Monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus in standard clinical care

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with a fluctuating and unpredictable course. Monitoring SLE in the routine clinic setting is a challenge because both the disease and its treatment can result in organ damage. Disease activity indices and a cumulative history summary can be used to track complicated patients over time. Monitoring guidelines for damage from the disease and for the toxicity of treatment are available.