Challenges in the diagnosis and management of SLE in India

Management of Systemic lupus erythematosus is challenging due to its varied manifestations, relapses and problems associated with immunosuppressive therapy. This challenge is compounded in resource limited countries due to additional factors such as poor access to health care, limited income, out of pocket expenses for medical care and lack of financial independence of women. In the current review some of these issues have been highlighted in context of India, the most populous country of the world with current annual per capita income of around 2000 dollars.