Combination of clinical factors predicts successful glucocorticoid withdrawal in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): results from a multicentre, retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Glucocorticoid (GC) tapering and withdrawal to reduce damage represents a key aspect of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) SLE recommendations. However, optimal strategies for relapse-free GC cessation remain ill-defined. We characterised clinical predictors and their combined effect on flares in patients with SLE who discontinued GC.

Methods

Retrospective cohort of 324 patients with active SLE (PGA ≥1.5 and/or SLEDAI-2K ≥6) who received GC as part of treatment intensification (median follow-up 60 months). Survival and generalised linear models estimated SELENA-SLEDAI flare risks and their predictors.

Results

GCs were discontinued in 220 (67.9%) patients with 1-year risks for overall and severe flares of 50% and 25%, respectively

SUBMITTER: Katechis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11749689 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature