Objectives We examined the response to induction therapy of Hispanic patients with antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV)-related diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). This study aimed to determine the severity of disease at presentation and the response to induction therapy in our patient population. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of Hispanic patients hospitalized with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis between October 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. We identified 98 Hispanic patients hospitalized with AAV and 19 admitted with AAV-related DAH. The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) was obtained from all patients on presentation. Results Based on the 2012 Revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides, 12 patients met the diagnostic criteria for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and seven met the criteria for diagnosing granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). All patients received methylprednisolone therapy. Induction therapy consisted of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (n=3), cyclophosphamide plus plasmapheresis (PLEX) (n=1), rituximab induction therapy (n=8), and rituximab induction plus plasmapheresis (n=6), and one patient received one dose of cyclophosphamide followed by rituximab plus plasmapheresis. The average BVAS was 25.53 at presentation. Survival at six months included 67% (n=2) treated with cyclophosphamide alone, 75% (n=6) treated with rituximab alone, and 50% (n=3) treated with rituximab plus PLEX. The patient who received an initial loading dose of cyclophosphamide followed by rituximab plus PLEX did survive for six months; however, the patient treated with cyclophosphamide plus PLEX did not have early survival. Conclusions Hispanic patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis present with a more severe disease burden at presentation based on BVAS. Approximately 37% of our patient population had early death (death at <6 months) despite adhering to the standard of care for induction therapy. Due to the more significant disease burden at presentation, it is vital to include ethnic minorities in large clinical trials to help improve outcomes in these patient populations.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an inflammatory myopathy characterized by proximal muscle weakness and pathognomonic skin lesions. A 69-year-old woman with a recent diagnosis of DM one month prior, treated with corticosteroids and immunomodulators, presented to our inpatient rehabilitation with worsening dysphagia and constipation. At the time of our evaluation, physical examination was notable for erythematous papules over the MCPs, PIPs, elbows, and knees as well as a violaceous rash on the face. Muscle strength was diminished bilaterally with proximal distribution being affected greater than distal. Laboratory studies were notable for CK level 31 IU/ L, ANA by immunofluorescence of 1:80, and aldolase 4 u/L. The eleven-antibody myositis panel was negative. Skeletal muscle biopsy of the left thigh showed partially treated acquired inflammatory myopathy with perifascicular atrophy. During hospitalization, she was found to have pulmonary embolism. She received enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneous BID. Soon after, she developed rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy showed a stercoral ulcer caused by chronic constipation. While dysphagia is common, being present in 25-50% of patients with DM, lower gastrointestinal problems involving the small and large intestine are rare and typically present as a late manifestation of the disease. Decreased peristalsis in the large colon can lead to constipation, impaction, and subsequent mucosal ulceration, and pressure necrosis induced by fecaloma formation. Although rare, our case highlights the importance of recognizing gastrointestinal complications that dermatomyositis can cause and the effects that those complications have on morbidity and mortality.

Acquired factor VIII deficiency is a bleeding disorder caused by the presence of autoantibodies against clotting factor VIII. We report a case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman who presented with gross hematuria secondary to acquired factor VIII deficiency in the presence of a previously undiagnosed connective tissue disease. This article includes a literature review of pregnancy-related cases of acquired factor VIII deficiency. We also reviewed various therapeutic approaches for the management of the acquired factor inhibitor which include achieving hemostasis and elimination of the inhibitor via immunosuppressive agents. This case report describes the rare presentation of acquired factor VIII deficiency related to pregnancy and highlights the importance of considering a factor VIII inhibitor in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with bleeding and prolonged PTT during the peripartum and postpartum periods.