Clinical predictors of response and discontinuation of belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in real life setting. Results of a large, multicentric, nationwide study.

•This is a large nationwide cohort of patients followed in real life setting.•Belimumab reduces disease activity, prednisone intake and lupus flares.•Belimumab hinders the expected damage progression in patients with lupus.•Predictors of response were SLEDAI-2K ≥ 10, polyarthritis and prednisone ≥7.5 mg/die.•Drug survival is similar to TNF inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.