SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

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.

In addition to above clinical presentations, certain blood tests may be done to diagnose SLE. However, these blood tests always have to be interpreted in the context of clinical symptoms as no single test establishes the diagnosis of SLE . In patients with SLE certain abnormal antibodies may be produced (antibodies are substances that are produced by the immune system of the body to fight infection. When antibodies attack one’s own body system and tissue, they are known as autoantibodies). Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Anti double stranded DNA (ds DNA) or anti-sm (Smith) antibodies may be present.
In addition, your doctor would advise certain tests to determine the severity of organ involvement. The doctor selects the appropriate tests individually.