it's never lupus

Question 1

which genetic mutations do 90% of SLE patients have?

Answer 1

HLA DR2
HLA DR3
C4 wall allele

Question 2

risk factors for systemic lupus erythematosus

Answer 2

afro-carribean descent
recent EBV infection
female

Question 3

pathology of systemic lupus erythematous

Answer 3

phospholipid antibodies/immune complexes cause tissue damage and scarring –> attracts inflammatory cells

Question 4

signs of SLE

Answer 4

Raynaud's phenomenon
butterfly rash 
fatigue
arthritis
skin rashes
mucosal ulceration 
pleurisy 
pericarditis
pancytopenia
alopecia

Question 5

which types of rashes can SLE patients get?

Answer 5

photosensitive rash
discoid rash
subacute lupus rash

Question 6

how may SLE patients get a butterfly rash?

Answer 6

1/4

Question 7

what is arthritis caused by in SLE?

Answer 7

tendon damage

Question 8

complications of SLE

Answer 8

vasculitis
arterial thrombosis (phospholipid antibodies increase risk of clots)

Question 9

what percentage of SLE patients are ANA positive?

Answer 9

95%

Question 10

what is ANA?

Answer 10

anti-nuclear antibody

it binds to antigens within cell nuclei

Question 11

diagnosis of SLE

Answer 11

bloods - ANA, double stranded DNA antibody, rheumatoid factor
four of the ACR 1982 classification criteria

Question 12

treatment of SLE

Answer 12

UV protection 
patient education 
topical steroids/cytotoxins
NSAIDs
systemic steroids
stem cell transplant

Question 13

treatment of severe flare of SLE (e.g. haemolytic anaemia)

Answer 13

urgent IV cyclophosphamide and high dose prednisolone

maintain with NSAIDs and hydroxychloroquinine