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Objective: Fatigue is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fatigue severity scale (FSS) is used to measure fatigue. This study was aimed to develop a culturally adapted Bangla version of the English FSS and to validate it. Methods: English version of FSS was translated into Bangla and adapted in the local sociocultural context, following the recommendations of Beaton et al. One hundred and twenty SLE patients were assessed in the Rheumatology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Content validity of the adapted Bangla version was evaluated by item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index (S-CVI). Correlation between FSS and health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) and 12 item short form health survey (SF-12) was measured for the assessment of convergent validity. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were also assessed. Results: Our procedure had no problem with the content and language. I-CVI and S-CVI for each item was one. FSS showed strong positive correlation (>0.7) with HAQ-DI and strong negative correlation (>−0.7) with SF-12. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93). Conclusions: The adapted Bangla version of FSS is a reliable and valid instrument and can be recommended for the self-assessment of fatigue in SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of low‐dose prednisolone with conventional high‐dose regimen in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) for remission. Methods: This open‐label randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 32 LN patients were randomized into low‐dose (experimental) and high‐dose (control) groups. All subjects received standard dose of intravenous (I/V) methylprednisolone and pulse I/V cyclophosphamide. Oral prednisolone, 0.5 mg/kg/d and 1 mg/kg/d were given to experimental and control groups respectively for initially 4 weeks then tapered. The patients were followed for 24 weeks. The rates of renal remission (complete and partial) were assessed at 24 weeks. The disease activity, biochemical markers, and quality of life were evaluated at baseline and at 24 weeks. Results: Complete renal remission was achieved by 66.7% of patients in each group (P =.99). Renal remission (partial/complete) was achieved by 86.7% and 83.3% of patients in the prednisolone low‐dose group and high‐dose group respectively (P =.99). In between groups, no significant difference was observed in the improvement of active urinary sediments, serum creatinine level, anti‐double‐stranded DNA level, complements level, disease activity and Short Form‐12 score. The prednisolone dose‐related adverse events like cushingoid facies, abdominal stria, infections and serious adverse events like death occurred more in the high‐dose prednisolone group. Conclusions: It has been observed that low‐dose prednisolone regimen may be effective in LN. Steroid dose‐related side effects and rate of infections were lower in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]