Description of therapeutic strategies in severe systemic lupus erythematosus-associated immune thrombocytopenia: a retrospective cohort study of response and relapse.

Despite similar response of acute glucocorticoid regimens, induction therapy with AZA or RTX resulted in a longer RFS compared to CYC. Adding an antimalarial also improved RFS. Our study provides evidence that may help develop better treatment strategies for severe thrombocytopenia in SLE patients. Key Points • Induction therapy with azathioprine or rituximab provided longer relapse-free survival in SLE thrombocytopenia compared with cyclophosphamide. • Antimalarial administration was associated with longer relapse-free survival in SLE thrombocytopenia. • Antiphospholipid syndrome, IgG anti-β2 glycoprotein I positivity, as well as renal and additional hematologic SLE activity during follow-up, decreased relapse-free survival.