Analysis of the relationship between disease activity and damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus--a 5-yr prospective study

Abstract

In this first prospective study of its type a highly significant impact of total disease activity, as measured over 5 yr using the BILAG system, on the development of total damage was revealed. Moreover, these results provide further proof of the validity of the SDI and support the BILAG concept of the A-flares.