Definition

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of joints, tendons, skin, blood vessels and other connective tissue, and organs. SLE causes the immune system to produce antibodies that attack the body’s healthy cells and tissue. Of all the forms of lupus, SLE is the most common and most well-known.

Causes

The cause of SLE is unknown. It is likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Risk Factors

SLE is more common in women aged 20-45 years old. It is also more common in people of African American, Native American, and Hispanic descent.

Other factors that increase your chance of SLE include:

• Family history
• Celiac disease

Symptoms

Symptoms can be mild or very severe. For some people, only part of the body, such as skin, is affected. For others, many parts are affected. Though symptoms can be chronic, they can flare up and get better on and off.

Common symptoms may include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Swollen and/or painful joints
• Fever without signs of infection
• Skin rashes over areas exposed to sunlight, especially butterfly shaped rash over the nose and cheeks

Other symptoms may depend on the area of the body that is affected:

• Affected skin may become sensitive to light, have hives or red or purple rashes, or have hair loss
• Affected muscles may become stiff and weak
• Affected stomach and intestines may cause nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Affected brain and nerves may lead to psychiatric disorders, such as depression, seizures, and nerve pain and numbness

SLE may cause complications during pregnancy. There may be a flare-up of symptoms, kidney problems, or pre-eclampsia. There is also an increased risk of premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or growth problems with the baby during pregnancy.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis is based on your signs and symptoms. Your doctor will also rule out other health conditions that have symptoms similar to SLE. It may take some time to gather all the necessary information for a diagnosis.

Some tests include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging is done with an MRI scan

Treatment

SLE is not curable, but it can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. You may also need treatment for issues caused by SLE.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options depend on your symptoms.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent SLE since the cause is not known.

Lupus Research Institute http://www.lupusresearchinstitute.org

Lupus Foundation of Ontario http://lupusfoundationofontario.com

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated June 13, 2013. Accessed August 1, 2013.

Understanding lupus. Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at:
http://www.lupus.org/answers/topic/understanding-lupus
Accessed August 1, 2013.

12/4/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Hartkamp A, Geenen R, Godaert GL, et al. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on fatigue and well-being in women with quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus. A randomized controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010;69(6):1144-1147.

5/6/2011 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Smyth A, Oliveira GH, Lahr BD, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010;5(11):2060-2068.

11/25/2013 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance.
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Ludvigsson JF, Rubio-Tapia A, Chowdhary V, Murray JA, Simard JF. Increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in 29,000 patients with biopsy-verified celiac disease. J Rheumatol. 2012;39(10):1964-1970.