A serious AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER occurring predominantly in women (see also LUPUS – Lupus erythematosus). The body's immune system, triggered by a failure of its mechanism for clearing up the debris of dead cells, attacks CONNECTIVE TISSUE, causing severe inflammation. As connective tissue is distributed throughout tissues, the skin and many organs are affected. Sunlight, viral infections and certain drugs can induce some of the symptoms, especially in older people. Symptoms come and go with varying levels of severity. SLE produces a characteristic red, blotchy rash over the cheeks and bridge of the nose (‘butterfly rash’). Patients feel ill, are fatigued and feverish with appetite loss, nausea, joint pain and loss of weight. Some develop mouth ulcers, headache, ARTHRITIS, ANAEMIA, kidney failure, neurological or psychiatric problems, PLEURISY and PERICARDITIS. It is a particular problem in pregnancy when it can provoke early miscarriage, PRE-ECLAMPSIA, growth failure or even death of the fetus and preterm delivery.
Everyone with SLE needs careful medical monitoring to check their blood pressure, kidney function and blood lipids and sugar levels. Pain is treated with simple analgesics or NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS). Those with mild disease are often treated with hydroxychloroquine while those with lupus nephritis or severe central nervous system involvement may be offered cytotoxic immunosuppressant drugs. In some cases, CORTICOSTEROIDS are advised. In certain circumstances, one of the MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY DRUGS, rituximab or belimumab are valuable alternatives.