Role of ranulas in early diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Although the presentations of Sjögren’s syndrome(SS)are variable,ranging from mild dryness to wider systemic involvement,ranulas as early clinical signs were scarcely reported.Here,we present an adult patient with SS,who developed a unilateral simple ranula and was diagnosed primary SS 3 years later.We also provide a review of cases of SS and ranulas from 1980 to 2020.CASE SUMMARY A 22-year-old girl was found to have a left painless floor-of-mouth lesion 3 years ago,without obvious trauma or inducement.The diagnosis of a unilateral(left)simple ranula was made,and the ranula was surgically treated.Within 3 years after the ranula surgery,she developed acute lymphadenectasis in unilateral parotid twice without inducement,and ultrasonic examination revealed diffuse lesions in bilateral parotids and submandibular glands,which strongly suggested SS.Serologic tests and the unstimulated whole saliva flow rate confirmed the SS diagnosis.CONCLUSION Our study underlines that ranulas are early clinical signs of SS.As early diagnosis and early intervention of SS are important to obtain better outcomes,our findings underline the need for histopathological test after sublingual adenectomy and imaging detection of exocrine glands for the patients with ranulas.

Iguratimod in treatment of primary Sjögren’s syndrome concomitant with autoimmune hemolytic anemia:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren's syndrome(pSS)concomitant with autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA)but without eye and mouth dryness is exceedingly rare.Iguratimod(IGU)has been widely used in the treatment of pSS.However,there are few reports about the application of IGU in pSS concomitant with AIHA.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present the case of a patient with pSS concomitant with AIHA but without eye and mouth dryness.The patient was initially diagnosed with hyperplastic anemia and AIHA while pSS was missed,and was finally diagnosed with pSS concomitant with AIHA.The patient was treated with IGU along with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine,and her hemoglobin,reticulocytes and IgG returned to normal levels.CONCLUSION IGU was effective for and well tolerated by our patient with pSS concomitant with AIHA,and may be a promising therapy for the treatment of this disease.

Peripheral Neuropathies Revealing Gougerot-Sjögren’s Syndrome: Description of 3 Cases

Introduction: Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune epithelitis with various extraglandular signs, among which are neurological, with a variable frequency according to studies. We report three cases of peripheral neuropathy revealing Gougerot-Sjögren’s syndrome, collected in the Neurology Department of the Fann University Hospital in Dakar (Senegal). Observations: The first patient, aged 48 years, presented with a length-dependent sensitivomotor polyneuropathy associated with retrobulbar optic neuritis, with dry eyes and dry mouth noticed by the patient for several years. The second patient, aged 28 years, was admitted to the hospital with chronic generalized paresthesia in the context of xerostomia and xerophthalmia. The results of the clinical examination and the electroeneuromyogram were in favour of pure sensory neuronopathy. The third patient was 32 years old female, with a history of thyroidectomy and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), who was seen for acute ascending flaccid tetraplegia with facial diplegia, preceded by diffuse paresthesia. The diagnosis of recurrence of acute demyelinating polyradiculonueropathy was retained in view of the rapidly increasing character of the deficit, the hyperproteinorachy at the lumbar puncture, and the signs of demyelination at the ENMG. The diagnosis of Gougerot-Sjögren’s syndrome in our three patients was established on the basis of the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria. Indeed, the anti-SSA antibodies (Ro) were positive in our 3 patients with a biopsy of the salivary glands which showed stage 3 in the first patient and stage 4 in the two others. Corticosteroid therapy and immunosuppressive treatment resulted in a favourable clinical evolution on the neurological and general levels. Conclusion: Gougerot-Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune exocrinopathy that may present with peripheral neuropathy, which may precede the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, be concomitant or occur during the course of the disease.

Sjögren’s Syndrome Revealed by Obstructive Renal Failure: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is the most common connective tissue disease after rheumatoid arthritis and affects mostly women between 30 and 40 years of age with an estimated prevalence between 0.1% and 0.6%. This observation illustrates an incidental finding of a case of SS in a young female patient in a context of obstructive renal failure (ARF) due to uterine fibroids. Observation: This was a 31-year-old woman hospitalized for anuric AKI (Acute Kidney Injury) with a creatinine level of 1247 μmol/l. Her history included sickle cell disease A/C and an unoperated uterine fibroid diagnosed 3 years ago. Approximately 2 months before her admission, her symptomatology was made of dizziness, physical asthenia, vomiting, poly-arthralgia, morning rash, pollakiuria and oral dryness. Abdominal examination showed a painless transverse mass in the pelvis. Biological examination showed a CRP (C-reactive protein) level of 488 mg/l. The cytobacteriological examination of the urine was normal and the proteinuria was 1.35 g/24 hours. The CT scan showed kidneys measuring 110 mm on the right and 113 mm on the left associated with bilateral pyelo-caliceal dilatation on a large polymyomatous uterus of interstitial and submucosal type. Immunologically, the anti-nuclear factor, the rheumatoid factor and the anti-SSA antibodies were positive. The resumption of the interrogation within the framework of the research of the subjective dry syndrome to find a notion of intermittent xerophthalmia 4 months ago. The Schirmer test was positive in the left eye. The initial management consisted of a polymyomectomy after 3 sessions of hemodialysis. Background treatment combining prednisone 5 mg/day and methotrexate 20 mg/week was started in parallel with the use of artificial tears. The evolution after twelve (12) months of treatment was favorable with a complete disappearance of the signs dry syndrome and full recovery of renal function. Conclusion: SS can have an insidious evolution and remain stable for many years, hence its fortuitous discovery in this case of obstructive ARF on uterine fibroid. In this context we insist on the interest of the immunological assessment in a patient in period of genital activity with a significant proteinuria and non-specific extrarenal signs.

Role of JAK-STAT signaling pathway in pathogenesis and treatment of primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome(pSS)is a systemic autoimmune disease with high prevalence and possible poor prognosis.Though the pathogenesis of pSS has not been fully elucidated,B cell hyperactivity is considered as one of the fundamental abnormalities in pSS patients.It has long been identified that Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK-STAT)signaling pathway contributes to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Recently,increasing numbers of studies have provided evidence that JAK-STAT pathway also has an important role in the pathogenesis of pSS via direct or indirect activation of B cells.Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1(STAT1),STAT3,and STAT5 activated by various cytokines and ribonucleic acid contribute to pSS development,respectively or synergically.These results reveal the potential application of Janus kinase inhibitors for treatment of pSS,which may fundamentally improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with pSS.

SHED-derived exosomes ameliorate hyposalivation caused by Sjögren’s syndrome via Akt/GSK-3b/Slug-mediated ZO-1 expression

Background:Sjögren’s syndrome(SS)is an autoimmune disorder characterized by sicca syndrome and/or systemic manifestations.The treatment is still challenging.This study aimed to explore the therapeutic role and mechanism of exosomes obtained from the supernatant of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth(SHED-exos)in sialadenitis caused by SS.Methods:SHED-exos were administered to the submandibular glands(SMGs)of 14-week-old non-obese diabetic(NOD)mice,an animal model of the clinical phase of SS,by local injection or intraductal infusion.The saliva flow rate was measured after pilocarpine intraperitoneal injection in 21-week-old NOD mice.Protein expression was examined by western blot analysis.Exosomal microRNA(miRNAs)were identified by microarray analysis.Paracellular permeability was evaluated by transepithelial electrical resistance measurement.Results:SHED-exos were injected into the SMG of NOD mice and increased saliva secretion.The injected SHED-exos were taken up by glandular epithelial cells,and further increased paracellular permeability mediated by zonula occluden-1(ZO-1).A total of 180 exosomal miRNAs were identified from SHED-exos,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)pathway might play an important role.SHED-exos treatment down-regulated phospho-Akt(p-Akt)/Akt,phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3b(p-GSK-3b)/GSK-3b,and Slug expressions and up-regulated ZO-1 expression in SMGs and SMG-C6 cells.Both the increased ZO-1 expression and paracellular permeability induced by SHED-exos were abolished by insulin-like growth factor 1,a PI3K agonist.Slug bound to the ZO-1 promoter and suppressed its expression.For safer and more effective clinical application,SHED-exos were intraductally infused into the SMGs of NOD mice,and saliva secretion was increased and accompanied by decreased levels of p-Akt/Akt,p-GSK-3b/GSK-3b,and Slug and increased ZO-1 expression.Conclusion:Local application of SHED-exos in SMGs can ameliorate Sjögren syndrome-induced hyposalivation by increasing the paracellular permeability of glandular epithelial cells through Akt/GSK-3b/Slug pathway-mediated ZO-1 expression.

原发性干燥综合征合并血细胞减少中医诊治研究进展

原发性干燥综合征(pSS)是一种慢性炎症性自身免疫病,除累及外分泌腺之外,还可累及多器官、系统,其中以血液系统受累最为常见,多表现为一系或多系血细胞减少。目前对于pSS合并血细胞减少缺乏统一公认的治疗方案,西医治疗多以糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂为主,而中医药治疗本病具有较好疗效。通过总结pSS合并血细胞减少的中医诊治经验,并对相关研究进行综述后发现,现代医家认为pSS核心病机为气阴亏虚,久之则产生热、毒、瘀等多种病理产物,相互影响,导致全身气血津液失常,引起血细胞减少。本病病位多责之于肝、脾、肾,治以滋阴、益气、养血之法,辅以清热解毒、化瘀通络之法,并根据其合并血细胞减少类型的不同以及是否使用糖皮质激素用药各有侧重。中医药治疗本病较西药治疗能够更好地改善血细胞水平且不良事件发生率更低,具有一定优势。

化学发光法与免疫印迹法检测抗SSA和SSB抗体的临床对比研究

目的比较化学发光法(CLIA)与免疫印迹法(LIA)针对抗SSA和SSB抗体的临床检测性能。方法应用CLIA和LIA对255例系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)、34例干燥综合征(SjS)、40例类风湿关节炎(RA)、25例系统性硬化症(SSc)及60例体检对照(HI)样本开展抗SSA和SSB抗体平行检测。比较两种方法抗SSA和SSB抗体的检测性能和符合率。并对两种方法检测结果的差异样本,采用第三种检测方法(ELISA)进行对比复测。结果两种方法检测抗SSA抗体时,总符合率为96.3%(Kappa=0.92,P<0.01)。而在抗SSB抗体则为95.8%(Kappa=0.85,P<0.01)。两种方法的差异样本(包括抗SSA和SSB抗体)合计33例,其中21例样本ELISA复测结果与CLIA检测结果相符合。结论 CLIA与LIA在检测抗SSA和SSB抗体时具有良好的符合率和一致性。由于具备全自动、定量检测和随机上样等显著特点,因此CLIA更适合临床抗SSA和SSB抗体检测。

Olfactory ecto-mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes ameliorate murine Sjögren’s syndrome by modulating the function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Sjögren’s syndrome(SS)is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive inflammation and tissue damage in salivary glands and lacrimal glands.Our previous studies showed that myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)exhibited impaired immunosuppressive function during disease progression in patients with SS and mice with experimental Sjögren’s syndrome(ESS),but it remains unclear whether restoring the function of MDSCs can effectively ameliorate the development of ESS.In this study,we found that murine olfactory ecto-mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(OE-MSC-Exos)significantly enhanced the suppressive function of MDSCs by upregulating arginase expression and increasing ROS and NO levels.Moreover,treatment with OE-MSC-Exos via intravenous injection markedly attenuated disease progression and restored MDSC function in ESS mice.Mechanistically,OE-MSC-Exo-secreted IL-6 activated the Jak2/Stat3 pathway in MDSCs.In addition,the abundant S100A4 in OE-MSC-Exos acted as a key factor in mediating the endogenous production of IL-6 by MDSCs via TLR4 signaling,indicating an autocrine pathway of MDSC functional modulation by IL-6.Taken together,our results demonstrated that OE-MSC-Exos possess therapeutic potential to attenuate ESS progression by enhancing the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs,possibly constituting a new strategy for the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome and other autoimmune diseases.

IL-10-producing regulatory B cells restrain the T follicular helper cell response in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Increased numbers of T follicular helper(Tfh)cells have been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases including primary Sjögren’s syndrome(pSS),but how the Tfh cell response is regulated during autoimmune pathogenesis remains largely unclear.Here,we first found negative correlations between IL-10^(+)regulatory B(Breg)cell numbers and Tfh cell responses and disease activity in patients with pSS and mice with experimental Sjögren’s syndrome(ESS).Moreover,we detected high expression of IL-10 receptor on Tfh cells and their precursors in both humans and mice.In culture,IL-10 suppressed human and murine Tfh cell differentiation by promoting STAT5 phosphorylation.By using an adoptive transfer approach and two-photon live imaging,we found significantly increased numbers of Tfh cells with enhanced T cell homing into B cell follicles in the draining cervical lymph nodes of RAG-2−/−mice transferred with IL-10-deficient B cells during ESS development compared with those of RAG-2−/−mice transferred with wild-type B cells.In ESS mice,CD19^(+)CD1d^(hi)CD5^(+)Breg cells with decreased IL-10 production exhibited severely impaired suppressive effects on T cell proliferation.Consistently,CD19^(+)CD24^(+)CD38^(hi) Breg cells from pSS patients showed significantly reduced IL-10 production with defective inhibitory function in the suppression of autologous Tfh cell expansion.Furthermore,the adoptive transfer of IL-10-producing Breg cells markedly suppressed the Tfh cell response and ameliorated ESS progression in ESS mice.Together,these findings demonstrate a critical role for IL-10-producing Breg cells in restraining the effector Tfh cell response during pSS development.

BST-2在pSS患者唇腺、外周血淋巴细胞中的表达及增殖作用

目的探讨原发性舍格伦综合征(pSS)患者唇腺及外周血B淋巴细胞中骨髓基质细胞抗原2(BST-2)的表达情况及其在pSS中的作用。方法将2017年9月至2018年3月在内蒙古自治区人民医院接受治疗的40例pSS患者作为pSS组;将同期体检的30例健康者作为对照组。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测纳入研究者的唇腺组织及外周血B淋巴细胞中BST-2的表达水平。免疫组织化学法检测唇腺组织内BST-2的表达情况,并分析BST-2对淋巴细胞增殖的影响。结果pSS组的外周血B淋巴细胞和唇腺组织中BST-2的表达水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05);pSS患者唇腺组织中浸润的局灶性淋巴细胞和少数周围导管上皮内BST-2表达量较高,而在对照组中仅在导管上皮细胞内存在散在性少量表达。连续切片的pSS患者唇腺组织染色显示,pSS患者的唇腺组织内CD19染色阳性细胞和BST-2阳性细胞基本一致。结论pSS患者唇腺组织和外周血B淋巴细胞BST-2水平明显增高;BST-2通过对腺体内B淋巴细胞的浸润及增殖,参与pSS的发病及进展。

Proteasome inhibition suppresses Th17 cell generation and ameliorates autoimmune development in experimental Sjögren’s syndrome

Immunoproteasome activation in immune cells is involved in the modulation of immune responses.Increasing evidence indicates that proteasome inhibitors show beneficial effects in treating autoimmune diseases,but it remains unclear whether proteasome inhibition is an effective approach for suppressing autoimmune development in Sjo?gren’s syndrome(SS).Our previous work has demonstrated a critical role for Th17 cells in the development of experimental SS(ESS)in mice.In this study,we detected high levels of low-molecular-weight protein 7(LMP7),a key subunit of the immunoproteasome,in Th17 cells from ESS mice.Moreover,treatment with bortezomib(BTZ),a proteasome inhibitor,markedly suppressed Th17 differentiation in both murine and human naive T cells in culture.Furthermore,ESS mice treated with BTZ displayed significantly higher saliva flow rates and a reduction in tissue destruction in the salivary glands compared with vehicle-treated ESS mice.Notably,BTZ-treated ESS mice showed markedly decreased Th17 cells,germinal center B cells and plasma cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs.In addition,adoptively transferred wild type naive CD4+T cells rapidly differentiated into Th17 cells and induced salivary dysfunction in IL-17-deficient mice immunized for ESS induction.However,BTZ treatment profoundly suppressed the donor T-cell-derived Th17 response and ameliorated the reduction in salivary secretion in IL-17-deficient recipient mice.Taken together,our findings demonstrate that proteasome inhibition can effectively ameliorate ESS by suppressing the Th17 response,which may contribute to the development of a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SS.

Primary thymic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with multiple thin walled lung cysts: case report and literature review

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue （MALT） lymphoma of the thymus is rare. We reported a case of a 37-year-old Chinese female with Sjtgren＇s syndrome and hyperglobulinemia. She suffered from chronic cough for 3 weeks. Chest computed tomography （CT） demonstrated a multiloculated cystic mass in mediastinum prevascular space and multiple lung cysts. Laboratory exam of autoimmune markers showed positive of antinuclear antibody （ANA）, Sjtgren＇s syndrome A （SSA）, Sjtgren＇s syndrome B （SSB）, and rheumatoid factors （RF）. Thymectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. The pathology report revealed thymic extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Under immunohistochemical stains, CD20 and Bcl-2 were positive. No evidence of recurrence of disease was found.

Traditional Chinese medicine compound ShengJinRunZaoYangXue granules for treatment of primary Sjogren＇s syndrome： a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Traditional Chinese medical treatment of primary Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome has advantages over Western medicine in terms of fewer side effects and improved patient conditions.This study was a multicenter,randomized,doubleblind,placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of ShengJinRunZaoYangXue granules for the treatment of primary Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome,including the symptoms of dry mouth and dry eye.Methods We undertook a 6-week,double-blind,randomized trial involving 240 patients with primary Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome at five centers in East China.A computer-generated randomization schedule assigned patients at a 2∶1 ratio to receive either ShengJinRunZaoYangXue granules or placebo once daily.Patients and investigators were blinded to treatment allocation.The primary endpoints were the salivary flow rate,Schirmer test results,and sugar test results.Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed.Results All 240 patients were randomly allocated to either the treatment group （n=160,ShengJinRunZaoYangXue granules） or placebo group （n=80） and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis.After program violation and loss to follow-up,a total of 199 patients were included in the per-protocol analysis.At six week,intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses of the left-eye Schirmer I test results showed an improved difference of 1.36 mm/5 min （95% CI：0.03 to 2.69 mm/5 min） and 1.35 mm/5 min （95% CI：0.04 to 2.73 mm/5 min）,respectively,and those of the right-eye Schirmer I test results showed an improved difference of 1.12 mm/5 min （95% CI：0.02 to 2.22 mm/5 min） and 1.12 mm/5 min （95% CI：-0.02 to 2.27 mm/5 min）,respectively.There was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment.After treatment,the between-group and within-group before-and-after paired comparison results were statistically significant （P 〈0.05）.Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed an improved salivary flow rate by 0.04 ml/15 min （95% CI：-0.49 to 0.58 ml/15 min） and 0.04 ml/15 min （95% CI：-0.52 to 0.60 ml/15 min）,respectively,but the differences were not significant.Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed that the sugar test results were improved by 1.77 minutes （95% CI：0.11 to 3.44 minutes） and 1.84 minutes （95% CI：0.12 to 3.55 minutes）,respectively,but the differences were not significant.For the secondary endpoint,intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed significant improvement in the integrated evaluation of treated patients with dry eye and dry mouth after six weeks of treatment.The incidence of adverse events was 15.6% in the treatment group and 10.0% in the placebo group.Most （94%） adverse events were mild to moderate in the two groups,and only two cases of serious adverse events occurred in the treatment group; both were caused by autoimmune liver disease.Conclusions Six-week treatment with ShengJinRunZaoYangXue granules for primary Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome in this large-scale study improved the symptoms of dry mouth,dry eyes,and low tear flow rate with minimal adverse events.

Application of immunosuppressant facilitates the therapy of optic neuritis combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome

Background Optic neuritis （ON） is often the first symptom of multiple sclerosis （MS） and neuromyelitis optica （NMO） while there has been very little research reported on ON combined with Sj（o）gren＇s syndrome （SS）.The aim of this study is to provide different treatments and services for and NMO patients combined with SS.Methods Twenty-seven patients with ON combined SS were divided into two groups：corticosteroid group （C group,methylprednisolone sodium succinate,14 patients） and corticosteroid＋ immunosuppressant group （C＋I group,leflunomide,13 patients）.ON relapse times in 1 year after treatment,number of patients who relapsed to NMO/MS in 1 years,visual acuity and retina nerve fiber layer （RNFL） thickness were measured.Mann Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used to compare continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher＇s exact test was to compare proportions.Results ON combined with SS patients had higher incidence rates in middle-aged women who have binocular damage and heavier visual function damage or when there is an easy relapse,and the patients are often hormone dependent.The patients are more likely anti-aquaporin-4 IgG seropositive （70.4％）.They are liable to form a centrocecal scotoma and tubular vision.The times of relapse decreased in patients who used immunosuppressant,and a significant difference was found between immunosuppressant and non-immunosuppressant groups in visual acuity recovery during 6-month followup period （P ＜0.05）; however,the RNFL thickness at the four quadrants was not significantly different.Conclusions The effect of immunosuppressant plus corticosteroid on the early onset of ON combined with SS was to provide ON remedy and to prevent recurrence in clinics.This study provides a significant reference for the prevention and treatment of ON on the basis of immunosuppressant and corticosteroid.

Concomitant extrahepatic autoimmune diseases do not compromise the long-term outcomes of primary biliary cholangitis

Background:Primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)patients often have concomitant extrahepatic autoimmune(EHA)diseases including Sjögren’s syndrome(SS),systemic sclerosis(SSc),rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and autoimmune thyroid disease.The present study aimed to describe the prevalence of EHA diseases in PBC and explore the impact of EHA diseases on the long-term outcomes of PBC in Chinese patients.Methods:Medical records of PBC patients diagnosed in our institute were retrospectively reviewed.Pa-tients were followed up by a standardized telephone interview.The endpoints were defined as liver-related death and/or liver transplantation.Results:Totally 247 of the 985(25.1%)PBC patients enrolled in the study had at least one concomi-tant EHA disease.Sjögren’s syndrome(n=140,14.2%)was the most frequent one,followed by rheuma-toid arthritis(RA)(n=56,5.7%)and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis(n=45,4.6%).Patients with EHA dis-eases were more common in females(P<0.001)and in those with a family history of autoimmune disease(P=0.017).Overall,no differences were found between PBC patients with and without EHA dis-eases in terms of biochemical response rates to ursodeoxycholic acid,the incidence of hepatic events,or transplant-free survival.RA and EHA≥2 were protective factors for hepatic events in univariate Cox analysis,but the results became insignificant in multivariate analysis.Conclusions:Concomitant EHA diseases were common in PBC patients but did not compromise the long-term outcomes of PBC.

Connective Tissue Diseases on the Elderly Population in Dakar Hospital Setting

Introduction: Immunosenescence contributes to the development of auto-antibodies. However, while the prevalence of some autoantibodies increases with age, the incidence of connective tissue diseases decreases with age. This study aims to determine the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of connective tissue diseases in the elderly population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, from March 2010 to March 2021, in the Internal Medicine Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, including all the medical records of patients followed up for connective tissue disease and whose symptomatology began at an age greater than or equal to 65 years. Epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were collected from a pre-established survey form and then processed using SPSS software. Results: Overall, 22 cases were collected out of 275 seen on consultation. They involved 16 women and 6 men, aged between 65 and 85 years with a median of 70 years. The mean duration of the clinical picture was 15.7 months with extremes of 1 and 96 months. The clinical symptoms were joint pain in 21 patients associated with dry eye and mouth syndrome in seven cases and one patient underwent isolated dry eye and mouth syndrome. Joint involvement was deforming in 13 patients. Poor general condition was noted in 20 patients. Biology showed anemia in 14 patients, hyperleukocytosis (2 patients) and thrombocytosis (5 patients). The sedimentation rate (SR) was accelerated in 9 patients and the C-reactive protein (CRP) was positive in 12 patients. Immunology showed a positive Latex test (3 patients/6), Waaler-Rose reaction (8 patients/13), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies (11 patients/11), anti-nuclear antibodies (2 patients/4). Anti-extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) antibody testing in 4 patients showed positive anti-U1RNP (1 case), anti-SSA and anti-SSB (1 case). Plain X-Rays of the hands, wrists and feet showed destructive lesions in 16 patients. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was set in 21 patients, one of which was associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and one with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. Treatment was based on prednisone (21 cases), methotrexate (17 patients), and hydroxychloroquine (9 patients). The evolution was remarkable in 10 patients. Conclusion: Autoimmune diseases in the elderly are uncommon compared to the young adult population. In our study, we only found cases of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. As the population ages, connective tissue diseases may be increasingly diagnosed.

原发性干燥综合征合并血液系统损害患者的中西医临床特征及危险因素分析

目的研究原发性干燥综合征(pSS)合并血液系统损害患者的中西医临床特征及危险因素。方法收集2019年11月至2022年6月安徽中医药大学第一附属医院风湿免疫科收治的pSS患者临床资料156例,依据是否合并白细胞、淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞减少,分为血液损害组(68例)和非血液损害组(88例),采用回顾性分析对纳入患者的一般资料、临床症状、并发疾病、实验室检查及中医证型、舌脉进行统计分析,并回归分析疾病危险因素。结果(1)156例pSS患者中68例pSS合并白细胞、中性粒细胞减少、淋巴细胞减少为血液损害组占43.6%,白细胞减少52例(76.5%),淋巴细胞减少26例(38.2%),中性粒细胞减少32例(47.1%),两系及两系以上减少31例(45.6%)。(2)血液损害组女性发病率更高;更易出现多关节疼痛及乏力症状(P<0.05)。(3)原发病和合并疾病统计发现脾大、甲状腺功能减退症的发病率更高(P<0.05)。(4)实验室检查表现为抗SSA抗体阳性率更高,肌酐、红细胞沉降率升高,白蛋白/球蛋白降低(P<0.05)。(5)中医证型以气阴两虚等虚证为主,舌脉排名前3的舌质为:红、淡红、暗红;脉象:细、沉细、濡。(6)logistic回归分析提示多关节疼痛(OR=4.048)、乏力(OR=3.655)、甲减(OR=6.032)、抗SSA抗体阳性(OR=4.482)及红细胞沉降率升高(OR=4.619)可能为pSS合并血液损害的危险因素。结论红细胞沉降率、抗SSA抗体、甲状腺功能减退可明显增加pSS合并血液系统损害的风险,其中医病机以脾虚为本。

基于数据挖掘、网络药理学和分子对接技术探讨中医药治疗原发性干燥综合征的用药规律和作用机制

目的探究中医药治疗原发性干燥综合征的用药规律,预测核心药物的潜在作用机制。方法检索SinoMed、CNKI、WanFang Data、VIP数据库中关于中药复方治疗原发性干燥综合征的文献,构建处方数据库,运用R 4.2.0软件进行药物和性味归经频数统计、关联规则及聚类分析,得到核心药物。利用网络药理学方法绘制中药处方-活性化合物分子-核心靶点-pSS调控网络,预测核心药物的潜在作用靶点和通路,并使用分子对接技术验证核心化合物成分与核心靶点的结合能力。结果筛选得到121首治疗原发性干燥综合征的处方,涉及162味中药,前三味高频药物为麦冬、地黄、甘草,使用频次≥10次的30味高频药物以补虚药(补气药、补阴药、补血药)占比最多,其次为清热凉血、活血调经药;性味以甘、苦、寒为主,归经以肝、肺、胃、脾、肾、心经为主;关联规则分析得到核心药对组合29个;高频中药聚类分析得到5个组合。对核心药物进行网络药理学分析得到山柰酚、槲皮素、丹参酮ⅡA、甲基麦芽酮A等核心活性成分和5个核心靶点;富集分析提示主要涉及脂质与脂肪酸代谢、动脉粥样硬化通路、NADP结合、双加氧酶活性调节、白细胞跨内皮迁移等生物学过程;分子对接表明化合物配体与蛋白受体间具备良好的结合能力。结论原发性干燥综合征多以气阴两虚为本,燥热、血瘀致病,中药复方以益气养阴润燥、清热凉血活血为主;多个核心化合物成分对应的多个靶点介入氧化、白细胞迁移等生物过程产生作用。

原发性干燥综合征合并肾小管酸中毒并发骨软化症的临床特征及诊治

目的探讨原发性干燥综合征、肾小管酸中毒并发骨软化症的临床特点和治疗效果。方法回顾性分析天津医科大学总医院内分泌科2003—2008年收治的20例原发性干燥综合征、肾小管酸中毒并发骨软化症患者的临床资料。结果 20例患者均有龋齿、乏力、骨痛,15例患者有口干症状,10例患者有眼干症状。依据临床表现、骨X线和骨密度检查结果,20例患者分为严重骨病组(10例)和轻度骨病组(10例)。对比两组风湿免疫指标:严重骨病组SSA阳性率、SSB阳性率及球蛋白水平高于轻度骨病组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);严重骨病组ANA、类风湿因子和γ球蛋白水平高于轻度骨病组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。肾脏和肌肉组织活检均可见淋巴细胞浸润和免疫复合物沉积。治疗后无力、骨痛显著缓解。结论继发于原发性干燥综合征、肾小管酸中毒的骨软化症,除了传统的纠酸补钙治疗外,仍需积极的免疫抑制治疗和补充足量的活性维生素D。