SLE Pathophysiology

Target Audience

The design of this program addresses the needs of rheumatology clinicians and other specialists involved in the care of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Program Description

Despite the known short- and long-term adverse outcomes related to glucocorticoid use, patients with SLE are still taking moderate to high daily doses of steroids.  Fortunately, 2 biologic therapies aimed at different therapeutic targets in the type I interferon pathway and with better safety profiles than glucocorticoids are currently available for use. These biologics, along with off-label immunosuppressants, can be implemented in customized ways to mitigate or eliminate the use of glucocorticoids in patients with SLE.  In this Hot Topics series, an expert rheumatologist will provide focused education on the clinical profiles of currently available biologic therapies and best practices for individualizing disease management in patients with SLE. Utilizing an engaging delivery format that combines graphics and video, this educational series meets the needs of busy clinician learners who wish to stay current on the evolving best practices in managing patients with SLE.    

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Discuss the pathophysiology of SLE, with a focus on the roles of interferon and implications for treatment
2. Describe the clinical profiles and prescribing considerations for biologic therapies in moderate to severe SLE

Physician Accreditation Statement

Integritas Communications is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Integritas designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Integritas Contact Information

For more information about the approval of this program, please contact Integritas at info@exchangecme.com.

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must:

1. Read the educational objectives, accreditation information, and faculty disclosures at the beginning of this activity.
2. Complete the Preactivity Questions.
3. Review the activity content.
4. Achieve a grade of at least 70% on the Postactivity Test Questions and complete the Evaluation.  

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest

Integritas adheres to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. All persons in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education program provided by Integritas are required to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the past 24 months to Integritas.  All financial relationships reported are identified as relevant and mitigated by Integritas in accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. The content of this activity was vetted by Integritas to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias. 

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

The faculty have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:

Elena M. Massarotti, MD
Consulting fee: Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc., EMD Serono Inc., Equillium, Inc., GSK plc, Kezar Life Sciences Inc.

The Integritas Communication planners and managers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Integritas does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. 

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.