autoimmune diseases

Symptoms Systemic lupus erythematosus

Related articles: Systemic lupus erythematosus

Definition

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem inflammatory disease of autoimmune origin; it means that the immune defenses, normally directed against external agents, attack the body triggering a generalized inflammatory process. The causes have not yet been clearly defined, but environmental, hormonal and genetic factors are probably involved, triggering autoimmune reactions in genetically predisposed subjects. In a minority of cases, the disease can be triggered by drugs (eg hydralazine, procainamide and isoniazid).

Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect patients of all ages, although it is found more frequently among women of childbearing age (15-45 years).

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Oral aphthosis
  • Alopecia
  • Changes in the menstrual cycle
  • Alve alterations
  • Anemia
  • Aortite
  • Arrhythmia
  • Asthenia
  • Increase in the ESR
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Korea
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Decreased sweating
  • Dyspnoea
  • Mood disorders
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Hand and wrist pain
  • Articolar pains
  • Muscle pains
  • Bruising
  • Edema
  • Eosinophilia
  • Erythema
  • erythromelalgia
  • Temperature
  • phlegmon
  • Fotofobia
  • Joint swelling
  • hypersplenism
  • hypohidrosis
  • Leukopenia
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Livedo Reticularis
  • Headache
  • Meningitis
  • Nausea
  • Pancytopenia
  • papules
  • thrombocytopenia
  • plaques
  • Proteinuria
  • Itching in the head
  • Rheumatism
  • Reduced vision
  • Joint stiffness
  • Blood in the urine
  • Foam in urine
  • Eye dryness
  • Raynaud's syndrome
  • Nephritic syndrome
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • splenomegaly
  • Scales on the skin
  • Cough
  • thrombocytosis
  • Skin Ulcers
  • Pericardial effusion
  • Pleural effusion
  • He retched

Further indications

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an extremely variable expression disease; in fact, signs and symptoms may develop concerning the involvement of numerous organs and systems, including: joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. This character reflects its complex etiopathogenesis. Among the most common symptoms are arthralgia and arthritis, cutaneous manifestations, fatigability, fever, hematologic cytopenias, headaches, dysfunctions of the kidneys or central nervous system.

The skin is involved in different ways: a flat or raised skin rash may appear, on the cheeks and nose (called a butterfly erythema) or in any body region, in the form of erythematous lesions (sometimes covered with skin scales and plaques) .

Other manifestations include the appearance of vesicles and recurrent ulcers on the mucous membranes (especially of the mouth and nose). Spread or generalized hair loss, on the other hand, is frequent in the active phases of the LES. Lupus, then, is specifically characterized by reactions to sunlight (photosensitivity). Cold, on the other hand, can trigger Raynaud's phenomenon on fingers and toes.

Articular involvement is frequent and may precede other manifestations by years: systemic lupus erythematosus causes inflammation that manifests itself with warmth to the touch, swelling and pain in the joints. Contrary to other forms of arthritis, however, it is not deforming.

Renal involvement can develop at any time. Kidney damage can vary in severity. Common manifestations include the presence of blood or protein in the urine, hypertension and edema. When SLE affects the central nervous system, on the other hand, it can lead to epileptic seizures, persistent migraine, headache and other neurological disorders.

Lungs and heart can also become inflamed, with pain and fluid buildup. Possible complications of cardiopulmonary involvement include pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, recurrent pleuritis, pericarditis (most commonly) and myocarditis. Gastrointestinal manifestations include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and impaired intestinal motility. Furthermore, SLE can cause generalized adenopathy and splenomegaly. Another target is blood cells.

In affected patients, blood tests reveal haematological changes (reduction of white blood cells, anemia, decrease in the number of platelets, etc.), increased indices of inflammation (in particular, the ESR) and the presence of characteristic autoantibodies, including antibodies anti-nucleus (ANA).

The disease is characterized by the alternation of acute phases (relapses) and periods of asymptomatic remission. At the moment, there is no definitive therapy, but some drugs allow to manage the acute periods of the disease and to prevent complications. These include: corticosteroids, immunosuppressants (such as cyclophosphamide), antirheumatics (such as methotrexate) and biological drugs. The treatment must be progressively adapted to the conditions of the individual patient.