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Objectives: To analyze the characteristics and the predictive factors of the use of rituximab and belimumab in daily practice in patients from the inception cohort Registro Espanol de Lupus (RELES). Material and methods: The study included 518 patients. We considered patients treated with biologics who received at least one dose of rituximab or belimumab, and possible indications of those manifestations registered at the same time or in the previous 2 months of the start of the therapy. Results: In our cohort, 37 (7%) patients received at least one biological treatment. Rituximab was prescribed in 26 patients and belimumab in 11. Rituximab was mainly prescribed for hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia (11 patients, 42%), lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric lupus (5 patients each, 19%). Belimumab was mostly used for arthritis (8 patients, 73%). In the univariate analysis, the predictive factors at diagnosis for the use of biologic therapy were younger age (p = 0.022), a higher SLEDAI (p = 0.001) and the presence of psychosis (p = 0.011), organic mental syndrome (SOCA) (p = 0.006), hemolytic anemia (p = 0.001), or thrombocytopenia (p = 0.01). In the multivariant model, only younger age, psychosis, and hemolytic anemia were independent predictors of the use of biologics. Conclusions: Rituximab is usually given to patients with hematological, neuropsychiatric and renal involvement and belimumab for arthritis. Psychosis, hemolytic anemia and age at the diagnosis of lupus were independent predictive factors of the use of biological agents. Their global effects are beneficial, with a significant reduction in SLE activity and a low rate of side effects.

Objective To compare the main characteristics of two inception cohorts (Italian [ITC] and Spanish [SPC]) cohorts of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the time of diagnosis and at one year of follow-up. Methods Demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics, and treatments at SLE diagnosis and at 12 months of follow-up of ITC and SPC were compared. Results One hundred and sixty-four patients in the ITC and 231 patients in the SPC were compared. the patients from ITC were younger at SLE diagnosis (41.1±15.0 years vs. 46.4±15.6 years; p<0.001) and had a higher prevalence of arthritis (62.8% vs. 45.5%; p=0.001), serositis (25.6% vs. 16.0%; p=0.026), neurological involvement (7.9% vs. 1.7%; p=0.006), and immunological abnormalities (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, antiphospholipid antibodies) (93.9% vs. 77.8%; p<0.001). Conversely, photosensitivity (29.5% in ITC vs. 45.9% in SPC; p=0.001) and oral ulcers (12.4% vs. 30.3%; p<0.001) were more frequent at onset of SLE in the Spanish patients. At the first 12 months of follow-up, these differences were maintained. At SLE onset, more Italian patients received glucocorticoids (85.4% vs. 50.2%; p<0.001) and immunosuppressive agents. At 12 months of follow-up, more Spanish patients were treated with antimalarials (75.6% in ITC vs. 90.0% in SPC; p<0.001). Conversely, the use of glucocorticoids was lower in SPC (89.0% in ITC vs. 57.1% in SPC; p<0.001). Conclusion These cohorts presented different profiles in terms of pattern of organ/system involvement and disease treatment, possibly as a consequence of patient selection or different disease management approaches between Italy and Spain.

[ES] Introducción: Los registros de pacientes son herramientas útiles para evaluar enfermedades poco frecuentes. Nuestro objetivo es presentar el «Registro español de pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico» (RELES)., Pacientes y métodos: RELES se inició en 2008, como un registro multicéntrico de cohortes, observacional, prospectivo, incluyendo a pacientes desde el momento del diagnóstico, cuyo objetivo es analizar la incidencia y complicaciones no inflamatorias del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Participan los servicios de Medicina Interna de 38 hospitales españoles., Resultados: Se incluyó a 298 pacientes con una edad media de 40,8 ± 15,7 años, de los que el 88,9% eran mujeres y el 85,6% de raza caucásica. En la primera visita, predominaron las manifestaciones articulares (74,5%). Ciento setenta y siete pacientes (59,4%) mostraban positividad para anti-DNA nativo, siendo superior en estos la frecuencia de nefritis lúpica (26,7% vs. 14%, p = 0,009; riesgo relativo [RR] 1,33), de anemia hemolítica (13,6% vs. 4,1%, p= 0,07; RR 1,46) y linfopenia (55,4% vs. 43,8%, p = 0,05; RR 1,21). La mediana del Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2K) fue de 9,64 puntos (rango intercuartílico 4-13). Los tratados con antipalúdicos antes del diagnóstico de LES tenían una mediana de SLEDAI en la primera visita de 5, frente a 8 en los que no los tomaban (p = 0,02)., Conclusiones: RELES constituye la primera cohorte de pacientes con LES recogidos desde el momento del diagnóstico en España. La presencia de anti-DNA se ha relacionado con manifestaciones graves como nefritis y anemia hemolítica. El tratamiento con antipalúdicos antes del diagnóstico se asoció con una enfermedad menos activa al comienzo., [Abstract] Introduction: Patient registries are useful tools for assessing rare diseases. Our objective is to present the Spanish registry of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (Registro español de pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico, RELES)., Patients and methods: RELES was started in 2008 as an observational, prospective, multicentre cohort registry that included patients from the time they were diagnosed. The registry's objective is to analyse the incidence and noninflammatory complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The departments of internal medicine of 38 Spanish hospitals participate in this registry., Results: A total of 298 patients with a mean age of 40.8 ± 15.7 years were included, 88.9% of whom were women and 85.6% of whom were white. In the first visit, there was a predominance of joint manifestations (74.5%). One hundred and seventy-seven patients (59.4%) were positive for anti-native DNA. In these patients, there was a higher rate of lupus nephritis (26.7% vs. 14%, p=.009; relative risk [RR], 1.33), haemolytic anaemia (13.6% vs. 4.1%, p=.07; RR, 1.46) and lymphopenia (55.4% vs. 43.8%, p=.05; RR, 1.21). The median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2 K) score was 9.64 points (interquartile range, 4-13). The patients treated with antimalarial drugs before the diagnosis of SLE had a median SLEDAI score in the first visit of 5, compared with 8 for those who were not treated with these drugs (p=.02)., Conclusions: RELES constitutes the first Spanish patient cohort with SLE recorded from the time of the diagnosis. The presence of anti-DNA has been related to severe manifestations such as nephritis and haemolytic anaemia. Treatment with antimalarial drugs before the diagnosis was associated with less active disease at the initial presentation.