Pregnancy in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Retrospective Study of 83 Pregnancies at a Single Centre

Pregnancy outcome predictors in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To enhance patient-tailored preconception risk assessment for women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), knowledge on risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes is required. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and provide unambiguous effect sizes of preconception predictors of pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed and Embase for studies reporting preconception predictors of pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE, from database inception to Aug 22, 2023. Studies were included if they presented original, quantitative data on pregnant women with SLE and reported on preconception risk factors on at least one of the outcomes as defined in the protocol. Studies were excluded if they had a sample size of less than 20 patients, were restricted to multiple pregnancies, had unclear timing of prognostication, or exclusively reported a composite outcome. Literature screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment (quality in prognostic studies tool) were done by two reviewers independently, in a blinded, standardised manner. The reported outcomes included livebirth, pre-eclampsia, small for gestational age, preterm birth, pregnancy loss before and after 20 weeks of gestation, and SLE flares. We computed pooled univariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs using a random effects model. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic and prediction intervals. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022344732.

FINDINGS

Of the 6705 unique articles identified, 72 (1·1%) were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 10 355 pregnancies in 8065 women with SLE. One potentially eligible study was retracted and therefore removed from our analysis. Previous lupus nephritis was associated with decreased livebirth probability (OR 0·62 [95% CI 0·47-0·81]; I2=0%), increased risk of preterm birth (2·00 [1·55-2·57]; I2=17%), and increased risk of pre-eclampsia (3·11 [2·35-4·12]; I2=0%). Chronic hypertension was associated with increased risk of disease flare (2·50 [1·74-3·58]; I2=0%), preterm birth (2·65 [1·87-3·77]; I2=0%), and pre-eclampsia (5·86 [3·41-10·06]; I2=33%). SLE disease activity at conception or preconception was associated with increased risk of preterm birth (2·91 [1·96-4·33]; I2=21%) and pre-eclampsia (2·32 [1·40-3·83]; I2=0%). Secondary antiphospholipid syndrome was associated with decreased livebirth probability (0·40 [0·27-0·58]; I2=0%), increased risk of pregnancy loss after 20 weeks of gestation (2·77 [1·44-5·31]; I2=0%), and increased risk of preterm birth (1·65 [1·29-2·11]; I2=0%). Across studies, risk-of-bias assessment suggested considerable bias in study attrition and confounding.

INTERPRETATION

We identified previous lupus nephritis, chronic hypertension, SLE disease activity before and at conception, and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome as predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE. These findings contribute to an optimal patient-tailored risk assessment in preconception counselling.

FUNDING

None.

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia: Exploring the Role of Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Future Directions

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy associated with significant fetal and maternal complications. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired form of thrombophilia characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis and obstetric complications that significantly increases morbidity and mortality rates. While preeclampsia may not be the most prevalent obstetric complication in APS, it significantly impacts the long-term health of both mother and child. The treatment of preeclampsia in antiphospholipid syndrome is different from the treatment of preeclampsia as an independent disease. Despite current treatments involving anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and antihypertensive drugs, obstetric complications may persist, underscoring the need for cohesive management and effective treatments. The objective of our review is to briefly present knowledge about the physiopathology of preeclampsia and the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in this process. Based on the existing literature, our review aims to identify future directions in molecular pathology toward the discovery of biomarkers and targeted treatments. The application of multidisciplinary approaches and prognostic models, including new biomarkers, could be beneficial in the prediction of PE.

Adverse Impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Saudi Arabia Retrospective Multi-Center Study

Objective

The current study aimed to determine the pregnancy outcomes complications in patients with SLE and its association with clinical, laboratory variables, disease activity, and medication use in the Saudi population, as well as pregnancy effect on disease activity.

Methods

A multicenter study included pregnant female patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) from three tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia. The demographics, clinical, and laboratory variables, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), medication before, during, and after pregnancy, planned pregnancy, pregnancy-related outcomes, and complications in comparison to age-matched healthy female controls were noted.

Results

A total of 66 pregnant patients with SLE and 93 healthy age-matched pregnant controls were included in the study. A total of 77.3% had SLEDAI-2K ≤ 4 before conception, and 84.85% of pregnancies were planned. Age of conception, cesarean section, miscarriage, and low birth weight were statistically significant (p <0.05) higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls. Among all clinical and laboratory variables, SLEDAI-2K > 4 and active lupus nephritis during pregnancy were statistically associated with adverse outcomes (p <0.05), history of lupus nephritis was not associated with statistically adverse pregnancy outcomes. Higher SLEDAI-2K > 4 was an independent risk at least 4.87 times higher association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. (p <0.05).

Conclusion

SLE is intricately connected with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. The preconception of high disease activity stands as a pivotal risk factor for adverse outcomes. Despite the disease remission and meticulous planning, SLE patients frequently grapple with disease exacerbations during pregnancy, culminating in unexpected and unfavorable pregnancy-related outcomes. This underscores the intricate and multifaceted nature of managing SLE during gestation.

2022 Chinese guideline for the management of pregnancy and reproduction in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prevalent autoimmune disease predominantly affecting women of childbearing age, presents ongoing challenges despite notable advances in diagnosis and treatment. Although survival rates for SLE patients have significantly improved, pregnancy continues to pose a considerable obstacle. Addressing this critical need for enhanced reproductive and prenatal care, there is a pressing imperative to establish standardized protocols for peri-gestational monitoring and treatment in SLE patients. This guideline is jointly sponsored by the National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), the Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR), and the Chinese Research Committee of Pregnancy and Reproduction in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (CHOPARD). Thirteen pertinent clinical questions have been generated through several rounds of rigorous clinical and methodological expert discussions and selections for a comprehensive understanding of key aspects in this domain. Guided by thorough examination of research evidence and expert perspectives, the formulated recommendations aim to optimize pregnancy success rates, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, and ultimately enhance the overall well-being of SLE patients.

Characteristics of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in pregnancy and its association with pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Disease situations are more aggressive in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) than in those with adult-onset SLE (aSLE). However, information on pregnant women with cSLE and its association with pregnancy outcomes is limited. This study aimed to compare pregnancies in patients with cSLE vs. aSLE, and further analyse the characteristics of cSLE in pregnant women and explore its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

Altogether, data of 167 pregnancies from 150 women, including 22 pregnancies with cSLE and 145 pregnancies with aSLE, were retrospectively analysed. Characteristics and disease activity were compared between the cSLE and aSLE groups during pregnancy. Associations between cSLE and the risk of active SLE (SLEPDAI > 4), active lupus nephritis (LN), and adverse pregnancy outcomes were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The cSLE group had a higher incidence of active SLE (12/22 vs. 30/145, P = 0.001) and active LN (11/22 vs. 26/145, P = 0.001) than the aSLE group. In the multivariable analysis, cSLE was a risk factor for active SLE and active LN during pregnancy, with ORs of 4.742 (95%CI 1.678-13.405, P = 0.003) and 4.652 (95%CI 1.630-13.279, P = 0.004), respectively. No significant association between cSLE and the risk of composite adverse gestational outcomes was identified after sequentially adjusting pre-pregnancy characteristics and pregnancy factors (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Disease activity of women with cSLE in pregnancy was more aggressive than that of women with aSLE, which was similar to the characteristics of non-pregnant women with SLE. cSLE might have indirect effects on the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes through LN and active disease. Therefore, closely monitoring patients with cSLE during pregnancy is crucial.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy: A retrospective single-center study of 215 pregnancies from Portugal

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a life-threatening disorder that affects women at reproductive age. We evaluate the clinical impact of pregnancy in a cohort of Portuguese SLE patients and the risk factors associated with maternal and fetal adverse outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study that included all pregnant women with SLE managed at a Portuguese tertiary hospital, between January 1993 and December 2019. Baseline maternal information was collected, and maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Disease activity before and during pregnancy was assessed.

RESULTS

We included 215 pregnancies from 143 patients. Lupus nephritis was present in 20.0% and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in 21.9% of the cases. Preconception consultation was performed in 86.9% of the pregnancies, and 92.5% of the patients had no or low disease activity at conception. During gestation, 79.6% of the patients were under treatment, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was the most commonly used drug (63.7%). Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was prescribed at conception in 87.9% of the patients. The live birth rate was 84.2%. An adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) occurred in 41.4% of the pregnancies. A miscarriage rate of 15.3% and a preterm delivery rate of 15.4% were found. Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction complicated 13.1% and 14.0% of the gestations, respectively. Neonatal lupus occurred in 7.1% of the newborns, and there were 2 cases of congenital heart block. Significant risk factors for the development of AOP were disease activity at conception, lupus flare, hypocomplementemia, positivity for lupus anticoagulant, and APS. The use of ASA was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of miscarriage. An SLE flare was diagnosed in 16.3% of the cases. We identified as risk factors for lupus flares the presence of active disease at conception, a previous history of lupus nephritis, and the use of chronic medication. HCQ use during pregnancy was associated with a significant reduction of flare incidence during pregnancy and postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy in an SLE patient is associated with an increased incidence of adverse obstetric outcomes. Good disease control before pregnancy and adequate treatment, especially with HCQ, is crucial to achieving the best obstetric results.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pregnancy: a Portuguese Case-Control Study

Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. During pregnancy, SLE patients have a higher rate of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. To date, only a few case-control studies were published with the purpose to evaluate the magnitude of risk associated with pregnancy in lupus patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes in a cohort of Portuguese SLE patients and to compare it with a group of healthy pregnant women. We conducted a retrospective case-control study that included all pregnant women with SLE managed at a Portuguese tertiary center, between 2010 and 2019. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between SLE patients and a group of matched healthy pregnant women. Baseline maternal data was collected, and maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. One hundred twenty-four SLE pregnancies were included. Of the patients, 95.2% were in remission at conception. In 13.7% of cases, a lupus flare was diagnosed during gestation and in 17.9% in the postpartum period. The live birth rate was 84.6%, and the incidence of adverse outcomes was 40.3% (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.67-4.18). Considering only patients in remission at conception, the presence of adverse outcomes remained significantly higher (36.8% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.01). Miscarriage rate was 15.3% (OR 5.85, 95% CI 2.57-13.34) and preterm delivery occurred in 12.4% of the patients (OR 1.72, 95% CI 0.83-3.57). Preeclampsia prevalence was higher in SLE patients (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.32-11.57). In the SLE group, the newborn admission to an intensive care unit rate was increased (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.47-16.90). No neonatal or maternal deaths were reported. In our study, pregnancy with SLE was associated with an increased incidence of adverse outcomes, even in a population of SLE patients with well-controlled disease.

Pregnancy outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a monocentric cohort analysis

OBJECTIVE

SLE is an autoimmune disease, mainly affecting women of childbearing age, with possible impact on pregnancy. In this study, we evaluated pregnancy outcomes in all pregnant patients affected by SLE, followed in the context of a rheumatology/gynaecology multi-disciplinary team.

METHODS

Since 2008, we evaluated 70 consecutive pregnancies occurring in 50 SLE patients referring to the Lupus Clinic of Sapienza University of Rome; as controls we evaluated 100 consecutive pregnancies in 100 women without autoimmune diseases.

RESULTS

By comparing SLE patients and controls, we did not find differences in terms of pregnancy outcomes, except for the occurrence of small for gestational age, which was significantly higher in the SLE group (22.8% vs 11%, P =0.003). Small for gestational age was associated with the positivity for anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm and anti-RNP (P =0.009, P =0.02, P =0.002, respectively). A disease flare was reported in 28 pregnancies (40%) and in 31 puerperium periods (44.3%). Flare during pregnancy was associated with anti-SSA (P =0.02), while puerperium relapse with previous MMF treatment (P =0.01) and haematological flare during pregnancy (P =0.03).

CONCLUSION

The present study confirms how pre-gestational counselling and a multi-disciplinary approach could result in positive pregnancy outcomes for SLE patients. The high percentage of disease relapse justifies even more the need for multi-disciplinary management.

Learning from imbalanced fetal outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus in artificial neural networks

OBJECTIVE

To explore an effective algorithm based on artificial neural network to pick correctly the minority of pregnant women with SLE suffering fetal loss outcomes from the majority with live birth and train a well behaved model as a clinical decision assistant.

METHODS

We integrated the thoughts of comparative and focused study into the artificial neural network and presented an effective algorithm aiming at imbalanced learning in small dataset.

RESULTS

We collected 469 non-trivial pregnant patients with SLE, where 420 had live-birth outcomes and the other 49 patients ended in fetal loss. A well trained imbalanced-learning model had a high sensitivity of 19/21 ([Formula: see text]) for the identification of patients with fetal loss outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The misprediction of the two patients was explainable. Algorithm improvements in artificial neural network framework enhanced the identification in imbalanced learning problems and the external validation increased the reliability of algorithm.

CONCLUSION

The well-trained model was fully qualified to assist healthcare providers to make timely and accurate decisions.

Risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors for Adverse pregnancy outcome (APOs) in patients with new-onset SLE during pregnancy.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with new-onset SLE during pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for different APOs (pregnancy loss, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and eclampsia/preeclampsia). A two-sided p-value below 0.05 was considered significant, and two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis indicated that renal involvement (aOR: 7.356; 95%CI:1.516,35.692) and greater SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) grade (aOR:5.947;95%CI: 1.586,22.294) increased the risk for composite APO, and that use of heparin therapy (aOR: 0.081; 95%CI: 0.012, 0.532) was a protective factor. Advanced gestational age at disease onset (aOR: 0.879; 95%CI: 0.819,0.943) and high serum albumin level (aOR: 0.908,95%CI: 0.831,0.992) protected against pregnancy loss. Renal involvement increased the risk for preterm birth (aOR: 2.272; 95%CI: 1.030,7.222) and fetal growth restriction (aOR: 9.070; 95%CI: 1.131,72.743). Hypertension (aOR: 19.185; 95%CI: 3.921,93.868), renal involvement (aOR: 8.380, 95%CI: 1.944,74.376) increased the risk for eclampsia/preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

New onset SLE during pregnancy increased the risk for multiple APOs. Timely management of the risk factors identified here may help to improve pregnancy outcomes in these patients.

2020 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease that represents a prodigious challenge of diagnosis and treatment. In 2019, under the leadership of the Chinese Rheumatology Association, a multidisciplinary guideline development group was established to develop an evidence-based diagnosis and treatment guideline for patients with SLE in PR China. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. The guideline was reported following the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT) checklist. In this guideline, we provided recommendations for SLE classification criteria, disease activity monitoring and assessment, medication administration and considerations for SLE patients with organs and systems involved, and management of special populations such as SLE patients in the setting of pregnancy. This guideline serves as an evidence-based tool for Chinese clinicians to diagnose and treat patients with SLE.

An evidence-based approach to pre-pregnancy counselling for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Patients with SLE are often young females of childbearing age and a pregnancy wish in this patient group is common. However, SLE patients are at high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes that require adequate guidance. It is widely acknowledged that pre-pregnancy counselling is the pivotal first step in the management of SLE patients with a wish to become pregnant. Next, management of these patients is usually multidisciplinary and often requires specific expertise from the different physicians involved. Very recently a EULAR recommendation was published emphasizing the need for adequate preconception counselling and risk stratification. Therefore the present review specifically addresses the issue of pre-pregnancy counselling for SLE patients with an evidence-based approach. The review summarizes data retrieved from recently published, high-quality cohort studies that have contributed to a better understanding and estimation of pregnancy-related risks for SLE patients. The present review categorizes risks from a patient-oriented point of view, that is, the influence of pregnancy on SLE, of SLE on pregnancy, of SLE on the foetus/neonate and of SLE-related medication. Lastly, pre-pregnancy counselling of SLE patients with additional secondary APS is reviewed. Collectively these data can guide clinicians to formulate appropriate preventive strategies and patient-tailored monitoring plans during pre-pregnancy counselling of SLE patients.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pregnancy: A Single-Center Observational Study of 69 Pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

 To evaluate the effects of pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

METHODS

 The present article is a retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from medical records of pregnant women with SLE from January 2002 to December 2012 at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Systemic lupus erythematosus and disease activity were defined according to the American College of Rheumatology and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) criteria respectively. The means, standard deviations (SDs), percentages and correlations were performed using the SAS software, version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, US).

RESULTS

 We obtained data from 69 pregnancies in 58 women. During pregnancy, a new flare was observed in 39.2% (n = 27). The manifestations were most common in patients with prior kidney disease, and mainly occurred during the third quarter and the puerperium. Renal activity occurred in 24.6% (n = 17), and serious activity, in 16% (n = 11). Of all deliveries, 75% (n = 48) were by cesarean section. Two maternal deaths occurred (3%). Preterm birth was the main complication in the newborns. The abortion rate was 8.7%. Severe SLEDAI during pregnancy was associated with prematurity (100%) and perinatal death (54%).

CONCLUSION

 The maternal-fetal outcome is worse in SLE when the women experience a flare during pregnancy. The best maternal-fetal outcomes occur when the disease is in remission for at least 6 months before the pregnancy.

Management and outcomes of pregnancy with or without lupus nephritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Although it is well established that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) negatively affects pregnancy outcomes, there is insufficient evidence on the effect of lupus nephritis (LN) on antenatal management and pregnancy outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association of LN with management and pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients.

Methods

Embase, Medline, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were carefully searched for relevant English and Chinese language studies. A total of 2,987 articles were reviewed. Data were extracted that compared management and pregnancy outcomes in SLE pregnant women with LN vs without LN. Risk of bias was assessed by a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the STROBE checklist. Combined odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained and sensitivity analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

Sixteen studies, including 1,760 pregnant patients with SLE, were included. Gestational hypertension (OR=5.65, 95% CI=2.94–10.84), preeclampsia (OR=2.84, 95% CI=1.87–4.30), SLE flare (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.51–4.70), renal flare (OR=15.18, 95% CI=5.89–39.14), proteinuria (OR=8.86, 95% CI=4.75–16.52), and hypocomplementemia (OR=2.86, 95% CI=1.68–4.87) were significantly affected in pregnant women with LN. Anti-Sjögren’s syndrome-related antigen A/Ro autoantibodies were negatively associated with pregnant women with LN (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.33–0.98). Pregnant women with LN presented a significant decrease in live births (OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.49–0.80) and a significant increase in preterm births (OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.49–2.49) and fetal growth restriction (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.08–1.91). Regarding antenatal management, steroids (OR=2.48, 95% CI=1.59–3.87) and immunosuppressant treatment (OR=6.77, 95% CI=3.30–13.89) were more frequently used in women with LN.

Conclusion

This review identified a significant association between the aforementioned outcomes and SLE pregnant patients with LN. In patients with SLE, LN increased the risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes and the use of medication. Therefore, special treatment and close monitoring should be allocated to pregnant women with LN.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and risk of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

We performed a meta-analysis to identify the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and preterm birth. In this study, we studied the effects of SLE, SLE disease activity, a history of nephritis and active nephritis on preterm birth. Searches were conducted before 20 May 2016 of PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library of literature and article reference lists. Eleven observational case-control studies and thirteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled relative risk (RR) for the risk of preterm birth in SLE patients versus controls was 2.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.72-3.32); for active SLE patients versus inactive was 2.98 (95% CI: 2.32-3.83); for SLE patients with a history of lupus nephritis versus those without nephritis it was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.35-1.95); and for SLE patients with active nephritis versus those with quiescent nephritis it was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.17-2.70). In summary, this study identified a significant association in the above results. This association was more significant in active SLE patients versus inactive. With respect to SLE itself, active inflammation (such as disease activity) may be more hazardous for the management of the pregnancy. This suggests that it is essential to control disease activity in order to achieve a better outcome of SLE pregnancy.

What Causes Lupus Flares?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the prototypic systemic autoimmune disease, follows a chronic disease course, punctuated by flares. Disease flares often occur without apparent cause, perhaps from progressive inherent buildup of autoimmunity. However, there is evidence that certain environmental factors may trigger the disease. These include exposure to UV light, infections, certain hormones, and drugs which may activate the innate and adaptive immune system, resulting in inflammation, cytotoxic effects, and clinical symptoms. Uncontrolled disease flares, as well as their treatment, especially with glucocorticoids, can cause significant organ damage. Tight surveillance and timely control of lupus flares with judicial use of effective treatments to adequately suppress the excessive immune system activation are required to bring about long term remission of the disease. We hope that new clinical trials will soon offer additional effective and target-specific biologic treatments for SLE.