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FRIDAY, Oct. 24 (HealthDayNews) -- Prolonged remission
is rare in people with lupus, claims a Canadian study.
The findings were presented Oct. 24 at the annual scientific meeting
of the American College of Rheumatology in Orlando, Fla.
The study included 704 people registered with the University of
Toronto Lupus Clinic Database between 1970 and 1997. The participants
were followed at the clinic at least every 18 months.
Of the 704 patients, 12 achieved prolonged remission.
The researchers found only one statistically significant difference
between the dozen who achieved prolonged remission and the other
lupus patients. Those in prolonged remission were less likely to
have been on corticosteroid or immunosuppressant therapy, and less
likely to be anti dsDNA antibody positive (a blood test that indicates
the presence of lupus).
Those in prolonged remission also had a lower level of disease
activity over time.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that results from an
overactive immune system that produces too many abnormal antibodies,
which react with the patient's own tissues. While the exact cause
of lupus is not known, it's believed that heredity, environment
and hormonal changes may be factors.
"Although we have made great strides in prolonging survival
in patients with (lupus), very few patients have a prolonged period
of being disease- and treatment-free," according to a prepared
statement from researcher Dr. Murray Urowitz, the director of the
University of Toronto's Center for Prognosis Studies in the Rheumatic
Diseases at Toronto Western Hospital.
"Thus we achieve disease suppression rather than disease
remission. Therefore, with current therapies continued vigilance
for disease recurrence is necessary," Urowitz adds.
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