Diet has been closely associated with inflammatory autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Importantly, the consumption of dietary sugars has been positively linked to elevated levels of some inflammation markers, but the potential role of their consumption on the prognosis of autoimmune diseases has not yet been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the dietary intake of free sugars and clinical parameters and cardiovascular (CVD) risk markers in patients with SLE. A cross-sectional study including a total of 193 patients with SLE (aged 48.25 ± 12.54 years) was conducted. The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) and the SDI Damage Index were used to asses disease activity and disease-related damage, respectively. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dL), homocysteine (Hcy; µmol/L), anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) (IU/mL), complement C3 (mg/dL), and complement C4 (mg/dL), among other biochemical markers, were measured. The main factors we considered as risk factors for CVD were obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and blood lipids. The dietary-intrinsic sugar and added-sugar content participants consumed were obtained via a 24-h patient diary. Significant differences were observed in dietary sugar intake between patients with active and inactive SLE (in grams: 28.31 ± 24.43 vs. 38.71 ± 28.87; p = 0.035) and free sugar intake (as a percentage: 6.36 ± 4.82 vs. 8.60 ± 5.51; p = 0.020). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between free sugars intake (by gram or percentage) and the number of complications (β (95% CI) = 0.009 (0.001, 0.0018), p = 0.033)); (β (95% CI) = 0.046 (0.008, 0.084), p = 0.018)), and SLEDAI (β (95% CI) = 0.017 (0.001, 0.034), p = 0.043)); (β (95% CI) = 0.086 (0.011, 0.161), p = 0.024)) after adjusting for covariates. Free sugars (g and %) were also associated with the presence of dyslipidaemia (β (95% CI) = −0.003 (−0.005, 0.000), p = 0.024)) and (β (95% CI) = −0.015 (−0.028, −0.002), p = 0.021)). Our findings suggest that a higher consumption of free sugars might negatively impact the activity and complications of SLE. However, future longitudinal research on SLE patients, including dietary intervention trials, are necessary to corroborate these preliminary data.

Introduction: Gut dysbiosis has been associated with the development of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although previous studies suggest microbial alterations in SLE, evidence at the species level and its clinical relevance remain limited. This study aimed to characterise the gut microbiota at species level in SLE patients and evaluate its association with clinical features. Materials and methods: A total of 57 SLE patients and 57 matched controls were included. Faecal samples were collected using the OMNIgene-GUT kit, and microbial DNA was extracted with the Maxwell RSC PureFood GMO kit. Metagenomic sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and the data was analysed with QIIME2. Microbial diversity and relative abundance were assessed using the phyloseq package, and differentially abundant taxa were identified using DESeq2. Clinical subgroups among SLE patients were identified via k-means clustering. Results: SLE patients exhibited significantly different beta diversity compared to controls (p = 0.001), with increased abundance of Pseudomonadota (3.81% vs. 6.80%, p < 0.05) and decreased Bacteroidota (53.42% vs. 38.04%, p < 0.05). Only 10 bacterial species were consistently present across all SLE samples, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides dorei, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Hypertensive patients and those treated with corticosteroids presented a marked depletion of key microbial taxa. Conversely, Belimumab-treated patients displayed a distinct microbiota enriched in species such as Alistipes shahii and Prevotella corporis. Conclusions: This study confirms significant gut microbiota alterations in SLE and pinpoints microbial profiles associated with clinical subgroups. These findings suggest gut dysbiosis may contribute to SLE pathogenesis and indicate biomarkers for disease stratification.

This study aimed to examine the influence of new ICTs on the recording of nursing interventions in the Emergency Unit of the High Resolution Hospital (HRH) of Loja (Granada), Spain. A descriptive observational study was conducted to analyze the evolution of the Nursing Interventions (NIC) records in the Emergency Unit of the Loja HRH (Granada) from 2017 to 2021. Results showed that 11,076 NIC registrations were exploited, which increased by 51.2% from 2017 to 2021. The linear correlation between the NIC and the years was analyzed with Spearman’s coefficient, obtaining a low level of correlation (p = 0.166), but one that is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The introduction of tablet devices in the emergency room of the Loja HRH (Granada) led to a significant increase in the percentage of NIC recorded and collated during the study period without increasing the number of emergencies attended. However, usability barriers of ICTs were detected, highlighting the need to guide and train health professionals in their use and in the culture of patient safety.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammatory response and abnormal autoimmune disease. Vitamin D is essential in phosphorus-calcium metabolism, has immunosuppressive properties, and is considered a therapeutic option. Controversy exists about the role of this vitamin in the pathogenesis of SLE. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the dietary intake of vitamin D and its supplementation in a cohort of patients with SLE. A cross-sectional study including a total 285 patients with SLE was conducted (248 females and 26 males; mean age 46.99 ± 12.89 years). The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2K) and the SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) were used to assess disease activity and disease-related damage, respectively. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dL), homocysteine (Hcy; mol/L), anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) (IU/mL), complement C3 (mg/dL), and complement C4 (mg/dL), among other biochemical markers, were measured. The dietary intake of vitamin D and the intake of vitamin D supplement were obtained via a 24-h patient diary. A share of 57.1% of the patients took vitamin D supplements and the average of dietary vitamin D was 2.08 ± 2.94 μg/day. Note that 98.2% of patients did not reach the recommended dietary intakes for vitamin D intake. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that clinical and laboratory variables are not significantly affected by vitamin D intake levels after adjusting for age, gender, energy intake, and medical treatment (immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and antimalarials). Patients with SLE who took vitamin D supplements had significantly higher serum complement C3 levels compared to patients who did not take them after adjusting for covariates (110.28 ± 30.93 vs. 107.38 ± 24.18; p = 0.018). Our findings suggest a potential impact of supplementation of vitamin D on the activity of SLE. Future longitudinal research on SLE patients, including intervention trials, are required to validate these preliminary data.

Objectives: To analyze the effects of the combination of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) supplementation and a health-related lifestyle intervention on disease activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A total of 38 women with SLE were randomly assigned to EVOO (n = 9) and EVOO combined with multicomponent health promotion and physical exercise program (EVOO + HRLI) (n = 15) or control (CG) (n = 14) groups for 24 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments were performed, collecting data on disease activity, accrual damage, blood biochemical parameters, arterial stiffness parameters, Framingham risk score, anthropometric and body composition measurements, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: No changes in disease activity were observed in any group after the intervention. For cardiovascular risk, significant differences were observed in the intervention groups for systolic and mean blood pressure, with greater reductions in the EVOO + HRLI (p = 0.036 vs. p < 0.001; p = 0.017 vs. p < 0.001, respectively). The EVOO group showed significant reductions in BFM and BFP (p = 0.042, p = 0.022, respectively). The EVOO+ HRLI group also showed significant reductions in triglycerides (p < 0.001), Aix brachial (p = 0.037), central systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), central pulse pressure (p = 0.05), body mass index (p = 0.006), body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.039) after the intervention. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary program integrating nutritional interventions, health education, and the promotion of regular physical activity in SLE patients has the potential to significantly improve cardiovascular risk factors and body composition parameters. Thus, integrating this approach into clinical practice alongside usual pharmacological treatments would be beneficial for SLE patients. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05261529.

Background/Objectives: To analyze possible epigenetic changes (miRNA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on a Mediterranean diet (MD) supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Methods: Fifteen SLE patients with medium/high MD adherence were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (daily supplementation of 40 mL of EVOO for 24 weeks) or to a control group (CG). miRNA profiles from blood peripheral cells were analyzed pre-/post-intervention using next-generation sequencing. Differential expression analysis was performed by DESeq2 in R to determine changes in the log2FC. Functional enrichment analysis was performed using GeneCodis 4. Results: EVOO supplementation resulted in changes in the expression of 16 miRNAs in the IG. Compared to the CG, two miRNAs showed upregulation (miR-451a, miR-1307-5p) while five showed downregulation (miR-193b-50, miR-134-5p, miR1287-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-654-3p). miR-124-3p, which has been proposed to be an SLE biomarker, showed the lowest relative expression after EVOO supplementation (L2FC −3.36; p_unadj = 0.025), whereas miR-1307-5p (L2FC 1.115 p_unadj = 0.02) and miR-451a (L2FC 0.77 p_unadj = 0.036) showed the highest relative abundance. The functional enrichment analysis showed that Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation and the complement/coagulation cascades were among the top ten most significantly enriched pathways. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MD supplementation with EVOO leads to changes in the profile of miRNAs in SLE patients, potentially impacting disease pathogenesis. Further research is needed to validate these preliminary findings and the mechanisms by which EVOO modifies miRNA expression in the context of this disease.