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Background/aim: In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the association of serum (s) and urine (u) IP-10, galectin-9, and SIGLEC-1 with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and methods: Sixty-three patients with active SLE (31 renal, 32 extrarenal) were included. Thirty patients with inactive SLE (15 renal, 15 extrarenal), 17 with renal active AAV, and 32 healthy volunteers were selected as control groups. Serum and urine IP-10, galectin-9, and SIGLEC-1 were tested using ELISA. Results: Levels of sIP-10 (p = 0.046), uIP-10 (p < 0.001), sGalectin-9 (p = 0.03), and uSIGLEC-1 (p = 0.006) were significantly higher in active SLE group compared to the inactive SLE; however, no differences were detected in the comparison of uGalectin-9 (p = 0.18) and sSIGLEC-1 (p = 0.69) between two groups. None of the biomarkers discriminated patients with active renal SLE from active extrarenal SLE. ROC analyses revealed an AUC of 0.63 (0.52--0.73) for sIP-10, 0.78 (0.68--0.86) for uIP-10, 0.64 (0.53--0.74) for sGalectin-9, and 0.68 (0.57--0.77) for uSIGLEC-1 in discriminating disease activity in SLE, which did not outperform C3 (0.75, 0.64--0.84) and C4 (0.72, 0.61--0.82). sIP-10 (p = 0.001), uIP-10 (p = 0.042), and uGalectin-9 (p = 0.009) were significantly increased in patients with active renal SLE compared to active renal AAV. sGalectin-9 (p < 0.001) and sIP-10 levels (p = 0.06) were decreased after 8 (5--22.5) months of treatment. Conclusion: sIP-10, uIP-10, sGalectin-9, and uSIGLEC-1 reflect global disease activity in SLE but do not outperform C3 and C4. sIP-10 and uIP-10 may be specific for active SLE compared to active AAV. sIP-10 and sGalectin-9 might be valuable in monitoring response after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Remdesivir, which was first developed for the treatment of Ebola disease but failed to meet expectations, has become hope in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for mortality and prognosis of adult moderate/severe COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir, and safety and tolerability of 5 days of remdesivir treatment. Materials and methods: This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in 14 centers in Turkey. Pregnancy or breastfeeding, multiorgan failure, or usage of vasopressors for septic shock, ALT > 5 x the upper limit of the normal range, or eGRF <30 mL/min or dialysis and receiving favipiravir were the exclusion criteria of the study. Results: Among 500 patients, 494 patients were included in the study. On admission, 392 (79.3%) patients had moderate and 102 (20.6%) patients had severe COVID-19. The 28-day mortality was 10.1%. The median of the scores of the seven-category ordinal scale assessed on days 0, 3, 5, 7 were 4 and 3 on day 14. When the survival status of the patients was evaluated according to the time between the remdesivir start date and the end date of the symptoms, no statistically significant difference was found between the medians of the groups (p = 0.404). In multivariable analysis, age (OR, 1.05; 95%CI, 1.02-1.08; p = 0.003), SpO2 level on admission (OR, 3.03; 95%CI, 1.35-6.81; p = 0.007), heart rate (OR, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.01-6.07; p = 0.047), follow-up site at the hospital (clinic/ICU) (OR, 26.4; 95%CI, 11.6-60.17; p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased mortality. Grade 3 adverse event (AE) was observed in 4 (0.8%) patients. None of the patients experienced grade 4 or 5 AEs. Conclusion: Remdesivir is a safe and well-tolerated drug and older age, low SpO2 level on admission, tachycardia, and ICU admission are independently associated with increased mortality among patients with moderate/severe COVID-19 receiving remdesivir treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a variety of organ/system involvement. Respiratory system involvement is common in these patients and usually manifests itself by disorders of the lung parenchyma, pleura, pulmonary vasculature or diaphragm. In this study, we sought to determine the frequency of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with SLE and associated risk factors. Materials and methods: Three hundred randomly chosen patients with SLE were included. Chest x-ray (CXR), lung spirometry and carbon monoxide diffusion test (DLCO) were performed. High-resolution thorax computed tomography (HRCT) was performed for a definite diagnosis of ILD. Results: Of 300 patients, 16% had ILD. At the start of the study, the prevalence obtained from the patients’ records showed that 4% had ILD. The median age, mean duration of disease, and follow-up time were significantly higher and longer in patients with ILD compared to patients without (p < 0.05). Forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), DLCO and total lung capacity (TLC) were significantly lower in patients with ILD (p < 0.001). Patients with ILD had a significantly higher frequency of arthritis, serositis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, myositis, and anti-Scl70 positivity (p = 0.01, 0.001, 0.02, 0.004, and 0.001, respectively). A significantly higher number of patients had stopped using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the ILD group (p = 0.04). Conclusion: ILD is common in patients with SLE. Spirometry, diffusion tests, and CXR are simple but valuable tools to diagnose ILD in patients with SLE. Considering the significant difference of prevalence between the start and the end of the study, one of the possibilities is the underrecognition of SLE-associated interstitial pulmonary disease. The higher administration of immunosuppressives in these patients may support a multisystemic active disease including the lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]