Prednisolone dose during treatment of tuberculosis might be a risk factor for mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a hospital-based cohort study.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at high risk of tuberculosis (TB) because of their immunocompromised status and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. In endemic regions, TB complicates the diagnosis and treatment of SLE, but the risk factors of mortality in these patients have not been investigated. In this study, we reviewed medical records during 2006-2016. Patients who fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria and presented with definite TB were enrolled. The primary outcome was mortality during TB treatment. There were 5388 SLE patients screened, and 30 patients were enrolled. Seven patients died during follow-up. Compared with the survival group, patients in the mortality group had significantly more central nervous system involvement of TB, higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 scores and more cyclophosphamide use before TB, and higher prednisolone dose before and during TB treatment. Cox regression showed that prednisolone dose during TB treatment was an independent risk factor for mortality (per 10 mg/day increase, hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, p = .019). For SLE patients, prednisolone dose during TB treatment is an independent risk factor for mortality. Keeping prednisolone dose at less than 25 mg per day during TB treatment might be a reasonable strategy in these patients.