Lupus - (SLE) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, also known as lupus) is an autoimmune illness in which parts of the immune system, which normally protect the body from outside invaders, run amok and attack parts of the body instead.
Although there are several different forms of lupus, the classical lupus patient is usually a young woman with a combination of symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph glands, rashes (particularly butterfly-shaped rashes on the face), arthritis, fatigue, hair loss, chest and/or abdominal pain, oral ulcers, and neuropsychiatric problems such as headache, memory loss, mood disorders, and/or confusion.
Lupus Infographic
more
less
While the cause of lupus is unknown, theories on its origin include involvement of lupus nephritis (inflammation of the kidney in lupus patients), genetics, infections, and the defective failure to process the products of an immune response. Although it is a lifelong condition, symptoms tend to cycle in alternate periods of flare-ups and remission. Those with lupus are at great risk of contracting kidney disease as well
Lupus treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate, and experimental approaches such as intravenous immunoglobulin and vitamins/antioxidants.
It may be time to contact a rheumatologist when confirming a diagnosis initially provided by a primary care physician or when disease management is necessary. The Rheumatology department at Hospital for Special Surgery is a premier department (top ranked by U.S.News & World Report) for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune musculoskeletal diseases. Our Hospital provides the very best in research and patient care for those with lupus with the help of the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Care, the Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research and the five free, culturally diverse lupus support programs:
To learn more about lupus and the free programs available at Hospital for Special Surgery, access the articles, audio clips, and video programs listed below.
Overview of Lupus
Diagnosing Lupus
Lupus Treatments
- Infusion Therapy and Lupus
- Dealing with Uncertainty: What lupus patients can expect from their diagnosis
- Lupus and Joint Replacement Surgery: What You Should Know
- Lupus & Medications: An HSS Facebook Chat
- Recent Developments in Managing and Treating Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): Part I – Lupus
- Benlysta® (belimumab): The First FDA-Approved Biologic Agent for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Your Own Best Advocate: How to be an Active Participant in Your Care
- Steroid Side Effects: How to Reduce Corticosteroid Side Effects
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Pain
- Acupuncture for SLE: Can it Work for You?
Lupus Research
- Advances in Rheumatology: 2013 ACR Roundup
- Great Strides in Rheumatology
- New Advances in Pediatric Rheumatology Research
- Lupus and APS Clinical Research at HSS
- Discovery Attracts New Funding for Pediatric Rheumatologist
- The PROMISSE Study: The Nation's Largest Ever Investigation of Pregnancy Loss in Lupus
- Lupus Care and Research at HSS: A Partnership
- Lupus Research at Hospital for Special Surgery: An Introduction
- Benlysta (belimumab): A New Lupus Medication on the Horizon
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Two Lupus Patients Treated with Rituximab (Rituxan): An HSS Rheumatology Perspective
- Thinking, Memory and Lupus: What We Know and What We Can Do
- Disease Registries in the Assessment of Autoimmune Disorders and SLE Cognitive Abnormalities
Mind-Body Issues and Lupus
- Massage Therapy and Lupus
- Mindful Practice and Lupus
- Sun Protection and Connective Tissue Disease
- The Doctor-Patient Relationship and Rheumatology Decision-Making: Are You Thinkin' What I'm Thinkin'
- Chronic Illness: Dealing with Changes and Winning
- Fierce Joy: a Memoir
- Rheum to Heal
- Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Depression 101
- Nutrition and Lupus Part 1: Ways to Maintain a Healthy Diet
- Lupus, Sexuality, and Intimacy: Beginning a Conversation
- The Doctor-Patient Relationship: A Journey Towards Effective Communication for Chronic Disease
- Lupus and the Holiday Season: How to Cope with Stress
- Lupus and Employment Rights: Knowing Your Options
- The Effects of Lupus and Lupus Medications on Mood
- Thinking, Memory and Lupus: What We Know and What We Can Do
- The Secret Handshake of Lupus: A Patient Roundtable
- Teens with Lupus - and Parents - Get Special Help in Chat Groups
- Relaxation Imagery and Lupus: How it Can Help
- Neuropsychiatric Problems in Lupus
- Managing Lupus Stress More Effectively by Changing Your Thoughts and Actions
- Lupus and Depression
- Finding the Right Connection for People with Lupus
- Embracing Gratitude While Coping With Lupus
- Doctor-Patient Communication: An SLE Workshop Support Group summary
- “Unlocking the Mystery of Lupus: Lupus & the Heart” FAQs
Related Conditions
- Rashes, Skin Care and Cutaneous Lupus: What You Should Know
- Neuropsychiatric SLE: Lupus and the Brain
- Managing Arthritis in Lupus
- Vaccinations and Lupus: An Update of What You Should Know
- Telangiectasia and Autoimmune Disease
- Pulmonary Issues and Lupus
- Possible Environmental Triggers Associated with Autoimmune Diseases
- Lupus and Fatigue
- Sjogren's Syndrome and Lupus
- Recent Developments in Managing and Treating Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): Part II – APS
- Eye Problems in Lupus
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program Q&A: Chat Transcript
- Top 10 Series: Lupus and Pregnancy
- Top 10 Series: Lupus and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention in Lupus Patients
- Joint Pain in Patients with Lupus: Is It Really Arthritis?
- Top 10 Series: Prevention of Blood Clots in Antiphospholipid Antibody-Positive Patients
- Lupus and Kidney Disease: What You Should Know about Lupus Nephritis (Lupus Kidney Disease)
- What Should Lupus Patients Know About Radiation Treatment for Cancer and Elective Cosmetic Enhancement Procedures?
- FDA Alert Regarding Lupus Medication: an HSS Rheumatology Perspective
- Lupus-related Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction: The Chicken and the Egg
- Oral Concerns in People With Lupus
- Vaccinations and Rheumatic Disease
- Common Pulmonary Problems in Rheumatology
- Update on Smallpox and Flu Vaccinations
- Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease – In-Depth Overview
- Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD): Frequently Asked Questions
- Understanding Fatigue in Lupus - and What Can Be Done
- Pregnancy in Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disease
- Lupus Vasculitis and Blocked Blood Vessels
- Lupus and Fibromyalgia
Lupus Clinical Trials at HSS
- Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Belimumab for the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis: A Randomized, Controlled Phase 2 Open Label Multicenter Study
- Nelfinavir in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Pilot Phase IIa Clinical Trial
- Phase II, Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multidose, 24-Week Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Atacicept in Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- A Multicenter, Investigator-Initiated, Phase II, Randomized, Withdrawal Study of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in Patients with Stable, Quiescent Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Focus Groups to Gather Patient Preferences about the HSS Smartphone Application for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous LY2127399 in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (ILLUMINATE-2)
- Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on the Annexin A5 Resistance Assay in Antiphospholipid Antibody-Positive Patients with and without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- PROMISSE: Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome: Biomarkers in Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Fc Receptor Function in Normals and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Autoimmune Disease Registry and Repository
Need Help Finding a Physician?
Call us toll-free at:
+1.877.606.1555