[Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus]

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Treatment goals are to cure flares and to prevent them as well as long-term complications and drugs toxicity. Effort to improve patient knowledge and education should be a priority. SLE treatments range from long term prescription of antimalarial agents, to corticosteroids and, in severe cases, immunosuppressive agents. Patients should receive advice on environmental triggers and photoprotective measures. Other key points of the treatment include early prevention of atherosclerosis and infectious diseases. Physician must be readily available for the patient to detect flares, infections, cardiovascular events, drugs side-effects and psychiatric events. Birth control and pregnancy should be discussed early with the patient.