The health-care costs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares among patients with lupus nephritis were higher than patients who do not have lupus nephritis, according to an analysis published by Bell et al in Lupus. In a retrospective cohort study that included data on nearly 12,000 patients with SLE (with lupus nephritis, n = 2,916; without lupus nephritis, n = 8,747), 12,190 flares were identified during the study period; patients with lupus nephritis were more at risk for moderate or severe disease flares than patients without lupus nephritis. The mean total health-care costs for flares at any level of severity were higher among patients with lupus nephritis ($5,842) vs those without lupus nephritis ($2,600). In addition, costs increased with each level of severity of flares, with the mean cost of severe flares approaching $30,000 for patients with lupus nephritis vs $15,000 for patients without lupus nephritis. The study authors concluded, “This study has shown that SLE flares among patients with lupus nephritis were more frequent, severe, and costly than among patients without lupus nephritis. These data highlight the need for interventions that prevent or reduce flares among patients with SLE, with or without lupus nephritis. Relevant stakeholders should be engaged to ensure that treatment options that reduce the risk of flares are accessible to patients with lupus nephritis.”
May 25, 2023