ObjectiveBeyond the joints, TNFi (tumour necrosis factor inhibitor) therapy may confer systemic benefits in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several studies have investigated the role of TNFi on insulin resistance/sensitivity (IR/IS). This question is of general interest given the emerging evidence linking inflammation and insulin resistance. The main aim of this review was to summarise the published data and to determine the effects of TNFi on IR/IS.MethodsWe searched the PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases for studies which examined the effects of TNFi on IR/IS. The studies were assessed independently by two reviewers according to a pre-specified protocol. The data on Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin resistance (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) were pooled and reported as standard difference in means (SDM) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model.ResultsA total of eight studies with 260 subjects met the selection criteria. The duration of the studies was from 8 weeks to 12 months. There was statistically significant reduction in HOMA index in six out of eight studies and four reported significant increment in QUICKI. The pooled analysis revealed significant reduction in HOMA [SDM-0.148, 95%CI[-0.278 to -0.017], p=0.026] and increment in QUICKI [SDM 0.312, 95%CI[0.019 to 0.606], p=0.037] with TNFi.ConclusionThere is emerging evidence to support that TNFi therapy improves IS and reduces IR in RA. Further, well conducted trials are needed to determine if such effects translate to lower incidence of diabetes in RA or other autoimmune conditions on biologic therapy.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease and despite the improvement in the survival in the past few decades, the morbidity due to disease damage remains significant. The objectives of this study were to investigate the disease damagepattern and determine the associated factors of damage in the multi-ethnic Malaysian SLE patients. We consecutively 424SLE patients who attended a consistent follow-up at the National University of Malaysia Medical Centre and Putrajaya Hospital were recruited. Disease damage was assessed using the SLICC/ACR (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology) Damage Index (SDI) scores. Information on their demographics and disease characteristics were obtained from the clinical record. Univariate analysis was performed and the best model of independent predictors of disease damage was determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 182 patients (42.9%) had disease damage (SDI ≥1). A significantly higher number of Indian patients had disease/organ damage and they predominantly developed steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (SDM). Patients with corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis (CIOP) were more likely to be Malayswhile majority of patients who developed malignancy were Chinese (p<0.05). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, disease damage was significantly associated with age, Indian ethnicity, lower mean cumulative C3 level, neuropsychiatry lupus (NPSLE), and antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). Patients who had ever and early treatment with hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)were less likely to develop disease damage while more patients who had received oral prednisolone ≥1mg/kg daily over 2 weeks had disease damage (p<0.05). In conclusion, there were inter-ethnic differences in the damage pattern and risks among SLE patients.

The use of MTX is associated with significant reductions in SLEDAI and the average dose of corticosteroids in adult patients with SLE.

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is more prevalent among SLE patients than the general population. Over the past decade, many studies across the globe have been carried out to investigate the role of vitamin D in SLE from various clinical angles. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to summarise and evaluate the evidence from the published literature; focusing on the clinical significance of vitamin D in SLE.MethodsThe following databases were searched: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Knowledge and CINAHL, using the terms “lupus”, “systemic lupus erythematosus”, “SLE and “vitamin D”. We included only adult human studies published in the English language between 2000 and 2012.The reference lists of included studies were thoroughly reviewed in search for other relevant studies.ResultsA total of 22 studies met the selection criteria. The majority of the studies were observational (95.5%) and cross sectional (90.9%). Out of the 15 studies which looked into the association between vitamin D and SLE disease activity, 10 studies (including the 3 largest studies in this series) revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship. For disease damage, on the other hand, 5 out of 6 studies failed to demonstrate any association with vitamin D levels. Cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were related to vitamin D deficiency, according to 3 of the studies.ConclusionThere is convincing evidence to support the association between vitamin D levels and SLE disease activity. There is paucity of data in other clinical aspects to make firm conclusions.

Prepared from the plasma of thousands of blood donors, therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) mostly consists of human polyspecific immunoglobulin G (IgG). The use of IVIg in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still considered experimental without any clear indications.The purpose of this systematic review is, therefore, to evaluate the available evidence to determine the therapeutic role of IVIg in SLE.A comprehensive, computerised search was performed in the MEDLINE (Pubmed), Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane controlled trials.The study eligibility criteria were randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective observational studies that examined the efficacy of IVIg in adult patients with SLE who were considered the participants.IVIg therapy was the mode of intervention in these patients.Data abstracted included the study design, study population, changes in the disease activity scores (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, Systemic Lupus Activity Measure, and Lupus Activity Index-Pregnancy), steroid dose, complement levels, autoantibodies, and renal function. Thereafter, data analysis established statistical procedures for meta-analysis.Thirteen studies (including 3 controlled and 10 observational) were eligible for inclusion. There was significant reduction in the SLE disease activity scores with IVIg therapy with a standard mean difference of 0.584 (P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.221–0.947). In terms of rise in complement levels, the response rate was 30.9% (P = 0.001, 95 CI 22.1–41.3). The effects of IVIg on other clinical outcome measures including anti-double-stranded DNA, antinuclear antibody, average steroid dose, and renal function could not be determined because of the limited numbers of trials.The limitations of this review were lack of well-designed controlled trials with adequate sample size on the use of IVIg in SLE.In conclusion, the use of IVIg is associated with significant reduction in SLE disease activity and improvement in complement levels.