Clinicians approaches to management of background treatment in patients with SLE in clinical remission: results of an international observational survey

Pintip Ngamjanyaporn, Eoghan M. McCarthy, Jamie C. Sergeant, John Reynolds, Sarah Skeoch, Benjamin J Parker, Ian N. Bruce*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
141 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background The definition of remission in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear, especially how background treatment should be interpreted. Objective To determine preferences of clinicians in treatment of patients in clinical remission from SLE and to assess how previous severity, duration of remission and serology influence changes in treatment. Methods We undertook an internet-based survey of clinicians managing patients with SLE. Case scenarios were constructed to reflect different remission states, previous organ involvement, serological abnormalities, duration of remission and current treatment (hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), steroids and/or immunosuppressive (ISS) agents). Results 130 clinicians from 30 countries were surveyed. The median (range) duration of practice and number of patients with SLE seen each month was 13 (2-42) years and 30 (2-200), respectively. Management decisions in all scenarios varied with greater caution in treatment reduction with shorter duration of remission, extent of serological abnormalities and previous disease severity. Even with mild disease, normal serology and a 5-year clinical remission, 113 (86.9%) clinicians continue to prescribe HCQ. Persistent abnormal serology in any scenario led to a reluctance to reduce or discontinue medications. Prescribing in remission, particularly of steroids and HCQ, varied significantly according to geographical location. Conclusions Clinicians preferences in withdrawing or reducing treatment in patients with SLE in clinical remission vary considerably. Serological abnormalities, previous disease severity and duration of remission all influence the decision to reduce treatment. It is unusual for clinicians to stop HCQ even after prolonged periods of clinical remission. Any definition(s) of remission needs to take into consideration such evidence on how maintenance treatments are managed.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000173
JournalLupus Science and Medicine
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Jun 2017

Bibliographical note

Ngamjanyaporn P, McCarthy EM, Sergeant JC, et al Clinicians approaches to management of background treatment in patients with SLE in clinical remission: results of an international observational survey Lupus Science & Medicine 2017;4:e000173. doi: 10.1136/lupus-2016-000173

Keywords

  • Corticosteroids
  • Disease Activity
  • Remission
  • serology
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Clinicians approaches to management of background treatment in patients with SLE in clinical remission: results of an international observational survey'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this