Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Flashcards
What is systemic lupus erythematosus?
Inflammatory autoimmune connective tissue disease
What does SLE affect?
Multiple organs & systems
Who is likely to get SLE?
- Women
- Young-middle aged
- Asians
What antibodies characterizes SLE?
Anti-nuclear antibodies
What is pathophysiology of SLE?
The ANA ABs cause immune cells target proteins leading to inflammation in body leading to symptoms
Presnetation of SLE?
- Fatigue
- Wt loss
- Myalgia
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers
- Photosensitive malar rash ‘butterfly’
- Arthralgia/non-erosive arthritis
- Lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly
- SOB
- Hair loss
- Reynaud’s phenomenon
Investigations for SLE?
- Autoantibodies
- FBC
- C3/C4 levels
- CRP/ESR
- Immunoglobulins
- Urinalysis & urine protein: creatinine ratio
- Renal biopsy (lupus nephritis)
What happens to C3/C4 levels in SLE?
Decrease
FBC in SLE has what characteristic?
Normocytic anaemia if chronic
What antibodies is SLE associated with?
ANA
What are ANAs?
Antibodies against normal proteins in cell nucleus
What percentage of people with SLE will be ANA positive?
85%
What DNA is SLE specific?
Anti-double stranded DNA (anti-ds DNA)
Levels vary with condition
Patients without SLE can still have anti-ds DNA?
NO
Which antibody is specific to SLE?
Anti-smith
