High Impact of Antiphospholipid Syndrome on Irreversible Organ Damage and Survival of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still a significant cause of morbidity and increased mortality.1 However, relevant changes in the spectrum of lupus complications, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, have occurred in the past decades. Survival rates at 5 years, which were below 70% in early series,2 are currently higher than 90%.3,4 Active lupus used to be the main cause of death 30 years ago, but today infections and atherothrombosis are also leading determinants of mortality, particularly after a long disease course.1 Cardiovascular diseases cause not only death but also substantial morbidity.5,6