Connective Tissue Diseases- SLE Flashcards
What body systems do connective tissue diseases affect?
Can affect any of them
Give 6 examples of connective tissue diseases?
SLE, APS, Sjogren’s, Systemic Sclerosis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis
Are connective tissue diseases diseases of connective tissue?
No
Connective tissue diseases are characterised by what?
Spontaneous over activity of the immune system
How quickly do connective tissue diseases come on?
Often evolve over a number of years
What type of disease is SLE?
Chronic autoimmune disease
What are some commonly affected body parts/systems in SLE?
Skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells and nervous system
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is SLE?
Type III- immune complex mediated
Are broken down cells cleared quicker or slower in SLE?
Slower
What is the result of broken down cells being cleared slower in SLE?
The broken down cell contents are seen as foreign and so auto-antibodies are formed against them
Which sex is SLE more common in?
Females
What tends to happen if men get SLE?
This is much less common, but if men do get SLE they will often have much more severe disease
What races is SLE more common in?
Asians, Afro-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Hispanic Americans
What are the 4 main factors involved in the aetiology of SLE?
Environmental, genetic, hormonal, immunological
What is the concordance of SLE in monozygotic twins?
40%
If a mother has SLE, what are the chances of her son or daughter getting it?
Son- 1/250 Daughter- 1/40
SLE is associated with what hormone?
Oestrogen
When does SLE usually develop in a woman?
After puberty, at child bearing age (most commonly 20-30)
What is the current 10 year survival rate for SLE?
> 90%
What is mortality in SLE more common to be caused by now?
Immunosuppression from drug side effects CV events
What are some environmental factors which may contribute to SLE?
Viruses (e.g. Epstein Barr), UV light, silica dust
What happens to apoptosis in SLE?
It is increased and defective
What is the auto-antigen in SLE?
Contents of necrotic broken down cells
When someone presents with SLE, what is the most important thing to do and why?
Screen for renal disease because this causes no clinical signs
Where are antibody-antigen complexes deposited?
Basement membranes of skin and kidneys (mesangium)
What do the immune complexes in SLE consist of?
Nuclear antigens and anti-nuclear antibodies
Where do immune complexes form?
Small blood vessels
What happens once immune complexes are in the kidneys?
- Activate complement - Attracts leukocytes - Release cytokines - Inflammation - Necrosis and scarring
What is the SLICC classification for SLE?
4 or more criteria (at least one immunologic and one clinical) OR Biopsy proven lupus nephritis with positive ANA or Anti-DNA
What are the 10 clinical criteria for SLE?
- Acute/chronic cutaneous lupus - Oral/nasal ulcers - Non-scarring alopecia - Arthritis - Serositis - Renal involvement - Neurological involvement - Haemolytic anaemia - Leukopenia - Thrombocytopenia