Genetic Risk Scores May Predict Severity and Outcomes in People with Lupus
In a new study, a high genetic risk score (GRS) was associated with an increased risk of organ damage, renal (kidney) dysfunction and mortality in people with lupus. Organ damage, cardiovascular disease, proliferative nephritis (kidney lesions), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and presence of antiphospholipid antibodies were successfully predicted by a high GRS in people with lupus. GRSs have been applied in several fields of medicine and may be a potential tool for prediction of disease severity in lupus.
Clinical data from 1,001 people with lupus were analyzed. Their health outcomes and cumulative genetic risk were compiled and compared against the GRSs of 5,524 people with lupus and 9,859 healthy people. Lupus was more prevalent in the high-, compared with the low-GRS group Patients in the high GRS group had a 6-year earlier average disease onset, displayed higher prevalence of damage accrual, ERSD, proliferative nephritis, certain types of autoantibodies and positive lupus anticoagulant test, compared with patients in the low-GRS group. Survival analysis showed earlier onset of the first organ damage, first cardiovascular event, nephritis, ESRD and decreased overall survival in people with high GRSs compared to those with low scores.
Genetic profiling may be useful for predicting outcomes in people with lupus and aid in the clinical decision process. Understanding the genetic contribution to permanent organ damage is important for understanding how lupus develops. Learn more about the genetics of lupus.