Multiple Definitions of Lupus Remission and Low Disease Activity Linked to Less Damage

A new study demonstrates the importance of striving for remission or low disease activity (LDA) in lupus. Researchers assessed multiple definitions of remission and LDA and found each was associated with less organ or tissue damage.

This study included 1,652 patients from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) cohort, which is a multinational, multiethnic cohort with people recently diagnosed with lupus across Asia, Europe and North America.

Four distinct definitions of remission and LDA were assessed:

• Remission Off-Treatment: a clinical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (cSLEDAI-2k) score of zero, without prednisone or immunosuppressants (immunosuppressive medications)
• Remission On-Treatment: a cSLEDAI-2k score of zero, while taking 5mg or less of prednisone or immunosuppressants
• Low Disease Activity: a cSLEDAI-2k score less than or equal to two, without prednisone or immunosuppressants
• Modified Lupus Low Disease Activity (mLLDAS): a SLEDAI-2k score less than or equal to four, with no activity in major organ systems, no new disease activity, while taking 7.5mg or less of prednisone and/or immunosuppressants

All of the above definitions were associated with less organ or tissue damage, and the longer the individual remained in a state of remission or LDA, the lower the probability of damage accrual was. These disease activity states were also associated with a lower probability of lupus flares and hospitalizations.

Lupus affects everyone differently, which means treatment goals need to be tailored to each individual. Talk to your doctor about your treatment plan and learn more about lupus remission.

Read the study