title: Rituximab for remission induction and maintenance in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with high morbidity if untreated. Sometimes, despite aggressive treatments, the disease remains active with cumulative organic damage. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive observational study of patients with SLE refractory to conventional treatment who were treated with rituximab (RTX) as remission induction therapy and maintenance. There was a significant reduction in the conventional immunosuppressive drug dose and the number of relapses of disease. RTX appeared to be effective and safe for the induction and maintenance of remission in patient with SLE refractory to conventional treatment.
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University, Carrera 98 18-49, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Fabio
authors: 0000-0003-1683-1610
authors: F
authors: Bonilla-Abadía
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, CES University, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Nicolás
authors: N
authors: Coronel Restrepo
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University, Carrera 98 18-49, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Gabriel J
authors: GJ
authors: Tobón
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University, Carrera 98 18-49, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Andrés F
authors: AF
authors: Echeverri
authors: Clinical Research Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Evelyn
authors: E
authors: Muñoz-Buitrón
authors: Clinical Research Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Andres Mauricio
authors: AM
authors: Castro
authors: School of Statistics, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Mercedes Andrade
authors: MA
authors: Bejarano
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Fundación Valle del Lili, ICESI University, Carrera 98 18-49, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Cañas