Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Sex Differences in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus; ePub 2016 Feb 25; Muñoz-Grajales, et al

Publish date:: March 7, 2016

In patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), male gender is associated with higher disease activity despite the fact that male and female patients seem to experience similar overall disease manifestations. This according to a study of 40 male patients with SLE and 120 matched female patients with SLE. Researchers found:

• Alopecia and anti-Ro antibodies were more frequent in female patients.

• No statistically significant difference in any other disease characteristics was seen.

• Male sex was associated with a risk of severe disease activity at the time of diagnosis, independent of age, racial/ethnic group, anti-Ro positivity, or time to criteria accrual (OR=3.11).

Citation: Muñoz-Grajales C, Gonzáles LA, Alarcón GS, Acosta-Reyes J. Gender differences in disease activity and clinical features in newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patients. [Published online ahead of print February 25, 2016]. Lupus. doi:10.1177/0961203316635286.

This Week's Must Reads

Osteoporosis prevalence in PsA similar to general population,

Swedish registry study finds atopic dermatitis significantly associated with autoimmune diseases,

Weight loss may be paramount lifestyle change in preventing gout,

Gut microbiome influences response to methotrexate in new-onset RA patients,

Early treatment of RA with DMARDs promotes sustained remission,

Must Reads in Lupus & Connective Tissue Diseases

High-need, high-cost lupus patients described for first time,

Slow taper off antimalarial is best to avoid lupus flare during remission,

Sjögren’s symptom clusters may identify treatment options,

Transcutaneous VNS on the ear shows positive effects in lupus pilot trial,

ASSET extension supports abatacept as treatment for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis,