Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent multifactorial health condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Population-based epidemiological studies have revealed an association between systemic autoimmune diseases and deep venous thrombosis (DVT)/VTE. The etiopathogenesis of increased risk of VTE in systemic autoimmune diseases is not entirely clear but multiple contributors have been explored, especially in the context of systemic inflammation and disordered thrombogenesis. Epidemiologic data on increased risk of VTE in patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) have accumulated in recent years and some of these studies suggest the increased risk while patients have active diseases. This could lead us to hypothesize that venous vascular inflammation has a role to play in this phenomenon, but this is unproven. The role of immunosuppressive agents in modulating the risk of VTE in patients with PSV is not yet clear except for Behçet's disease, where most of the studies are retrospective. Sensitizing physicians to this complication has implications for prevention and optimal management of patients with these complex diseases. This review will focus on the epidemiology and available evidence regarding pathogenesis, and will attempt to summarize the best available data regarding evaluation and treatment of these patients.

Objective This study was carried out to determine the characteristics of lupus cystitis and to compare those of Japanese cases with those of non-Japanese cases. We also report a novel therapy for lupus cystitis refractory to corticosteroid. Methods For the literature search, published reports on lupus cystitis were searched by MEDLINE and ICHUSHI WEB. The inclusion criterion was interstitial cystitis, fulfilling the SLE classification criteria of American College of Rheumatology in 1997 and with either hydronephrosis detected by image studies (either computed tomography or ultrasonography) or bladder histopathology consistent with lupus cystitis. Interstitial cystitis without the fulfillment of the classification criteria was excluded. Patient demographic data and clinical data were retrieved from the literature and analyzed. Results Including the present 2 cases, a total of 78 cases were identified as definitive cases of lupus cystitis (35 non-Japanese cases and 43 Japanese cases). Female patients accounted for 90.7%. The preceding gastrointestinal symptoms and subsequent urinary symptoms were the most frequent. Anti-double strand DNA antibody most often expressed in the 76.1% of the patients. Mean age and the prevalence of vomiting were significantly higher among Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese cases and the prevalence of CNS involvement was lower among Japanese patients (p=0.03, 0.04 and 0.001). We report a novel therapy (cetirizine hydrochloride) for lupus cystitis refractory to corticosteroid in one of the present cases. Conclusion Lupus enteritis, female gender, and positive anti-dsDNA antibody are risk factors for lupus cystitis. Japanese cases showed older age, a higher prevalence of vomiting and a lower prevalence of CNS involvement. We also report the efficacy of the novel use of cetirizine hydrochloride for lupus cystitis refractory to corticosteroid.

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ImportanceDifferences have been observed in the association of serum urate levels with consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages. However, previous studies have not standardized the unit of intake for ethanol content, and only limited types of alcoholic beverages have been evaluated.ObjectiveTo examine differences in the association of serum urate levels with various types of alcoholic beverages when their intakes are standardized for ethanol content.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data from participants aged 20 years or older who completed a medical checkup at St Luke’s International University in Japan between October 1, 2012, and October 31, 2021. Participant demographics, blood test results, and lifestyle questionnaire data were used as covariates. Analysis was performed in December 2021.ExposuresConsumption of alcoholic beverages, including beer, sake (rice wine), shochu (Japanese spirit), wine, and whiskey.Main Outcomes and MeasuresSerum urate levels were measured during the medical checkup. The beverage unit was standardized to 1 standard drink, which contained 20 g of ethanol. Multivariable linear regression including interaction terms of alcohol consumption and dominant alcoholic beverage was performed.ResultsThis study included 78 153 participants. Their mean (SD) age was 47.6 (12.8) years; 36 463 (46.7%) were men and 41 690 were women (53.3%). A total of 45 755 participants (58.5%) were regular alcohol drinkers. Consistent associations of serum urate levels with alcohol consumption were observed in the beer-dominant group, with β coefficients (for 1 standard drink per day) of 0.14 mg/dL (95% CI, 0.11-0.17 mg/dL; P < .001) for men and 0.23 mg/dL (95% CI, 0.20-0.26 mg/dL; P < .001) for women. A moderate increase in serum urate levels was observed in the wine-dominant group compared with a modest and nonsignificant increase in the sake-dominant group, with β coefficients (for 1 standard drink per day) for the latter group of 0.05 mg/dL (95% CI, −0.01 to 0.10; P = .10) for men and 0.04 mg/dL (95% CI, −0.05 to 0.14 mg/dL; P = .38) for women. Restricted cubic splines showed different patterns in associations of serum urate levels with ethanol intake by dominant alcoholic beverages.Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this study suggest that the extent of the association of serum urate levels with alcohol intake was different for alcoholic beverages even after ethanol content was standardized. Higher beer consumption among men and women was consistently associated with higher serum urate levels, whereas sake was not associated with changes in serum urate levels. Therefore, alcoholic beverage type, in addition to ethanol content, should be considered as a factor contributing to hyperuricemia.