Lifestyle Interventions and Weight Management in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Systematic Literature Review and Metanalysis

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify and describe different types of lifestyle interventions primarily or secondarily focused on weight loss in SLE patients. METHODS: A systematic search of controlled trials published until June 2021 that assigned adults patients after dietary or exercise intervention resulted in 248 studies initially screened. RESULTS: Six studies with seven interventions (3 dietary and 4 exercise training programs) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis with a median of age 35.8 (31.3 to 49.0 years); median of BMI 26.6 (25.2 to 33.6 kg/m(2)). After six to twelve weeks of diet or exercise program, no differences were observed in body weight [-1.539 (-4.482 to 1.405) kg (CI 95%), p = 0.306]. Also, a subgroup analysis also revelated no body weight difference following dietary intervention [-3.561 (-9.604 to 2.481) kg (CI 95%), p = 0.248] or exercise intervention [-0.910 (-4.279 to 2.460) kg (CI 95%), p = 0.597]. CONCLUSION: The results showed that different protocols of exercise intervention or diets were not effective to reduce body weight in patients with SLE. However, only one of the selected trials had a specific study design and protocol focusing on weight loss management.