Clinical characteristics and efficacy of intrathecal therapy in pediatric lupus encephalopathy
Authors' conclusion
Children with NPSLE in our center demonstrated more severe disease and higher disease activity index. Methotrexate and dexamethasone intrathecal therapy provided faster symptomatic relief and reduced disease activity in children with NPSLE.
Study context
- Population
- Children with Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE), Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, January 2002 to December 202314 male, 69 female
- Participants
- 83 children
- Exposure
- Intrathecal MTX and dexamethasone vs no intrathecal injection
- Injectionn = 10
- Outcome
- Clinical characteristics of pediatric NPSLE
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- NPSLE as initial manifestation
- 12 (14.46%)
- NPSLE after SLE onset
- 71 (85.54%)
- Abnormal imaging (CT/MRI) in 81 children; cerebral atrophy most common
- 64 (79.01%)
- Abnormal electroencephalography, of 21 patients
- 14
- Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings, of 29 patients
- 7
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1
- 68.67%
- CKD stage 2 or higher
- 31.33%
- SLEDAI score at initial consultation
- 20.93 ± 6.41
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
SLEDAI score before treatment
- Injection group had higher SLEDAI scores
- P < 0.05
Resolution times for NPSLE-related symptoms and imaging · after treatment
- Shorter in the injection group; difference did not reach statistical significance
SLEDAI score and its reduction · after treatment
- Injection group had a lower SLEDAI score and a more pronounced reduction
- P < 0.05
Original publication
Clinical characteristics and efficacy of intrathecal therapy in pediatric lupus encephalopathy. Lupus. Published 22 May 2025. doi:10.
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