SLE - What to Do About It

Given the clinical heterogeneity of SLE, management strategies are typically dictated by the patient's chief complaint. Most patients will be on some form of chronic anti-malarial therapy with either chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine. Mild to moderate flares can be treated with bursts of prednisone but may sometimes require additional immunosuppressive agents such as azithioprine or methotrexate. Outside of pharmacological therapy, many patients will also benefit from lifestyle changes. Patients with cutaneous lupus should avoid unnecessary sun exposures and apply sunscreen when possible. Smoking is associated with accelerated disease progression and patients should be counseled on cessation. Pregnant patients should be started on low