Systemic lupus erythematosus. Disease outcome in patients with a disease duration of at least 10 years: second evaluation.

Data related to the disease course of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with special attention to the persistence of disease activity in the long term are scarce. At this moment reliable figures are only known about the survival rate as a measure of outcome. The aim of this multicenter study was to describe the outcome of SLE patients with a disease duration of greater than 10 y.

Incomplete lupus erythematosus: results of a multicentre study under the supervision of the EULAR Standing Committee on International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutic Trials (ESCISIT).

Objective: Patients characterized with antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and disease symptoms related to one organ system can be described as having incomplete systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this multicentre study was to describe the outcome of these so-called incomplete SLE patients. Two aspects of the outcome were studied: (i) the disease course, defined by the presence or absence of clinical symptoms; and (ii) the number of patients that eventually developed full SLE.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical features in patients with a disease duration of over 10 years, first evaluation.

Objective: Most information available about the disease course of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is restricted to the first 5 yr after disease onset. Data about the disease course 10 yr after disease onset are rare. The aim of this multicentre study was to describe the outcome of SLE patients with a disease duration of >10 yr.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients with active and severe RA (disease duration <8 years) were recruited into a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Doses of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and/or oral corticosteroids (< or =10 mg prednisolone daily) remained constant throughout the study.

Safety and effectiveness of leflunomide in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II study.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of leflunomide versus placebo in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated for 6 months.

Methods: Four hundred two patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo or leflunomide at 5 mg, 10 mg, or 25 mg daily. A washout period of 6-12 weeks from prior second-line therapy was required.