Publications
Find coverage of the latest original articles on Lupus, focusing on those with data on therapeutic interventions and those that have clinical impact.
This activity is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca.
Phase II randomised trial of type I interferon inhibitor anifrolumab in patients with active lupus nephritis
Ann Rheum Dis. 2022;81(4):496–506 doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221478
Despite not meeting the primary endpoint, this Phase II trial of anifrolumab in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN) demonstrates that anifrolumab IR is associated with numerical improvements over placebo across endpoints – including complete renal response – in patients with active LN.
Clinical meaningfulness of a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment response in terms of patient-reported outcomes in moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus: a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials of anifrolumab
Lancet Rheumatol 2022;4:e198–207
In patients with moderate-to-severe SLE, British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) responders report improvements in disease activity, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and pain.
A secondary analysis of the Belimumab International Study in Lupus Nephritis trial examined effects of belimumab on kidney outcomes and preservation of kidney function in patients with lupus nephritis
Kidney Int. 2022;101(2):403-413 doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.08.027
Post-hoc analysis data suggests that the addition of belimumab to standard therapy may be effective in preserving long-term kidney function in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).
Efficacy of anifrolumab across organ domains in patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus: a post-hoc analysis of pooled data from the TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials
Lancet Rheumatol. Published online February 3, 2022
Across two pivotal phase 3 trials (TULIP-1 and TULIP-2), anifrolumab treatment improved systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity across multiple organ domains, compared with placebo.
Easy-BILAG: a new tool for simplified recording of SLE disease activity using BILAG-2004 index
Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022. Epub ahead of print doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab883
Easy-BILAG is a high-accuracy, time-efficient tool for recording BILAG-2004 disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Disease activity measurements in SLE are necessary for optimal patient care, treat-to-target approaches and clinical guidelines. However, administrative burden and potential frequency of errors with the current comprehensive disease activity instrument (BILAG-2004) limits its use in routine practice.
Evaluating the Construct of Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Dec 28. Epub ahead of print
Study identifies shifts in the paradigm of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) damage and develops a unifying conceptual framework to inform development of a revised SLE Damage Index (SDI).
Shifts in the concept of damage in SLE have occurred with new insights into disease manifestations, diagnostics, and therapy. Consequently, there is a need for a revised SDI, to incorporate additional factors that contribute to damage accrual.
Real-world Impact of Flaring on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilisation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2021.Epub ahead of print
Data from the real world underscores the need for more effective strategies and treatments to alleviate or prevent flaring in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Despite data from Hong Kong and Canada showing an association of flaring with reduced health-related quality of life and increased healthcare resourse utilisation and costs, similar international data are limited.
Flares after Hydroxychloroquine Reduction or Discontinuation: Results from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Inception Cohort
Ann Rheum Dis. 2021:annrheumdis-2021-221295. Epub ahead of print
Evidence suggests that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduction/withdrawal may be safe in some stable patients, but in other settings it may be associated with disease flare. Almeida-Brasil, et al. sought to evaluate SLE flares following HCQ reduction or discontinuation versus HCQ maintenance. Their data suggest that maintaining HCQ was associated with a lower flare risk than reduction or discontinuation, even in patients with low disease activity or remission.
Efficacy and Safety of Ustekinumab in Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results Through 2 Years of an Open-Label Extension in a Phase 2 Study
J Rheumatol. 2021. Epub ahead of print
Phase II data demonstrate clinical benefit in global and organ-specific SLE-activity measures with ustekinumab through 2 years with no new or unexpected safety findings.
2019-EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria Domains at Diagnosis: Predictive Factors of Long-Term Damage In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Clin Rheumatol. 2021. Epub ahead of print
Single-centre, retrospective analysis identifying that specific domains in the 2019-EULAR/ACR criteria at diagnosis are associated with long-term organ-specific damage, particularly renal and neuropsychiatric harm.