METHOD: This retrospective study involved SLE patients who attended the Rheumatology Clinic at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur from January 2014 to December 2016. Vitamin D was categorised as normal, insufficient or deficient, and the clinical variables were compared across vitamin D categories with chi-squared tests and Pearson correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: We included 216 patients. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 51.3(Standard Deviation; SD 14.8) nmol/L. Fifty (23.1%) patients had vitamin D deficiency, 120 (55.6%) had vitamin D insufficiency, while 46 (21.3%) had adequate vitamin D levels. There were statistically significant associations between vitamin D status and ethnic group, lupus nephritis and hypertension. No correlations were observed between vitamin D status with SLEDAI score (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.015, p=0.829) as well as SDI score (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.017, p=0.801).
CONCLUSION: SLE patients should be screened for vitamin D concentrations and their levels optimised.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all pregnancies seen at the SLE Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Hospital from January 2008 to May 2020. Maternal outcomes included SLE flare during pregnancy, preeclampsia and eclampsia. Foetal outcomes included foetal loss, preterm birth and small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates. Clinical and laboratory variables were examined. Variables from univariate analysis were entered into logistic regression model. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were reported.
RESULTS: Of the 131 pregnancies, 106 (80.9%) were live births. Twenty-six (24.5%) babies were born preterm and 35 (33%) neonates were SGA. Twenty-four (18.3%) women had disease flare during pregnancy, with the majority (22/24) being mild to moderate flares. Four women experienced preeclampsia while none had eclampsia. Predictors of adverse maternal outcomes included high SLEDAI-2K score, proteinuria and hypocomplementemia within 6 months before conception and during pregnancy; history of lupus nephritis (LN), pre-existing hypertension, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-Ro antibody and anti-RNP antibody. Predictors of adverse foetal outcomes comprised APS, preeclampsia, anti-Sm antibody, history of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and azathioprine use.
CONCLUSION: Pregnancy in SLE women is best deferred until disease activity is in remission for at least 6 months before conception. A history of LN is associated with a 3-fold risk of renal flare during pregnancy. Haematological abnormalities are rare in disease flare during pregnancy.