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Research Article: Evaluation of the Mainz Lupus Score: a clinical support tool for managing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Date Published: 2026-09-28

Abstract:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ involvement, circulating autoantibodies, and relapsing-remitting progression. Effective management is particularly challenging for less-experienced clinicians. The Mainz Lupus Score (MLS) was developed as a pragmatic clinical support tool to facilitate treatment decisions and therapy management, emphasizing both objective measures and subjective patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The aim of the study was to evaluate the Mainz Lupus Score (MLS) for assessing disease activity and guiding therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by comparing its performance with established indices, including the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement Index (ECLAM), and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics index (SLICC), and by examining its association with patient-reported outcomes such as the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSMC), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Work Ability Index (WAI). Data from 458 SLE patients at the University Medical Center Mainz were analyzed, including 93 patients with at least three visits and a total of 422 visits. The MLS incorporates four items: new lupus symptoms, quality of life (QoL), laboratory abnormalities, and organ damage. Correlations between the MLS and established indices were assessed using Spearman correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Significant correlations were observed between the MLS and SLEDAI ( r =?0.403), SLICC ( r =?0.427), and ECLAM ( r =?0.537; p <?0.0001). The MLS demonstrated strong associations with therapy escalation and remission rates, aligning with treat-to-target goals. Although correlations with subjective scores, such as FSMC, BDI, and WAI were weak to moderate, the integration of PROs offered valuable insights for therapy adjustments. When testing the MLS during everyday clinical routine, no significant difference in remission change ( p =?0.9398) was found between MLS-based and medical doctor (MD)-based therapy decisions. The MLS provides an easy-to-use, evaluate approach to managing SLE, balancing objective metrics with patient-centered evaluations. While effective in distinguishing disease states and guiding therapy, broader multi-center validation is recommended to enhance its applicability.

Introduction:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ involvement, circulating autoantibodies, and relapsing-remitting progression. Effective management is particularly challenging for less-experienced clinicians. The Mainz Lupus Score (MLS) was developed as a pragmatic clinical support tool to facilitate treatment decisions and therapy management, emphasizing both objective measures and subjective patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The aim of the study was to…

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