Despite recent improvements in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), disease activity, comorbidities and drug toxicity significantly contribute to the risk of progressive irreversible damage accrual and increased mortality in patients with this chronic disease. Moreover, even lupus patients in remission often report residual symptoms, such as fatigue, which have a considerable impact on their health-related quality of life. In recent decades, SLE treatment has moved from the use of hydroxychloroquine, systemic glucocorticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive drugs to biologic agents, of which belimumab is the first and only biologic agent approved for the treatment for SLE to date. Novel therapies targeting interferons, cytokines and their receptors, intracellular signals, plasma cells, T lymphocytes and co-stimulatory molecules are being evaluated. In the context of a holistic approach, growing evidence is emerging of the importance of correct lifestyle habits in the management of lupus manifestations and comorbidities. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options and emerging therapies in SLE.

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IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who did not met the WHO recommendations for physical activity and to evaluate the amount of time spent in sedentary behavior.MethodsSLE patients were consecutively enrolled in a cross sectional study. The type and the time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior were evaluated using the IPAQ short form questionnaire. The adequate physical activity was defined according to the 2010 WHO recommendations for health and the sedentary behavior according to the 2017 SBRN consensus. We also assessed quality of life using SF-36, mood disorders using BDI and HAM-H, fatigue using Facit-Fatigue and sleep disorders using PSQI scores.ResultsPhysical activity was not sufficient to meet WHO recommendations in 56 of 93 SLE patients (60%). SLE patients spent a median (95% range) of 180 (0–600) minutes everyday in sedentary activities. The length of daily sedentary time was more than 6 hours in 25% of SLE patients. In multivariable analysis, the factors associated to the probability of not meeting WHO criteria was only the time of exposure to antimalarials (OR 0.88, p 0.03) and the factors related to the probability of being in the upper tertile of sedentary time (more than 270 minutes) were age (OR 1.04, p 0.02), disease activity expressed by SELENA-SLEDAI score (OR 1.2, p 0.01) and Facit-fatigue score (OR 0.94, p 0.04).ConclusionA relevant proportion of SLE patients were inadequately physically active. It is essential to improve the awareness of the importance of increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time. A better control of disease activity and fatigue and a prolonged use of antimalarials could help to reach this notable goal.

Bindarit exhibits a potent bioactivity in reducing leukocyte infiltration, down-regulating MCP-1 synthesis, and preventing the development of severe colitis in a mice model of TNBS-induced colitis. These observations suggest a potential use of MCP-1 synthesis blockers in intestinal inflammation in humans.