Measures of Adult Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Disease Activity and Damage

The document reviewed various indices for assessing disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), highlighting the complexity of the disease and the importance of selecting appropriate measures for clinical trials and evaluations. It discussed tools like the BILAG 2004 index, SLEDAI 2K, SLAQ, LFA-REAL, CLASI, SFI, SDI, BILD, SRI 4, and BICLA, each with specific strengths and limitations. The BILAG 2004 and SLEDAI 2K were noted for their validation and use in research, while the SLAQ was praised for its ease of use as a patient-reported index. The SDI and BILD were used to measure irreversible damage, with the SDI showing good reliability. The document emphasized the need for careful selection of indices based on clinical context, as some trials may have failed due to the insensitivity of available indices to detect therapeutic responses. Overall, these tools provided valuable insights into SLE management, though their applicability varied across different clinical settings.