During this segment, the panelists conclude that although treatment guidelines are now being developed to help practitioners consider therapy options for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there are still factors that need to be addressed.
Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, explains that there are now 3 clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of lupus, whereas in the past there were none. The American College of Rheumatology, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics, and European League Against Rheumatism guidelines exhibit consistencies about how to treat patients with lupus.
However, Dr Petri explains that the guidelines need to address how to treat patients who fail suggested induction therapies. Dr Petri believes that flexibility is key due to the need to individualize therapy for patients in instances of poor outcomes.
Dr Petri feels that our country is still in the “dark ages” in regard to addressing the needs of patients with SLE. She explains that because SLE is a rare disease, there is still no FDA-approved gold standard for treating the disease.
Agreeing with Dr Petri, Maria Lopes, MD, MS, believes that there is a need for personalized therapy, which requires an in-depth, collaborative discussion about how to treat a patient as an individual before beginning therapy.
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