Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Pregnancy

Synthetic Pharmacotherapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Potential Mechanisms of Action, Efficacy, and Safety

The pharmacological treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) aims to decrease disease activity, progression, systemic compromise, and mortality. Among the pharmacological alternatives, there are chemically synthesized drugs whose efficacy has been evaluated, but which have the potential to generate adverse events that may compromise adherence and response to treatment. Therapy selection and monitoring will depend on patient characteristics and the safety profile of each drug. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the most important synthetic drugs used in the treatment of SLE, including the current treatment options (mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide), review their mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and, most importantly, provide monitoring parameters that should be considered while the patient is receiving the pharmacotherapy.

Lupus Low Disease Activity State Achievement Is Important for Reducing Adverse Outcomes in Pregnant Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the frequency and risk factors of complications during pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The medical records of patients with SLE and age-matched controls at Ajou University Hospital were collected. Clinical features and pregnancy complications in women with SLE were compared to those of the controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

We analyzed 163 pregnancies in patients with SLE and 596 pregnancies in the general population; no significant differences regarding demographic characteristics were noted. Patients with SLE experienced a higher rate of stillbirth (OR 13.2), preeclampsia (OR 4.3), preterm delivery (OR 2.8), intrauterine growth retardation (OR 2.5), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (OR 2.2), and emergency cesarean section (OR 1.9) than the control group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia, low complement, high proteinuria, high SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), low Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) achievement rate, and high corticosteroid (CS) dose were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value for the cumulative and mean CS doses were 3500 mg and 6 mg, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women with SLE have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancies are recommended to be delayed until achieving LLDAS and should be closely monitored with the lowest possible dose of CS.