Low Disease Activity—Irrespective of Serologic Status at Baseline—Associated with Reduction of Corticosteroid Dose and Number of Flares in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treated with Belimumab: A Real-Life Observational Study

    February 2018 in “ Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism ”
    Antonis Fanouriakis, Christina Adamichou, Sofia Koutsoviti, Stylianos Panopoulos, Chrysanthi Staveri, Anastasia Klagou, Christina Tsalapaki, L. Pantazi, Styliani Konsta, Clio P. Mavragani, Despoina Dimopoulou, Styliani Ntali, Georgios Katsikas, Kyriaki Boki, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos, Pinelopi Konstantopoulou, Stamatis‐Nick Liossis, Antonia Elezoglou, Maria G. Tektonidou, Prodromos Sidiropoulos, Abdülsamet Erden, Petros P. Sfikakis, George Βertsias, Dimitrios T. Boumpas
    TLDR Belimumab reduces disease activity, steroid use, and flares in lupus patients.
    This multicentre prospective observational study included 91 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients treated with belimumab for at least 3 months. The study found that belimumab significantly reduced disease activity, corticosteroid dosage, and the number of flares, irrespective of the patients' serologic status at baseline. Over 40% of patients achieved a low disease activity state (LLDAS) within 9-12 months, and more than 20% discontinued corticosteroids. The number of flares and severe flares decreased by 62% and 50%, respectively, during the first 12 months. Twenty patients discontinued treatment due to inadequate response, and two due to potential side effects.
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