Baseline features and initial treatment as predictors of remission and relapse in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity16723 @entity1333 @entity16 @entity786 @entity281 @entity2883 @entity617
OBJECTIVE: To describe the course of disease activity and determine predictors of remission and relapse in a population based cohort of @entity1 with @entity2883 ( @entity2883 ). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 56 @entity1 (median age 50 yrs) followed for 42.5 months. Disease activity was assessed by Birmingham @entity1333 Activity Score (BVAS-1) and permanent organ damage by @entity16 ( @entity16 ). Induction therapy consisted of @entity617 ( @entity16723 ) 0.5-1 mg/kg and @entity786 (CYC) daily orally 2 mg/kg (19 @entity1 ) or intravenous pulses 15 mg/kg every 2nd week (32 @entity1 ). Baseline clinical and laboratory features and cumulative treatment during the first 6 months were recorded. Multiple Cox and logistic regression analyses were used to find risk factors for remission and relapse. RESULTS: All @entity1 surviving > 1 month achieved either complete (85%) or partial remission (15%). Higher baseline BVAS-1 increased the likelihood of achieving complete remission [BVAS-1 > 23, relative hazard (RH) 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48-5.85]. Relapse occurred in 31 @entity1 (60%) after a median period of 18 months. The risk of relapse was increased in @entity1 having received < 10 g CYC during the first 6 months (RH 2.83, 95% CI 1.33-6.02), in @entity1 having received @entity16723 > 20 mg/day for < 2.75 months (RH 2.41, 95% CI 1.12-5.21), and in @entity1 with initial heart involvement (RH 2.87, 95% CI 1.09-7.58). A higher @entity16723 dose during the first 6 months was associated with severe @entity281 . Therapy resistance (no complete remission) was associated with baseline organ damage ( @entity16 increase by 1, OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.03-2.27). CONCLUSION: Initial high disease activity increased and the presence of baseline organ damage reduced the likelihood for complete remission in @entity2883 . Relapse was associated with less intensive initial treatment in terms of lower CYC doses and shorter time taking @entity16723 > 20 mg/day.
