Prognosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

This article summarizes the evidence for improved prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including reasons for improved survival, as well as the risk for mortality, which remains high for patients with this disease. Causes of death are reviewed, and prognostic factors are examined. Other outcome measures for prognosis in SLE, including specific organ damage, accumulated damage index, health status, and quality of life are considered. The continuing controversy regarding the use of cyclophosphamide is reviewed, together with new therapeutic approaches.