{
  "abstract": "Objectives B-cell targeted therapies are increasingly used in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, real-world evidence on treatment persistence and reasons for discontinuation remains limited. We aimed to evaluate these aspects in a single-centre observational cohort.Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of 240 patients with SLE followed at our centre between 2014 and 2025. Demographics, clinical variables, the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI), and history of serious infection were collected. Forty-eight patients received B-cell targeted therapies (belimumab 40=; rituximab n=8). For these, treatment duration, reasons for discontinuation, prior immunosuppressants, and concomitant therapies were assessed. Comparisons between patients with and without biologics were made using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. Drug survival was estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results Patients receiving B-cell–targeted therapies were younger at diagnosis (median 36 vs 41 years, p=0.016) and at last visit (48 vs 53 years, p=0.0004) compared with those not on biologics, with a trend toward shorter disease duration (10 vs 11 years, p=0.083). Disease activity was slightly higher in the biologic group (median SLEDAI-2k 2 vs 0; p=0.010), while organ damage was similar. Renal (39.6% vs 24.1%, p=0.031), neuropsychiatric (16.7% vs 4.7%, p=0.004), haematological (50% vs 34.4%, p=0.046) and serositis (29.2% vs 11.5%, p=0.002) manifestations were more common among biologic-treated patients ( table 1). Prior cyclophosphamide (27.5% vs 6.7%, p=0.001) and DMARD use (82.5% vs 55.7%, p=0.002) were also more frequent (table 1). Among 48 patients ever treated with B-cell–targeted therapies, mean age at biologic initiation was 33 ± 12.6 years (table 2). Musculoskeletal (56.2%) manifestation was the most frequent indication. Median treatment duration was 27 months (IQR 12–54), with 83% continuing therapy at last follow-up. Discontinuation was mainly due to inefficacy (n=5) or adverse events (n=2) (table 2). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed sustained treatment persistence (figure 1).Abstract PO:10:254 Table 1–2Baseline characteristics of patients with and without biological therapyAbstract PO:10:254 Figure 1Drug survival on B-cell targeted therapies in SLEConclusions B-cell targeted therapies were used in younger SLE patients with shorter disease duration and selected organ involvement. Treatment persistence was high, discontinuations were infrequent, and therapy was well tolerated, supporting their effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Beatriz Tejera Segura"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Jose Ángel Hernández Beriain"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Mª Ángeles Acosta Mérida"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Diana Botello Corzo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Daniel Batista Perdomo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Sergio Machín García"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Javier Nóvoa Medina"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Doryan García Olivas"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Luis Bausá Gimeno"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Judith Hernández Sánchez"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Patricia González Terrats"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Candela Zavala"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Nephrology Department, University Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "German Pérez Suárez"
    }
  ],
  "title": "PO:10:254 Persistence and discontinuation of B-cell targeted therapies in lupus: real-world single-centre data",
  "uid": "f705d63c-a4cd-5731-9555-5143916bb519"
}