From the Guidelines
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that presents with a wide range of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, joint pain and swelling, butterfly-shaped rash, skin lesions, fever, hair loss, Raynaud's phenomenon, chest pain, shortness of breath, dry eyes, headaches, confusion, and memory loss, as well as kidney problems, blood disorders, and other systemic manifestations 1.
Common Symptoms of SLE
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pain and swelling
- Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
- Skin lesions that worsen with sun exposure
- Fever
- Hair loss
- Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers turning white or blue when cold)
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dry eyes
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Memory loss ### Systemic Manifestations of SLE
- Kidney problems (lupus nephritis), leading to swelling in the legs and high blood pressure
- Blood disorders like anemia, decreased white blood cell count, and low platelet count
- Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including seizures, psychosis, and cognitive dysfunction 2
- Cardiovascular disease, including cerebrovascular disease and thrombotic events 2 ### Diagnosis and Treatment of SLE
- Diagnosis is based on clinical grounds, with characteristic serological abnormalities and evidence of organ involvement 3
- Treatment goals include long-term patient survival, prevention of organ damage, and optimization of health-related quality of life 3
- Treatment may include glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents, and biologic therapies, depending on the severity and extent of organ involvement 1 The management of SLE requires a multidisciplinary approach, with consideration of individual, medical, and societal costs, and a focus on minimizing disease activity and preventing flares 3.
From the Research
Symptoms of SLE
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple organ systems, including mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system 4
- SLE has a wide range of presentations from mild to severe and can involve various symptoms such as: + Mucocutaneous symptoms + Musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g. arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia) 5 + Cardiopulmonary symptoms + Renal symptoms (e.g. lupus nephritis) 6, 7 + Gastrointestinal symptoms + Central nervous system symptoms
- Chronic widespread pain, which is typical of fibromyalgia (FM), is frequently associated with SLE 5
- Other symptoms may include fever, cytopenia, rash, arthritis, and proteinuria, which may be indicative of lupus nephritis 6
Organ Involvement
- Approximately 40% of people with SLE develop lupus nephritis, and an estimated 10% of people with lupus nephritis develop end-stage kidney disease after 10 years 6
- SLE can also affect other organs, including the skin, joints, lungs, and central nervous system 4, 6
Disease Activity and Treatment
- The primary goal of treatment is to achieve disease remission or quiescence, defined by minimal symptoms, low levels of autoimmune inflammatory markers, and minimal systemic glucocorticoid requirement while the patient is treated with maintenance doses of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive medications 6
- Treatment goals include reducing disease exacerbations, hospitalizations, and organ damage due to the disease or treatment toxicity 6