Parts of this article (those related to new drug possibilities) need to be updated.(December 2023) |
Lupus | |
---|---|
Other names | Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) |
Young woman with the distinctive butterfly rash that many individuals with lupus experience | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Rheumatology |
Symptoms | Painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, red rash[1] |
Usual onset | 15–45 years of age[1][2] |
Duration | Long term[1] |
Causes | Unclear[1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and blood tests[1] |
Medication | NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate[1] |
Prognosis | 15 year survival ~80%[3] |
Frequency | 2–7 per 10,000[2] |
Lupus, formally called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body.[1] Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe.[1] Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face.[1] Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms.[1] Children up to 18 years old develop a more severe form of SLE termed childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.[4]
The cause of SLE is not clear.[1] It is thought to involve a combination of genetics and environmental factors.[5] Among identical twins, if one is affected there is a 24% chance the other one will also develop the disease.[1] Female sex hormones, sunlight, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and certain infections are also believed to increase a person's risk.[5] The mechanism involves an immune response by autoantibodies against a person's own tissues.[1] These are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies and they result in inflammation.[1] Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests.[1] There are a number of other kinds of lupus erythematosus including discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.[1]
There is no cure for SLE,[1] but there are experimental and symptomatic treatments.[6] Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate.[1] Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects.[7] Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease.[1] Men have higher mortality.[8] SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, with this being the most common cause of death.[5] While women with lupus have higher risk pregnancies, most are successful.[1]
Rate of SLE varies between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000.[2] Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men.[5] While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45, a wide range of ages can be affected.[1][2] Those of African, Caribbean, and Chinese descent are at higher risk than those of European descent.[5][2] Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear.[9] Lupus is Latin for 'wolf': the disease was so-named in the 13th century as the rash was thought to appear like a wolf's bite.[10]