Key result
Children with moderate systemic lupus erythematosus activity had significantly reduced left ventricular function measured by global longitudinal strain compared to those with mild disease activity (-16.58% vs -19.65%).
Why the study?
Cardiac involvement in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus often lacks specific signs, and the impact of disease severity on left ventricular function measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography is unclear.
Does speckle-tracking echocardiography detect differences in left ventricular function in children with moderate versus mild systemic lupus erythematosus activity?
Cross-Sectional (n=49)
No
Does speckle-tracking echocardiography detect differences in left ventricular function in children with moderate versus mild systemic lupus erythematosus activity?
Absolute Event Rate: -16.58% vs -19.65%
p-value: p=0.008
Speckle-tracking echocardiography detects reduced global longitudinal strain in children with moderate versus mild systemic lupus erythematosus activity, highlighting its utility for early detection of subclinical cardiac dysfunction.
Speckle-tracking GLS detects reduced LV function in moderate pediatric SLE; hypothesis-generating, should not yet change practice.
INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus in children generally manifests more severely with a more aggressive disease course. Cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus often does not show specific signs and symptoms, but speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect cardiac dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the differences in left ventricular function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography in children with various severity of systemic lupus erythematosus activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 49 children diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus are currently undergoing outpatient or inpatient care at Dr Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, from May 2023 to June 2023. Disease activity was assessed by Mexican Version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI) with a score of 2-5 classified as mild activity, 6-9 as moderate, and ≥10 as severe. Each subject underwent conventional echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography with a Philips EPIQ machine performed by a Pediatric Cardiologist Consultant 10 days after inclusion. RESULTS: Fifteen (30.6%) subjects had mild disease activity, and 34 (69.4%) subjects had moderate disease activity. Most subjects (81.96%) were female with an average age of 15 years. The mean ejection fraction and fractional shortening as well as the median E/A ratio in the mild and moderate disease activity groups were not significantly different (65.76 versus 67.38%, 35.73 versus 37.11%, 1.6 versus 1.5%, respectively, p > 0.005). The global longitudinal strain in the moderate activity group was reduced more significantly than in the mild activity group (-16.58 versus -19.65, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography was lower in children with moderate systemic lupus erythematosus activity than those with mild disease activity.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rustam et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Systemic lupus erythematosus (n=49). Moderate systemic lupus erythematosus activity vs. Mild systemic lupus erythematosus activity was evaluated on Global longitudinal strain (p=0.008). Children with moderate systemic lupus erythematosus activity had significantly reduced left ventricular function measured by global longitudinal strain compared to those with mild disease activity (-16.58% vs -19.65%).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: