According to a recent report, the use of antimalarials can improve survival with systemic lupus erythematosus and should be given to all patients with the disease. During a median follow-up period of 55 months, the mortality rate for non-users of antimalarial drugs was 11.5 percent while that of users was just 4.4 percent.

     Prior research had suggested that antimalarial therapy could help prevent flare-ups of the disease and reduce overall damage from the disease.

--Source: "Antimalarials Recommended for All Lupus Patients," Anthony J. Brown, M.D., Reuters Health Information via Medscape, January 22, 2010