Prognosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
This article summarizes the evidence for improved prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including reasons for improved survival, as well as the risk for mortality, which remains high for patients with this disease. Causes of death are reviewed, and prognostic factors are examined. Other outcome measures for prognosis in SLE, including specific organ damage, accumulated damage index, health status, and quality of life are considered. The continuing controversy regarding the use of cyclophosphamide is reviewed, together with new therapeutic approaches.
Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Gladman
D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome