People who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are more likely to suffer from periodontitis than those without the disease, a new study says. The study, “Subgingival microbiota dysbiosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with periodontal status,” appeared in the journal Microbiome. Periodontitis, an infectious disease that affects tissues supporting the…
Canada’s Aurinia Pharmaceuticals says its experimental immunosuppressant drug voclosporin has shown promise in treating lupus nephritis (LN). Results of the recent AURION clinical trial also showed that certain biomarkers may help predict patients’ response to treatment with voclosporin. Robert Huizinga, Aurinia’s vice-president of clinical affairs, presented the findings at the 12th…
Researchers from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) have published a list of recommendations that women with lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can use to deal with health issues or do family planning. The article, “EULAR Recommendations For Women’s Health And The Management Of Family Planning, Assisted Reproduction, Pregnancy And…
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing $5 million a year for new lupus research under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, operated by the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in Ft. Detrick, Maryland. The U.S. Senate will now consider the legislation. If passed, it will become law, allowing…
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be more frail than people 20 years their senior, according to a new study that also associates frailty with poor physical and cognitive function, functional decline, hospitalization, post-surgery complications and mortality. The study, “Is Frailty A Relevant Concept In SLE?,” appeared in the journal Lupus…
Urinary levels of the protein albumin may help determine the amount of kidney damage in lupus nephritis patients who exhibit few symptoms, according to a study. The finding could help doctors decide which patients need a kidney biopsy. The study, “Urinary Albumin Levels Are Independently Associated With Renal Lesion…
Children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be prone to develop infections, especially bacterial pneumonia, according to a new study. Also, the risk of infection was higher among African American and Native American children, children with lupus nephritis and other health conditions, and those under corticosteroid treatment. The findings were…
A patient treated with Benlysta (belimumab), an FDA-approved treatment for active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), developed central nervous system nocardiosis, according to a recent case report. The report, “A Case Of Central Nervous System Nocardiosis In A Patient With Lupus Treated With Belimumab,” was published in the European…
Treatment with azathioprine, a drug commonly used in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), may considerably increase a person’s risk for serious bone marrow diseases known as myeloid neoplasms, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic. Researchers reported that people using azathioprine could be at seven times higher risk of…
The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections may increase over time among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but more studies are needed to assess the group’s risk, a new study says. The study, “Incidence Of Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Women,” was published in the…