Serological and clinical remission in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The frequency of a combined clinical and serological remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was examined. Thirteen (4%) of 305 patients had both a seroconversion from a positive to a negative ANA and became asymptomatic in respect to their SLE. These remissions lasted from 6 months to 13 years. It is not clear what role, if any, therapy played in these remissions. Nevertheless, these remissions provided hope for the patients and their physicians.