Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Early methylprednisolone pulses and prevention of long-term damage accrual in active systemic lupus erythematosus: a propensity score analysis of the Lupus–Cruces–Bordeaux cohort
Main finding · Organ damage or death for any causeResult — go to the resultAdjusted hazard ratio 0.63 95% CI 0.40–0.98Authors' conclusion
This study supports the role of the early MP in reducing long-term damage accrual and death, especially among patients with moderate/severe activity.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Lupus-Cruces-Bordeaux cohort, expanded with patients from the historic Lupus Cruces cohort, follow-up ≥5 and up to 10 years99 (21%) received methylprednisolone pulses (MP)
- Participants
- 469 patients
- Exposure
- Methylprednisolone pulses within the first year of follow-up vs no MP
- MPn = 99
- Outcome
- Irreversible organ damage or death for any cause during the whole follow-up time
- Follow-up
- Whole (≥5 to 10 years)
Methodological detailspropensity score-adjusted Cox models, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, stratified by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) <6 and ≥6
- Propensity score-adjusted Cox models
- Kaplan-Meier survival curves
- Stratified by SLEDAI <6 and ≥6
Main finding
Organ damage or death for any cause · whole follow-up
Adjusted hazard ratio
0.63
95% CI 0.40–0.98
P = 0.044
MPvs No MP
aHR 0.63 (95% CI 0.40–0.98); P = 0.044
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aHR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organ damage or death for any cause (early outcome) · 5 yearsPS-adjusted Cox model | 0.61 (0.37–0.98) | P = 0.042 | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Stratified analyses by disease activity
- Benefit restricted to patients with moderate/severe activity and mainly in lupus and GC-related damage items
Original publication
Early methylprednisolone pulses and prevention of long-term damage accrual in active systemic lupus erythematosus: a propensity score analysis of the Lupus–Cruces–Bordeaux cohort. RMD Open. Published 24 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →