Active clinical trials for "Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic"

The objective of this study is to test the efficacy of an innovative contemplative-based and caregiver-inclusive intervention can modify pathogenic processes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to a psychoeducation-based intervention. Contemplative techniques such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga may have an impact on the disease burden and may decrease psychological distress, increase self-regulation capabilities, and reduce pain. It is also well documented that social relationships moderate physical health. Incorporating patients' caregivers may strengthen their relationships and thereby improve their health and well-being. It is anticipated that the successful outcome of the mindfulness-based intervention described in this proposal will provide the basis for a new and effective contemplative-based and caregiver-inclusive therapy for SLE and other rheumatic diseases. Although we expect our mindfulness-based intervention to outperform our psychoeducation intervention, we note that the psychoeducation intervention is much closer to treatment as usual (especially insofar as many lupus patients are provided no psychosocial intervention whatever), and to that degree can reasonably be considered our best initial point of comparison. In practice, most patients would be provided medication and some basic information about living with the disease, as well as, perhaps, some additional guidance about coping with chronic stress and pain. We believe that our comparison condition goes beyond this to provide a bona fide intervention in itself.

It has been demonstrated that EPA and DHA supplementation may have anti-inflammatory properties in several chronic diseases, namely, diabetes, obesity, and in rheumatoid arthritis, although not with controversy. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (AAS) are autoimmune diseases characterized by a chronic inflammatory state which is associated with the disease´s clinical symptoms. Thus, we hypothesized that EPA and DHA supplementation may beneficially affect the inflammatory cytokine profile and clinical features of LES and AAS patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSC) is a systemic disease characterized by limited or diffuse cutaneous sclerosis, microangiopathy, overproduction of autoantibodies and variable organ damage due to vasculopathy and/or fibrosis. The loss of self-tolerance is believed to be caused by the dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS). Neutrophils are potent producers of ROS and may play a role in endothelial cells and fibrobasts dysfunction, as in autoantibodies generation. However, their role in SSC pathogenesis remains to be determined. Recent studies discovered abnormal regulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in other auto-immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NETs are web-like structures composed of chromatin backbones and granular molecules. They are released by activated neutrophils through a process called "NETosis". Nets were first described in 2004 as a novel host defense mechanism to trap and kill foreign pathogens. Recent evidence shows that NETs also participate in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including SLE. We hypothesis that this phenomenon could be dysregulated in SSC as in SLE and could play a prominent role in the induction of autoimmunity, as well as in the induction and perpetuation of organ damages.

Expected Results: Finding from this evidence-based study ought to clarify the effectiveness of walking intervention for patients with SLE, and provide reference for future nursing strategies to improve disease adaptability.

Psychosomatic is a new approach to understanding the phenomena of somatization using the knowledge of medicine and psychology to treat human being. A Brief Group Psychanalytic Psychotherapy (BGPP) for psychosomatic patients has been used to supplement the treatment of some diseases including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The hypothesis of the study is that BGPP beside clinical treatment can improve the quality of life and coping in SLE patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of BGPP in Brazilian SLE patients. Primary objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of BGPP to improve quality of life. Secondary objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of BGPP to improve coping, anxiety and depression symptoms. SLE patients will be randomized to receive Psychotherapy or only clinical treatment. The effectiveness will be assessed through specific questionnaires.

GADD34 (Growth Arrest and DNA Damage inducible-protein) is a regulatory subunit of PP1 (phosphatase 1) phosphatase which dephosphorylates eIF2alpha (eucaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha subunit), representing a negative feedback loop of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Moreover, GADD34 is necessary for type I interferon (IFN) production in response to viral infection in murine models. We investigate here the expression of GADD34 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in which type I IFN has an important pathogenic role. We report a case-control study on GADD34 gene expression in PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) of SLE patients (n=60) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=30). The level of GADD34 gene expression, as well as of type-I IFN response genes in PBMC is measured by quantitative PCR.

This case control study aims to determine whether spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is associated with autoimmune diseases and to update the incidence of SCAD in a population-based cohort.

Evaluation of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) profile in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with obstetric and thrombotic complications. Blood sample of the patients were taken for Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein 1(anti-b2GPI), anticardiolipin (aCL) and will be analyzed on Alegria based on ELISA.

The aim of thie study to assess tear film parameters such as tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus area (TMA), and tear meniscus depth (TMD). In addition, corneal pachymetry and epithelial thickness maps in SLE patients and compared to healthy subjects of similar age and gender.

Connective tissue diseases have been related to heart conduction disorders. The anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are thought to have a pathogenic role, and they most prevalent in systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between SLE, arrhythmias and its serologic profile.