Predictors of persistent disease activity and long quiescence in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from the Hopkins Lupus Cohort

Abstract

African American ethnicity and high disease activity at baseline predict chronic activity in SLE, regardless of treatment, years of education and income. Higher education, low disease activity at baseline and male sex predict long quiescence. The use of hydroxychloroquine is independently associated with a lower risk of chronically active disease.