Dermatologic manifestations are observed in almost all systemic vasculitides, even in large-and medium-vessel vasculitides, although such vessels are not found in the skin. Cutaneous manifestations ...may be related to a direct skin localization of the systemic vasculitis or a non-specific process associated with the vasculitis. According to the 2012 International Chapel Hill consensus, the two major variants of large-vessel vasculitides are Takayasu arteritis and giant-cell arteritis. In Europe and North America, acute inflammatory nodules or erythema nodosum-like lesions are the most commonly observed skin lesions with Takayasu arteritis. Medium-sized arteriole vasculitis of the dermis or subcutis but also septal or lobular panniculitis may be found during pathological examination. In Japan, widespread pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions are more frequent. Cutaneous manifestations of giant-cell arteritis are rare; they are ischemic, linked to arterial occlusions, or non-ischemic, with various mechanisms. The two major medium-vessel vasculitides are Kawasaki disease and polyarteritis nodosa. Kawasaki disease is characterized by a mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome without skin vasculitis. Two subsets of polyarteritis nodosa with different skin manifestations are described, without transition from one to the other. In the systemic subset, the most frequent skin lesions are in the order of frequency purpura, livedo, and nodules. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa mainly features nodules, livedo racemosa, and ulcerations. Genetic screening and measurement of plasma levels of adenosine deaminase 2 should be considered for patients with uncommon systemic polyarteritis nodosa or early-onset cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.
We have limited data on the treatment of calcinosis cutis associated with systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis.
To assess the efficacy and tolerance of available treatments for calcinosis cutis ...based on previously published studies.
We performed a systematic review of studies published in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library during 1980-July 2018. The strength of clinical data was graded according to the modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence.
In all, 30 studies (288 patients) were included. Eleven therapeutic classes, surgery, and physical treatments were identified as potential treatment options for calcinosis cutis. On the basis of results of a small randomized controlled trial and 4 retrospective studies, low-dose warfarin should not be used for calcinosis cutis (level IB evidence). The results of several studies suggest diltiazem and bisphosphonates might be useful treatment options (level IV). Considering biologic therapies, rituximab has shown promising results in treating both dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis, whereas tumor necrosis factor inhibitors might be useful for treating juvenile dermatomyositis (level IV). Intralesional sodium thiosulfate might be a promising alternative (level IV).
Few included studies had a high level of evidence.
This study highlights the efficacy and tolerance profiles of available treatments for calcinosis cutis, with a focus on level of evidence.
Thalidomide has shown excellent results for severe cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), but its prescription is limited by potentially severe adverse events.
To assess the overall rate of response to ...thalidomide in CLE with respect to CLE subtypes and the occurrence rate of relevant adverse events on the basis of previously published studies.
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library between 1965 and January 2017. The proportions of responders and rates of adverse events were extracted from individual studies and pooled using random effects or fixed models.
Among 548 patients from 21 included studies, the overall rate of response to thalidomide was 90% (95% confidence interval CI, 85-94), with similar response rates between CLE subtypes. Conversely, the pooled rate of thalidomide withdrawal related to adverse events was 24% (95% CI, 14-35) including confirmed peripheral neuropathy in 16% (95% CI, 9-25) and thromboembolic events in 2% (95% CI, 1-3). The pooled rate of relapse after thalidomide withdrawal was 71% (95% CI, 65-77) compared with 34% (95% CI, 25-44) with a maintenance dose.
We found important statistical heterogeneity across included studies.
Considering the frequent occurrence of adverse events, prescription of thalidomide should be restricted to patients with severely refractory CLE or who are at high risk for severe scarring.
Objective
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilaginous tissue and systemic manifestations. Data on this disease remain scarce. This study ...was undertaken to describe patient characteristics and disease evolution, identify prognostic factors, and define different clinical phenotypes of RP.
Methods
We performed a retrospective study of 142 patients with RP who were seen between 2000 and 2012 in a single center.
Results
Of the 142 patients, 86 (61%) were women. The mean ± SD age at first symptoms was 43.5 ± 15 years. Patients had the following chondritis types: auricular (89%; n = 127), nasal (63%; n = 89), laryngeal (43%; n = 61), tracheobronchial (22%; n = 32), and/orcostochondritis (40%; n = 57). The main other manifestations were articular (69%; n = 98), ophthalmologic (56%; n = 80), audiovestibular (34%; n = 48), cardiac (27%; n = 38), and cutaneous (28%; n = 40). At a mean ± SD followup of 13 ± 9 years, the 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates were 95 ± 2% and 91 ± 3%, respectively. Factors associated with death on multivariable analysis were male sex (P = 0.01), cardiac abnormalities (P = 0.03), and concomitant myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (P = 0.004) or another hematologic malignancy (P = 0.01). Cluster analysis revealed that separating patients into 3 groups was clinically relevant, thereby separating patients with associated MDS, those with tracheobronchial involvement, and those without the 2 features in terms of clinical characteristics, therapeutic management, and prognosis.
Conclusion
This large series of patients with definite RP revealed an improvement in survival as compared with previous studies. Factors associated with death were male sex, cardiac involvement, and concomitant hematologic malignancy. We identified 3 distinct phenotypes.
Background Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with possible cutaneous-specific involvement. Objectives We sought to describe the clinical, pathological, ...and molecular features of the cutaneous manifestations of 40 patients with ECD identified from a cohort of 123 patients. Methods Confirmed cases of patients with ECD were included in a single-center retrospective observational study. Clinical and pathological cutaneous features were analyzed and BRAF V600E mutation was determined. Results The most frequent ECD cutaneous manifestations were xanthelasma-like lesions (XLL), which occurred in 31 (25%) patients. Other ECD cutaneous lesions were patches or papulonodular lesions. Mixed form of ECD and cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis presented with crusty papules of the folds in some patients. Compared with classic xanthelasma palpebrarum, ECD XLL pathology more frequently involved the reticular dermis, displayed more multinucleated or Touton cells, and showed less extensive fibrosis. BRAF V600E mutation was more frequently detected in patients with cutaneous involvement than in those without (76% vs 52%; P = .005) and constantly found in 10 XLL. Limitations Some clinical data were not available because of the retrospective design of the study. Conclusions XLL are the most frequent cutaneous ECD manifestations and might be targeted both for pathology and determination of BRAF mutational status.
Background Interaction between smoking and efficacy of antimalarials, the mainstay of treatment for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), remains controversial. Objectives We systematically reviewed ...the evidence for such an interaction and performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of antimalarials among smoker versus nonsmoker patients with CLE. Methods Observational studies published up to March 2014 in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were selected if they reported on the efficacy of antimalarials for treatment of CLE, according to smoking status. The strength of association between smoking and cutaneous response rate was expressed using the odds ratio. Individual study odds ratios were combined in the meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results Of 240 citations retrieved, 10 studies met inclusion criteria, for a total of 1398 patients. The pooled odds ratio for the response to antimalarials in smoker patients with CLE (n = 797) was 0.53 (95% confidence interval 0.29-0.98) compared with nonsmokers (n = 601). Limitations Subgroup analyses for the response to antimalarials considering CLE subtypes, type, and dosage of antimalarials could not be performed because of the lack of available data. Conclusions Smoking is associated with a 2-fold decrease in the proportion of patients with CLE achieving cutaneous improvement with antimalarials. Smoking cessation should be considered in patients with CLE and refractory cutaneous involvement.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an important medication for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its blood concentration (HCQ) varies widely between patients and is a marker and predictor of SLE ...flares. This prospective randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study sought to compare standard and adjusted HCQ dosing schedules that target HCQ ≥1000 ng/ml to reduce SLE flares.
HCQ was measured in 573 patients with SLE (stable disease and SELENA-SLEDAI≤12) treated with HCQ for at least 6 months. Patients with HCQ from 100 to 750 ng/ml were randomised to one of two treatment groups: no daily dose change (group 1) or increased HCQ dose to achieve the target HCQ (group 2). The primary end point was the number of patients with flares during 7 months of follow-up.
Overall, mean HCQ was 918±451 ng/ml. Active SLE was less prevalent in patients with higher HCQ. A total of 171 patients were randomised and followed for 7 months. SLE flare rates were similar in the two groups (25% in group 1 vs 27.6% in group 2; p=0.7), but a significant spontaneous increase in HCQ in both groups between inclusion and randomisation strongly suggested improved treatment adherence. Patients at the therapeutic target throughout follow-up tended to have fewer flares than those with low HCQ (20.5% vs 35.1%, p=0.12).
Although low HCQ is associated with higher SLE activity, adapting the HCQ dose did not reduce SLE flares over a 7-month follow-up.
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