Browsing by Author "Andreoli, L"
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- Disease Activity Assessment of Rheumatic Diseases During Pregnancy: a Comprehensive Review of Indices Used in Clinical StudiesPublication . Andreoli, L; Gerardi, MC; Fernandes, M; Bortoluzzi, A; Bellando-Randone, S; Brucato, A; Caporali, R; Chighizola, C; Chimenti, MS; Conigliaro, P; Cutolo, M; Cutro, MS; D'Angelo, S; Doria, A; Elefante, E; Fredi, M; Galeazzi, M; Gerosa, M; Govoni, M; Iuliano, A; Larosa, M; Lazzaroni, MG; Matucci-Cerinic, M; Meroni, M; Meroni, P; Mosca, M; Patanè, M; Pazzola, G; Pendolino, M; Perricone, R; Ramoni, V; Salvarani, C; Sebastiani, G; Selmi, C; Spinelli, F; Valesini, G; Scirè, CA; Tincani, APregnancy requires a special management in women with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (RDs), with the aim of controlling maternal disease activity and avoiding fetal complications. Despite the heterogeneous course of RDs during pregnancy, their impact on pregnancy largely relates to the extent of active inflammation at the time of conception. Therefore, accurate evaluation of disease activity is crucial for the best management of pregnant patients. Nevertheless, there are limitations in using conventional measures of disease activity in pregnancy, as some items included in these instruments can be biased by symptoms or by physiological changes related to pregnancy and the pregnancy itself may influence laboratory parameters used to assess disease activity. This article aims to summarize the current literature about the available instruments to measure disease activity during pregnancy in RDs. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the only disease with instruments that have been modified to account for several adaptations which might interfere with the attribution of signs or symptoms to disease activity during pregnancy. No modified-pregnancy indices exist for women affected by other RDs, but standard indices have been applied to pregnant patients. The current body of knowledge shows that the physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy need to be either adapted from existing instruments or developed to improve the management of pregnant women with RDs. Standardized instruments to assess disease activity during pregnancy would be helpful not only for clinical practice but also for research purposes.
- Effect of Additional Treatments Combined with Conventional Therapies in Pregnant Patients with High-Risk Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Multicentre StudyPublication . Ruffatti, A; Tonello, M; Hoxha, A; Sciascia, S; Cuadrado, MJ; Latino, JO; Udry, S; Reshetnyak, T; Costedoat-Chalumeau, N; Morel, N; Marozio, L; Tincani, A; Andreoli, L; Haladyj, E; Meroni, PL; Gerosa, M; Alijotas-Reig, J; Tenti, S; Mayer-Pickel, K; Simchen, MJ; Bertero, MT; De Carolis, S; Ramoni, V; Mekinian, A; Grandone, E; Maina, A; Serrano, F; Pengo, V; Khamashta, MAThe effect of additional treatments combined with conventional therapy on pregnancy outcomes was examined in high-risk primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients to identify the most effective treatment strategy. The study's inclusion criteria were (1) positivity to lupus anticoagulant alone or associated with anticardiolipin and/or anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies; (2) a history of severe maternal-foetal complications (Group I) or a history of one or more pregnancies refractory to conventional therapy leading to unexplained foetal deaths not associated with severe maternal-foetal complications (Group II). Two different additional treatments were considered: oral-low-dose steroids (10-20 mg prednisone daily) and/or 200 to 400 mg daily doses of hydroxychloroquine and parenteral-intravenous immunoglobulins at 2 g/kg per month and/or plasma exchange. The study's primary outcomes were live birth rates and pregnancy complications. A total of 194 pregnant PAPS patients attending 20 tertiary centres were retrospectively enrolled. Hydroxychloroquine was found to be linked to a significantly higher live birth rate with respect to the other oral treatments in the Group II patients. The high (400 mg) versus low (200 mg) doses of hydroxychloroquine (p = 0.036) and its administration before versus during pregnancy (p = 0.021) were associated with a significantly higher live birth rate. Hydroxychloroquine therapy appeared particularly efficacious in the PAPS patients without previous thrombosis. Parenteral treatments were associated with a significantly higher live birth rate with respect to the oral ones (p = 0.037), particularly in the Group I patients. In conclusion, some additional treatments were found to be safe and efficacious in high-risk PAPS pregnant women.
- EULAR Recommendations for Women's Health and the Management of Family Planning, Assisted Reproduction, Pregnancy and Menopause in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and/or Antiphospholipid SyndromePublication . Andreoli, L; Bertsias, GK; Agmon-Levin, N; Brown, S; Cervera, R; Costedoat-Chalumeau, N; Doria, A; Fischer-Betz, R; Forger, F; Moraes-Fontes, MF; Khamashta, M; King, J; Lojacono, A; Marchiori, F; Meroni, PL; Mosca, M; Motta, M; Ostensen, M; Pamfil, C; Raio, L; Schneider, M; Svenungsson, E; Tektonidou, M; Yavuz, S; Boumpas, D; Tincani, AOBJECTIVES: Develop recommendations for women's health issues and family planning in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: Systematic review of evidence followed by modified Delphi method to compile questions, elicit expert opinions and reach consensus. RESULTS: Family planning should be discussed as early as possible after diagnosis. Most women can have successful pregnancies and measures can be taken to reduce the risks of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Risk stratification includes disease activity, autoantibody profile, previous vascular and pregnancy morbidity, hypertension and the use of drugs (emphasis on benefits from hydroxychloroquine and antiplatelets/anticoagulants). Hormonal contraception and menopause replacement therapy can be used in patients with stable/inactive disease and low risk of thrombosis. Fertility preservation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues should be considered prior to the use of alkylating agents. Assisted reproduction techniques can be safely used in patients with stable/inactive disease; patients with positive antiphospholipid antibodies/APS should receive anticoagulation and/or low-dose aspirin. Assessment of disease activity, renal function and serological markers is important for diagnosing disease flares and monitoring for obstetrical adverse outcomes. Fetal monitoring includes Doppler ultrasonography and fetal biometry, particularly in the third trimester, to screen for placental insufficiency and small for gestational age fetuses. Screening for gynaecological malignancies is similar to the general population, with increased vigilance for cervical premalignant lesions if exposed to immunosuppressive drugs. Human papillomavirus immunisation can be used in women with stable/inactive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for women's health issues in SLE and/or APS were developed using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus.
- Obstetric Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome: State of the ArtPublication . Gerardi, MC; Alexandre Fernandes, M; Tincani, A; Andreoli, LPURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on new pathogenesis and clinical-therapeutic aspects of obstetric anti-phospholipid syndrome (ob-APS) in the last 5 years. RECENT FINDINGS: The pathogenesis of ob-APS is multifactorial, including placental infarctions, infiltration of inflammatory cells that cause acute and chronic inflammation, leading to uncontrolled inflammation and poor pregnancy outcomes. A preconception counseling and a patient-tailored treatment are fundamental to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Thanks to conventional treatment, based on low-dose aspirin and heparin, 70% of women with ob-APS can have successful pregnancies. Women with positive anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) without clinical manifestations ("aPL carriers") or with obstetric manifestation not fulfilling ob-APS criteria need to be further investigated in order to assess their best management. Great interest has been given to drugs that could interact in the pathophysiological mechanisms, such as hydroxychloroquine, statins, and eculizumab. These drugs could be considered for patients refractory to conventional therapy.