Background: Low disease activity state has been defined using SLEDAI and used as treatment target in SLE. However, there not any such definition BILAG-2004 index (BILAG-2004). Objectives: This study was to determine if low according is valid for use We also assessed longitudinally systems tally (BST). BST an alternative way of representing scores that combines the flexibility simplification num...

Objective—To compare the levels of the 9G4 idiotope (9G4 Id) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a detailed disease activity index, the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index, and serological parameters of disease activity by ds DNA antibody levels and serum C3 concentrations. Methods—In a cross sectional analysis serum samples from 190 patients with SLE were studied...

OBJECTIVE Most clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) study the efficacy and safety of investigational agents added to variable background immunosuppressants, which has resulted in high response rates in patients treated with placebo plus standard of care (SOC) plus rescue measures. This project compared the impact of different SOC treatments and disease variables on the outcome...

BACKGROUND In a prospective observational study, we investigated whether patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had higher indices of endothelial damage and dysfunction than healthy controls and whether improved disease control was associated with improvement in these indices. METHODS Twenty-seven patients with active SLE (four or more American College of Rheumatology (ACR) c...

BACKGROUND Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular diseases and has been observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the relationship of HRV with SLE disease activity and selected cytokine pathways. METHODS Fifty-three patients from the Oklahoma Lupus Cohort were evaluated at two visits each. Clinical assessmen...

Outcome assessments for flares in SLE trials have been both overly sensitive and non-specific, depending on the instrument being used. The article in this issue of Rheumatology by Thanou et al. [1], from a well-respected SLE centre, discusses proposed modifications to the classic Safety of Estrogen in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA)-SLEDAI Flair Index (SFI). The SFI is defined ...

OBJECTIVES Evaluation of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis is a challenge, and repeated renal biopsies are usually needed in order to confirm a suspicion of flare. In a previous cross-sectional study, we reported that serum soluble form of the interleukin-7 receptor (sIL7R) levels is strongly associated with nephritis in SLE patients. In the present study, we want...

BACKGROUND Previous reports indicate that treating patients with lupus (SLE) at or close to the time of diagnosis successfully without using any, or minimal, corticosteroids by using B-cell depletion (BCD) is possible in the short-term. It is not however known whether using BCD is as effective or reduces corticosteroid use in the long-term. We report the long-term (up to 7 years) use of BCD wit...

OBJECTIVE To assess factors associated with primary and secondary non-response to rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluate management of secondary non-depletion non-response (2NDNR). METHODS 125 patients with SLE treated with rituximab over 12 years were studied prospectively. A major clinical response was defined as improvement of all active British Isles Lupus Assessment...

Background: Treatment with the type I interferon (IFN) receptor antibody anifrolumab was associated clinical improvements in mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal disease activity patients systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) phase 2 MUSE trial ( NCT01438489 ) 3 TULIP trials. 1–4 Because rash arthritis are most common manifestations of SLE, effect on these symptoms can be examined biomarker-defined s...