Key result
Early treat-to-target strategies in SLE reduce glucocorticoid dependence and improve long-term outcomes.
Why the study?
Many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus continue to rely on long-term glucocorticoid use despite advanced therapies, leading to increased risk of organ damage and poor outcomes.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Highlights the need for a shift from traditional symptom suppression to early, proactive treat-to-target approaches in SLE to reduce glucocorticoid dependency and improve long-term outcomes.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that remains challenging to diagnose and treat. In this interview, rheumatologist and clinical epidemiologist Zahi Touma, Associate Professor of Medicine, Clinician Scientist, University of Toronto, Canada, highlights the need for a shift from traditional symptom suppression to early and proactive treat-to-target approaches. Despite the availability of more advanced SLE-targeted therapies offering the potential to reduce glucocorticoid (GC) dependency and improve disease control, many patients continue to rely on long-term GC use, placing them at increased risk of irreversible organ damage, poor health-related quality of life, and even mortality. Touma emphasises the importance of proactive, individualised care to achieve sustained remission and improve long-term outcomes for a greater proportion of patients.
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Zahi Touma (2025) studied Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Early and proactive treat-to-target approaches vs. Traditional symptom suppression was evaluated. Early and proactive treat-to-target approaches in systemic lupus erythematosus are emphasized to reduce glucocorticoid dependency and improve long-term outcomes.
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