Abstract
OBJECTIVE: to assess the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive drugs on the immune response. METHODS: SLE patients (n=56) and healthy controls (n=18) were studied. All patients had quiescent disease (SLE disease activity indexor=40 against A/H3N2 (p=0.030) compared with the other patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination in SLE patients with quiescent disease is safe but is less effective than in controls. Use of azathioprine was associated with a trend to decreased vaccination efficacy.