Hendler JV, et al. – An analysis was performed to highlight the main characteristics and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in southern Brazil. The main known causes of deaths in SLE patients were cardiovascular disease, infection, and SLE activity associated with infection. Furthermore, the risk factors for mortality were secondary antiphospolipid syndrome, the highest score in SLICC damage index, advanced age at diagnosis, and high dose of corticosteroids. Whereas, antimalarials was an important protective factor.

• The physicians evaluated clinical, demographic, and serological characteristics from 600 patients followed since 2001 in SLE outpatient clinic from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. 
• With univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, risk factors for mortality were examined.
• A p < 0.05 was considered significant.
• There were 527 survivors (87.83%).
• Cardiovascular disease (17%), infection (17%), and infection and SLE activity (17%) were the main causes of death.
• Risk factors for death were age at diagnosis (HR 1.065, CI 95% 1.039–10.092), SLICC damage index (HR 1.299, CI 95% 1.076–1569), antiphospholip syndrome (HR 3.021, CI 95% 1.307–6.985), and metilprednisolone pulse (HR 2.628, CI 95% 1.283–5.383).
• However, antimalarials was considered as a protective factor for death (HR 0.191, CI 95% 0.064–0.570).