Systemic lupus erythematosus in the elderly: clinical and immunological characteristics

Article Abstract:

Classically, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects women under 30 years old. However, up to 20 percent of patients with the disease are diagnosed when they are 50 or older. Studies suggest that the effects of SLE differ in older subjects, with kidney or brain dysfunction less likely to occur. Correctly diagnosing SLE may be more difficult among older patients. To better understand the disease patterns of SLE with respect to age, 250 patients with the disorder were evaluated. SLE was diagnosed in 40 patients after age 50. Diagnosis took two years longer in this group than in younger patients. While the younger group contained nine women for every man, the older group only had four women for every man. Arthritis occurred less often as an initial symptom of SLE in the older patients. In addition, follow-up examinations revealed that the older group was less likely to have facial rashes, sensitivity to light, and kidney disease, but more frequently developed myositis (muscle inflammation). SLE is one of the autoimmune diseases in which antibodies are inappropriately made against the body's own molecules. Particular autoantibodies are associated with SLE, but the older group less frequently developed antibodies against DNA (the body's genetic molecules) as well as another antibody known as anti-Ro. However, older patients had a higher incidence of antibodies against cardiolipin, a fat that is present in the membranes surrounding cells. The report indicates that older patients with SLE tend to have a particular subset of symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Aged, Elderly, Demographic aspects

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Isotype distribution of anticardiolipin antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: prospective analysis of a series of 100 patients

Article Abstract:

Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are specialized proteins that specifically bind and inactivate the phosphate-containing compound cardiolipin. Some studies have shown that patients with increased levels of these types of antibodies have a greater risk of thrombosis (blood clot formation), recurrent fetal loss, thrombocytopenia (decreases in blood platelets), hemolytic anemia (decrease in red blood cells), and neurological disorders. The prevalence of different forms of aCL, specifically the immunoglobulin G (IgG) or immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotypes, was examined in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an inflammatory disease of connective tissue. Among 100 patients with SLE, 24 patients had IgG aCL, 20 had IgM aCL, and 36 had both isotypes. Increased levels of IgG aCL were associated with thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, whereas levels of IgM aCL were associated with hemolytic anemia and neutropenia, or decreased numbers of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. The levels of aCL were also associated with the presence of lupus anticoagulant, a factor produced by patients with lupus erythematosus that prevents blood clotting. Thus determination of the levels of different aCL isotypes may be useful in predicting various clinical disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Autoantibodies, Antiphospholipid syndrome

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Von Willebrand factor in the outcome of temporal arteritis

Article Abstract:

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels may correspond to stages in the long-term healing process that occurs in patients with temporal arteritis. Researchers measured vWF levels in blood samples from 65 patients with temporal arteritis, 12 with polymyalgia rheumatica, and 16 healthy volunteers (control group). These levels were similar in both patient groups but significantly higher than the control group. Among patients with active temporal arteritis vWF values decreased only after two years of treatment.

Giant cell arteritis, Temporal arteritis, Von Willebrand factor

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