title: SER consensus statement on the use of biologic therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a reference to rheumatologists and other physicians involved in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are using, or about to use biologic therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and degree of recommendation were classified according to a model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through a Delphi technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have produced recommendations on the use of belimumab, the only biological agent with approved indications for SLE, and other biological agents without an indication for SLE. The objective of treatment is to achieve a complete clinical response, taken as the absence of perceived or evident disease activity. Nuances regarding the use of biologic therapies in SLE were reviewed as well, such as the evaluation that should be performed prior to administration and the follow up of patients undergoing these therapies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present the SER recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with SLE.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Sierrallana, Torrelavega, Cantabria, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calvo-Alén
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva-Fernández
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Úcar-Angulo
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pego-Reigosa
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olivé
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez-Fernández
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martínez-Taboada
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luis Marenco
authors.forename: Estíbaliz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loza
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Longo
authors.forename: Juan Jesús
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gómez-Reino
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galindo-Izquierdo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Nebro
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cuadrado
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Aguirre-Zamorano
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zea-Mendoza
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rúa-Figueroa
mesh_terms: D001691:Biological Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
keywords: Biological therapy; Consenso; Consensus; Guides; Guías; Lupus eritematoso sistémico; Recomendaciones; Recommendations; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Terapias biológicas