LUPUS
What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, known more widely as lupus or SLE, is an autoimmune disorder which causes inflammation in the small blood vessels in the body's connective tissues, which are the main constituents of tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Less serious symptoms can occur affecting the skin and joints. Sometimes this inflammation can cause abnormalities in the function and structure of vital organs such as kidney, heart, brain or lungs.
Apart from the systemic form of lupus there are other types; discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE) involve skin rashes and sun sensitivity. A drug-induced lupus can develop as a reaction to certain medications but this goes away when the drug is not taken.
Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of lupus are many and varied. Rashes and flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, weakness, lack of energy, anaemia and loss of appetite and weight are common.
Lupus is very much an individual disease as problems can vary greatly in different patients. Most patients form arthritis type pain in the joints with other common problems being fevers, swollen glands or sometimes hair loss. Sunlight plays an important role in causing lupus symptoms to flare and all patients are advised to be extremely wary of sun exposure.
Who gets Lupus?
Lupus most commonly affects women (9:1 female: male) and because it can often appear during child-bearing years this may pose other problems as there is a higher risk of miscarriage and an increased risk of lupus flare after the delivery. However, as a rule, pregnancy in lupus is usually uncomplicated - there is no increased risk of flares during pregnancy and very little chance of the baby also having lupus.
The cause and consequences
The cause of lupus is not known, though genetic and environmental factors are known to be relevant. Research scientists are almost certain that SLE involves malfunction of the immune system. In SLE the immune system seems to be overacting, sometimes attacking the body tissue as though it were a foreign invader like a virus. One of the consequences is that substances not cleaned away by sanitation cells clog up the kidneys. This is why the kidneys are a primary concern in SLE.
Diagnosis
For a lupus diagnosis a person must have at least four of the following at some time or other over a period of time:
1. Malar rash (rash on the cheeks)
2. Discoid rash (red scaly patches)
3. Sensitivity to sunlight
4. Mouth ulcers
5. Arthritis pain or swollen joints
6. Pleuritis
7. Protein in the urine
8. Seizure, convulsions or psychosis (not drug-induced)
9. Low red or white blood count, decrease of lymphocytes in the blood or decrease in the platelets
10. Presence of LE cells, antibody to DNA or Sm or false-positive test for syphilis
11. Positive test for anti-nuclear antibody.
Treatment
Treatment of lupus is according to its severity and whether eyes are affected. Regular clinical and test monitoring will indicate the level of activity and need for subsequent treatment. Through regular medical monitoring disease flares can be detected early and treatment adjusted. Lupus patients are advised to stay indoors during the brightest part of the day and to wear long sleeves and broad brimmed hats with regular application of 30+ sunblock.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to treat arthritis and pleurisy, but can cause gastritis and stomach ulcers and must be used carefully.
Cortico-steroid drugs are widely used in treating lupus, including the use of topical creams for rashes. Oral cortico-steroids are very effective in controlling active lupus. The dose should be carefully monitored to minimize the side effects that can include weight gain, bruising, osteoporosis, diabetes and cataracts. Topical creams and low doses of tablets have fewer side effects.
Anti-malarials such as Plaquenil are useful in treating lupus rash and sometimes arthritis. There is a low risk of eye problems with anti-malarials, so regular eye checks are strongly advised.
Immuno-suppressive drugs (the type used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients) are used to treat those with severe diseases, especially kidney problems. They are also used in cases where cortico-steroids are ineffective.
Because of the improvements in diagnostic tests and more effective treatments, most lupus patients can expect to have a normal or near normal life span, though changes in life style may be necessary. Lupus patients can be more prone to vascular disease resulting in coronary artery disease or strokes. To keep this risk low, lupus patients should have a balanced, low-cholesterol diet and maintain appropriate body weight through diet and exercise.
This information is part of the information sheet written by Lesley Campbell for Arthritis SA.
The information presented is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Arthritis SA recommends that you consult your doctor about specific medical conditions.
Other information and resources available from Arthritis SA
Lupus Fact Sheet• Email advisors@arthritissa.org.au (please include your postal address in email)
Lupus, Scleroderma and Sjögren's SA Support Group
Click here "Branches & Support Groups" "Lupus, Scleroderma, Sjögren's SA" for further information
Telephone Advisory Service
9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Fri
8379 5711 or country free call on 1800 011 041
Library
Lupus: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Keren Hardy, 1985
Lupus, Handbook for Women by Robin Dibner and Carol Colman, 1994
Borrowing privileges extend to members only
Book Sales
Learning and living with Scleroderma and Lupus
For price and order details please contact Arthritis SA
• 8379 5711 or country free call on 1800 011 041
• Email info@arthritissa.org.au (please include your name and business hours phone number in email)
Moving Towards Wellness Course
6 weeks x 2.5 hours
Click here "Self Management Courses" for further information
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, known more widely as lupus or SLE, is an autoimmune disorder which causes inflammation in the small blood vessels in the body's connective tissues, which are the main constituents of tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Less serious symptoms can occur affecting the skin and joints. Sometimes this inflammation can cause abnormalities in the function and structure of vital organs such as kidney, heart, brain or lungs.
Apart from the systemic form of lupus there are other types; discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE) involve skin rashes and sun sensitivity. A drug-induced lupus can develop as a reaction to certain medications but this goes away when the drug is not taken.
Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of lupus are many and varied. Rashes and flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, weakness, lack of energy, anaemia and loss of appetite and weight are common.
Lupus is very much an individual disease as problems can vary greatly in different patients. Most patients form arthritis type pain in the joints with other common problems being fevers, swollen glands or sometimes hair loss. Sunlight plays an important role in causing lupus symptoms to flare and all patients are advised to be extremely wary of sun exposure.
Who gets Lupus?
Lupus most commonly affects women (9:1 female: male) and because it can often appear during child-bearing years this may pose other problems as there is a higher risk of miscarriage and an increased risk of lupus flare after the delivery. However, as a rule, pregnancy in lupus is usually uncomplicated - there is no increased risk of flares during pregnancy and very little chance of the baby also having lupus.
The cause and consequences
The cause of lupus is not known, though genetic and environmental factors are known to be relevant. Research scientists are almost certain that SLE involves malfunction of the immune system. In SLE the immune system seems to be overacting, sometimes attacking the body tissue as though it were a foreign invader like a virus. One of the consequences is that substances not cleaned away by sanitation cells clog up the kidneys. This is why the kidneys are a primary concern in SLE.
Diagnosis
For a lupus diagnosis a person must have at least four of the following at some time or other over a period of time:
1. Malar rash (rash on the cheeks)
2. Discoid rash (red scaly patches)
3. Sensitivity to sunlight
4. Mouth ulcers
5. Arthritis pain or swollen joints
6. Pleuritis
7. Protein in the urine
8. Seizure, convulsions or psychosis (not drug-induced)
9. Low red or white blood count, decrease of lymphocytes in the blood or decrease in the platelets
10. Presence of LE cells, antibody to DNA or Sm or false-positive test for syphilis
11. Positive test for anti-nuclear antibody.
Treatment
Treatment of lupus is according to its severity and whether eyes are affected. Regular clinical and test monitoring will indicate the level of activity and need for subsequent treatment. Through regular medical monitoring disease flares can be detected early and treatment adjusted. Lupus patients are advised to stay indoors during the brightest part of the day and to wear long sleeves and broad brimmed hats with regular application of 30+ sunblock.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to treat arthritis and pleurisy, but can cause gastritis and stomach ulcers and must be used carefully.
Cortico-steroid drugs are widely used in treating lupus, including the use of topical creams for rashes. Oral cortico-steroids are very effective in controlling active lupus. The dose should be carefully monitored to minimize the side effects that can include weight gain, bruising, osteoporosis, diabetes and cataracts. Topical creams and low doses of tablets have fewer side effects.
Anti-malarials such as Plaquenil are useful in treating lupus rash and sometimes arthritis. There is a low risk of eye problems with anti-malarials, so regular eye checks are strongly advised.
Immuno-suppressive drugs (the type used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients) are used to treat those with severe diseases, especially kidney problems. They are also used in cases where cortico-steroids are ineffective.
Because of the improvements in diagnostic tests and more effective treatments, most lupus patients can expect to have a normal or near normal life span, though changes in life style may be necessary. Lupus patients can be more prone to vascular disease resulting in coronary artery disease or strokes. To keep this risk low, lupus patients should have a balanced, low-cholesterol diet and maintain appropriate body weight through diet and exercise.
This information is part of the information sheet written by Lesley Campbell for Arthritis SA.
The information presented is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Arthritis SA recommends that you consult your doctor about specific medical conditions.
Other information and resources available from Arthritis SA
Lupus Fact Sheet• Email advisors@arthritissa.org.au (please include your postal address in email)
Lupus, Scleroderma and Sjögren's SA Support Group
Click here "Branches & Support Groups" "Lupus, Scleroderma, Sjögren's SA" for further information
Telephone Advisory Service
9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Fri
8379 5711 or country free call on 1800 011 041
Library
Lupus: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Keren Hardy, 1985
Lupus, Handbook for Women by Robin Dibner and Carol Colman, 1994
Borrowing privileges extend to members only
Book Sales
Learning and living with Scleroderma and Lupus
For price and order details please contact Arthritis SA
• 8379 5711 or country free call on 1800 011 041
• Email info@arthritissa.org.au (please include your name and business hours phone number in email)
Moving Towards Wellness Course
6 weeks x 2.5 hours
Click here "Self Management Courses" for further information