Definition and treatment of lupus flares measured by the BILAG index

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Nov;42(11):1372-9. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keg382. Epub 2003 Jun 16.

Abstract

Objectives: The BILAG index is a clinical measure of lupus disease activity. It is valid, reliable and sensitive to change. Scoring in the BILAG index is based upon the physician's intention to treat. A flare of active lupus is defined as a new A or B score in at least one system. The main aim of this study was to determine whether patients with a lupus flare are treated as expected from the principles upon which the scoring system was devised. Secondly we wanted to establish whether patients with a new B score preceded by a C should be considered to have flared, as with patients scoring B following a D or E score.

Methods: Over a 12-month period, 250 patients regularly attending lupus clinics in Birmingham and London were assessed using the BILAG index at each visit.

Results: A new A or B score was observed in 154 (61.6%) patients. An A flare was observed in 26 (10.4%) patients. A B flare (in which the B score was preceded by a D or E score) was observed in 65 (26.0%) patients. There were 63 (25.2%) patients in whom there was a B score in a system in which a C score was previously recorded. Steroids were started or increased in 20 (77%) patients with an A flare. Almost all (92%) patients with a new A score had some increase in therapy. For the patients with new B scores, 53 (41%) had some increase in therapy, but multiple reasons were found for no change in therapy in 75 (59%) of these patients. There was no difference in the treatment of new B scores arising after a previous C score compared with previous D or E scores. Non-Caucasians were more likely to have a lupus flare than Caucasians.

Conclusions: These results are consistent with the principles upon which the BILAG index was devised and suggest that a moderate disease flare can be defined as a new B score following a C, D or E score according to the BILAG index.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / ethnology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal