[Management of systemic lupus erythematosus]

In the last few decades a number of small, often largely unrecognized steps have fundamentally changed the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The current goal is to stop all disease activity without long-term use of more than 5 mg prednisolone per day. Remission, i.e. absence of activity in the SLE activity score of choice, is the defined target in the treat to target approach. The essential basic measures include life-long hydroxychloroquine as well as protection from sunlight (UV) and vitamin D substitution. Patients suffering from SLE need more vaccinations than the healthy population and control of risk factors for atherosclerosis is critical for long-term survival. Methotrexate is on par with azathioprine. If disease activity cannot be controlled in this way, belimumab is an approved therapeutic option. Cyclophosphamide is still used but only in life-threatening situations, such as lupus nephritis or central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis and in drastically reduced doses. Alternatively, off-label mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can be used particularly for lupus nephritis and off-label rituximab in refractory disease courses. Numerous novel approaches are being tested in controlled trials and it is hoped that new drugs will be available for SLE patients within a few years.