Introduction to SLE Flashcards
1
Q
what is lupus and what does it affect
A
- a generalised inflammatory autoimmune disease
- affects practically all organ systems
- connective tissue/ joints/kidneys/skin/brain/blood cells - autoantibodies are detected against DNA
- end organ damage is possible
2
Q
what is the presentation of lupus
A
- presents in many different ways and often mistaken for other diseases
- 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