Background: Over 80% of patients affected with SLE experience skin involvement. The anti-BLyS drug belimumab was shown effective in ameliorating mucocutaneous SLE manifestations in clinical trials and real-life studies. Cutaneous response is quantified through the CLASI (cutaneous lupus erythematosus area and severity index). Clinically relevant improvements are defined as decreases of ≥50% (CLASI50) or 70% (CLASI70) from baseline values.
Objectives: To assess rates and predictors of CLASI50 and CLASI70 in the Berliss multicentric SLE cohort 1 of patients treated with belimumab.
Methods: Baseline and ongoing features of patients with baseline active skin involvement (CLASI>0) were assessed in relationship to the chosen outcomes CLASI50 and CLASI70 at 24 and 52 weeks. A subanalysis on patients with CLASI≥5 was as well conducted. Logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of response.
Results: 172 patients displayed skin involvement at baseline (CLASI>0). Of those, 124 displayed at least a 12-month-follow-up and were included in the analysis. Seventy-seven (62.1%) patients reached CLASI50 at 24 weeks and 91 (77.8%) at 52 weeks; 87 (70.2%) reached CLASI70 at 24 and 99 (79.8%) at 52 weeks. Baseline predictors of CLASI50 at 24 weeks were CLASI-damage (CLASI-d) (OR [95%CI], p; 0.79 [0.65-0.98] 0.03) and disease duration (0.93[0.86-0.99], 0.011). No baseline predictors of CLASI70 at 24 weeks emerged, however having achieved a CLASI50 response at 24 weeks portended CLASI50 and 70 response through week 52 (p<0.01,
Predictors of CLASI-A Response at Week 24 and 52 by Baseline CLASI-A at 50% and 70% Response Thresholds
Timepoint | Outcome | Variable | OR[95%CI] p |
---|---|---|---|
CLASI>0 | |||
24 weeks | CLASI50 | CLASI-d | 0.79 [0.65-0.98] 0.030 |
Disease duration | 0.93[0.86-0.99], 0.011 | ||
CLASI70 | CLASI-d | 0.93 [0.74-1.16], 0.51 | |
Disease duration | 0.97 [0.97-1.02], 0.18 | ||
52 weeks | CLASI50 | CLASI50 at 24 weeks | 14.3[4.88-44.42], <0.001 |
CLASI70 | CLASI50 at 24 weeks | 6.22 [2.00-19.34], 0.002 | |
CLASI≥5 | |||
24 weeks | CLASI50 | CLASI-d | 0.72 [0.53-0.98], 0.037 |
Disease duration | 0.93 [0.66-1.00], 0.071 | ||
CLASI70 | Antimalarials | 6.61 [1.20-36.29] 0.032 | |
Smoking | 0.15 [0.03-0.83], 0.034 | ||
52 weeks | CLASI50 | CLASI50 at 24 weeks | 22.0 [2.47-196.05], 0.006 |
CLASI70 | CLASI50 at 24 weeks | 1.24 [0.06-25.08], 0.88 |
CLASI, cutaneous lupus erythematosus area and severity index; CLASI-d, CLASI damage; CLASI50 and CLASI70: decrease ≥50% or ≥70% in CLASI from baseline. OR and 95%CIs are estimated using a logistic regression model with stratification factors as covariates (SLEDAI-2K at baseline, baseline prednisone dosage).
Conclusion: Earlier use of belimumab favors achievement of skin response among SLE patients and attainment of a prompt response predicts further response. Use of antimalarials reinforces while smoking hampers a more profound CLASI improvement over time.
REFERENCES:
[1]Gatto M, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Aug;72(8):1314-1324
Disclosure of Interests: Mariele Gatto Speakers bureau: GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK, Roberto Depascale: None declared, Angela Tincani: None declared, Giacomo Emmi: None declared, Salvatore Scarpato: None declared, Fabrizio Conti: None declared, Marcello Govoni: None declared, Marta Mosca: None declared, Maria Gerosa: None declared, Enrica Bozzolo: None declared, Valentina Canti: None declared, Armando Gabrielli: None declared, Elisa Gremese: None declared, Salvatore De Vita: None declared, francesco ciccia: None declared, Carlo Salvarani: None declared, Maurizio Rossini: None declared, Paola Faggioli: None declared, Antonella Laria: None declared, Amato De Paulis: None declared, Roberto Gerli: None declared, Enrico Brunetta: None declared, Alessandro Mathieu: None declared, Carlo Selmi: None declared, Rossella De Angelis: None declared, Simone Negrini: None declared, Margherita Zen: None declared, Andrea Doria Speakers bureau: GSK, Eli Lilly, Roche, Grant/research support from: GSK, Luca Iaccarino Speakers bureau: GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK