How do you counsel a patient with SLE who has labs suggesting active non-renal disease on the benefits of escalation of treatment if they aren't experiencing noticeable symptoms?  

Non-renal disease is predominantly in the skin and joints. These are assessed by physical examination (not by laboratory tests). Yes, there are some patients with mild synovitis by exam who are NOT bothered by it, but most patients will have morning stiffness and require treatment. Patients who are ...

I can think of several manifestations that lie in the umbrella of this question (active non-renal lupus, asymptomatic patient, could potentially cause organ damage if treatment is not escalated):Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia, and lupus hepatitis. (The asymptomatic posit...

I discuss with patients that they're having active serologies but no symptoms, and that they are at risk of having a flare in the near future. I would have them on plaquenil, but anything past that, I would discuss with the patient the pros and cons of immunosuppressive therapy, and we would reach a...