The ITAS2010, validated in over 300 TA patients and sensitive to change, is a useful measure of clinical disease activity for patient monitoring. Higher ITAS-A scores suggest poor control of active disease by current therapy.

Objective. There are sparse data on outcome of lupus nephritis from developing countries. This study looks at outcome in Asian Indians. Methods. This retrospective study included patients at a single center over 20 years. Patients were treated as per standard protocols. The primary outcome measure was chronic renal failure or death; the secondary outcome was end-stage renal disease or death. The worst-case scenario was also calculated, considering those lost to followup in the first year as events. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log rank test were used for survival analysis. Data are shown as the mean ؎ SD. Results. We included 188 patients with lupus nephritis, with a female:male ratio of 11:1, a mean ؎ SD age at onset of 23.6 ؎ 10.5 years, and a median followup time of 6 years (interquartile range 3-9 years). Of 136 patients with a biopsy sample, the distribution was as follows: class II in 22, class III in 36, class IV in 61, class V in 16, and class VI in 1. Survival with normal renal function was 84%, 69%, and 57% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively; in the worst-case scenario, survival was 77%, 63%, and 51%, respectively. There was no difference in survival by histologic class; however, nonbiopsied patients had lower survival. Renal survival was 91%, 81%, and 76% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively; in the worst-case scenario, survival was 79%, 70%, and 66%, respectively. Risk factors for poor outcome were low C3, hematuria, hypertension, creatinine, lack of remission, and occurrence of major infection. There was a high rate of major infections of 42.3%, with tuberculosis at 11.5%. Infections caused one-half of all deaths. Conclusion. The outcome of lupus nephritis in Asian Indians with standard immunosuppressive regimens is reasonable, but immunosuppression is associated with a high rate of infection.

Quality of life (QOL) of patients affected by various diseases is now recognized as an important outcome variable. Consenting patients with rheumatoid arthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria) were included in the study. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment, short form (WHOQOL-BREF). Disease activity was assessed by the Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for 3 variables and functional disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Extra-articular manifestations (ExRA) were diagnosed clinically. Seventy-five age-matched normal controls and 136 patients (19 males) were included. The mean duration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was 9 +/- 5.8 years. The mean DAS28 and HAQ were 4.43 +/- 1.4 and 0.97 +/- 1.6, respectively. At least one ExRA was present in 30 (22.1%) patients. The WHOQOL scores were significantly lower in patients with RA compared to normal controls. Patients and normal controls scored highest in the social relationship domain. There was significant inverse correlation of HAQ with all four domains of WHOQOL. There was significant inverse correlation of DAS28 with the physical health and psychological domains. Patients with ExRA scored significantly lower in the physical health domain of WHOQOL. Multiple regression analysis showed only HAQ to independently affect QOL. Quality of life is compromised in patients with RA. Patients and normal controls scored higher in the social relationship domain. Functional disability is the most important factor affecting QOL in RA.

In patients on MTX, oral mucositis and fever can herald pancytopenia. MTX-induced pancytopenia is associated with high mortality. WBC at admission is the most important prognostic factor. There is need for increased awareness among physicians to minimize prescribing errors. A national guideline on monitoring of patients on MTX is desirable.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder associated with altered expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the affected tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between promoter polymorphisms of TNFalpha and IL-10 gene with susceptibility, age of disease onset and disease severity in North Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SNPs at position -308 and -863 of TNF gene and -819/-592 and -1082 position of IL-10 gene were determined in 222 patients and 208 healthy controls using RFLP or ARMS method. Polymorphism TNF -308A was less prevalent among the patients (1.7%) than controls (4.9%; p = 0.01, OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13-0.76). Among female patients, IL-10 -592A allele associated with higher baseline disease activity scores (5.77 +/- 1.99) than -592C (5.57 +/- 1.19; p = 0.04). Female patients carrying allele A of TNFalpha -863 had earlier age of onset of RA (33.99 +/- 9.6 years) than those with allele C (36.15 +/- 11.21 years; p = 0.043). In conclusion, allele A at TNFalpha -308 locus provides protection against RA in North Indian population while another TNF allele A at -863 position had weak association with earlier onset of disease in female patients. On the other hand promoter polymorphisms of IL-10 did not affect susceptibility but polymorphism at -819/-592A was associated with higher disease activity scores at baseline.