Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: It is a prospective observational non-randomized cohort study. The study enrolled SLE patients in four centres who had received at least one course of RTX induction treatment. Patients with a clinical response to RTX were divided into two groups based on their maintenance therapy in the first 12 months: the RTX group and the ISA group. The relapse-free survival times were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictive factors for disease relapse. RESULTS: Among the 82 patients included in the cohort, 67 (81.7%) patients had a clinical response at 6 months. RTX maintenance therapy was applied in 34 (50.7%) patients and ISA maintenance therapy was applied in the remaining 33 (49.3%) patients. After a median follow-up of 24 months, a total of 13 (19.4%) patients had experienced disease relapse, comprising three in the RTX group and 10 in the ISA group. Patients in the RTX group had a higher relapse-free survival rate than patients in the ISA group. Multivariate analysis identified hydroxychloroquine use, RTX maintenance therapy and haematological system involvement as independent predictors for sustained remission. CONCLUSION: This multicentre prospective cohort study demonstrated that long-term RTX maintenance therapy has high efficacy and acceptable safety in relapsing or refractory SLE patients who had a clinical response to RTX induction therapy.
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Authors | Xiaochan Chen, Xiaowei Shi, Han Xue, Honghua Lv, Lishi Yu, Xiudi Wu, Qiaohong Wang, Huaxiang Wu, Fei Han, Jing Xue |
Journal | Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
(Rheumatology (Oxford))
Vol. 62
Issue 3
Pg. 1145-1152
(03 01 2023)
ISSN: 1462-0332 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 35976105
(Publication Type: Observational Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected]. |
Chemical References |
- Rituximab
- Immunosuppressive Agents
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Topics |
- Humans
- Rituximab
(therapeutic use)
- Cohort Studies
- Prospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
- Retrospective Studies
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
(drug therapy)
- Remission Induction
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