Utilization of glucocorticoids among White and Black patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Observations from the enrollment visit of a prospective registry.

Abstract

Black patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to White patients. Long-term glucocorticoid use has been associated with worse health outcomes among patients with SLE. We sought to quantify chronic glucocorticoid use among Black and White patients with SLE within a prospective registry. Using enrollment data from a registry at a large academic institution, we compared glucocorticoid use among Black and White patients with SLE. Multivariable logistic regression of race and glucocorticoid use was performed, adjusting for covariates exhibiting a bivariate association with glucocorticoids at significance level p < 0.10. 114 White participants (mean age 45; standard deviation (SD) 15) and 59 Black participants (mean age 42; SD 14) were analyzed. White participants had mean SLEDAI-2K score of 3.7 (SD 5.2). Black participants had mean SLEDAI-2K scores of 6.3 (SD 6.0). Among Black participants, 43 (72%) utilized glucocorticoids compared to White participants 39 (34%) (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.59-10.33). We did not observe differences between unadjusted hydroxychloroquine (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.28-1.65) or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.57-2.01) utilization among Black and White participants. SLEDAI-2K, disability, recent hospitalization, and past or present hydroxychloroquine or cDMARD use were included in a logistic regression model. Adjusting for covariates, Black participants were more likely to be on glucocorticoids (adjusted OR 5.69; 95% CI 2.17-14.96); p = 0.0004). Adjusting for disease activity and other medications, Black patients had more exposure to chronic glucocorticoids than White patients in the Cleveland Clinic SLE registry. These patients may face increased glucocorticoid-related morbidity, which could contribute significantly to long-term health outcomes and utilization of health care resources. Future research in larger, more diverse registries should be conducted to further characterize patterns of glucocorticoid use.