Sensitivity analysis in the estimation of the SLE risk for ITP exposure in age-matched and sex-matched population
| aHR* (95% CI) | ||
| Scenario 1 | Definition of SLE event: at least three outpatient visits or 1 admission within 1 year by rheumatologist. (Main finding) | 25.1 (13.7 to 46.0) |
| Scenario 2 | Definition of SLE event: scenario 1+treated with systemic corticosteroids or DMARDs (including HCQ or azathioprine) | 32.0 (16.8 to 61.1) |
| Scenario 3 | Definition of SLE event: scenario 1+treated with DMARDs (including HCQ or azathioprine)† | 39.7 (19.1 to 82.4) |
| Scenario 4 | Exclusion of patients with RA, Sjogren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, thyroiditis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, HIV, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome at baseline. (Excluding secondary ITP) | 27.0 (14.4 to 50.5) |
*aHR of ITP exposure on the risk of SLE, the covariates including age group, sex, urbanisation, low income, length of hospital stay and comorbidities listed in table 1.
†The treatment of SLE was identified within 6 months after first diagnosis of SLE.
aHR, adjusted HR; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine; ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.