To deal with SLE, you must make good use of "strategies" and "military tactics" to attack it, only then can you win

There are thousands of lupus problems.

Finding the source is the key.

Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you fight a hundred battles without danger.

To treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),

We must also make good use of the "Art of War".

Destroy it in one fell swoop.

Chapter 1

SLE is a rheumatic disease and one of the representative autoimmune diseases, characterized by autoimmune dysfunction.

Immunity refers to a physiological protective function of the body, but the immune system of SLE patients is abnormal and cannot normally identify themselves from others. They cannot distinguish between enemies and enemies and will attack their own substances as foreign objects. Therefore, immune abnormality is the main cause of lupus. The key to dealing with SLE is to restore the immune system to normal.

Chapter 2: Attack

The etiology of SLE is complex. In addition to the immune abnormalities mentioned above, the following are the current causes:

First, genetic factors. The onset of SLE is related to genetic factors, but SLE is not a genetic disease. If the previous generation has SLE, the risk of SLE in the next generation will increase, but it does not mean that they will definitely suffer from SLE, so everyone should relax and not worry too much.

Second, environmental factors. If you carry a genetic susceptibility gene, under the influence of environmental factors, such as sunlight, it will cause skin degeneration, thus inducing SLE. In addition, chemical agents such as eyebrow tattoos and eyeliner tattoos entering the human body may also induce SLE.

Third, endocrine factors. SLE is more common in women of childbearing age, and estrogen is an important cause. Frequent use of birth control pills and pregnancy will increase the body's estrogen level, and the condition of SLE patients is likely to worsen.

In addition, other causes such as viral infection can also induce SLE. Although the cause of SLE is still unclear, avoiding these inducements is an important means to control SLE and prevent it from getting worse.

Part III Treatment

The current treatment of SLE mainly focuses on drug therapy, which is divided into four categories: glucocorticoids, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppressants, and biological agents.

Hormones

Hormones are the basic drugs recommended by domestic and foreign guidelines for controlling SLE. Individualized treatment is required based on the disease activity of SLE patients, the duration of medication, and the adverse reactions of hormones. Specific drugs include hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, etc.

Antimalarial drugs

Antimalarial drugs are mainly represented by hydroxychloroquine. Long-term use of hydroxychloroquine can reduce the activity of SLE disease, reduce the risk of organ damage and thrombosis, improve blood lipids, and increase survival rate. However, long-term use of hydroxychloroquine can easily induce retinopathy, so regular inspection and monitoring are required.

Immunosuppressants

The use of immunosuppressants can reduce the cumulative use of hormones and prevent disease relapse. For patients with refractory or recurrent SLE, the use of immunosuppressants can reduce the use of hormones, control disease activity, and improve clinical remission rates. Specific drugs include mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, leflunomide, methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine, etc.

Biologics

For patients with refractory or recurrent SLE, the use of biological agents can significantly increase the remission rate, reduce disease activity, disease relapse rate, and reduce the use of hormones. Specific drugs include belimumab, tetasipu, and rituximab.

Chapter 4 Strategy

The long-term goal of SLE treatment is to prevent, reduce relapses, control organ damage caused by the disease, reduce patient mortality, and improve survival rate and quality of life.

01Regular follow-up

Adjust the treatment plan by dynamically observing the condition. Follow-up is recommended every 1 to 2 months during the acute phase, because the disease progresses rapidly during this period and a larger dose of medication is needed to control the condition. Follow-up is recommended every 3 months during the stable phase, with timely review to detect signs of relapse early so that necessary measures can be taken to prevent relapse.

02Seek medical treatment promptly

If there are signs of relapse during the stable period of the disease, such as rash, joint pain, fever, fatigue, oral ulcers, etc., as well as signs of kidney damage such as hematuria, you should go to a regular hospital for timely medical treatment.

03 Do not add or subtract medications at will

Take medicine on time as directed by your doctor, do not miss or forget to take it, and do not add or subtract medication on your own.

Lupus erythematosus is not scary, preventing recurrence is the key;

Always be vigilant and don't relax, adhere to principles and keep your original intention;

The key is to take precautions and comply with regulations, so that the clouds will clear and the moon will appear.

Author: Zhang Xiaojie, Chief Pharmacist of the General Hospital of Yangquan Coal Industry (Group) Co., Ltd.

Review expert: Wang Baoxin, deputy director and pharmacist of the Pharmacy Department of Peking University First Hospital