The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Lithuania (Vilnius). Two different studies were designed for SLE cases identification: registry-based SLE study and population-based SLE study. For the registry-based study patients were enrolled during the period of 1999-2004 and from two sources, including out-patient clinics of Vilnius and tertiary rheumatology center with interview during the year 2004. Only Vilnius residents who fulfilled the ACR 1982 revised criteria for the classification of SLE were counted in this study. Seventy-six living adult patients with SLE were interviewed and accounted for the prevalence of 16.2/100000 (0.016%) using the Vilnius adult population in January 2004 (a population of 470451). The population study of randomly selected 10,000 Vilnius inhabitants with beforehand validation of the survey was performed in the same year. The population-based study revealed two cases for 4017 respondents, but the low response rate may be important. Extrapolating the results to population of 10000 inhabitants, the point prevalence of SLE in the entire sample was at least 0.02%. Therefore, the prevalence of SLE in Lithuania is the lowest if compared to Northern European countries.
Nearly half of the patients reported being dependent on others and a quarter of patients were in definite need for that. The functional impairment is the most important risk factor, although identifying the group using joint stabilization measures routinely may be of practical value in order to define the risk group which may need the external help in future.
Introduction. CD8 h CD57 + T-cell subpopulation and its functionally different subsets play an important role in antitumour immunity. The relation of competitive subsets may influence the overall effect of CD8 h CD57 + T-cell mediated antitumour immunity and determine an individual response to antitumour immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of cytotoxic, immunomodulating and immunosuppressive subsets of the CD8 h CD57 + T-cell subpopulation in the peripheral blood of cancer patients and agematched healthy controls.Materials and methods. We studied the expression of biomarkers representing the cytotoxic (perforin), immunosuppressive (FOXP3, NKG2A) and immunomodulating (IFNγ) properties of CD8 + CD57 + T cells in the peripheral blood of 49 cancer patients: 30 with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (age median 58, range 43-81), 19 with high risk cutaneous melanoma (age median 68, range 45-86) and 26 controls (age median 55, range 41-81) by multicolour flow cytometry.Results. The percentage of immunosuppressive CD8 h CD57 + FOXP3 + T-cell subset in CD8 h CD57 + T-cell population varied. It was absent in 65% of controls, while only 23% and 26% of such patients were observed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and melanoma groups, respectively. Even 40% of RCC and 37% of melanoma patients had a high percentage of CD8 h CD57 + FOXP3 + T-cell subset, while in the control group we found no such subjects.The cytotoxic CD8 h CD57 + Perforin + T-cell subset was significantly increased in RCC patients, but showed no relevant rise in melanoma patients, whereas the immunomodulating CD8 h CD57 + IFNγ + subset was significantly increased in melanoma patients but showed no relevant rise in RCC patients when compared to controls.Conclusions. The amount of various functionally different subsets in CD8 h CD57 + T-cell subpopulation varies greatly among cancer patients. These differences may influence the overall CD8 h CD57 + T-cell mediated antitumour immune response and determine an individual response to antitumour immunotherapy.
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