Antiphospholipid antibodies, steroid dose, arterial hypertension, relapses, and late-onset predict organ damage in a population of Colombian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Organ damage predicts mortality, increased accrual of detriment, and poor quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The objective of this study is to determine the damage-free survival and its predictive factors in a population of Colombian subjects. The method used in this study is the retrospective follow-up of a cohort; damage was measured with SLICC/ACR index. Predictors of impairment were assessed by logistic regression and survival analysis. One hundred sixty-one individuals were included; 28.9% suffered damage, primarily neuropsychiatric, renal, and vascular. Arterial hypertension, antiphospholipid antibodies, prednisone dose, and number of relapses were all predictors of detriment. Onset after age 50 and daily prednisone dose higher than 7.5 mg determined earlier occurrence of damage.