Autoimmune Disorders Flashcards
What is systemic lupus erythematosus?
What is its mechanism?
Autoimmune disorder (type III hypersensitivity)
caused by immune complexes fromed antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) which deposit in tissue causing damage and activate complement
What are the clinical features of SLE?
comes in flares and has periods of remission
- fever, fatigue, malaise, weight loss
- malar “butterfly” rash, or discoid rash that are worse with sun exposure
- arthritis
What is the epidemiology of SLE?
- significanlty more common in females
- young to middle aged adults (20-40)
- more common in minority populations
- more common in poor SES
What findings are used to diagnose SLE?
(11)
RASH OR PAIN
Rash (malar or discoid) Arthritis Serositis Hematologic
Oral Renal
Photosensitivity ANA Immunologic disorder (anti-dsDNA/Sm) Neurologic
4 of the following 11
Skin:
- malar rash
- discod rash
- photosensitivity
- oral/nasopharyngeal ulcers
Organs
- symmetric, nonerosive arthritis
- serositis (pleurisy, caridac rub, pericarditis on EKG, etc.)
- nephritits
- neuro symptoms (seizures or psychosis)
Labs
- some or all components of pancytopenia
- positive serum ANA (most commonly dsDNA; anti-Sm and antiphospholid also found)
- ANAs on immunofluorescence
What is the association (statistical) between positive ANA and SLE?
What particular Abs are associated with SLE?
ANAs are sensitive (~95%) but not specific (negative ANA = no lupus; positive ANA = possible lupus or something else)
- anti-dsDNA is specific (70%); also coorelates with flares
- anti-Sm (highly specific, poorly sensitive ~30%)
- antiphospholipid Ab can be found
Other than ANA, what are additional expected lab findings with SLE?
Blood:
- elevated ESR
- hemolytic anemia/thrombocytopenia/leukopenia/lymphopenia
- decreased C3/C4
- decreased CH50
Urine:
- proteinuria
- casts
What are possible complications of SLE?
Early:
-infection
Late:
- atherosclerosis -> CVD (most common CoD)
- nephritits -> ESRD (worst prognosis)
- Libman-Sacks endocarditis
What is Libman-Sachs endocarditis?
non-infectious endocarditis
- caused by formation of sterile vegetations on heart valves
- highly associated with SLE
- embolization is common
What is the treatment/management for SLE?
Treatment:
- hydroxychloroquine
- glucocorticoids (immune supression)
- NSAIDs
- other immunosupressants
Management:
- avoid sun exposure; wear sunscreen
- influenza and pneumococcal vaccines
- cancer screenings (increased risk)
What is antiphospholipid antibody syndrome?
What is its mechanism?
Autoimmune disorder
caused by antiphospholipid Abs which typically target molecules that regulate coagulation
What are the clinical features of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome?
recurrent thrombosis (both arterial and venous)
- DVT
- PE
- stroke
- MI
- miscarriage (placental arteries)
How does antiphospholipid antibody syndrome relate to SLE?
Primary APS:
-more common than secondary
Secondary APS
-occurs in 1/3 of SLE cases
What specific antibodies are associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome?
What features are noted with each antibody?
- lupus anticoagulant -> prolonged aPTT
- anticardiolipin -> false positive for syphilis (positive VDRL/RPR)
- anti-β2-glycoprotein
What is the treatment for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome?
-life long anticoagulation
What is drug-induced lupus and how does it compare to SLE?
- positive ANA but with antihistone antibodies (no dsDNA antibodies)
- typically caused by certain drugs; remvoing drugs resolves symptoms
More mild over all:
- systemic symptoms less common
- renal and neuro symptoms absent