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/m2). 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.