SLE Flashcards
What is SLE?
SLE is an inflamamtory autoimmune connective tissue disorder
What is the pathophysiology of SLE?
ANA antibodies are antibodies against the cell nucleus - this created a chronic inflammatory response
What are the risk factors for SLE?
Female
Middle aged
African and afro-carribean
Family history
Drugs
- Procainamide
- Isoniazid
- Hydralazine
HLA associations - B8, DR2, DR3
What are the systemic symptoms of SLE?
Fatigue
Fever
Lymphadenopathy
Splenomegaly
What are the dermatological manifestations of SLE?
Malar ‘butterfly’ rash
Photosensitivity
Discoid rash
Livedo reticularis - lace like skin discolouration
Raynaud’s
Hair loss
What are the MSK manifestations of SLE?
Arthralgia
Non-erosive arthritis
Myalgia
What are the cardiovascular manifestations of SLE?
Pericarditis and myocarditis
Libman-Sacks endocarditis
What are the pulmonary manifestations of SLE?
Pleurisy
Interstitial lung disease
PE
SOB
What are the renal manifestations of SLE?
Lupus nephritis
What investigations are used in the diagnosis of SLE?
FBC - anaemia
U&E - lupus nephritis
ESR and CRP
- ESR raised
- CRP usually normal
Clotting screen
Complement - low in active SLE
Autoantibodies
What antibodies are used to test for SLE?
ANA - 85% positive
Anti-dsDNA
- Highly specific to SLE
What are the first line medications for SLE?
Hydroxychloroquine
NSAIDs
Steroids
What are the second line medications for SLE?
DMARDs
Biologic therapies
- Rituximab
- Belimumab
