Risk stratification and subgroup analysis of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with pregnancy: based on a 13-year multicenter cohort study
摘要
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and pregnancy outcomes, complicating its pregnancy management. This study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of pregnant SLE patients and explore their prognostic implications.
MethodIn this multicenter cohort study across 45 centers in China, 25 baseline variables were incorporated into a cluster analysis (CA) considering collinearity and clinical relevance. Pregnancy outcomes were compared across clusters, and logistic regressions were conducted for total adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in the overall cohort and each cluster.
ResultsAmong 528 pregnancies in 499 patients, 72.7% were planned and 35.4% had positive antiphospholipid antibody (aPL). Living birth rate was 81.1%, and 41.5% experienced ≥ 1 APO. Four clusters were defined. Cluster 1 (n = 176), characterized by serological activity, had slightly higher fetal loss (20.5%). Cluster 2 (n = 117), with high aCL/aβ2GPI positivity but low LA, high planned pregnancy rate (91.5%), and more HCQ and aspirin use, had favorable outcomes. Cluster 3 (n = 194), with high planned pregnancy rate (85.1%) and lowest aPL positivity (28.4%), exhibited the best outcomes. Cluster 4 (n = 41), with lowest planned pregnancy (9.8%), most clinical activity, and highest aPL positivity (70.7%) including LA (53.7%), exhibited most APOs (75.6%), with hypocomplementemia further increasing risk (OR = 9.246, p = 0.022).
ConclusionsFour clinically meaningful SLE-pregnancy subgroups were identified, each with distinct APO risk. Our findings underscore the harm of unplanned pregnancy, especially clinical activity, and aPL positivity, particularly LA, thus promoted stratification and personalized management in SLE pregnancy.