Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Essay Example for Free

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus EssaySystemic lupus erythematosus (disseminated lupus erythematosus) is a chronic insurgent disease which may affect many different organs and tissues in the body. Women of child bearing age atomic number 18 typic eithery affected, still individuals of any age, sex, or race may develop the disease. SLE while uncommon, is not rare, with an estimated disease prevalence of 1 in every 2,000 population. It is a condition which appears to be change magnitude in prominence especially over the last 15 to 20 years.This is likely explained by the earlier recognition of milder cases because of increased patient and physician cognizance and by the enhanced availability of sensitive laboratory tests reformative in the diagnosis. Although the exact cause is not known, most of the features of the disease seem to be collectible to a fundamental abnormality of the bodys immune system. The immune system is the bodys defence mechanism against foreign substances entering the body.It depends on the formation of compounds called antibodies and on hite cells called lymphocytes which rise to the falsification of the body in case of invasion by foreign agents such as germs or viruses. This is a normal and desirable process in the wakeless individual. In patients with SLE, there seems to be a defect in the bodys immune system whereby antibodies are mistakenly formed against the bodys own tissues. This leads to inflammation and damage in the tissues so affected.Patients with SLE can be identified by the presence of these abnormal antibodies in their parenthood stream. It is not clear what triggers this immune abnormality but several factors seem to be contributory in some patients. These include infection, hormonal, genetic, and unidentified environmental factors. Some drugs including those used for the treatment of tuberculosis (isoniazid), high blood pressure (hydralazine), and convulsions (dilantin) have also occasionally been associated wi th the development of SLE.Clinical Features The majority of patients with SLE have very mild symptoms which can be easily controlled with straightforward measures. A small minority have more serious manifestations which may require more aggressive forms of treatment. The seriousness of the disease is frequently related to the graphic symbol and number of organs affected. The following is a summary of some of the signs and symptoms that may occur in lupus patients grouped according to the organs or tissues affected general symptomsFever and unusual fatigue occur in up to 80 or 90% of SLE patients at some time during the flux of their illness. fur rash a very common feature occurring in many patients. The classic rash is called a butterfly rash because it occurs in a butterfly-like make up over the bridge of the nose and cheeks. This type of rash is in fact quite uncommon with most lupus rashes being far less specific and occurring anywhere on the body but especially over sun ex posed areas. Many lupus rashes appear to be provoked or aggravated by mold sun exposure.Sores may also occur in the nose and mouth, and scalp hair loss may occur in some individuals. In a closely related condition called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), the rash may arise as distinct scaly and reddish patches which may heal with scarring. Patients with DLE are frequently otherwise well. They demonstrate few, if any, of the symptoms of SLE and usually have a nearly normal laboratory profile. Joints stiffness, pain, and swelling may commonly occur. Unlike woebegone arthritis however, permanent damage to the joints is almost unheard of.Membranes of the heart and lungs, the linings of the heart and lungs may occasionally become inflamed in SLE patients leading to sharp breast pains and shortness of breath. If it involves the lung, the condition is called pleuritis. If it affects the heart, the condition is called pericarditis. Blood cells a number of abnormalities may occur in th e blood including anaemia or a ensconce in the red blood cell count and/or falls in the white cell count or platelet count (particles in the blood that help with clotting) and thus lead to potential problems with bleeding.Kidneys often a sign of more serious disease, inflammation of the kidney may lead to loss of protein in the urine, increased blood pressure and occasionally kidney failure. Brain and nerves fortunately, a relatively rare problem, patients so affected may have trouble with headaches convulsions, emotional disturbances, weakness or numbness of the extremities. Diagnosis The diagnosis of SLE is suspected in any individual who presents with one or more of the clinical features defined above.A diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory tests which show the presence of one or more abnormal circulating antibodies in the blood stream. These antibodies may be directed against any tissue in the body. The most important of these however, is an antibody directed against the cent re or nucleus of the cells in the body, the so-called anti-nuclear antibody or ANA. genus Anas are normally not present or present only in barely detectable quantities in healthy individuals. Thus, this test is very helpful to the doctor if he is suspicious about the possibility of SLE.It is very important however, to stress that the presence of ANAs doesnt specifically point to a diagnosis of SLE since abnormal antibodies of this type may occur in other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, certain infections and inflammation of the liver. Thus the diagnosis of SLE requires both(prenominal) the presence of abnormal antibodies (especially ANAs) as well as signs and symptoms suggesting inflammation of several organs or tissues in the body. Although, all lupus patients have elevated levels of ANA, not all people with elevated ANA have lupus.Increased levels of ANA generally indicate that the physician should follow up with an anti-DNA antibody test. To assist in the diagnosis of S LE, the American Rheumatism affiliation (ARA) in 1982 adopted a set of criteria for the classification of this disease. (See Table 1) It should be noted that while a variable number of these features may occur during the course of the disease, they need not occur at the same time. Moreover, it is quite unpredictable as to which patient may develop which particular symptom or separate of symptoms at any particular time.