Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with heterogeneous pathophysiologic mechanisms and diverse clinical manifestations. SLE is a frequent cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Multiple studies with controversial findings on the causes, evolution and outcomes of ICU-admitted patients with SLE have been published. The aim of this paper is to review the literature reporting the clinical characteristics and outcomes, such as mortality and associated factors, in such patients. Among the main causes of ICU admissions are SLE disease activity, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure and infections. The main factors associated with mortality are a high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score, the need for mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive and inotropic agent use. Reported mortality rates are 18.4%–78.5%. Therefore, it is important to evaluate SLE disease severity for optimizing clinical management and patient outcomes.

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous autoimmune disease, and in some conditions, admission to the intensive care unit (ICUs) is required. This study describes the clinical and prognostic factors in SLE patients admitted to the ICU. Methods We conducted a retrospective study that reviewed all clinical records of patients with SLE admitted to the ICU between 2011 and 2018. Results We evaluated 188 patients, with 279 ICU admissions. Most patients were female ( n = 159; 84.57%) with a median age of 35 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 25–48 years). Infection was the leading cause of admission in 77 (27.60%) cases, followed by lupus flare. The average length of hospitalization was 5 days (IQR 3–11 days), and the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000, Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were 9 (IQR 2–17), 14 (IQR 10–17), and 3 (IQR 2–5), respectively. Non-survivors presented with higher APACHE II and SOFA scores. Infection was the leading cause of mortality ( n = 38; 20.21%), and predictors of mortality included invasive mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medication requirement, higher SOFA scores, and antiphospholipid syndrome comorbidity. Conclusions We found that infection was the leading cause of ICU admissions and mortality in patients with SLE. Factors identified here as predictors of mortality should be accurately identified at admission for the prompt treatment of SLE patients.

Background/Objective Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its prognosis and factors associated with mortality are not completely clear, although invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), use of cyclophosphamide, a high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and infections are associated with high mortality rates. We investigated clinical and immunologic characteristics and factors associated with mortality in a cohort of Latin American patients with SLE who developed DAH. Methods A medical records review study was conducted of patients with SLE who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with DAH between 2011 and 2018. Clinical, laboratory, and treatment variables were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Results A total of 17 patients with SLE presented with DAH during the study period, of whom 11 (64.70%) were women. The median age was 28 (19–38.5) years. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) on admission to the ICU was 15.94 ± 10.07. All patients received pulse methylprednisolone and therapeutic plasma exchange, and 13 (76. %) also received cyclophosphamide. During the hospital stay, 5 patients (29.41%) died. A high SLEDAI on admission, low albumin, and days of IMV and inotropic/vasoactive support were statistically significant in comparing nonsurvivors with survivors. Other scales of disease severity commonly used in the ICU, however, were not significantly associated with a fatal outcome. Conclusions Hypoalbuminemia, longer duration of IMV or inotropic/vasoactive treatment, and a high SLEDAI are potential prognostic factors for mortality in patients with SLE and DAH admitted to the ICU.

Background/Objective Studies on the clinical characteristics, prognosis, and factors associated with mortality in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS), particularly those in the intensive care unit (ICU), are limited. The present study aimed to describe clinical and immunological variables associated with mortality in patients with SS admitted to ICU at a single center in Cali, Colombia. Methods An observational, medical records review study was performed between 2011 and 2019 by reviewing the clinical records of patients with SS admitted to ICU at a high-complexity center. Results Seventy-two patients were included with a total of 117 ICU admissions (17 cases required readmission and 1 case required 17 readmissions): 103 (86.32%) were attributable to medical issues, and 14 corresponded to surgical admissions. Major causes of ICU medical admission were infection (44/103) followed by organ involvement. Only 5 admissions were related to SS due to neurological involvement. The APACHE (Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation) score was 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 7–16), the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score was 2 (IQR, 0–14), and the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) score was 0 (IQR, 0–12) with higher values in the nonsurvivor group. Intensive care unit mortality was 12/72 (16.67%). Conclusions The main cause of ICU admission was infection. Patients with increased medical requirements, such as mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support, and with higher APACHE, SOFA, and ESSDAI scores were more susceptible to poor outcomes. Moreover, 50% of deaths were attributable to SS and 25% to infection.