SLE Flashcards
Aetiology and risk factors of systematic Lupus Erythamatous
Connective tissue disorder AID
Characterised by anti-nuclear antibodies (anti-ds DNA esp in SLE)
Multi-organ disease with features nearly anywhere
Polygenic-so many are associated with SLE
usually issues in clearing apoptotic cells-> hyperactivity-> loss of tolerance for cell AG-> immune complexes (deposit in vessels, activate complement, inflammation cascades)
risk factors Women Age 15-45 African descent FHx
Signs and Sx systematic Lupus Erythamatous
Immune complex damage small vesels skin- malar flush (spare labia), worse in the Sun Hair loss Fatigue, weight loss Reynauds Lymphadenopathy
Inflammatory joint disease-arthirits worse in morning
glomerulonephritis-oedema
pleural effusion and pericardial effusions happen
mild-skin hair joints
moderate-lung/heart
Severe-kidneys and brain
Investgations of systematic Lupus Erythamatous
ANA-dsDNA positive is hallmark of SLE
CRP should NOT be raised
but ESR is raised
also complement C4 would be very low (all used up in immune complexes). if C3 low too-probs very active disease
-> ESR, dsDNA, complement-markers of activity
FBC-aneamia, thrombocytopenia, leukpenia
U&E-renal involvment
Urinanalysis is actually much better (get it much before-heamatouria, proteinuria)
LFT-can get hepatotos
CXR-for pleural effusion
ECG for heart
Management of systematic Lupus Erythamatous
Hydroxychloroquine is great for mild disease-especially for skin
For more active/acute-steroids (prednisolone)
other agents available-azathioprine, etc
Complications of systematic Lupus Erythamatous
Kidney disease-need dialysis after a point
Brain involvement
its a balance between drug side effects and others