Patient selection: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Criteria for low disease activity - all of the following:
(1) SLEDAI-2K score 1 or 2
(2) with or without positive serology results
(3) with or without antimalarial medication
(4) NOT taking glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive drugs
The SLEDAI-2K could be seen with one of the following:
(1) rash (2 points)
(2) alopecia (2 points)
(3) mucosal ulcer (2 points)
(4) pleurisy (2 points)
(5) pericarditis (2 points)
(6) fever (1 point)
(7) thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000 per µL; 1 point)
(8) leukopenia (WBC count < 3,000 per µL; 1 point)
Remission is defined as:
(1) no clinical manifestations (SLEDAI-2K=0)
(2) with or without positive serology results
(3) with or without antimalarial medication
(4) NOT taking glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive drugs