Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Continuation of belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a real-world setting: A single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
The belimumab continuation rate was high among patients with SLE in real-world settings; however, the absence of serological activity at belimumab initiation was a significant risk factor for discontinuation within 1 year.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) newly treated with belimumab at a single institution, 2018–2024
- Participants
- 38 patients
- Outcome
- Belimumab continuation
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Methodological detailssingle-center, real-world setting, consecutive patients, Data censored when belimumab was discontinued or the observation period ended
- Single-center
- Real-world setting
- Consecutive patients
- Data censored when belimumab was discontinued or the observation period ended
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
1-year belimumab continuation rate
29 of 38
76%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Absence of serological activity (increased anti-dsDNA and/or hypocomplementemia) at baseline as risk factor for discontinuation within 1 year
| RR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence of serological activity | 3.43 (1.01–11.6) | P = 0.034 | |
| 0.050.21520Relative risk (log scale) |
Follow-up after starting belimumab
- Median follow-up, months (IQR 12-52)
- 37
Discontinuation during entire observation period
- Patients who discontinued belimumab
- 15 (39%)
- Discontinued due to lack of efficacy
- 10
- Of these, switched to other biologics
- 7
- Overall discontinuation rate per 100 person-years
- 13.4
GC dosage in patients treated with belimumab ≥12 months
- GC dosage significantly reduced in the 29 patients (p < 0.001)
LLDAS at final visit among 33 patients not in LLDAS at baseline
- In LLDAS at final visit (p < 0.001)
- 19 (58%)
Safety
Temporary discontinuation due to infection
- Patients temporarily discontinuing belimumab due to infection
- 6
- All patients resumed it
Original publication
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