Test #2 Lupus ARTICLES - Rude man

Question 1

What is systemic lupus erythematosus?

Answer 1

a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, serous membranes and/or other organs of the body.

immunologic abnormalities, especially the production of a number of antinuclear antibodies, are another prominent feature of the disease.

Question 2

Which gender is affected more frequently?

Answer 2

women, especially in their 20s and 30s

Question 3

What are the three most common symptoms that occur during the course of the disease?

Answer 3

fatigue, fever, and weight loss

these occur in 50 - 100 percent of patients

Question 4

Arthritis occurs in what percentage of patients at some time during their illness?

Answer 4

> 90%

Question 5

What is the most common skin lesion that occurs with lupus?

Answer 5

the butterfly rash (erythema over the cheeks and nose)

Question 6

Pleuritic chest pain occurs in approx. ____ % of patients with lupus.

Answer 6

approx. 50 %

Question 7

What are some of the presenting clinical manifestations for lupus? (there are 11 noted from the article)

Answer 7

• unexplained fever, fatigue, and weight loss
• photosensitive rash
• arthritis
• raynaud phenomenon
• serositis (pleuritis, pericarditis, peritonitis)
• nephritis or nephrotic syndrome
• neurologic symptoms, such as seizures, psychosis or stroke
• alopecia
• phlebitis
• recurrent miscarriage
• anemia

Question 8

Which antibody test is the best diagnostic test for lupus and should be performed whenever lupus is suspected?

Answer 8

the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test

a positive titer is usually 1:160 or higher