A multinational study offers new hope for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and high disease activity, showing that achieving low disease activity or remission can significantly reduce the risk of organ damage and disease flare.
The study, led by Rangi Kandane-Rathnayake and colleagues, analysed data from 1,029 SLE patients with high disease activity status (HDAS), defined as a SLEDAI-2K score of 10 or higher. The research examined the frequency of attaining the lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) or remission (REM) and their impact on patient outcomes.
The findings were encouraging: 71% of patients achieved LLDAS at least once during the study period, while 41% achieved remission. Even short periods of low disease activity were associated with a reduced risk of organ damage and flare, underscoring the value of pursuing these treatment goals. Sustained LLDAS or remission provided even greater protection but was more challenging to maintain. Only 37% of patients achieved at least three months of sustained LLDAS, and the proportions dwindled for longer durations.
“Achieving and maintaining low disease activity or remission in lupus patients with high disease activity is a critical step in reducing long-term complications,” the researchers noted. “While challenging, these targets provide significant protection against damage and flare, making them valuable benchmarks in patient care.”
The study highlights the importance of personalised treatment strategies that aim to achieve low disease activity as a practical goal, particularly in patients with high disease activity. It also emphasises the need for continued efforts to develop therapies that enable sustained remission or low disease activity over longer periods.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Kandane-Rathnayake R et al. Association of Lupus Low Disease Activity State And Remission With Reduced Organ Damage And Flare in Systemic lupus erythematosus Patients With High Disease Activity. Rheumatology. 2024;DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keae631.
