Objective.: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1997, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2012, and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/ACR 2019 SLE classification criteria are formed based on data mainly from adult patients. We aimed to test the performances of the SLE classification criteria among pediatric patients with SLE.Methods.: Pediatric patients with SLE (n = 262; 80.9% female) were included from 3 different centers in Turkey. As controls, 174 children (60.9% female) with other diseases who had ANA (antinuclear antibody) test results were included. The gold standard for SLE diagnosis was expert opinion.Results.: The sensitivities of the ACR 1997, SLICC 2012, and EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria were 68.7%, 95.4%, and 91.6%, respectively. The specificities of the ACR 1997, SLICC 2012, and EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria were 94.8%, 89.7%, and 88.5%, respectively. Eighteen patients with SLE met the SLICC 2012 but not the EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria. Among these, hematologic involvement was prominent (n = 13; 72.2%). Eight patients with SLE fulfilled the EULAR/ACR 2019 but not the SLICC 2012 criteria. Among these, joint involvement was prominent (n = 6; 75%).Conclusion.: To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort study of pediatric SLE to test the performances of all 3 classification criteria. The SLICC 2012 criteria yielded the best sensitivity, whereas the ACR 1997 criteria had the best specificity. SLICC 2012 criteria performed better than EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria. Separation of different hematological manifestations in the SLICC 2012 criteria might have contributed to the higher performance of this criteria set.
Background: Little is known about the long-term efficacy and safety of canakinumab in paediatric FMF patients. Aim: To present the single centre experience of colchicine-resistant paediatric-onset FMF patients who were treated with canakinumab by off-label use since 2012. Methods: The hospital files of 15 children who used canakinumab were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and laboratory data of each visit were recorded. Drug-related adverse events were recorded. Complete remission was described as no attacks and normal acute phase reactants; partial remission was defined as decrease in severity and rate of attacks and/or elevated acute phase reactants with anti-IL-1 treatment. Results: The average duration of canakinumab use was 23.9 months months (min:12 max:58 months). Twelve patients were M694V homozygotes. Eleven patients achieved complete remission after the first dose at 2 months and 12 patients at 6 months. Canakinumab interval was shortened in 2 patients from 150 mg/8 weeks to 150 mg/4 weeks. Except one, 14 patients achieved complete remission by 12 months. Two patients had mild urinary tract infections. One patient had bronchopneumonia requiring hospitalization. Two patients had teeth abscess. There were no serious adverse events such as opportunistic infections, malignancies, or deaths. Besides, no significant laboratory abnormalities occurred in complete blood count parameters, liver and kidney function tests. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest outcome study about canakinumab use in paediatric FMF patients. This study suggested that canakinumab is safe and effective in children with FMF in the long-term.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe condition resulting in excessive response of the immune system after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report a single center cohor...