SLE Flashcards
What is systemic Lupus erythematosus?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0junqD4BLH4
A multisystemic autimmune disease in which auto-antibodies are made against a variety of autoantigens. It presents as a multi-system inflammatory disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Most of these manifestations can be explained on the basis of excess production of pathogenic autoantibodies.
What are the four key pathological processes that underlie the autoimmune rheumatic diseases?
- Inflammation
- Fibrosis or scarring
- Vasospasm
- Vascular thrombosis
What is the prevalence of SLE?
1/4000
Which sex is more affected by SLE?
Females - 9:1
What age does SLE most commonly affect?
Can present at any age, but peak age at onset:
- Late third – early fourth decade of life
- Second peak in the sixth decade
What is thought to cause SLE?
Unknown, however risk factors include:
- UV light exposure
- Female sex hormones
- Certain drugs, e.g. chlorpromazine, hydralazine and isoniazid.
- Smoking
What types of hypersensitivity reactions are thought to occur in SLE?
Type II and Type III
What are the diagnostic criteria for lupus?
Use SOAP BRAIN DRAM - Diagnose if >/= 4 criteria
- Serositis
- Oral Ulcers
- Arthritis - non erosive
- Photosensitivity
- Blood disorders
- Renal disorder
- ANA positive
- Immunological Disorder
- Neuro disorders
- Discoid rash
- Raynauds
- Alopecia
- Malar Rash
What is serositis?
Inflammation of serous membranes
What serous membranes can become inflammed in SLE?
- Pleura - Pleuritis
- Pericardium - Pericarditis
What is the following?
Malar Rash
Fixed erythema, flat or raised, over the malar eminences, tending to spare the nasolabial folds
What is thought to be the mechanism behind malar rash?
Immune complex deposition caused by various factors
What are features of pleuritis caused by SLE?
- Pleural friction rub
- Chest pain - pleural
- Pleural effusion
What are features of pericarditis caused by SLE?
- Chest pain
- Pericardial friction rub
- Pericardial effusion
- ECG changes
What is the following?
Discoid Rash
Erythematous raised pathces with adherent keratoric scales and follicular clugging +/- atrophic scarring. It has 3 stages:
- Erythema
- Pigmented hyperkeratotic oedematous papules
- Atrophic depressed lesions
Where are discoid rashes most commonly found in SLE?
- Ears
- Cheeks
- Scalp
- Forehead
- Chest
What are features of renal disorder in SLE?
- Persistent Proteinuria > 0.5g/day
- Cellular casts - red cell, granuar, mixed
What are features of CNS disorder in SLE?
In absence of drugs or metabolic imbalance
- Seizure
- Psychosis
What are features of haematological disorder in SLE?
- Leucopenia
- Haemolytic anaemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Lymphopenia
What are features of immunological disorder in SLE?
- ANA
- Anti-dsDNA antibody
- Anti-Sm antibody
- Antiphospholipid antibody - either IgG or IgM anticardiolipin OR a positive lupus anticoagulant OR a biological false-positive test for syphilis
- Low complement
- Direct coombs test positive