The following studies are led by BC Lupus Research Scholar and Arthritis Research Canada Scientist, Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta.

2019:

Patterns of medication use before, during and after pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a population-based cohort study

Enav Z Zusman, Eric C Sayre, J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, Mary A De Vera

This study describes the trends in medication use before, during, and after pregnancy in a population of women with lupus. Results showed that pregnant women often stopped using medications used to treat lupus, in particular antimalarials, a type of drug used to manage lupus. These findings show the need for more conversations between doctors and lupus patients who may become pregnant on the benefits and risks of medications during pregnancy.

Excess productivity costs of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and sjögren's syndrome: A general Population–Based study

Natalie McCormick, Carlo A Marra, Mohsen Sadatsafavi, Jacek A Kopec, J Antonio Avina-Zubieta

A sample of British Columbians with and without systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and Sjogren’s syndrome were surveyed on their employment and productivity outcomes. Results showed that there is a substantial productivity loss for individuals with these diseases, mainly from presenteeism (showing up to work but being less productive) and unpaid work loss. These losses in productivity represent a loss to individuals in the form of lost income and also a loss to the economy.

*This publication is a part of the PRECISION Project. Find out more about this project here.

Fatigue measurements in systemic lupus erythematosus

Ariane Barbacki, Michelle Petri, J Antonio Avina-Zubieta, Graciela S Alarcon

Fatigue is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and it is challenging to define and measure. The authors reviewed the best tools to measure fatigue in adult patients with lupus and found eight tools used in the scientific literature. The most frequently used tools were the visual analog scale, Krupp Fatigue Severity Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale. Each tool has strengths and limitations.

Persistent disease activity remains a burden for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Christine A. Peschken, Yishu Wang, Michal Abrahamowicz, Janet Pope, Earl Silverman, Amyn Sayani, Sandra Iczkovitz, Jorge Ross, Michel Zummer, Lori Tucker, Christian Pineau, Deborah Levy, Marie Hudson, Carol A. Hitchon, Adam M. Huber, C. Douglas Smith, Antonio Avina-Zubieta, Hector Arbillaga, Gaëlle Chédeville, Willy Wynant, Paul R. Fortin and on behalf of CaNIOS 1000 Faces Investigators

The control of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity is suboptimal: only a fraction of patients achieve long-term remission with no or little treatment. The aim of this study was to describe disease activity over time in a group of patients with lupus. Patients with high disease activity at study entry continued to have high disease activity over time. This suggests that there are gaps in the optimal treatment of lupus.