Rates of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are affected by the racial and ethnic background of patients, a U.S. study reports, which may help to better identify people most at risk and aid in prevention. Specifically, the study found that black SLE…

Biologic treatments for lupus and other autoimmune diseases are safe for women who are pregnant, and do not have a significant effect on births, a study finds. The study, published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, is titled “Risk of preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age births in women…

Researchers identified a new player involved in the development of lupus nephritis, providing potentially new therapeutic intervention points. The protein, iRhom2, is part of a pathway that, until now, could not be blocked due to its role in other essential functions. But targeting iRhom2 retained its healthy functions while preventing kidney damage.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), a chronic disorder that has overlapping features of two or more systemic rheumatic disorders, is a relatively stable disease that is milder than systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, new research from Norway shows. However, most patients failed to achieve long-term remission. The study, “Disease evolution…

The higher the body mass index, the higher the level of fatigue a lupus patient is likely to experience, Illinois researchers report. They also linked obesity to fatigue levels. Another finding was that reducing fatigue through exercise did not lead to lower levels of adipokines, chemical messengers generated by fat tissue…

A retrospective study shows that 83.9 percent of patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and pulmonary arterial hypertension survive at least five years after diagnosis. Also, those with anti-U1-RNP antibodies tend to have better survival rates, the study shows. The research, “Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:…

Abnormal levels of microRNA in the blood of lupus nephritis patients could help doctors diagnose the kidney disorder and scientists develop therapies for it, a study reports. MicroRNA helps genes regulate the production of proteins and other substances. The study, “Profiling analysis of circulating microRNA in peripheral…

Certain vitamin D receptor (VDR) variants are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and contribute to the development of lupus nephritis, according to data from an eastern Indian cohort study. The findings may identify subjects who would benefit from vitamin D supplementation in order to alleviate renal morbidity. The study, “…

Factors that might be predictive of different responses and outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who are treated with Rituxan (rituximab) still need to be validated in future studies to enable better and more personalized treatment, a literature review suggests. The study, “Predictive and prognostic…

Results from a 24-week Phase 2b study show that atacicept treatment is safe and reduces disease activity and severe flare in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, particularly in those with high disease activity or serologically active disease. Results of the ADDRESS II trial (NCT01972568) were published in the study, “…