Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the most commonly presenting Connective Tissue Disease. It occurs when your body's immune system becomes overactive and produces too many antibodies which attack your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. It's likely that SLE results from a combination of your genetics and your environment. It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for SLE may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus and can occasionally be drug induced. SLE is much more common in females and is likely to develop between the ages of 15-40 years. The cause, in most cases, however, is unknown.
The most common SLE symptoms, which can vary from mild to severe (and are the same in males and females) are:
- Extreme fatigue
- Skin rashes including a red butterfly shaped rash across the cheeks and nose and other sun exposed areas.
- Pain or swelling in the joints
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or around the eyes
- Headaches
- Hair loss
- Oral and nasal ulcers
- Fevers
- Sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light
- Chest pain when breathing deeply
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Poor circulation in the fingers and toes with skin turning white or blue and feeling numb when a person is cold or stressed
SLE can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments and diseases, presentation is also highly variable between patients. Symptoms may be present for many years before a clear diagnosis is made. There is no single test to diagnose SLE, diagnosis is made by taking a very detailed clinical history and physical examination along with laboratory tests such as blood and urine tests.
SLE is a lifelong condition, there is no cure. The goal of treatment is to maintain disease remission, prevent flares and prevent organ damage.
SLE can be treated with a combination of drugs depending on particular symptoms, whether organs are involved and if so the extent and severity of involvement. Medications may include Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Antimalarials, steroids – tablets, creams or injections, conventional disease monitoring anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), drugs to control blood pressure and high cholesterol, Biological therapies. Find out more at the Versus Arthritis website.
We encourage people with SLE to stop smoking, protect skin from strong sunlight, pace activities to manage fatigue, reduce stress where possible, exercise regularly when able and to ensure hands and feet are kept warm in colder weather. Our CTD Specialist Nurse is happy to provide disease and self-management education.
Published: 13/10/2022 14:50