Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus - 2013 update

This 2013 update on the treatment of systemic lupus erythrematosus provides rationale for universal use of antimalarials even absent skin or joint manifestations, but chiefly focuses on the management options for refractory cutaneous, articular, and renal disease and current status of biologics; both FDA approved belimumab and off-label infliximab, rituximab, abatacept, and tociluzimab. A discussion of antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to lupus, specifically use of aspirin for asymptomatic patients, suggestions for catastrophic antibody syndrome, and potential roles for rituximab and eculizumab are provided. This review is a companion to an article published in this journal last year and in combination provides recommendations for standard care in routine cases of lupus as well as for the problematic, intractable patient.