Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also called lupus, is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system (the cells in the body that fight infection) incorrectly attack the body's own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage. Lupus most commonly affects women of childbearing age but also occurs in children, adolescents, and men. The cause of lupus is unknown, but it has been associated with genetic, environmental, and infectious causes. The disorder may affect almost all organs in the body, with the kidney being most commonly involved. The disorder may be mild in some cases (for example, only involving the skin) and very severe in other cases (affecting multiple organs, including the brain). The disease course is characterized by flares (intervals of active disease) and remissions (intervals of inactive disease). The June 22/29, 2005, issue of JAMA includes an article that describes the available treatments for the kidney disease associated with lupus.
Grahic Jump Location
Because lupus can affect any organ of the body, it causes a wide range of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms are
Fatigue
Fever (maximum temperature usually less than 102°F)
Joint pain or swelling (most commonly in the hands, wrists, and knees)
Muscle pain
Hair loss
Rash (typically in a "butterfly" distribution on the face, across the cheeks, and under the eyes)
Painless ulcers in the mouth or nose
Photosensitivity (the development of a rash on sun-exposed skin)
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, your doctor will order blood tests to measure your red blood cells (cells that carry oxygen in the blood), platelets (important for blood clotting), and white blood cells (the cells of the immune system). Your doctor may also order blood tests to assess for any organ damage and to measure the extent of inflammation and autoimmune activity. Your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist (a doctor with specialized training in autoimmune disorders).
There is no cure for lupus, but appropriate treatment can prevent or slow the disease process and control the associated symptoms. Lupus is treated with medications that target the body's immune system. Medication choices depend on the severity of disease and the specific organs involved. Additional medications may be prescribed for specific symptoms, such as joint pain, and for other manifestations of the disorder, such as high blood pressure if there is kidney disease.
Lupus Foundation of America202/349-1155http://www.lupus.org
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases877/22-NIAMShttp://www.niams.nih.gov
American College of Rheumatology404/633-3777http://www.rheumatology.org
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Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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TOPIC: AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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