Lupus: A Complex Autoimmune Disease
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease. It is the most common type of lupus. Lupus can develop in individuals from all population groups, but it is most prevalent among women. Lupus treatment is highly individualized and depends on symptom manifestations, organ involvement, disease severity, and patient response. These include pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments and counseling for the lupus patient. An approach that treats the condition early, with sustained symptom management, can prevent organ damage, and the quality of life and long-term survival of the patient can be improved.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Provide insights into the definition and different types of lupus.
- Describe clinical manifestations comprising systemic and specific symptoms of organ-system dysfunction associated with lupus.
- Describe laboratory screen tests for diagnosis and classification criteria of lupus.
- Describe current treatments in the management of lupus.
- Discuss the current challenges and future directions in lupus treatment and management.
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Overview of Lupus
III. Definition and Pathogenesis of Lupus
IV. Diagnosis of Lupus
V. Laboratory Tests
VI. Clinical Manifestations
VII. Risk Factors for Lupus
VIII. Special Populations
1. Pregnancy
2. Pediatric Patients
IX. Treatments for Managing Lupus
1. Nonpharmacological Treatments
2. Pharmacological Treatments
3. Management of Flares
4. Management of Depression
X. Counseling Patients with Lupus
XI. Gap Analysis of Current Versus Best Practices for Management of SLE
XII. Future Approaches to Managing Lupus
XIII. Summary
From June 10, 2023 through June 10, 2026, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Salam Kadhim, PhD, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Salam Kadhim, PhD, was a senior scientist at Inmed Pharmaceuticals until July 1, 2022. Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS, was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.