Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Ethnic differences in disease activity among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a universal public healthcare system
Authors' conclusion
In a universal public healthcare system, we did not observe major ethnic disparities in clinical manifestations of SLE. Nonetheless, non-Spaniard patients showed higher disease activity, lower remission rates, and greater glucocorticoid use, suggesting differences in disease expression rather than inequities in care.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending rheumatology outpatient clinics of Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Madrid, Spain), 2023–2024, in a universal public healthcare system
- Participants
- 324 patients
- Exposure
- Non-Spaniards vs Spaniards
- Non-Spaniardsn = 137
- Outcome
- Disease activity
Methodological detailsretrospective review of medical records, single-centre
- Retrospective review of medical records
- Single-centre
Further findings
APS
P = 0.04
Anti-Sm antibodies
P = 0.03
Current prednisone use
Mean
| Outcome | Non-Spaniards | Spaniards | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLEDAI-2K score | 1.80 (SD 2.65) | 1.26 (SD 1.84) | P = 0.03 |
| SLE-DAS score | 2.06 (SD 3.26) | 1.34 (SD 1.89) | P = 0.01 |
- DORIS remission · significantly lower remission rates in Non-Spaniards
- P = 0.03
Clinical manifestations and LN histology
- No significant differences
Immunosuppressant use
- Similar between the two groups
Original publication
Ethnic differences in disease activity among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a universal public healthcare system. Lupus. Published 28 January 2026. doi:10.
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