Objectives:

to assess whether patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and low disease activity at the time of diagnosis have a more benign course of the disease vs those who have moderate/severe activity at the time of diagnosis.

Materials and methods:

observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study. Clinical records of patients diagnosed with SLE according to ACR 1982/1997 Criteria, SLICC 2012 or ACR/EULAR 2019, who attended the Rheumatology Section of Rivadavia hospital in CABA, Argentina, were reviewed.

Results:

a total of 100 patients diagnosed with SLE were included, of which 44% had mild activity, while the remaining 56% had moderate or severe activity at diagnosis. Statistically significant differences were observed between the group that had mild baseline activity vs the group that presented moderate/severe baseline activity, with the first group presenting fewer flares throughout the course of the disease (median of the first group 0 (IQR 0-1) vs median of the second, 1 (IQR 1-2); p<0.01). Less organ involvement was observed throughout the course of the disease in those with mild baseline activity compared with moderate/severe baseline activity, with statistically significant differences in renal involvement (15.91% versus 55.36%; p<0.01).

Conclusions:

patients with low baseline activity had a more benign disease course, presenting fewer severe flares compared to patients who presented moderate to severe activity at disease onset.

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