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Clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in long-term remission without treatment

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A Correction to this article was published on 23 September 2020

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the clinical and serological characteristics of patients with SLE who reached a state of sustained remission for more than 10 years in the absence of treatment.

Methods

From a retrospective cohort of 2121 patients, 44 cases with sustained remission (PtRem) were identified and compared with 88 patients whose course has been chronically active (PtAct).The clinical and serological characteristics were analyzed, as well as the treatment of each group at the beginning of the disease and during its evolution.

Results

Older age at disease onset was associated with a tendency to reach a state of prolonged remission. These patients also had a higher frequency of thrombocytopenia at the beginning of the disease 34.1% vs 10.2% (p < 0.001). PtAct had a significantly higher initial SLEDAI compared with cases (10.4 ± 5.6 vs 14.1 ± 5.8; p < 0.001). PtRem had a higher initial frequency of anti-β2 GP1 IgG antibodies. Also, 25% of these patients were serologically active. We did not find differences in the initial treatment between both groups. The accumulated damage measured by SLICC/ACR damage index at the end of the study was significantly less in the patients who remained in prolonged remission.

Conclusions

Although patients with SLE who achieve prolonged remission have some different characteristics at baseline compared with PtAct, it is not possible to identify a characteristic phenotype for the former. Achieving a state of prolonged remission should always be the goal in patients with SLE.

Key Points

• SLE patients can reach a very prolonged state of remission, free of treatment, including antimalarials, for at least 10 years.

• Venous thromboembolism and thrombocytopenia are commonly present in patients that achieved remission.

• The presence of serological markers of activity, even after 10 years in remission, is a risk factor for relapse.

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Data availability

Data available upon request.

Change history

  • 23 September 2020

    The original published version of the above article contained errors in Key Points and Conclusion sections.

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Funding

This research was sponsored by the Conacyt-FOSIS, México. Grant number 289732.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

    J. Jakez-Ocampo, H. Fragoso-Loyo, G. Lima & L. Llorente

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

    M. Rodriguez-Armida

  3. Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, USA

    Y. Atisha-Fregoso

  4. Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA

    Y. Atisha-Fregoso

Authors
  1. J. Jakez-Ocampo
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  2. M. Rodriguez-Armida
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  3. H. Fragoso-Loyo
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  4. G. Lima
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  5. L. Llorente
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to J. Jakez-Ocampo or Y. Atisha-Fregoso.

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This study was reviewed and approved by the local Ethics Committee Ref: 2232.

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Jakez-Ocampo, J., Rodriguez-Armida, M., Fragoso-Loyo, H. et al. Clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in long-term remission without treatment. Clin Rheumatol 39, 3365–3371 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-020-05379-8

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