Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

What Is It?

Lupus develops when your body's immune system mistakenly attack the body's own cells rather than protecting them from outside invaders. In lupus, immune proteins called autoantibodies attack cells in many different parts of the body, causing inflammation and tissue damage in the joints, skin, kidney, nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves), blood, heart, lungs, digestive system and eyes. Autoantibodies also can attach themselves to body chemicals, forming abnormal molecules called immune complexes that trigger additional inflammation and injury when they are deposited in various organs and tissues.

The exact cause of lupus remains a mystery, although scientists are investigating many different possibilities. Researchers believe several factors may play a role in the development of the disease. Since 90% of all lupus patients are women, usually of childbearing age, researchers think hormones may be involved. Lupus tends to run in families, so genetic factors may play a role. There is some evidence that the illness may be more common in people of African, Native American, West Indian and Chinese ethnic backgrounds. Some researchers think lupus may be triggered by a virus or another type of infection in people who are susceptible to the disease.

Lupus is relatively rare, affecting less than one in 2,000 people. The scientific name of the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE.

Symptoms

In some people, lupus causes only mild illness, but in others it leads to potentially deadly complications. Symptoms tend to come and go. Periods of intensified symptoms are called flares and periods of decreased symptoms are called remissions. Flares can be triggered by many different factors, including sun exposure, infection, medication and possibly pregnancy, but often flares occur for no apparent reason.

Lupus has the potential to affect many different parts of the body, so it can cause a wide range of symptoms. They include:

• Malaise (a general sick feeling)

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Muscle pain, with pain and swelling of the joints

• A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, called a malar rash

• Skin photosensitivity (a more widespread rash and flu-like symptoms after exposure to sunlight)

• Hair loss

• In about 20% of patients, a discoid rash, which appears as firm, round red plaques with raised borders

• Painful ulcers in the mouth, nose and genital areas