WHEATON s ROCKVILLE s CHEVY CHASE s WASHINGTON, DC What is Lupus?

By Guada Respicio, MD, MS, FACR Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, PC

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), among those of non-Caucasian or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune descent, with those of African heritage ARTHRITIS condition that can affect any part of most affected. AND the body. Autoimmune conditions are illnesses that occur when the What are lupus symptoms? RHEUMATISM body’s cells and tissues are attacked by ASSOCIATES, P.C. its own immune system resulting in Patients often report fatigue, low- inflammation and tissue damage. grade-fever, loss of appetite, muscle/ Patients with lupus produce abnormal joint aches, sores in the mouth and antibodies in their blood targeting nose, facial rash over the bridge of tissues (autoantibodies) as opposed to their nose (“butterfly rash”), unusual foreign infectious agents. Patients sensitivity to sunlight, inflammation present with a myriad of complaints of the lining that surrounds the lungs and symptoms; it can affect the skin, and the heart, and poor circulation heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and/or to the fingers and toes with cold nervous system. When localized to exposure (Raynaud’s phenomenon). the skin, without internal disease, it is Complications may occur depending called discoid lupus. Only when on the organ affected and the internal organs are involved is the severity of the disease. Given its condition referred to as systemic heterogeneous presentation, no lupus erythematosus. single test can confirm and establish its diagnosis. A physician who Who gets lupus? specializes in lupus (rheumatologist) will evaluate the patient and make Lupus is predominantly a disease of this clinical diagnosis. women. It may present at any age, although its peak incidence is during What is the treatment for lupus? the childbearing years, between 15 and 45, at which time the female-to- It is a chronic condition hence there male ratio climbs, reaching a peak is no cure for SLE. Its management is ratio of approximately 12 : 1. It occurs individualized, guided by the degree worldwide, although it is likely and severity of specific symptoms and under-recognized and under- organ involvement, with the goal diagnosed in developing countries. focused on relieving symptoms and In the U.S., lupus is most prevalent protecting the organs involved.

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