BackgroundIdentification of universal biomarkers to predict systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares is challenging due to the heterogeneity of the disease. Several biomarkers have been reported. However, the data of validated biomarkers to use as a predictor for lupus flares show variation. This study aimed to identify the biomarkers that are sensitive and specific to predict lupus flares.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-four SLE patients enrolled in this study and were prospectively followed up. The evaluation of disease activity achieved by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2K) and clinical SLEDAI (modified SLEDAI). Patients with active SLE were categorized into renal or non-renal flares. Serum cytokines were measured by multiplex bead-based flow cytometry. The correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed.ResultsLevels of IFN-α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 significantly increased in active SLE and correlated with clinical SLEDAI. Complement C3 showed a weakly negative relationship with IFN-α and IL-18. IL-18 showed the highest positive likelihood ratios for active SLE. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for active SLE at baseline while complement C3 and IL-18 increased OR for active SLE at 12 weeks. IL-18 and IL-6 yielded higher sensitivity and specificity than anti-dsDNA and C3 to predict active renal and active non-renal, respectively.ConclusionThe heterogeneity of SLE pathogenesis leads to different signaling mechanisms and mediates through several cytokines. The monitoring of cytokines increases the sensitivity and specificity to determine SLE disease activity. IL-18 predicts the risk of active renal SLE while IL-6 and IL-8 predict the risk of active non-renal. The sensitivity and specificity of these cytokines are higher than the anti-dsDNA or C3. We propose to use the serum level of IL-18, IL-6, and IL-8 to monitor SLE disease activity in clinical practice.

Background: To report on prevalence of gout flare in emergency departments and to report the quality of gout care in emergency departments and causes of admission at emergency departments. Methods: A retrospective chart review of visits that had a primary diagnosis in gout by the International Classification of Diseases, the tenth revision, at emergency departments from 6 universities in Thailand over a 5 year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. Results: Six hundred thirty-two visits were included to the study. Prevalence of gout flare in emergency departments was 0.04. Only 29.3% of the visits had arthrocentesis. 628/632 (99.4%) and 519/585 (88.7%) of the visits were prescribed medications in emergency departments and had home medications, respectively. Although all visits that were prescribed colchicine in emergency departments received adequate doses of colchicine, it was also found that more than 2.4 mg/day of colchicine was prescribed (3/394, 0.8%) for home medications. In addition, 183/343 (53.4%) of the visits with normal renal function were prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, prescribed NSAIDs in abnormal renal function (42/343, 12.2%) was also found. The interruption of dosing, including increase, decrease, addition or discontinuance of urate lowing therapy in a gout flare period was 42/632 (6.6%). The most common cause of admission was acute gouty arthritis (31/47, 66.0%). Conclusions: Quality of gout care in the emergency departments was not good. Inappropriate management of gout flare in emergency departments was demonstrated in our study, particularly with regard to investigations and pharmacological management. Gaps between clinicians and guidelines, the knowledge of clinicians, and overcrowding in emergency departments were hypothesized in the results.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease that has many extraarticular manifestations. Cardiovascular involvement, including coronary vasculitis and aortitis and skin lesion of erythema nodosum are uncommon findings of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and thus, it is challenging for diagnosis of this case from those unusual extra-articular presentation.

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic disease and exhibits symptoms in many organs and patients will be offered a variety of immunosuppressants, which may cause many side effects and worsen the quality of life. Objective: To study the quality of life in SLE patients receiving treatment in Ramathibodi Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all SLE patients were collected during February 2017 to February 2018, by using questionnaires to measure the quality of life. Results: Total of 510 SLE patients, 96.7% were female. The mean (SD) age was 40.9 (13.0) years, and the disease duration was 10.5 (8.2) years. Most of them got a bachelor’s degree or higher (54.1%). Universal coverage scheme was the most treatment welfare of the patients. Despite the disease limitation for pregnancy, 7.2% of the SLE patients had 3 children while only 17.0% had miscarriages while pregnant. The general quality of life (SF-36) was in a good level, and disease-specific quality of life (SLEQoL) was at a moderate level. The older patients and a longer disease duration were inversely related to quality of life including physical health, overall health. Conclusions: SLE patients who received the treatment at Ramathibodi Hospital had a relatively good quality of life. Factors related to quality of life were age and duration of the disease.