CURRENT THERAPY OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

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Abstract
The current clinical concept of systemic lupus erythematosus is reviewed on the basis of a 10-year study of 400 patients treated with rest, salicylates, antimalarials, and corticosteroids. Particular attention was given to the therapeutic value and side-effects of the corticosteroids. Fifty patients received dexamethasone for periods up to 15 months. The maximum dose was 24 mg. per day for three weeks and the average maintenance dose was 2.7 mg. per day. Clinical improvement closely paralleled that obtained by other corticoids. Side-effects included edema (28%), hirsutism (28%), and insomnia (8%), and serial upper gastrointestinal roentgenograms performed in 28 patients revealed peptic ulcers in 5. There was a disappearance of all the clinical and laboratory abnormalities produced by the disease with the exception of long-standing renal involvement.

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