AB0475 BELIMUMAB: EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE SETTINGS AT A RHEUMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Background: Belimumab is a human IgG1l monoclonal antibody directed against BAFF, a B lymphocyte survival factor. It is indicated as adjuvant treatment in adult patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with positive autoantibodies and with a high degree of activity of the disease despite standard treatment. Objectives: This study aims to describe a sample of patients diagnosed with SLE who received treatment with belimumab in a tertiary hospital. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal unicentric observational study. Clinical records of all patients diagnosed with SLE who had received treatment with belimumab were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and reason for belimumab indicaton were collected. Results: The twelve patients included in the sample were women. Median age was 48.5 years (31-70). The most frequent reason for indication of belimumab was uncontrolled arthritis. The average time of treatment with belimumab in the total sample was 27.5 (+/- 26.24) months, with a median of 12 months (4-78). Mean treatment time (cases in which belimumab was discontinued excluded) was 31.25 (+/- 26.98) months with a median of 25 (5-78). The average dose reduction of prednisone after initiation of treatment with belimumab (in patients in which it was considered effective) was 5 mg per day (+/- 5). It should be noted that of the 14 cases, treatment was only discontinued in 4 patients, 2 of which were withdrawn due to ineffectiveness. There were 2 adverse events that required drug withdrawal: neutropenia and urothelial carcinoma. (Table). Conclusion: BLM is a well tolerated drug and effective in clinical practice. Adverse effects leading to drug withdrawal are infrequent. Disclosure of Interests: Carolina Merino Argumanez: None declared, Olga Rusinovich: None declared, Consuelo Ramos Giraldez Speakers bureau: Sanofi, Maria Espinosa: None declared, Hilda Godoy: None declared, Carmen Barbadillo Mateos: None declared, Jose Campos Esteban: None declared, Mercedes Jimenez Palop: None declared, Jesus Sanz: None declared, Luis Fernando Villa Alcazar: None declared, Carlos Isasi Zaragoza : None declared, Monica Fernandez Castro: None declared, Jose Luis Andreu Sanchez: None declared