Clinical scores (i.e. SLEDAI-2K score, SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index, SLICC/SDI score), daily prednisone intake, and laboratory parameters (i.e. white blood cells, anti-dsDNA antibody, C3 and C4 levels) were collected at baseline and at …show more content…
persistent, deforming, erosive joint inflammation) (p=0.08).
Also cutaneous manifestations had a good response to the drug, with a decrease in median CLASI score in both subacute cutaneous (SCLE) and acute cutaneous SLE (ACLE) manifestations; the difference between the two groups of patients was not statistically significant.
The flare rate 12 months and 24 months before belimumab initiation was 78 flares/100 patients and 150 flares/100 patients respectively.
Nineteen flares were observed in 15 patients during follow up, with a rate of 26 flares/100 patients/12 months and 44 flares/100 patients/24 months after belimumab initiation; the decrease in the flare rate was statistically significant in both periods (p=0.001).
Patients with SLE have a poor long-term prognosis due to continuous damage accrual which is fostered by persistent disease activity, disease flares and prolonged corticosteroid therapy [14]. Notably, damage accrual, assessed with SDI (SLICC/ACR Damage Index) [15], remained unchanged during the 2-year follow up after belimumab initiation. This may be due to the decrease in mean disease activity scores and in corticosteroid use in the