What is SLE?
SLE or lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various organs of the body including skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own body systems and tissues.

What is the cause of lupus?
Why the immune system attacks one’s own body systems is still not known. However, SLE is more common in women (8 times more common then in men). It is also commonly seen in adults from 20 to 45 years but can affect any age. Genetic factors, exposure to sunlight in genetically susceptible individuals and even infection is known to activate the autoimmune disturbance that causes lupus. Some drugs (drugs such as hydralazine used to treat high blood pressure and antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin) are known to cause drug-induced lupus that usually resolves when the medications are discontinued.

How does a patient with lupus present?
In patients with discoid lupus, only the skin is involved. The rash usually is seen on the face and scalp, is red with raised borders and does not itch or cause pain but scarring may occur leading to permanent hair loss.

Patients with SLE may have low-grade fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose, hypersensitivity of skin on exposure to sunlight. Serious organ involvement can lead to hepatitis, kidney involvement leading to leakage of protein in the urine-fluid retention and even kidney failure. Linings of the lungs and heart may be involved leading to sharp chest pain. Brain may be involved causing personality changes, thought disorders, weakness of limbs and even tremors.

A facial rash may develop area the bridge of the nose and affecting the checks called the “butterfly rash” of lupus. There may be poor circulation in the fingers and toes with exposure to cold leading to bluish discoloration and pain.
All these various symptoms may not occur together in a patient but variable presentations may be seen at different intervals.


Last updated on 15-12-2003