Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Efficacy and safety of belimumab in patients with lupus nephritis: a real-world retrospective observational study
An erratum to this article was published (Rheumatology (Oxford), 1 Apr 2025 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
This real-world study revealed that add-on treatment with belimumab provided better disease remission, and the therapeutic effect was more significant in patients with lower proteinuria levels. In addition, it had a favorable safety profile and reduced the risk of respiratory tract infection.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with Lupus Nephritis (LN) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, November 2012 to July 20231,169 LN patients identified
- Participants
- 112 vs 112
- Exposure
- Belimumab add-on to standard therapy vs standard therapy only in LN
- BLMn = 112
- Controln = 112reference
- Outcome
- Efficacy during 2-year follow-up
- Follow-up
- 2 years
Methodological detailsreal-world, matched for relevant baseline characteristics, single-centre
- Real-world
- Matched for relevant baseline characteristics
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- More significant improvement in serum albumin and complement levels with BLM vs control
- Significantly lower B-cell count and immunoglobulin with BLM
- Earlier first attainment of renal remission with BLM
- No significant improvement in renal function, kidney-related events or death
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Disease activity indicators, B-cell count, immunoglobulin and renal remission · 2-year follow-up
- BLM vs control: more significant improvement in disease activity indicators such as serum albumin and complement levels, significantly lower B-cell count and immunoglobulin, and earlier first attainment of renal remission
Renal function, kidney-related events or death · 2-year follow-up
- No significant improvement with BLM vs control
Treatment effect by proteinuria level (subgroup, BLM)
- Treatment effect of belimumab more prominent in patients with lower levels of proteinuria
Safety
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Respiratory tract infectionLower incidence in BLM group | P = 0.015 |
Original publication
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