What is a potential complication of SLE that healthcare providers should monitor?

The risk of infections due to immunosuppression is a significant concern in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This risk arises because many patients with SLE are treated with immunosuppressive medications to manage their autoimmune symptoms and prevent flare-ups. These medications can weaken the immune system, making it more challenging for the body to fight off infections. Consequently, healthcare providers need to closely monitor SLE patients for signs of infection, ensuring timely intervention to prevent complications that could arise from untreated infections.

In contrast, while anxiety and depression, joint stiffness, limited mobility, and weight gain due to steroid use are also relevant issues that can affect individuals with SLE, they are generally secondary concerns. They do not carry the same immediate risk as potential infections that can arise from the immunosuppressed state resulting from treatment, making the monitoring of infection risk a higher priority in clinical management of SLE.