Table 4

Time-dependent survival analyses using three regression models with SLEDAI-2K, SLEDAI-2KG and SLEDAI organ systems

Univariable cox regressionMultivariable analysis with SLEDAI-2KMultivariable analysis with SLEDAI-2KG
HR
(95% CI)
P valueHR
(95% CI)
P valueHR (95% CI)P value
DemographicsFemale sex1.89 (0.69 to 5.17)0.222.41 (0.76 to 7.67)0.132.51 (0.79 to 7.98)0.12
Age at SLE diagnosis1.00 (0.98 to 1.02)0.77
Age at first visit1.00 (0.98 to 1.02)0.73
Caucasian1.46 (0.89 to 2.38)0.131.41 (0.85 to 2.32)0.18
Study protocolSLEDAI-2KG at each visit1.21 (1.10 to 1.33)<0.00011.178 (1.06 to 1.31)0.002
SLEDAI-2K at each visit1.06 (1.02 to 1.11)0.0041.04 (0.99 to 1.09)0.11
SDI score0.87 (0.72 to 1.10)0.140.84 (0.69 to 1.02)0.100.84 (0.69 to 1.02)0.09
Fibromyalgia0.94 (0.48 to 1.85)0.86
TreatmentGlucocorticoid Use1.66 (1.04 to 2.66)0.03Not entered into multivariable analysis, part of SLEDAI-2KG
Glucocorticoid dose (mg/day)1.02 (1.01 to 1.02)0.00011.01 (1.001 to 1.02)0.03
Antimalarial1.19 (0.75 to 1.90)0.46
Treated with Immunosuppressives1.52 (0.98 to 2.36)0.06
Laboratory markersAntiphospholipid antibody at any time0.94 (0.48 to 1.85)0.86
Leucopenia (WBC<4.0*10∧9 /L)1.27 (0.51 to 3.2)0.60
Neutropenia (<1.5* 10∧9)0.83 (0.40 to 1.73)0.62
Lymphopenia (<1.0* 10∧9)1.78 (1.12 to 2.80)0.011.63 (1.02 to 2.59)0.0411.56 (0.98 to 2.49)0.06
Anaemia1.25 (0.78 to 2.02)0.36
Low IgA1.52 (0.21 to 10.10)0.68
Low IgG1.61 (0.39 to 6.58)0.51
Low IgM1.12 (0.35 to 3.55)0.85
  • *All of the above variables were time-dependent with the exception of: female sex, age at SLE diagnosis, age at first visit and Caucasian ethnicity.

  • *In the third multivariable regression model with SLEDAI organ systems, lymphopenia was the only statistically significant predictor of HZ events (HR=1.64, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.95, p=0.037), the other adjusted variables in the model included SLEDDAI-2K organ systems, SDI and glucocorticoid dose which did not sustain significance. As a result this was not included in the above table.

  • HZ, herpes zoster; SLEDAI-2K, SLEDAI-2K, SLE Disease Activity Index 2000; SLEDAI-2KG, SLEDAI-2K Glucocorticoid Index; WBC, white blood cells.