Managing and Treating a Specific Illness Quiz

What is a commonly used regimen for severe and life-threatening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

What is the recommended sun protection factor for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to use?

What has been shown to be effective in patients with active SLE who have responded inadequately to standard therapy?

What is the risk associated with cyclophosphamide in the treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

Which medication has been used successfully with high-dose glucocorticoids for renal involvement in SLE?

What is the typical maintenance regimen for SLE patients following control of acute disease?

What is the long-term aim for SLE patients in terms of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy?

What is recommended for SLE patients with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, who have had previous thrombosis?

What are SLE patients at risk of, and should be screened for accordingly?

Which medication has been reported as effective in selected cases for SLE, despite randomised controlled trials not showing significant overall efficacy?

What is the recommended approach for controlling cardiovascular risk factors in SLE patients?

What should be considered prior to treatment with cyclophosphamide due to the risk of azoospermia and premature menopause?

Patients should be advised to avoid ______ and ultraviolet light exposure

The monoclonal antibody belimumab, which targets the β-cell growth factor BLyS, has recently been shown to be effective in patients with active SLE who have responded inadequately to standard ______

High-dose glucocorticoids and ______ are required for the treatment of renal, CNS and cardiac involvement

Cyclophosphamide may cause haemorrhagic cystitis but the risk can be minimised by good hydration and co-prescription of mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate), which binds its urotoxic ______

Following control of acute disease, a typical maintenance regimen is oral prednisolone in a dose of 40–60 mg daily, gradually reducing to 10–15 mg/day or less by 3 months. Azathioprine (2–2.5 mg/kg/day), methotrexate (10–25 mg/week) or MMF (2–3 g/day) should also be prescribed. The long-term aim is to continue the lowest dose of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant to maintain ______.

Patients with SLE and the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, who have had previous thrombosis, require life-long ______ therapy.

SLE patients are at risk of osteoporosis and hypovitaminosis D, and should be screened with biochemistry and DXA scanning ______.

Belimumab in combination with standard therapy significantly decreases disease activity in SLE patients and is safe and well ______.

Rituximab has been reported as being effective in selected cases, though randomised controlled trials have not shown significant overall ______.

Because of the risk of azoospermia and premature menopause, sperm or oöcyte collection and storage need to be considered prior to treatment with ______.

MMF has been used successfully with high-dose glucocorticoids for renal involvement with results similar to those of pulsed cyclophosphamide but fewer adverse ______.

Cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, should be controlled and patients should be advised to stop ______.