title: Successful treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with autoimmune thyroid disease using double-filtration plasmapheresis: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a complex and well recognized autoimmune disorder. Careful monitoring/surveillance of thyroid gland functioning and active treatment of SLE patients with coexisting AITD, typically using medications, are critically important. The role of apheresis in this setting remains to be fully explored. Here we examine the use of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with SLE complicated with AITD and report our experiences using this apheresis methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of 11 patients with SLE complicated with AITD who had received DFPP in our blood purification center between 2004 and 2008. Levels of thyroid hormones, antithyroid autoantibodies, SLE disease activity, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and response to therapy were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AITD, SLE, and lupus nephritis improved after DFPP. Except for one patient who died of severe pneumonia in the second month after completion of DFPP, all surviving patients continued to show clinical improvements or remained stable during the follow-up periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DFPP can effectively remove autoantibodies and may have an important adjuvant role in therapeutic options in the treatment of SLE patients with AITD complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shen Yang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lin-Lin
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Ning
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Qiu-Ling
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Zi-Long
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies