Table 1.
Demographic, clinical, serological, and therapeutic characteristics of the patients at baseline
| Variable | Maintenance Group (n = 102) | Withdrawal Group (n = 102) | SMD | Variance Ratio | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female sex | 92 (90.2) | 89 (87.3) | ‐ | ‐ | 0.884 |
| Black | 12 (11.8) | 8 (7.8) | ‐ | 0.88 | 0.317 |
| Age, years | 44.1 ± 15.4 | 41.7 ± 12.9 | 0.17 | 1.07 | 0.242 |
| Disease duration, years | 12.8 ± 10 | 11.7 ± 7.9 | 0.12 | 1.1 | 0.292 |
| Duration of clinical remission, years | 3.6 ± 2.6 | 3.6 ± 2.2 | 0.01 | 0.7 | 0.967 |
| SLEDAI‐2K | 1.7 ± 1.5 | 1.6 ± 1.5 | 0.08 | 0.91 | 0.577 |
| Adjusted mean SLEDAI‐2K for the first 5 years since enrollment | 3.5 ± 1.9 | 3.1 ± 1.9 | 0.23 | 1.05 | 0.075 |
| History of lupus nephritisa | 37 (36.3) | 41 (40.2) | ‐ | 0.99 | 0.572 |
| History of CNS involvementb | 34 (33.3) | 28 (27.5) | ‐ | 0.93 | 0.396 |
| Low C3/C4 | 42 (41.2) | 41 (40.2) | ‐ | 1 | 0.866 |
| Anti‐dsDNA (+) | 45 (44.1) | 40 (39.2) | ‐ | 1.04 | 0.484 |
| SDI | 1.2 ± 1.4 | 1.0 ± 1.5 | 0.13 | 0.68 | 0.352 |
| Cumulative glucocorticoid dose,c g | 30.6 ± 24.4 | 25.5 ± 22.6 | 0.22 | 1.17 | 0.062 |
| Antimalarials | 67 (65.7) | 67 (65.7) | ‐ | 0.88 | 1.000 |
| Immunosuppressives | 51 (50) | 44 (43.1) | ‐ | 0.98 | 0.25 |
Categorical variables are presented as n (%), continuous variables are presented as mean ± SD.
Abbreviation: SDI, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index; SLEDAI‐2K, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index‐2000; SMD, standardized mean difference.
Based on renal biopsy demonstrating lupus nephritis or abnormal proteinuria (>0.5g/day) in two consecutive visits treated with glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressives by the attending physician.
Based on any central nervous system involvement treated with glucocorticosteroids and/or immunosuppressives by the attending physician.
From first clinic visit up to the index date (in prednisone equivalent).