"technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body."
A discussion of the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems.
Introduction to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A brief overview of the disease, including its epidemiology, etiology, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria.
Immunology and Autoimmunity: The basic concepts of the immune system and its role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Types of Lupus: The different forms of lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, and drug-induced lupus.
Diagnosis of Lupus: The diagnostic procedures used to identify lupus, including laboratory tests, physical examination, and medical history.
Treatment of Lupus: The different types of treatment options for lupus, including medications (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antimalarials), non-pharmacologic therapies, and dietary modifications.
Pathophysiology of Lupus: The underlying mechanisms that cause lupus, including the activation of autoimmunity, immune complex formation, and chronic inflammation.
Clinical Manifestations of Lupus: The different signs and symptoms that can occur in lupus patients, including arthritis, rash, fever, fatigue, and neurological symptoms.
Lupus Nephritis: The renal complications associated with lupus, including glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure.
Lupus in Children: The pediatric population affected by lupus, including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.
Lupus and Pregnancy: The management of lupus during pregnancy, including the potential complications that can arise and the various treatment options.
Lupus and the Skin: The skin manifestations associated with lupus, including discoid lupus erythematosus, photosensitivity, and malar rash.
Lupus and the Cardiovascular System: The risk of cardiovascular disease in lupus patients, including atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and thrombotic events.
Lupus and the Respiratory System: The pulmonary complications associated with lupus, including pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension.
Lupus and the Musculoskeletal System: The musculoskeletal complications associated with lupus, including arthritis, myositis, and osteoporosis.
Lupus and the Gastrointestinal System: The gastrointestinal complications associated with lupus, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, food intolerance, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Neurological Manifestations of Lupus: The cognitive and neurological complications associated with lupus, including seizures, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.
Lupus and the Endocrine System: The endocrine complications associated with lupus, including thyroiditis, adrenal insufficiency, and diabetes.
Lupus and Infections: The increased risk of infections in lupus patients, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Lupus and Cancer: The risk of cancer in lupus patients, including lymphoma, leukemia, and cervical cancer.
Lupus and Genetics: The genetic factors associated with lupus, including HLA genes and various other genetic polymorphisms.
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE): CLE is a type of SLE that affects the skin, causing various types of skin rashes, lesions, and discoloration. The most common types of CLE are discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE).
Arthritis Lupus Erythematosus: Arthritis is a common feature of SLE, affecting up to 95% of patients at some point during the disease course. Arthritis lupus erythematosus primarily affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness, mainly in the small joints of the hands and feet.
Renal Lupus Erythematosus (Nephritis): Renal lupus erythematosus (nephritis) affects the kidneys, causing inflammation and damage to the glomeruli, the tiny blood vessels that filter the blood in the kidneys. Nephritis can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
Hematologic Lupus Erythematosus: Hematologic lupus erythematosus affects the blood cells, causing abnormalities such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia.
Central Nervous System Lupus Erythematosus: Central nervous system lupus erythematosus (CNS-LE) affects the brain and spinal cord, causing various neurological symptoms such as headaches, seizures, cognitive dysfunction, psychosis, and memory loss.
Pulmonary Lupus Erythematosus: Pulmonary lupus erythematosus affects the lungs, causing inflammation and damage to the lung tissue, airways, and blood vessels, resulting in shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and pulmonary hypertension.
Musculoskeletal Lupus Erythematosus: Musculoskeletal lupus erythematosus affects the muscles and bones, causing symptoms such as muscle weakness, joint pain, and osteoporosis.
Cardiovascular Lupus Erythematosus: Cardiovascular lupus erythematosus affects the heart and blood vessels, causing symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and pericarditis.
Gastrointestinal Lupus Erythematosus: Gastrointestinal lupus erythematosus affects the digestive system, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and malabsorption.
"painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face."
"Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms."
"The cause of SLE is not clear. It is thought to involve a combination of genetics and environmental factors."
"Female sex hormones, sunlight, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and certain infections are also believed to increase a person's risk."
"These are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies and they result in inflammation."
"Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests."
"There are a number of other kinds of lupus erythematosus including discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus."
"There is no cure for SLE, but there are experimental and symptomatic treatments."
"Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate."
"Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects."
"Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease."
"Life expectancy is lower among people with SLE, but with modern treatment, 80–90% of patients can survive for 10 years or more, although men have higher mortality."
"SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease with this being the most common cause of death."
"While women with lupus have higher risk pregnancies, most are successful."
"Rate of SLE varies between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000."
"Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men."
"While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45, a wide range of ages can be affected."
"Those of African, Caribbean, and Chinese descent are at higher risk than those of European descent."
"Lupus is Latin for 'wolf': the disease was so-named in the 13th century as the rash was thought to appear like a wolf's bite."