DISEASES
description
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus for short) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs causing severe inflammation of the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. SLE can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms mimic many other conditions. A distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks. However, this symptom occurs in less than half of all patients. There are both genetic and hormonal components that accelerate SLE. The most obvious hormonal manifestation is that females outnumber males by 9:1. While there is no cure for lupus, a growing number of treatments show promise. Hydroxychloroquine, for example, has been shown to stabilize disease once it is in remission.
Although more than 200 autoantibodies have been described in SLE, the diagnosis is remarkably aided by the detection of a spectrum of autoantibodies, some of which are disease-specific (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm) and others that are disease-related (anti-Ro60/SSA, anti-U1RNP).
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
- Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
- Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
- Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Headaches, confusion and memory loss