No abstract

Women with SLE who are younger and those with shorter disease duration should be assessed for medication adherence. Screening at diagnosis followed by routine assessment of cognitive dysfunction and depression along with perceived self-efficacy may further identify the most vulnerable subgroup who should be targeted with personalized intervention strategies.

In an Afro-Caribbean population, 111 new cases of systemic lupus erythematosus were diagnosed in the 10-year period from January 1995. Fifty-three cases (48%) presented with or subsequently developed lupus nephritis (SLEN). We recorded clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of SLEN. We retrospectively categorized patients into four groups based on presence or absence of proteinuria with or without renal impairment. Group 1 (n = 15, 28%) had normal renal function (creatinine clearance (CrCl) > 70 mL/minute) with urinary protein excretion (UPE) of 0.5-3.0 g/24 hour, group 2 (n = 7, 13%) had normal renal function with UPE > 3.0 g/24 hour, group 3 (n = 9, 17%) had renal impairment (CrCl < 70 mL/minute) with UPE of 0.5-3.0 g/24 hour and group 4 (n = 22, 42%) had renal impairment with UPE > 3.0 g/24 hour. Renal biopsies were performed in 15 patients (28%). The number of treated patients in-remission decreased across the groups, from 100% in group 1 and 71% in group 2, to 33% in group 3 and 32% in group 4 (Pr < 0.001). There were 12 deaths from renal causes: none in groups 1 and 2, two (22%) from group 3 and 10 (45%) from group 4 (Pr = 0.003). In resource-poor clinical settings with limited access to histopathological services, CrCl and UPE may be useful predictors of therapeutic response and clinical outcomes in SLEN.

Disparities in health outcomes occur in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) especially in economically disadvantaged populations. At the 9th International Congress on SLE, June 24-27, 2010, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, a symposium "Narrowing the Gap in the Treatment and Study of SLE worldwide" was held. Participating physicians from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Portugal, Africa and impoverished areas of the United States detailed their constraints and desires. These were remarkably consistent. Out of these discussions, a statement on minimum best practice was put forth aimed at the cost-effective management of SLE focusing on the critical factors that make a difference and are feasible even in the most challenging environments. Approaches to designing studies and establishing research and mentoring collaborations was also discussed. The ultimate aim was to provide an avenue for the improvement of care and outcomes for patients with SLE worldwide.