1.1. Systemic Lupus Erythematous is a systemic autoimmune disease with multiorgan inflammation. The body's immune system consists of auto reactive T and B cells that produce pathogenic autoantibodies, eventually leading to tissue injury. The release of inflammatory cytokines of the body organs ultimately lead to systemic inflammation.
2. Risk Factors
2.1. Your sex: Women are more likely to develop lupus. Your age: Symptoms and diagnosis are most likely to occur between the ages of 15 and 44. Only about 15% of people diagnosed with lupus have symptoms occurring before age 18. Your race/ethnicity: In the United States, lupus is more common in colored people (African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders) than the caucasian population. Your family history: relatives of people with lupus have a 5-13% chance of developing lupus. Only about 5% of children whose mother has it develops it.
3. Prevalence/Incidence
3.1. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, it's estimated that about 1.5 million Americans, and about 5 million people worldwide, have some form of lupus. 90% of people with lupus are women. 1 in 3 lupus patients suffer from multiple autoimmune diseases. Lupus is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in women of color. Lupus facts and statistics.
4. Diagnostics
5. Before SLE can be diagnosed, 4 out of 11 clinical and laboratory criteria must be met. An antinuclear antibody titer is the primary laboratory test used to diagnose SLE. Patients with this titer of 1:40 and characteristic multi organ involvement can be diagnosed with SLE without additional testing. However, patients with a titer of 1:40 that do not have multi organ system involvement need additional testing. Additional testing includes: antibody to double stranded DNA antigen and antibody to Sm nuclear antigen. Other tests done are chest X-rays and urinalysis. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1201/afp20031201p2179-f2.gif
6. Treatments
6.1. While there's no direct cure for SLE, there are many treatments and medications given to better the quality of life. Some treatments include anti-inflammatory medications for joint pain and stiffness, steroid creams for rashes, antimalarial drugs for joint and skin problems, and disease modifying drugs for more severe cases.
7. Clinical Manifestations
7.1. There are many systemic manifestations of SLE. A patient with lupus may have a molar or butterfly rash; mucous membrane ulcers in the mouth or nose; arthritis in the small joints of their hands, feet, wrists, and knees; hair loss and/or hair thinning; signs of cardiac and lung involvement including murmurs, rubs, or irregular heartbeat. Patients may also exhibit fatigue, blood clotting problems, anemia, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
