Mathian A, Pha M, Haroche J, et al. - A monocentric, 12-month, superiority, open-label, randomized (1:1) controlled trial was carried out with 61 individuals continuing 5 mg/day prednisone and 63 ends in order to contrast the efficiency, to prevent flares of maintenance vs withdrawal of 5 mg/day prednisone in individuals with SLE with clinically quiescent disease. The proportion of individuals who encountered a flare was more notably lower in the maintenance group than with the withdrawal group. Maintenance of 5 mg prednisone was higher with regard to time to the first flare, the occurrence of mild/moderate flares using the SFI and the occurrence of moderate/severe flares using the BILAG index. SDI raised and adverse events were comparable in the two treatment groups. Moreover, subgroup analyses of the primary endpoint by predefined baseline features did not present evidence of a distinct clinical response. Therefore, in SLE individuals with inactive disease, maintenance of long term 5 mg prednisone prevents relapse.