Long-term improvement of lipid profile in patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus treated with B-cell depletion therapy: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: Lipid abnormalities contribute to the increased risk of premature atherosclerosis in patients with SLE. This study was undertaken to investigate changes in lipid profile after B-cell depletion therapy (BCDT) in patients with active SLE who had failed standard immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods: Twelve patients with refractory SLE treated with BCDT based on rituximab (two biweekly infusions of 1 g) were examined.