What Is Usually the First Sign of Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and causes inflammation in other systems as well.

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks its healthy tissue. It affects joints, skin, brain,lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels, leading to inflammation and tissue damage of the affected organs. More than 90% of cases occur in females.

The exact cause of SLE is unknown; however, some environmental, genetic and hormonal factors may contribute to gettinglupus.

Environmental factors

• Exposure to UV rays
• 微生物的响应
• Certain medications
• Silica dust
• Cigarette smoking
• Photosensitivity(sensitivity to sunlight)

Other risk factors

• Family history of SLE
• Female gender
• Chronic infections
• Use of estrogen in women undergoingmenopause
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Pregnancybreastfeedinghas been shown to decrease the risk of SLE.
• Women of childbearing ages (15-44 years)
• High-risk ethnic backgrounds such as African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Caucasians

Early life risk factors

• Low birth weight (<2,500 g)
• Preterm birth (birth that occurs before the 37th week ofpregnancy)
• Exposure to pesticides during childhood

Fatigue,fever,joint pain, and weight changes are usually the first signs oflupus.

Some adults may have a period of SLE symptoms known as flares, which may occur frequently, sometimes even years apart and resolve at other times (called remission). Other symptoms include the following:

• Sun sensitivity
• Oral ulcers
• Arthritis
• Seizure
• Anemia
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• 米uscle aches
• Alopecia(hair loss)
• Facialrash(butterfly rash)
• Chest paincaused due to inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lung (pleuritis) and theheart(pericarditis)
• Raynaud'sphenomenon (poor circulation to the fingers and toes withcoldexposure)
• Vasculitis(inflammation of blood vessels)

Apart from the above symptoms,nausea,indigestion,abdominal pain, andconfusionmay also be seen in some patients.

The complications that accompany SLE are as follows:

• Lupusnephritis (kidney failure)
• Dysphagia(difficulty in swallowing)
• Lymphadenopathy(swollen lymph nodes)
• Lupoidhepatitis(liver disease)
• 纤维肌痛症(muscle painand tenderness)
• Pancreatitis(inflammation in pancreas)
• Infections
• Coronaryheart disease(damage or disease in the heart’s major artery)
• Blood clots

Physicians diagnose SLE with the help of the following laboratory tests:

• Specific antibody tests for SLE (e.g., antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA) may be done
• Complete blood cell count (CBC) to screen foranemiaandthrombocytopenia
• Serumcreatinineforkidney disease
• Urinalysis对于肾脏疾病
• Erythrocytesedimentation rate(ESR) andC-reactive protein(CRP) for inflammation
• Liver functiontests

Radiographic tests such as computed tomography scan,magnetic resonance imagingand joint radiograph also detect abnormalities.

Ultimately, askin biopsyis performed to confirm the diagnosis.

There is no cure for SLE. Management of SLE depends on disease severity and disease manifestations.

Hydroxychloroquineis effective in the long-term treatment of SLE. Immunosuppressive medicines help to inhibit the activity of the immune system, which can be useful in treating SLE.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDs) andcorticosteroidshelp to treat inflammation andpainin the muscles, joints and other tissues.

SLE along with other medical conditions can be a contributing cause of death. Mainly, secondary conditions like kidney diseases, heart diseases or infection can be the contributing factor.