Keywords
Belimumab
lupus nephritis
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: Belimumab has shown efficacy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), although data from Latin American populations remain limited.
Objective: To evaluate therapeutic response and adverse events associated with Belimumab in Paraguayan patients with SLE.
Methods: Prospective longitudinal observational study including adult patients with SLE (2019 EULAR/ACR criteria) who initiated Belimumab between November 2023 and October 2024. Disease activity was assessed using SLEDAI-2K at weeks 0, 12, and 24.
Results: Seventeen patients were included, 88.2% female, with a mean age of 30.5 ± 8.2 years. Mean SLEDAI-2K decreased from 10.8 ± 5.4 at baseline to 6.8 ± 3.4 at week 12 and 6.9 ± 4.9 at week 24, with significant differences compared with baseline (p=0.027 and p=0.043, respectively). Reduction in anti-dsDNA positivity, complement consumption, and proteinuria was also observed. Mild infections were the most frequent adverse events. No unexpected severe adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Belimumab showed significant reduction in SLE activity and an acceptable safety profile in this Paraguayan cohort.
References
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