Baseline demographic characteristics, SLE manifestations, serological tests, disease activity, disease damage, comorbid conditions and pharmacological therapy
| Characteristics | ||
| Sex, % female | 100 | |
| Age, mean (SD) | 43.8 (15.1) | |
| SLE duration, mean years (SD) | 13.8 (9.1) | |
| Cumulative ACR criteria, % | ||
| Malar rash | 51.7 | |
| Discoid rash | 8.3 | |
| Photosensitivity | 61.7 | |
| Oral ulcers | 35.0 | |
| Non-scarring alopecia | 28.8 | |
| Arthritis | 80.0 | |
| Pericarditis | 11.7 | |
| Pleuritis | 13.3 | |
| Cellular casts | 16.7 | |
| Proteinuria | 40.0 | |
| Seizures | 10.0 | |
| Psychosis | 3.3 | |
| Haemolytic anaemia | 3.3 | |
| Leucopenia (<4.0 x 109/L) | 61.7 | |
| Lymphopaenia (<1.5 x 109/L) | 86.7 | |
| Thrombocytopaenia (<100 x 109/L) | 8.3 | |
| ANA | 95.0 | |
| Anti-dsDNA antibodies | 71.7 | |
| Anti-Smith antibodies | 20.0 | |
| Anticardiolipin antibodies | 23.3 | |
| Lupus anticoagulant test | 13.3 | |
| Other serological tests, % | ||
| Anti-Ro antibodies | 33.3 | |
| Anti-La antibodies | 11.7 | |
| Low C3 | 72.9 | |
| Low C4 | 66.1 | |
| SLEDAI | ||
| Mean score (SD) | 1.75 (3.1) | |
| Median score (P25–P75) | 0 (0–2) | |
| SDI | ||
| Mean score (SD) | 0.91 (1.4) | |
| Median score (P25–P75) | 0 (0–1.5) | |
| Comorbidities, % | ||
| Tobacco use | 6.7 | |
| Overweight/obesity | 20.0 | |
| Arterial hypertension | 50.0 | |
| Diabetes mellitus | 3.3 | |
| Dyslipidaemia | 41.7 | |
| Coronary artery disease | 1.7 | |
| Hypothyroidism | 20.0 | |
| Chronic kidney disease | 3.3 | |
| Cataracts | 11.7 | |
| Diabetic retinopathy | 0.0 | |
| SLE treatment, % | Current | Cumulative |
| Corticosteroids | 56.7 | 98.3 |
| Mycophenolate mofetil | 28.3 | 38.3 |
| Azathioprine | 5.1 | 33.3 |
| Cyclophosphamide | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| Tacrolimus | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| Methotrexate | 1.7 | 11.7 |
| Rituximab | 0.0 | 3.3 |
| NSAIDs | 10.2 | 50.0 |
ACR, American College of Rheumatology; Anti-dsDNA, anti-double stranded DNA; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; P, percentile; SDI, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index; SLEDAI, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index.