Systemic Lupuserythamatosus (SLE) LUPIS

Question 1

What is lupis

Answer 1

this is a multisystem autoimmune disorder with joint pain and rashes as the most common chronic features

Question 2

who is affected by lupis

Answer 2

• 9x more common in women than men
• onset is 20 to 40 years of age
• highest in african/ caribean women

Question 3

what causes lupis

Answer 3

the cause is unknown but there are several factors
- hereditary. higher concordance rate in monozygotic twins (25%)
- genetic
- drugs - hydralazine, isoniazid and penicillamine can induce a form of lupus
- sex hormone status - premenopausal women
- ultra violet can trigger flares of SLE
- exposure to epstein barr virus

Question 4

what are the symptoms of LUPUS

Answer 4

• fever
• marked malaise and fatigue
• joint involvement is the most common clinical feature, often resemble RA
• heart is involed in 25% of cases, pericarditis with small pericaridal effusions
• butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
• 50% will have lung involvement, recurrent pleurisy and pleural effusions, chest pain
• dry eyes
• headaches

Question 4

diagnosis and managment

Answer 4

• completed blood count, ESR
• Chest x-ray, biopsy

-NSAIDS, naproxen, ibuprofen
-corticosteroids, predisnone
-immunosuppressants, methotrexate, azathioprine.