What defines complete remission in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Complete remission in systemic lupus erythematosus is defined by the absence of clinical symptoms and normal laboratory values. This means that a patient exhibits no signs of the disease, such as fatigue, joint pain, or rash, and laboratory tests show typical results, indicating no ongoing activity of the disease. Achieving this state is an important goal in the management of lupus, as it reflects a significant reduction in disease activity and suggests adequate control of the condition.

While the absence of joint pain or only having minor symptoms may seem to indicate improvement, they do not comprehensively define complete remission. Complete remission requires an overall absence of symptoms along with normalized laboratory findings, including markers of inflammation or autoantibodies, to ensure that the disease is truly inactive.

Stopping all medications can occur in remission but is not a requirement for defining complete remission. Some patients may continue a low dosage of maintenance therapy even when they are in remission to prevent flare-ups. Each aspect of how remission is defined plays an important role in managing systemic lupus erythematosus and ensuring the patient's long-term health.