Systemic lupus erythematosus
• is a systemic autoimmune disease (or autoimmune,connective tissue disease) that can affect any part of the body,such as the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system
• Common initial and chronic complaints include fever, malaise, joint pains, myalgias, fatigue
Causes
• Genetics
• environmental factors
• Drug-induced :procainamide, isoniazid, hydralazine, quinidine, and phenytoin
American College of Rheumatology Criteria for SLE
any 4 out of 11 symptoms simultaneously
l Malar rash
l Discoid rash
l photosensitivity
l oral ulcers
l arthritis
l Blood—hematologic disorder
hemolytic anemia (low RBC )
leukopenia (WBC <4000/µl)
lymphopenia (lymphocytes<1500/µl) thrombocytopenia (platetets<100000/µl)
l Renal disorder
More than 0.5 g per day protein in urine or cellular casts seen in urine
l ANA test:positive
l Immunologic disorder :
Positive anti-Smith, anti-ds DNA ,
antiphospholipid antibody,
false positive serological test for syphilis
l Neurologic disorder:
Seizures or psychosis
Treatment
• corticosteroids
• anti-malarial drugs.
• NSAIDs
• immunosuppressive drugs
• Intravenous immunoglobulins
• Prognosis is normally worse for men and children than for women
• High serum creatinine, hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, anemia and hypoalbuminemia are poor prognostic factors
Causes per TCM
1. Blood heat syndrome:
malar rash, oral ulcers, photosensitivity,
and (just like nosebleeds)
2. Qi stagnation:
arthritis
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to study SLE with me.
References: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
