Lupus is also
known as systemic lupus
erythematosus, or SLE. It is an
autoimmune inflammatory disorder
that affects many different systems
within the body. Lupus can affect the
joints, kidneys, skin, and even
blood vessels. This chronic
disease that has no known cause. Although, there is an autoimmune
component to lupus, evident by the
presence of autoantibodies in the
blood. Some prescription
medications can induce SLE. [1]
There are several
different types of lupus,
and each are characterized by the area of the
body that is affected. Systemic lupus
erythematosus, SLE, is the most common type
of lupus and affects various areas
of the body. Discoid lupus
is a less common form that affects
primarily the skin and is also
referenced as cutaneous lupus
erythematosus. SLE
can have severe complications if
untreated, including kidney failure
and stroke. [2]
Lupus affects
both men and women, though the
prevalence in women is 8 times that
in men. It is more common in blacks
than any other race. Hispanics,
Native Americans, and Asians are also
more affected than Caucasians.
SLE may have a genetic
component, with roughly 5% of all
diagnosed individuals having another family
member with SLE. [3]
Lupus can have
a quick onset or an insidious onset.
Patients may complain of a high
fever that precedes the onset. This
fever may stimulate an acute
reaction of SLE, or patients
may present with ongoing fatigue
that has slowly been worsening. The
clinical 'picture' of SLE can vary
greatly because of all the different
body systems that can be affected. [4]
Lupus Symptoms:
-
The most common symptom (90%) that
patients present with is arthralgia, or joint pain. The
joint pain can be intermittent
and long standing, or may be
acute and debilitating. [5]
-
Lesions of the skin
are the second most common
symptom. Patients may present with
a raised, red rash on the face,
called a malar rash. Skin lesions
are also common on the scalp,
chest, and arms. These lesions can
be flat, raised, blister like,
crusts, or erosions. [6]
General symptoms that
the patient may present with are
headache, fatigue, fever, weight
loss, and muscle soreness. Patients
may also have enlarged lymph nodes
upon
examination. Certain individuals may suffer
from numbness and tingling in parts
of their body. Patients may
also complain of diarrhea, nausea,
or vomiting. Respiratory
infections are also common as a
result of SLE. [7]
In later stages of
the disease complications in organs
may be present. SLE can cause
inflammation of the blood vessels,
which can lead to brain damage,
seizures, and psychosis. It can
negatively affect the kidneys and
lead to loss of protein in the
urine. In rare cases, lupus
may cause
the destruction of one's white and red
blood cells. [8]
-
It is estimated
that 1.5 million Americans have
some form of lupus. 90% of those
affected are women.
-
80% of
individuals diagnosed with lupus
are between the ages of 15-45.
-
70% of the cases of
lupus are SLE, and in 50% of these
cases a major organ will be
affected causing serious
complications.
-
10% of
individuals diagnosed with lupus
will have Discoid lupus. 5% of
children born to parents with
lupus will also develop the
disease.
-
The survival rate
for lupus after 5 years is 97% and
after 10 years is 90%.
Although once life-threatening, it is not
common for individuals to die from
lupus today. [9]
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