Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40589745›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in immunology2025

Belimumab-driven reductions in retinal microvascular density assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography: insights from systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Maierhaba Maitiyaer, Jingyu Zhang, Peiyi Li, Dingwen Jiang, Huangdong Li, Zeying Lin, Ziguan Ye, Yongbao Huo, Wenhui Huang, Li Wang and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Maierhaba Maitiyaer *Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Jingyu Zhang *Ophthalmic Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Peiyi Li *Department of Rheumatology, Liwan Central Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Dingwen JiangDepartment of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Huangdong LiOphthalmic Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zeying LinDepartment of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Ziguan YeDepartment of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Yongbao HuoDepartment of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Wenhui HuangDepartment of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Li WangOphthalmic Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhiping LiuOphthalmic Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Shuilian YuDepartment of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) are associated with retinal microvascular changes that may reflect disease severity. This study aimed to evaluate differences in retinal vascular density (VD) between SLE patients with and without LN and assess the impact of rheumatological treatments on VD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 54 SLE patients (21 with LN, 33 without LN). Retinal VD was measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), focusing on superficial and deep capillary plexus VD (SCP-VD and DCP-VD). The impact of Belimumab and other treatments was analyzed. Linear regression assessed the effects of LN status and treatments on DCP parafoveal VD. Lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were compared before and after Belimumab treatment. Result: LN patients showed significantly reduced macular vascular density compared with non-LN patients. Belimumab treatment (≥8 times) and hydroxychloroquine use (>5 years) were independently associated with lower DCP-VD, particularly in parafoveal areas. Cumulative doses of HCQ and glucocorticoids negatively correlated with VD. Linear regression showed a significant negative association between Belimumab treatment and parafoveal DCP-VD. Notably, Belimumab treatment led to reductions in serum CD19+ B cells and IL-10 levels. Conclusions: LN patients demonstrated distinct retinal microvascular alterations. Long-term Belimumab and HCQ treatments were associated with decreased retinal VD. Regular retinal health monitoring was recommended to prevent microvascular complications in SLE patients undergoing prolonged treatment.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedImmunosuppressive AgentsLupus Erythematosus, SystemicMicrovascular DensityRetinal VesselsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansLupus NephritisMaleMiddle AgedTomography, Optical CoherenceAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedbelimumabImmunosuppressive AgentsBelimumablupus nephritisoptical coherence tomography angiographyretinal microvascularsystemic lupus erythematosus

Identifiers

PMID40589745
PMCPMC12206790

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.