Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: an update

Abstract

Purpose of review: This is an update of the main studies published in the last year regarding biomarkers, advances in pathophysiology, lupus nephritis as well as outcomes and therapies in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE).

Recent findings: Some progress in the pathophysiology of cSLE was made in the past year. Although biomarkers were studied in lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric lupus, none of the proposed biomarkers was shown to be a significant improvement over current disease measures. More encouraging was the research into creating an easy, rapid screening tool for neurocognitive dysfunction in cSLE. Two studies in health-related quality of life (HRQL) recognized its importance in determining outcome and found that ethnicity and obesity might significantly alter HRQL in cSLE patients. There were no prospective clinical trials involving cSLE patients.

Summary: A better understanding of pathophysiology may elucidate novel molecules as therapeutic targets in cSLE. Advances in the field of biomarkers may enable a more accurate prediction of clinical outcome, optimizing early interventions and therefore improving disease prognostics.