To determine if low disease activity state (LDAS)/remission predicts a better health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center and having completed at least 2 visits were included. Visits were performed every 6 months. HRQoL was measured with the LupusQoL questionnaire. The definition of remission included a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score of 0, prednisone daily dosage of ≤5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs on maintenance dose. LDAS was defined as a SLEDAI-2K score of ≤4, prednisone daily dosage of ≤7.5 mg/day, and immunosuppressive drugs as maintenance therapy. For these analyses, remission and LDAS were combined as one variable. Generalized estimating equations were calculated, using as the outcome 1 of each of the 8 components of the LupusQoL questionnaire in the subsequent visit and the activity state in the previous visit. Multivariable models were adjusted for possible confounders.
A total of 243 patients were included. During the follow-up, 590 visits (61.6%) were categorized as LDAS/remission. LDAS/remission predicted a better HRQoL in the components of physical health (B = 4.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.20, 7.14]; P = 0.006), pain (B = 6.47 [95% CI 3.18, 9.76]; P < 0.001), planning (B = 4.97 [95% CI 1.43, 8.52]; P = 0.006), burden to others (B = 4.12 [95% CI 0.24, 8.01]; P = 0.037], emotional health (B = 4.50 [95% CI 1.56, 7.44]; P = 0.003), and fatigue (B = 3.25 [95% CI 0.04, 6.47]; P = 0.048).
Being in LDAS/remission predicts a better HRQoL, especially in the components of physical health, pain, planning, burden to others, emotional health, and fatigue.