OBJECTIVES Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disease caused by dysregulation of the immune system with contribution from genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. The disease affects mainly women, with a 9:1 ratio. The objective of therapy for patients SLE are to ensure long-term survival, achieve the lowest possible disease activity, prevent organ damage, minimize drug toxicity and improve patient’s quality of life. We aimed to describe the prescription patterns of patients with SLE and the costs associated to therapy in a specialized center.

METHODS During 2 years, we followed patients with LES under a multidisciplinary model of care; the patient is seen as a whole, and the expectation is to achieve the best results in the management of SLE. Descriptive epidemiology was done, we calculated means, and standard deviations for continuous variables and categorical variables were presented as rates. We calculated the costs pharmacological therapy these are presented in US dollars at the official rate of exchange for December 2018.

RESULTS During two years we included 312 patients, 91% were female and 9% were male. Mean age was 50 years ±13.74. Regarding pharmacological therapy 84% received conventional therapy, 2% received biological therapy and 14% received mycophenolate. The costs of the treatment were in average 9847 USD per patient/year treated under biological therapy, 2712 USD per patient/year treated with Mycophenolate while conventional therapy costed in average 800 SD per patient/year

CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that patients with lupus can be treated with a low cost conventional pharmacological therapy with good results when it is accompanied by a multidisciplinary health care model. As other studies have shown SLE is associated with substantial annual direct costs in regards of pharmacological therapy. Due to the above, it is important to report the expenses of SLE treatment in real-life settings.