title: Systemic lupus erythematosus as seen in primary care.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus does not wholly deserve its bad reputation. At the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco, the ten-year survival rate among patients with the disease has been about 90%. Many clinicians no longer hold renal biopsy to be mandatory in cases of the disease, even if there is clinical evidence of renal involvement. Clinically significant renal involvement occurs in fewer than 10% of patients. Initiation of corticosteroid therapy when deterioration of renal function is demonstrable is recommended. Cytotoxic agents are seldom indicated.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D014481:United States