ABSTRACT
Objectives: Recently, we demonstrated a negative impact of smoking on belimumab efficacy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we particularly investigated clinical effects of belimumab and a potential impact of smoking in mucocutaneous and articular SLE.
Methods: We surveyed 62 SLE patients treated between 2011 and 2017. Evaluation included the mucocutaneous descriptors of SLEDAI-2K (rash, alopecia, mucosal ulcers; mcSLEDAI-2K), CLASI, the arthritis SLEDAI-2K descriptor (arSLEDAI-2K) and the 28-joint count.
Results: mcSLEDAI-2K and CLASI activity decreased from baseline to month 6 and 12 (P < 0.001 for all). No worsening in CLASI damage was observed. Current or previous smokers displayed a higher probability of unchanged/worsened mcSLEDAI-2K compared to never smokers (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.5–27.4; P = 0.012), also after adjustment for antimalarial agents. arSLEDAI-2K scores had decreased at month 6 (P < 0.001) and 12 (P < 0.001). Likewise, tender and swollen 28-joint counts had improved at month 6 (P = 0.010 and P < 0.001, respectively) and 12 (P = 0.001 for both). We observed no impact of smoking on belimumab efficacy in articular SLE.
Conclusion: We observed a negative impact of smoking on the efficacy of belimumab in mucocutaneous SLE. In contrast, no impact of smoking on belimumab efficacy was seen in patients with articular manifestations.
Acknowledgments
We would like to express our gratitude to Eva Jemseby and Julia Norkko (Karolinska), Maria Andersson (Lund), and Marianne Peterson (Linköping) for managing the serum samples. We also thank all participating patients.
Authors’ contributions
Study conception, design and coordination: IP, AG, IG
Acquisition of serum samples and clinical assessment: IP, CS, AJ, AZ, MF, AB, IG
Statistics and interpretation of the results: IP, AG, IG
Manuscript draft: IP, AG, CS, AJ, AZ, MF, AB, IG
All authors read and critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content, approved its final version prior to submission, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.