Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Complications

Thrombocytopenia. In thrombocytopenia, antibodies attack blood platelets. In such cases, blood clotting is impaired,which causesbruising andbleeding from the skin, nose, gums, or intestines. (This condition can also occur in APS, but it is not considered to be one of the standard features of the syndrome.)

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Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a drop in the number of white blood cells. Patients with SLE often neutropenia, but the condition is usually harmless unless the reductions are so severe that they leave the patient vulnerable to infections.

Acute Lupus Hemophagocyte Syndrome. A rare blood complication of SLE that occurs primarily in Asians is called acute lupus hemophagocytic syndrome. It is generally of short duration and characterized by fever and a sudden drop in blood cells and platelets.

Lymphomas. Patients with SLE and other autoimmune disorders have a greater risk for developing lymph system cancers such as non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma (NHL). A 2005 study reported that patients with SLE were over seven times more likely to develop NHL than healthy patients. .

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which cold or stress can cause spasms in impaired blood vessels resulting in pain in fingers and toes. It occurs as part of the inflammatory response in blood vessels, which can narrow them and reduce circulation. In extreme cases, gangrene can result.

Click the icon to see an image of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Heart and Circulation Complications

Heartdisease is a primary cause of death in lupus patients. The immune response in SLE can cause inflammation and other damaging effects that can cause significant injury to the arteries and tissues associated with the circulation and the heart. In addition, SLE treatments (particularly corticosteroids) affect cholesterol, weight, and other factors that can also affect the heart. For decades ,experts questioned the extent to which the drugs used to treat SLE contributed to the high rate of atherosclerosis in such patients. Numerous studies now suggest that something about the disease process itself, possibly the chronic inflammation of the blood vessels, probably lies at the root of this dangerous problem. In any event, patients with SLE, have a higher chance for the following conditions, which put them at risk for heart attack or stroke:

Atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries
Increased stiffness in the arteries
Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid (fatty molecules) levels
High blood pressure, most likely because of kidney injury and corticosteroid treatments
Congestive heart failure
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart(occurs in about 30% of patients)
Myocarditis, an iflammation of the heart muscle itself (rare)

Click the icon to see an image of pericarditis.

Abnormalities in the valves of the heart (rare)
Elevated levels of homocysteine, which occurs withvitamin B6, B12 and folatedeficiencies;homocysteine is now a strong suspect in heart attack, strokes, and blood clots
Blood clots