Evolution of Chikungunya virus disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.

Abstract

Introduction: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease is a viral disease characterised by fever accompanied by joint pain. The epidemic of this disease in the last two years has caused more than 100,000 confirmed and suspected cases, including people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objective: The objectives of the following work were to determine the evolution of CHIKV disease in patients with SLE, to characterise the study population, to determine the frequency of CHIKV disease in patients with SLE, to describe the clinical manifestations of CIHKV disease in patients with SLES, and to record the patients' impression of disease activity in relation to CHIKV disease in patients with SLE.

Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. It included 101 patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, who were surveyed using a virtual form. The investigators contacted patients by phone calls or messages, and if patients agreed to enter the study, the form was sent to them or, in some cases, completed during the telephone call, if requested by the patient.

Results: The mean age value is 38.2 ± 11.8 years. The female sex accounted for 85.1% (86/101) of the patients, while 14.9% (15/101) were male. Chikungunya virus disease occurred in 37.6% (38/101) and was characterised in the acute phase by arthralgias in 84.2% (32/38), fever in 71.1% (27/38), weakness in 57.9% (22/38) and headache in 55.3% (21/38). In the subacute phase, arthralgias manifested in 73.7% (28/38) of patients. The chronic phase was present in 71.1% (27/38) with persistence of arthralgias in 81.48% (22/27) of patients accompanied by other symptoms such as arthritis in 40.74% (11/27). Due to CHIKV disease, 21.1% (8/38) received an indication in the subacute or chronic phase to make changes in their medication for SLE. 62.5% (5/8) received an indication to increase the dose of corticosteroid, while 50% (4/8) received an indication to increase the dose of immunosuppressant. According to the patients' impression of the baseline disease activity following CHIKV disease, patients reported an exacerbation of SLE in 10.5% (4/38) of patients, of whom 50% (2/4) reported exacerbation of symptoms already existing before infection, the appearance of new symptoms in 50% (2/4). Only 5.2% (2/38) referred to hospitalization due to CHKV disease in the acute phase.

Conclusion: Arthralgias were frequent in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases. In terms of treatment, some patients adjusted their SLE medications, increasing the dose of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids. In terms of evolution, most patients did not experience an exacerbation of their baseline disease due to CHIKV disease, and only a couple of patients required hospitalization.