Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024141 (systemic lupus erythematosus)
 44,322 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with idiopathic polymyositis or dermatomyositis is reported to occur in the range of 4-16%. Myositis can occur before or after SLE, or sporadically both diseases can be present simultaneously. This case report concerns a 36-year-old female patient suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon, polyarthralgia in the small joints of the hands, and skin changes compatible with Gotron's indications. Symmetric proximal muscle weakness of the extremities, fever of up to 40 degrees C, heliotrope rashes with erythematous changes in the face, upper arms, and posterior shoulders occurred subsequently. Laboratory analyses revealed increased acute phase reactants, hypochromic anaemia, lymphopenia, and increased levels of all muscle enzymes. Immunoserology demonstrated positive ANA, anti-Sm, and anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), while anti dsDNA, anti Ro, anti La, and anti Jo-1 antibodies proved negative. Hypocomplementaemia and elevated levels of immune complexes were also detected. Pathologic sediment and proteinuria were revealed via urine analyses, while a kidney biopsy confirmed lupus nephritis (type IVa according to the World Health Organisation classification). Biopsy of erythematous changes of the posterior shoulder demonstrated leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Electromyography of the lower extremities established myopathic changes. Inflammation of the muscles was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was categorised as having two separate coexistent diseases--SLE and dermatomyositis. Both the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for SLE and the diagnostic criteria for dermatomyositis, proposed by Bohon and Peter, were fulfilled simultaneously. Treatment commenced with pulses of methylprednisolone and continued with oral therapy, including Resochin. Pulses of intravenous cyclophosphamide were also administered. After six weeks of therapy, biohumoral remission of both diseases was achieved, while complete recovery from muscle weakness was accomplished after four months.
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PMID:[Systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis--case report]. 1653 99

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease with complex pathogenesis, various clinical presentation and chronic course with relapses. Mode of treatment depends on the disease activity and kind of internal organ involvement. In most cases clinical remission could be obtained after antimalarials, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and photoprotection use. Despite the approved antimalarials therapeutic value, the mechanisms by which they provide benefit in lupus, patients are not fully understood. Literature data indicate that they can influence lipid metabolism. The aim of the performed study was the objective evaluation of the influence of 3-month chloroquine treatment (Arechin, 250 mg/day) on lipid metabolism and selected laboratory parameters. In 34 patients with SLE clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed twice, before and after 3-month treatment. After 3 months significantly lower total cholesterol level was observed (mean value 184.91 mg%, 165.26 mg%, p < 0.001). Also LDL level was evidently lowered (111.27 mg%, 99.25 mg%). Similar tendency was noticed in triglycerides, which level after 3 months decreased from the average 152.38 mg% to 104.97 mg%, p < 0.001. Moreover the lowering of sedimentation rate, increasing hemoglobin level and lengthening coagulation time was perceived. The results of the study indicate the influence of chloroquine on decreasing of the disease activity, its anti-inflammatory properties and mainly the drug impact on lipid metabolism. Not only does antimalarials treatment reduce the risk of atherosclerosis development but it also minimizes corticosteroids side effects, which are considered to be the basic medication in lupus patients.
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PMID:[Chloroquine influence on lipid metabolism and selected laboratory parameters]. 1654 17

Derivates of chloroquine (Plaquenil, Delagil), used for long-term treatment of rheumatic diseases, may cause clinically proven irreversible maculopathy, which may progress even after the discontinuation of their application. The optimal early diagnosis of ocular toxicity of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine drug remains controversial up to now. The aim of this review paper was to evaluate how appropriate is the indication of the electroretinographic (ERG) examination due to the early diagnosis of cumulative drug-related maculopathy. Photopic, pattern, and multifocal ERG (Retiscan, according to the ISCEV methodology) were examined in 10 patients (20 eyes) treated by means of antimalarics, 9 due to the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 due to the systemic lupus erythremathodes (SLE). The average age of the patients was 60 +/- 15 years, the treatment period was 10 +/- 11 years; the median of the treatment period was 5 years. The control group consisted of 12 healthy, age matched patients (20 eyes) without any obvious ocular pathology. In all of them, the complete ophthalmologic examination was performed: the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for far using the Snellen charts, intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by means of the non contact tonometer NIDEK NT-2000, the Amsler grid test, examination of the anterior segment and the posterior segment with the slit lamp. The entry criteria in both groups were BCVA 5/7,5 (0.67) and better, the IOP in the normal range, negative Amsler grid test, anterior segment without significant decrease of the transparency, and physiological posterior segment or with subtle granular pigment dysgrupancies in the macula only. The significant difference between the group treated with chloroquine or hydrochloroquine and the control group at the 1% level of significance was found in following parameters: in the photopic ERG the value of the b wave latency [ms], in pattern ERG, the values of the waves N35 - P50 [microV] and P50 - N95 [microV] amplitudes, and at the 5 % level of significance in photopic ERG, the wave a amplitude value [microV] and in multifocal ERG, the value of the P1 [ms] a N1 [ms] parts latency in the pericentral ring. It follows from the results, that the ERG examination is suitable for the early diagnosis drug cumulative maculopathy caused by chloroquine derivates. Optimal is the individual comparison of the ERG values of the patient before and in certain time intervals after the beginning of the chloroquine derivates treatment.
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PMID:[The ERG contribution in early diagnosis of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine maculopathy]. 2092 39

With the emergence of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, investigators worldwide are scrambling to identify appropriate treatment modalities, develop accurate testing, and produce a vaccine. To date, effective treatment remains elusive. Chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ), well-known antimalarial drugs effective in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, porphyria cutanea tarda, and chronic Q fever, are currently under investigation. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization for CQ and HCQ use in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With spikes in HCQ use and demand, ethical considerations encompassing appropriate use, patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, and distributive justice abound. As drug experts, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients with chronic conditions necessitating HCQ use, assist in the appropriate prescribing of HCQ for COVID-19, and ensure patients and health care professionals are continually educated during this public health crisis. This review highlights the worldwide pandemic, describes appropriate HCQ use for chronic conditions, highlights available alternatives, and deliberates evolving ethical questions. With assistance from colleagues, state boards of pharmacy, and national organizations, pharmacists ensure the just distribution of valuable pharmaceuticals to patients having COVID-19 while supporting the needs of patients requiring HCQ for chronic conditions.
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PMID:Hydroxychloroquine Alternatives for Chronic Disease: Response to a Growing Shortage Amid the Global COVID-19 Pandemic. 3273 10