Severe major organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosis and management

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1995 Feb;21(1):81-98.

Abstract

Deterioration in the function of major organs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may be due to causes directly related to the disease itself or to non-lupus related causes. In patients with rapidly progressive immune-mediated disease, therapy may be initiated with pulse glucocorticoids alone or in combination with pulse cyclophosphamide. For selected patients with aggressive life-threatening disease or patients refractory to treatment, experimental therapies such as plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin may be used as adjuncts in their management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases* / etiology
  • Lung Diseases* / therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Nephritis* / diagnosis
  • Nephritis* / etiology
  • Nephritis* / therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases* / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases* / therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia* / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia* / etiology
  • Thrombocytopenia* / therapy
  • Time Factors