Table 1

Characteristics of study population with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at time of inclusion

Patient characteristicsSLE (n=349)
Female303 (87)
Age (years)43.7±13.4
Duration of SLE (years)4 (1–13)
SLEDAI-2K4 (2–8)
SDI1 (0–2)
BMI24.9±5.1
Current smoking99 (28)
Comorbidities
 Hypertension120 (35)
 Diabetes17 (5)
ACR 1997 criteria for SLE
 Malar rash135 (39)
 Discoid rash65 (19)
 Photosensitivity179 (51)
 Oral ulcers149 (43)
 Non-erosive arthritis206 (59)
 Pleuritis or pericarditis90 (26)
 Renal disorder (ever)94 (27)
 Neurological disorder (psychosis/epilepsy)43 (12)
 Haematological disorder175 (50)
 Immunological disorder265 (76)
 Positive ANA340 (97)
Current immunosuppressive medication
 Hydroxychloroquine226 (65)
 Prednisolone187 (54)
 Azathioprine55 (16)
 Methotrexate22 (6)
 Belimumab2 (1)
 Other*11 (3)
Current organ involvement
 Major NPSLE
  Inflammatory51 (15)
  Ischaemic28 (8)
  Combined25 (7)
 Nephritis85 (24)
 Arthritis17 (5)
  • Results are presented as n (%), mean±SD or median (IQR).

  • *Other: includes cyclophosphamide (n=9) and tacrolimus (n=2).

  • ACR, American College of Rheumatology; ANA, anti-nuclear antibodies; BMI, body mass index; NPSLE, neuropsychiatric SLE; SDI, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index; SLEDAI, SLE Disease Activity Index.