title: Serologically active clinically quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus--predictors of clinical flares.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the frequency of serologic activity in the face of clinical quiescence in a large cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) followed prospectively in a single center.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective cohort study, patients serologically active but clinically quiescent (SACQ) in 3 consecutive clinic visits were analyzed for the development of a clinical flare over the subsequent year and were evaluated for predictive factors for flare before and during their SACQ period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six episodes of SACQ went on to clinical flare within one year while 60 did not. No predictive factors for flare were found either during or before the SACQ period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant population of patients with SLE are SACQ and must be followed over time and treated only on the basis of clinical criteria.
authors.affiliation: Lupus Clinic, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Walz LeBlanc
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Gladman
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Urowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003165:Complement System Proteins