Immune Health - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flashcards
- What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
Answer: SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to multi-system dysfunction.
- What are the common signs and symptoms of SLE?
Answer: Symptoms include fatigue, joint inflammation, seizures, kidney damage, photosensitivity, a butterfly-shaped skin rash, fever, and malaise.
- How is SLE diagnosed?
Answer: Diagnosis is confirmed through the presence of anti-nuclear (ANA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies.
- Who is most affected by SLE?
Answer: SLE predominantly affects women, especially during their reproductive years, with 90% of sufferers being female.
- What genetic factors contribute to SLE?
Answer: Genetic factors, particularly HLA DR-3/2, increase the risk of developing SLE, with siblings having a higher risk (8-29 times).
- How do sex hormones influence SLE?
Answer: Oestrogen dominance is thought to contribute to the higher prevalence of SLE in women, particularly during reproductive years.
- What environmental factors trigger SLE?
Answer: Triggers include infections like EBV, exposure to toxins like silica dust, smoking, and stress, which can lead to relapses.
- How does vitamin D deficiency affect SLE?
Answer: Low vitamin D levels are linked to increased B-cell activity, which contributes to the autoimmune response in SLE.
- What happens to the body at the cellular level in SLE?
Answer: In SLE, defective clearance of cellular debris leads to persistent immune complex production, which damages tissues, especially in the skin and kidneys.
- What metabolic changes occur in SLE?
Answer: There is impaired energy production due to decreased glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism, contributing to fatigue. Inflammation and oxidative stress also increase.
- How does stress influence SLE?
Answer: Stress is linked to relapses in SLE, possibly due to low DHEA levels, which affect immune function.
