Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder . It may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.
Disseminated lupus erythematosus; SLE; Lupus; Lupus erythematosus
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
SLE (lupus) is an autoimmune disease. This means there is a problem with the body's normal immune system response. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from harmful substances. But in patients with an autoimmune disease, the immune system can't tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. The result is an overactive immune response that attacks otherwise healthy cells and tissue. This leads to chronic (long-term) inflammation.
The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known. Some researchers think autoimmune diseases occur after infection with an organism that looks like certain proteins in the body. The proteins are later mistaken for the organism and wrongly targeted for attack by the body's immune system.
SLE may be mild or severe enough to cause death.
SLE affects nine times as many women as men. It may occur at any age, but appears most often in people between the ages of 10 and 50 years. African Americans and Asians are affected more often than people from other races.
SLE may also be caused by certain drugs. For information on this cause of SLE, see drug-induced lupus erythematosus.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and may come and go. The condition may affect one organ or body system at first. Others may become involved later. Almost all people with SLE have joint pain and most develop arthritis . Frequently affected joints are the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees.
Inflammation of various parts of the heart may occur as pericarditis , endocarditis , or myocarditis . Chest pain and arrhythmias may result from these conditions.
General symptoms include:
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and tests:
The diagnosis of SLE is based upon the presence of at least four out of eleven typical characteristics of the disease. The doctor will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. A sound called a heart friction rub or pleural friction rub may be heard. A neurological exam will also be performed.
Tests used to diagnose SLE may include:
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
There is no cure for SLE. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms. Your individual symptoms determine your treatment.
Mild disease that involves a rash, headaches, fever, arthritis, pleurisy, and pericarditis requires little therapy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are used to treat arthritis and pleurisy. Corticosteroid creams are used to treat skin rashes. An anti-malaria drug called hydroxychloroquine) and low dose corticosteroids are sometimes used for skin and arthritis symptoms.
You should wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen when in the sun.
Severe or life-threatening symptoms (such as hemolytic anemia , extensive heart or lung involvement, kidney disease , or central nervous system involvement) often require treatment by a rheumatologist and other specialists. Corticosteroids or medications to decrease the immune system response may be prescribed to control the various symptoms. Cytotoxic drugs (drugs that block cell growth) are used to treat people who do not respond well to corticosteroids or who might require long-term use of high doses of corticosteroids.
For additional information and support, see lupus resources .
The outcome for people with SLE has improved over recent years. Many of those with SLE have mild illness. Women with SLE who become pregnant are often able to carry the pregnancy safely to term and deliver normal infants, as long as there is no severe kidney or heart disease present and the SLE is being treated appropriately.
The presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies may increase the possibility of pregnancy loss.
The 10-year survival rate for lupus patients is greater than 85%. People with severe involvement of the brain, lungs, heart, and kidney do worse than others in terms of overall survival and disability.
Some people with SLE have deposits of antibodies within the cells (glomeruli) of the kidneys. This leads to a condition called lupus nephritis . Patients with this condition may eventually develop kidney failure and require dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Other complications include:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of SLE. Also, call if you have SLE and symptoms got worse or if new symptoms develop.
Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.
Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.