endpoints included time to first severe SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index (SFI) flare. Results Of 554 patients included in this analysis, 281 had received belimumab and 273 had received placebo. Baseline BLyS and IFN-1 mRNA levels were highly correlated (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient 0.7799; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7451, 0.8106; p

A síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolipídeo (SAF) é uma doença sistêmica autoimune caracterizada por trombose arterial e venosa, morbidade gestacional e presença de níveis séricos de anticorpos antifosfolipídeos elevados e persistentemente positivos. O tratamento da SAF ainda é sujeito a controvérsias, já que qualquer decisão terapêutica potencialmente irá confrontar-se com o risco de uma cobertura antitrombótica insuficiente ou com o risco excessivo associado à anticoagulação e seus principais efeitos adversos. Esta diretriz foi elaborada a partir de nove questões clínicas relevantes e relacionadas ao tratamento da SAF pela Comissão de Vasculopatias da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi criar uma diretriz que incluísse as questões mais relevantes e controversas no tratamento da SAF, com base na melhor evidência científica disponível. As questões foram estruturadas por meio do P.I.C.O. (paciente, intervenção ou indicador, comparação e outcome/desfecho), o que possibilitou a geração de estratégias de busca da evidência nas principais bases primárias de informação científica (MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs/Scielo, Cochrane Library, Premedline via OVID). Também realizou-se busca manual da evidência e de teses (BDTD e IBICT). A evidência recuperada foi selecionada a partir da avaliação crítica, utilizando instrumentos (escores) discriminatórios de acordo com a categoria da questão terapêutica (JADAD para ensaios clínicos randomizados e New Castle Ottawa Scale para estudos não randomizados). Após definir os estudos potenciais para sustento das recomendações, eles foram selecionados pela força da evidência e pelo grau de recomendação, segundo a classificação de Oxford.

OBJETIVO: avaliar o impacto da nefrite lúpica e suas complicações nos resultados gestacionais. MÉTODOS: avaliamos retrospectivamente 76 gestações em 63 pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). RESULTADOS: a hipertensão arterial estava presente como complicação clínica em 23 (30%) gestações. Vinte e sete (36%) gestações ocorreram em 19 pacientes com nefrite. Encontramos um número significativamente mais elevado de óbitos fetais quando avaliamos todas as pacientes com nefrite em comparação com aquelas sem nefrite (37% e 12,2%, respectivamente [p=0,019]). CONCLUSÕES: além da atividade de nefrite e do diagnóstico de nefrite propriamente dito, tiveram relação com pior sobrevida fetal a associação da síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolipídeo ou detecção de um dos anticorpos relacionados, a presença HAS e insuficiência renal (mesmo em suas fases iniciais).OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis and its complications on the gestational results. METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively 76 pregnancies in 63 SLE patients. RESULTS: Arterial hypertension was detected as a clinical complication in 23 (30%) pregnancies. Twenty-seven (36%) pregnancies occurred in 19 patients with lupus nephritis. We found a significantly increased number of fetal deaths when patients with nephritis were compared with those without nephritis (37% and 12.2% respectively, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to active nephritis and its diagnosis, there was a worse fetal survival rate when there was an association with antiphospholipid syndrome or one of the antibodies related to it, the presence of arterial hypertension and renal failure (even in early stages).

A prescrição de drogas anti-reumáticas em pacientes férteis deve ter em conta o conhecimento atual sobre os efeitos na concepção, gestação e lactação. Um aconselhamento que levasse em consideração os riscos e benefícios do planejamento da gravidez, quando possível, seria o ideal. Com a incorporação de novas substâncias e o aparecimento constante de novos dados na literatura, esse assunto deve ser continuamente atualizado. O estagiamento de acordo com o fator de risco estabelecido pelo FDA é algumas vezes contraditório em relação a nossa prática, em parte porque os estudos em modelos animais podem não ser diretamente aplicáveis a humanos. A terapia com agentes modificadores da resposta biológica é aparentemente segura durante a gestação, considerando-se que tais agentes sejam compostos por moléculas grandes, incapazes de atravessar a placenta. Antiinflamatórios não-esteroidais (incluindo os inibidores específicos de COX-2) podem prejudicar a implantação do óvulo, mas o seu uso é possível no caso da gestação estar em curso, devendo ser evitados após 32 semanas do início da gravidez, quando estão relacionados com complicações fetais. Os inibidores específicos de COX-2 devem ser evitados pelo risco de malformação renal. Aspirina em baixa dose pode ser usada seguramente, quando indicada durante a gravidez. Há preferência pelas heparinas de baixo peso molecular, desde que a não fracionada apresente maior risco de induzir trombocitopenia e sangramento. A hidroxicloroquina é usada e de fato recomendada em gestantes com lúpus, com benefícios para a paciente e sem risco fetal. Varfarina é teratogênica se usada da 6ª a 9ª semana de gestação, mas pode ser usada durante o segundo e terceiro trimestres até a 34ª semana, quando deve ser interrompida com o intuito de evitar sangramento fetal. A imunoglobulina endovenosa é recomendada em casos difíceis de síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolipídeo e vem sendo estudada na prevenção do bloqueio cardíaco total da síndrome do lúpus neonatal. O uso de prednisona e prednisolona é limitado a menor dose eficaz, não atinge a circulação fetal, mas pode induzir os efeitos colaterais maternos já conhecidos. Azatioprina e ciclosporina são utilizadas, quando indicadas formalmente, sem aparente risco fetal. Metotrexato e leflunomide devem ser evitados a qualquer custo e o tratamento interrompido três meses antes da tentativa de concepção. Todas as decisões terapêuticas em pacientes grávidas devem ser individualizadas e os riscos e benefícios considerados.The prescription of anti-rheumatic drugs in fertile patients should take into account the current knowledge about their effects on conception, pregnancy and lactation. Judicious advice and pregnancy planning is ideal when possible. With the incorporation of new substances and the constant appearance of recent data in the literature this subject has to be continuously updated. The FDA risk factor rating is sometimes contradictory to our practice, in part because results from animal studies may not be directly applicable to humans. Biologic response modifiers seem to be safely used during pregnancy, since they are large molecules that are not capable of crossing the placenta. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including specific COX-2 inhibitors may impair implantation of the ovum but can be used once pregnancy is under way, they should be avoided after 32 weeks, when there is a relationship with fetal complications. COX-2 inhibitors must be avoided due to its risk of renal mal-formation. Low-dose aspirin can be used safely during pregnancy. Low molecular weight heparins are preferred, since the unfractionated heparins have an increased risk of inducing thrombocytopenia and bleeding. Hydroxychloroquine is used and in fact recommended in lupus pregnancy with patients' benefits and no fetal risk. Warfarin is teratogenic if given between the 6th and 9th gestational weeks, but can be used during the second and third until 34 weeks, when it should be withdrawn in order to avoid the risk of neonatal bleeding. Intravenous immunoglobulin is recommended for difficult antiphospholipid cases and is being studied to prevent the congenital heart block of neonatal lupus. Prednisone and prednisolone use is limited to the least effective dose since they do not reach fetal circulation, but can induce maternal side effects. Azathioprine and cyclosporine are used when necessary with no apparent fetal harm. Methotrexate and leflunomide must be avoided by all means and the treatment stopped three months before conception. Every therapeutic decision for a pregnant patient has to be individualized and the risk and benefits considered.

A análise da presença de auto-anticorpos feita por imunofluorescência indireta em células HEp-2 constitui-se em um método de triagem escolhido na maioria dos laboratórios clínicos. A ausência de uma nomenclatura definida para a descrição dos laudos tem trazido problemas na utilização clínica do teste, pelas dificuldades no controle de qualidade e na padronização dos resultados, que, por sua vez, embora similares, recebiam denominações diferentes. O I Consenso Brasileiro para Padronização dos Laudos de FAN HEp-2 reuniu em agosto de 2000, em Goiânia, diversos especialistas de todo o Brasil. Esses emitiram pareceres em consenso para os distintos padrões: nucleares, nucleolares, citoplasmáticos e aparelho mitótico. Foram feitas recomendações sobre os critérios para a leitura de uma lâmina, bem como para relação entre a diluição de triagem e o sistema óptico utilizado.

Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high morbidity and mortality. Although cyclophosphamide is effective for severe and refractory cases, there is demand for new treatments. The biological treatment with B-cell depletion with rituximab (RTX) has demonstrated efficacy for this demand in open-label studies. Objective This study was conducted with the aim to retrospectively evaluate all patients who used RTX for the treatment of SSc in our center. Patients and methods We retrospectively evaluated medical records of all patients with SSc who used RTX to treat this disease from January 2009 to January 2015. Systemic, cutaneous, and pulmonary involvement data and laboratory results before and six months after the first infusion of RTX were collected. Results Ten patients received treatment during the study period and were included in this series. All patients had a diffuse form of the disease. Five patients suffered from an early (duration of disease shorter or equal to four years), rapidly progressive disease, and another five received RTX at late stages of the disease. In both groups of patients, stabilization of the pulmonary picture was observed, with a fall in the skin score in those patients with early forms of the disease. Discussion Similar to findings in previous studies, RTX was effective in treating early and rapidly progressive forms of SSc. We also found that patients with long-term illness may benefit from the treatment.

Introduction Evidence-based low-intensity psychological interventions such as Problem Management Plus (PM+) have the potential to expand treatment access for depression and anxiety, yet these interventions are not yet effectively implemented in rural, public health systems in resource-limited settings. In 2017, Partners In Health adapted PM+ for delivery by primary care nurses in rural Rwanda and began integrating PM+ into health centres in collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, using established implementation strategies for mental health integration into primary care (Mentoring and Enhanced Supervision at Health Centers for Mental Health (MESH MH)). A gap in the evidence regarding whether low-intensity psychological interventions can be successfully integrated into real-world primary care settings and improve outcomes for common mental disorders remains. In this study, we will rigorously evaluate the delivery of PM+ by primary care nurses, supported by MESH MH, as it is scaled across one rural district in Rwanda.Methods and analysis We will conduct a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study to test the clinical outcomes of routinely delivered PM+ and to describe the implementation of PM+ at health centres. To study the clinical effectiveness of PM+, we will use a pragmatic, randomised multiple baseline design to determine whether participants experience improvement in depression symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and functioning (measured by the WHO-Disability Assessment Scale Brief 2.0) after receiving PM+. We will employ quantitative and qualitative methods to describe and evaluate PM+ implementation outcomes using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework, using routinely collected programme data and semistructured interviews.Ethics and dissemination This evaluation was approved by the Rwanda National Ethics Committee (Protocol #196/RNEC/2019) and deemed exempt by the Harvard University Institutional Review Board. The results from this evaluation will be useful for health systems planners and policy-makers working to translate the evidence base for low-intensity psychological interventions into practice.

Abstract Chikungunya fever has become an important public health problem in countries where epidemics occur because half of the cases progress to chronic, persistent and debilitating arthritis. Literature data on specific therapies at the various phases of arthropathy caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection are limited, lacking quality randomized trials assessing the efficacies of different therapies. There are a few studies on the treatment of musculoskeletal manifestations of chikungunya fever, but these studies have important methodological limitations. The data currently available preclude conclusions favorable or contrary to specific therapies, or an adequate comparison between the different drugs used. The objective of this study was to develop recommendations for the treatment of chikungunya fever in Brazil. A literature review was performed via evidence-based selection of articles in the databases Medline, SciELO, PubMed and Embase and conference proceedings abstracts, in addition to expert opinions to support decision-making in defining recommendations. The Delphi method was used to define the degrees of agreement in 2 face-to-face meetings and several online voting rounds. This study is part 2 of the Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia - SBR) for the Diagnosis and Treatment of chikungunya fever and specifically addresses treatment.

Abstract Chikungunya fever has become a relevant public health problem in countries where epidemics occur. Until 2013, only imported cases occurred in the Americas, but in October of that year, the first cases were reported in Saint Marin island in the Caribbean. The first autochthonous cases were confirmed in Brazil in September 2014; until epidemiological week 37 of 2016, 236,287 probable cases of infection with Chikungunya virus had been registered, 116,523 of which had serological confirmation. Environmental changes caused by humans, disorderly urban growth and an ever-increasing number of international travelers were described as the factors responsible for the emergence of large-scale epidemics. Clinically characterized by fever and joint pain in the acute stage, approximately half of patients progress to the chronic stage (beyond 3 months), which is accompanied by persistent and disabling pain. The aim of the present study was to formulate recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Chikungunya fever in Brazil. A literature review was performed in the MEDLINE, SciELO and PubMed databases to ground the decisions for recommendations. The degree of concordance among experts was established through the Delphi method, involving 2 in-person meetings and several online voting rounds. In total, 25 recommendations were formulated and divided into 3 thematic groups: (1) clinical, laboratory and imaging diagnosis; (2) special situations; and (3) treatment. The first 2 themes are presented in part 1, and treatment is presented in part 2.