title: Corticosteroids in Lupus Nephritis and Central Nervous System Lupus.
abstract: Corticosteroids are a mainstay of therapy for severe organ-threatening systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus nephritis and central nervous system (CNS) lupus remain two of the most debilitating and potentially life-threatening manifestations of lupus. The dose and duration of corticosteroids required for control of lupus nephritis and CNS lupus have never been tested in a randomized trial design, so current recommendations are based on observation and expert opinion. As more targeted individualized therapeutic approaches are developed for lupus nephritis and CNS lupus, reliance on long-term corticosteroids will decrease, as will the long-term damage and early mortality associated with their use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 816, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Electronic address: kamend@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kamen
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 816, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Zollars
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Autoimmune disease; Glomerulonephritis; Glucocorticoids; Neuropsychiatric lupus; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Treatment