Lupus – (SLE) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, commonly known as "lupus") is an autoimmune illness in which parts of the immune system, which normally protect the body from foreign invaders and infection, malfunctions and attacks your body's healthy tissues 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 treatment options include nonsteroidal 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 Division of Rheumatology 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.
