Introduction to SLE

Question 1

what is lupus and what does it affect

Answer 1

1. a generalised inflammatory autoimmune disease
2. affects practically all organ systems
   - connective tissue/ joints/kidneys/skin/brain/blood cells
3. autoantibodies are detected against DNA
4. end organ damage is possible

Question 2

what is the presentation of lupus

Answer 2

1. presents in many different ways and often mistaken for other diseases
2. one symptom of lupus is arthritis
   - one symptom of gout is arthritis
   - these are both inflammatory conditions, with similar joint related symptoms, but only one is autoimmune in origin