Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus, (SLE, or simply lupus) is thought to affect about one person in 2000. Females are 9 times more likely to be affected than males. Although it can occur at any age, it usually appears in the late teens or early 20s.
Lupus is one of the illnesses known as auto-immune diseases, in which the body's defence mechanisms attack the body itself.
Just about all parts of the body may be affected by lupus. Most often involved are the joints, the skin, the kidneys, the heart and the lungs.
Symptoms
Nearly all lupus sufferers will have arthritis at some time. The joints of the fingers are the most commonly affected, followed by knees, wrists, hands, ankles, elbows and shoulders. Joints on both sides of the body are usually affected together, but the symptoms of arthritis can 'jump' from place to place, sometimes lasting only a day or less in any particular joint.
Skin rashes are also very common. Most typical is a rash known as a malar rash, which affects the bridge of the nose and upper cheeks in a sort of butterfly-shaped pattern. Other people may get a more widespread generalised rash. Exposure to the sun is often the trigger for these rashes to appear. Generalised hair loss is a very common feature of the illness.
When other parts of the body are affected, the symptoms vary greatly, depending on the seriousness of the illness. Mild kidney damage is quite common, and the effect on the lungs and heart are often not too serious, although narrowing of the coronary arteries means a higher-than-expected rate of heart attacks.
Females with lupus seem to have no trouble becoming pregnant, but unfortunately have an increased rate of miscarriages.
Treatment
Lupus is often treated with the drugs used to treat malaria (hydroxychloroquine). Steroids may also be necessary. Sometimes drugs that suppress the body's immune system are used. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for symptoms such as painful joints.
SLE is a complex disease affecting people in many different ways. Modern drugs, and a greater understanding of the illness, means that those affected lead much longer and better lives than used to be the case.
Last Reviewed: 07 March 2009
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