Can we taper IV belimumab in #SLE? Dr Fredi reported 14/48 (29%) extended tx to at least 5-weekly after 12mo of tx. No worsening C3/C4 & PGA but interestingly #steroid and SLEDAI ⬇️. More works needed to identify suitable pts for taper and regime #EULAR2021 #POS0107 @RheumNow https://t.co/Gwe7mPWPdY

In a UK 🇬🇧 study of newly diagnosed #SLE, Dr Yee reported higher damage in the first 3yrs but then stabilised. Death rate in the first 12yrs had improved to 4.8% (mostly heart disease and infection) but could still occur early (within 5yr diagnosis) #EULAR2021 #POS0111 @RheumNow

In patients with #SLE who attained LLDAS, a retrospective cohort study by Dr Cunha identified predictors of flares including anti-RNP +ve, concomitant immunosuppressant and oral prednisolone. Important to account these during follow-up #EULAR2021 #POS0105 @RheumNow

🚨So after LoVAS Now this Ritux + MMF + Pulse MPS No oral steroids 🤯 @ARD_BMJ @EBRheum - Lesser is better ?? https://t.co/CYMNX8wLtd https://t.co/NtwTas3ZdS

• https://ard.bmj.com/content/72/8/1280.long

Promising preclinical data of novel dual BAFF/APRIL inihibitor ALPN-303 re:efficacy & immunomodulatory activity vs TACI-i. Could deplete plasma cell compared to anti-CD20 mAbs in #SLE. Be interesting to see how it’ll fare in future clinical trials #EULAR2021 #OP0039 @RheumNow https://t.co/LnQzO67gwI

Dr. Tani: Who has trouble tapering below 5mg/d prednisone in SLE ☑️Older patients ☑️High disease activity ☑️Skin and MSK manifestations ☑️Pts treated before 2000. Try to avoid long-term steroid usage early in the disease course, as it gets harder over time. #EULAR2021, @RheumNow

Longitudinal UK SLE inception cohort 273 pts found: 👉⬆️damage in 1st 3 yrs b/f stabilizing at lower rate 👉mortality uncommon in 1st 12 yrs, but can occur w/in 5 yrs of Dx. 👉unexpected⬆️mortality in Caucasians 38% deaths IHD, 23% infx Abst#0111 #EULAR2021 @rheumnow @Lupusdoc https://t.co/wUwWaB4V2R

Can you predict flares in SLE pts who achieved LLDAS? Retrospec cohort study from Portugal over 3 years of 292 pts who were in LLDAS, 31% flared. Flares seen more in: 👉pts who require ongoing Rx w/ immmunosuppr, GCs 👉pt w/+RNP Abst#0105 #EULAR2021 @RheumNow https://t.co/xfBqGh4pPP

C3 and C4⬆️in SLE pregnancy like they would in pregnancies w/o SLE! French GR2 prospective study of 290 SLE pregnancies quantifies mean C3 value⬆️by 28%, C4⬆️by 11% from 1st ➡️3rd trimester. Remember this when assessing disease activity. #EULAR2021 Abstr #0103 @rheumnow https://t.co/TXjO4mjNJE