This was a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 8 centers in the UK. All patients included in the study were diagnosed as having SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria (5 (link),6 (link)). Patients were excluded from the study if they were pregnant, <18 years of age, or unable to give valid consent. This study was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and received multicenter research approval from the Hull and East Riding Research Ethics Committee (Hull, UK) as well as approval from the local research ethics committees of all participating centers. Written consent was obtained from all patients.
The study was conducted from March 2005 to August 2006. At every assessment, data on disease activity, investigations, and treatment were collected. Disease activity was assessed using the BILAG-2004 index, Classic BILAG index, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (7 (link)). All clinicians involved in this study had been trained to use all 3 disease activity indices. More than 1 assessment was obtained on the majority of patients during the study period.
The study was conducted from March 2005 to August 2006. At every assessment, data on disease activity, investigations, and treatment were collected. Disease activity was assessed using the BILAG-2004 index, Classic BILAG index, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (7 (link)). All clinicians involved in this study had been trained to use all 3 disease activity indices. More than 1 assessment was obtained on the majority of patients during the study period.
Free full text: Click here
