Lupus nephritis predictor of severe COVID-19 in SLE

Amongst individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), those that have lupus nephritis (LN) are significantly more likely to develop severe to critical COVID-19, according to a study.

This pooled analysis included 24 case reports and case series pertaining to COVID-19 in 48 patients with SLE.

At the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, the median age was 41 years, and the median SLE disease duration before the COVID-19 diagnosis was 9 years.

Overall, 45.83% of patients experienced severe to critical COVID-19. Patients with lupus nephritis, however, were found to be significantly more likely to develop severe to critical disease (P = 0 .036) with an odds ratio of 5.40 (95% confidence interval of 1.120-26.045).

Reference
Sakthiswary R, Chuah HY, Chiang KS, et al. COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus: A pooled analysis and systematic review of case reports and series. Lupus. 2021 Sep 27:9612033211045057. doi: 10.1177/09612033211045057. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34565208.