Periods of Low Disease Activity Improve Outcomes in People with Lupus
New research finds that achieving lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) for any period of time is associated with significant protection against subsequent disease flares and organ damage accrual in people with lupus. What’s more, the association of LLDAS with reduced organ damage accrual was observed regardless of study participants’ pre-existing damage or disease activity. People with more frequent periods of LLDAS, as well as longer duration of LLDAS, experienced especially reduced risk of organ damage and flares.
LLDAS is defined by several key measurable requirements that indicate low disease activity level, such as a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2K score of four or less, a current prednisone (or equivalent) dose of 7.5 milligrams or less per day, and so on.
This is the first study to validate that LLDAS is associated with improved patient outcomes – an important step in the advancement of lupus treatment research. These findings suggest that LLDAS may be a meaningful and achievable treatment endpoint, or goal, for people living with the disease, and clinical treatment approaches may improve as a result.
Eric Morand, MBBS, lead investigator and Global Advisory Committee member of the ALPHA Project adds, "Measurement issues have bedeviled the study of lupus for years. This large prospective study sets a benchmark for validation of lupus endpoints, and provides formal validation of LLDAS as a desirable treatment endpoint for lupus. We look forward to LLDAS being adopted in treat-to-target approaches and trials of new medicines."
Living with lupus can be challenging and painful, but there are steps that can help minimize disease activity. Learn about managing and preventing flares.