SLE- Steroids DI

Question 1

What are glucocorticoids used for in SLE?

Answer 1

Rapid symptom relief

Question 2

When to use pulse IV steroids

Answer 2

For fast relief

Question 3

Using IV steroids for 1-3 days can do what?

Answer 3

Decrease the starting dose of a PO steroid

Question 4

Suppressive dose of steroids

Answer 4

Prednisone 20-60mg/day

Question 5

PO steroid taper

Answer 5

Taper 10-20% q5-7 days

Question 6

Minimize the daily dose of steroids to what?

Answer 6

≤7.5mg/day prednisone equivalent because the side effect risk greatly increases beyond this

Question 7

Ideally, what do you want to do with steroids?

Answer 7

Taper them off completely

Question 8

Steroids are adjunct treatment reserved for what?

Answer 8

Mod-severe initial presentation
Organ threatening or life-threatening SLE
Inadequate response to HCQ/NSAID
Poor QOL without it

Question 9

ADEs from long-term steroid use

Answer 9

Osteoporosis, HLD, fat redistribution, moon facies, growth failure, amenorrhea, immunosuppression, HPA suppression, cataracts, obesity, seizures, ecchymosis, muscle weakness, acne