SLE Flashcards
What is SLE?
It is an inflammatory disease that is characterised by autoantibodies to nuclear material
Which organ systems can be affected?
All of them
What race does SLE usually affect?
Afro-caribbeans
Who is SLE most likely to affect?
Women between 15 and 40 years
What is the brief pathophysiology of SLE?
Genetic and environmental factors
- Genetically susceptible individuals damage by environmental factors e.g UV light
- Apoptosis and release of nuclear antigens
- Genetic susceptibilty means auto-ag are produced and there is a reduced ability to clear nuclear ag
- Type III hypersensitivity
What are the risk factors for SLE?
- Females more than males due to oestrogen production
- Age
- Afro-caribbeans and asians
- Sun exposure
- FHx
- Smoking
What factors can produce a flare up in SLE?
- Exposure to sunlight
- Oestrogen- containing contraceptive therapy
- Pregnancy
- Drugs
- Infection
- Stress
What are the signs of SLE?
- Glomerulonephritis.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Anaemia.
- Photosensitivity.
- Vasculitis.
- Deforming arthritis.
- Pericarditis.
What systemic features are associated with SLE?
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Fever
- Weight loss
Apart from systemic symptoms what other symptoms are associated with SLE?
- Raynauds phenomenon
- Arthralgia - Jaccouds arthropathy - non deforming
- Myalgia
- Myositis
- Butterfly rash
- Alopecia
- Mouth ulcers
What investigations would you do in SLE?
Bloods for auto-antibodies
Is the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies a diagnostic test?
Its not specific but is used as a screening test
What auto-antibody is present in active disease
Anti-dsDNA
What else would you see on a blood test apart from the presence of auto antibodies?
- Normocytic anaemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Raised ESR and CRP
What is the non-pharmalogical treatment for SLE?
- Avoidance of sun exposure
- Management of risk factors
- Screening for major organ involvement
