[Severe visceral involvement of lupus]

During the past few years, changes in the spectrum of serious forms of systemic lupus erythematosus have been observed, and generally, the prognosis has improved. This results from a better understanding of the mechanisms of some visceral involvements (especially cerebral and cardiovascular), from the characterization of the antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome, and from a better management. As a result, kidney and central nervous system involvements are not the main causes of mortality any more. However, increasing survival leads to a higher frequency of some late complications, especially related to atherosclerosis.