Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of azathioprine and mycophenolate initiators with SLE in Medicaid, 2000–2010
| Characteristics | Azathioprine (N=2309) | Mycophenolate mofetil (N=2070) |
|---|---|---|
| Age – mean ± SD | 36.1 ± 11.8 | 33.4 ± 11.6 |
| Female sex – N (%) | 2138 (92.6) | 1857 (89.7) |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| Black | 1089 (47.2) | 925 (44.7) |
| White | 579 (25.1) | 506 (24.4) |
| Hispanic | 476 (20.6) | 453 (21.9) |
| Asian | 93 (4.0) | 114 (5.5) |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 22 (1.0) | 31 (1.5) |
| Region – N (%) | ||
| Northeast | 523 (22.7) | 577 (27.9) |
| South | 837 (36.3) | 680 (32.9) |
| Midwest | 378 (16.4) | 368 (17.8) |
| West | 571 (24.7) | 445 (21.5) |
| Zip code median household income- median $ (25th, 75th) | 41,643 (33,659–51,948) | 42,557 (33,995–55,565) |
| Diabetes- N (%) | 297 (12.9) | 242 (11.7) |
| SLE risk adjustment index – mean ± SD | 1.4 ± 2.2 | 2.1 ± 2.5 |
| Lupus nephritis – N (%) | 503 (21.8) | 1162 (56.1) |
| Number of drugs – mean ± SD | 5.0 ± 3.6 | 5.5 ± 3.8 |
| Antidepressant use – N (%) | 439 (19.0) | 209 (10.1) |
| Corticosteroid use – N (%) | 1898 (82.2) | 1704 (82.3) |
| Hydroxychloroquine use – N (%) | 1315 (57.0) | 938 (45.3) |
| Immunosuppressant use* - N (%) | 374 (16.2) | 526 (25.4) |
| Number of SLE-related laboratory tests+ – mean (SD) | 3.3 (4.2) | 3.71 (5.0) |
*
Immunosuppressants include methotrexate, leflunomide, tacrolimus, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine (for mycophenolate mofetil initiators) and mycophenolate mofetil (for azathioprine initiators)
+
Laboratory tests include BUN, creatinine, complement (C3 and C4), ESR, CRP, anti-dsDNA and urinalysis