Helping Patients with SLE Thrive

Dr. Arnaud cited an observational study from Ruiz-Irastorza et al. that evaluated more than 230 patients with SLE, assessing prolonged remission during five consecutive yearly visits. The authors found that methylprednisolone pulses administered in doses of 125 mg, 250 mg or—in severe cases—500 mg daily for three consecutive days to patients with SLE during the first year of disease were associated with a higher frequency of prolonged remission. This effect was mainly observed in patients with moderate to severe disease activity. Additionally, the use of such pulses was associated with reduced doses of prednisone given to patients with a baseline Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2000) score ≥6.⁸

More work needs to be done on this subject, but Dr. Arnaud indicated that these results—if reproducible—may support the intermittent use of pulse therapy over the prolonged use of oral glucocorticoids.

In Sum

Dr. Arnaud covered a tremendous amount of ground in 30 minutes. As we look to the horizon, it’s clear that many exciting innovations lay ahead to help patients with SLE achieve healthier and longer lives.

Jason Liebowitz, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

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