The study by Du et al., published in this issue of the European Journal of Internal Medicine [1] adds significant information regarding the treatment patterns in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in pediatric patients, for which the information in the literature is scarce. Moreover, it focuses on the first years after diagnosis, when the right treatment decision is crucial to modify the course of the disease and prevent long-term damage, a main objective in SLE management as stated in the overarching principles of treat-to-target strategies in autoimmune diseases [2].