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Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects many healthy body tissues. An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system fails to recognize the body tissues, then proceeds to attack them. This is what happens in lupus, except that the immune system doesn’t just attack one tissue, but various tissues of different systems. The attack on the body tissues leads to inflammatory reactions in many organs of the body such as the kidney, liver, heart, lungs, cardiovascular system and the brain. Some of the signs and symptoms of this disease include fever, chest pain, loss of hair, tiredness, skin rash, mouth ulcer, painful joints and so on. The exact cause of this disease is not known yet, however, it has been observed that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in its development. Individuals with a family history of lupus, have more chances of developing the disease, as compared to others. Also, other factors such as vitamin D, smoking, sunlight, some infections, are also risk factors. This disease has no cure yet, although it can be managed. This can be done, mainly through medications, such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, corticosteroids, immune suppressants, methotrexate. Stem cell therapy and exosomes are also another way of treating this disease. Stem cells have the ability to self-regenerate, repair tissues and regulate the immune reactions
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
In lupus, the immune system fails to recognize the healthy body tissues and then attacks them. This is why this disease is a multi-systemic. Some of the common initial complaints of patients include fever, tiredness, pain in the muscles and joints, malaise, and so on. Although this disease occurs in both male and female, it’s more prevalent in females. Below are some of the signs and symptoms;
- Blood: One of the symptoms of lupus is Anemia. This is more common in children. Also, people affected by this disease do present with thrombocytopenia and low white blood cell count. Patients affected by this disease may also have some connection with the autoimmune disease called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; a condition in which the antibodies attack the normal blood proteins leading to the abnormal and increased formation of clots in the blood vessels. The anti-cardiolipin antibody can be found in the diagnosis of Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Pulmonary system: Systemic lupus erythematosus can lead to the inflammation of the pleurae of the lungs. This can lead to a condition known as the shrinking lung syndrome. This disease can also cause some discomfort due to pleurisy, and also reduce the volume of the lungs. Other conditions that are associated with Systemic lupus erythematosus include pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary emboli, and hemorrhage.
- Musculoskeletal system: The joints are the most commonly affected part of the musculoskeletal system in people affected by Systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients usually experience joint pain, in the hands, wrist and other joints of the body. Over ninety percent of those affected by this disease would present with this kind of pain. When compared to rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus does not cause severe damages to the joints of the body. Only about 7% of patients with arthritis do eventually develop hands and feet deformities.
- Skin: About 70% of people affected by lupus will present with skin symptoms. Skin disorder associated with lupus can be categorized into 3 parts. This includes chronic cutaneous lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, and acute cutaneous lupus. Patients with discoid lupus do present with thick, red scaly patches on the skin. Similarly, those with the subacute cutaneous lupus presents with red, scaly patches of the skin, with clear edges. The acute cutaneous lupus presents as a rash. Some patients may present with the malar rash, which is pathognomonic for systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Reproductive system: Systemic lupus erythematosus increases the risk of having a miscarriage, in pregnant women affected by the disease. Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20 weeks of the gestation period
- Neurological system: Systemic lupus erythematosus affects the nervous system. Some of the neurological manifestations include seizures, anxiety disorder, depression, mood disorder, polyneuropathy and so on.
What Are The Causes Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
The exact cause of this disease isn’t known yet, however, it has been observed that genetics and the environment plays a huge role in the development of this disease.
- Genetics: Although there is no evidence to prove this, studies have shown that people who have had relatives that suffered from this disease have more chances of developing having systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the disease hasn’t been linked to any gene yet.
- Environmental factors: Below are some of the environmental triggers for this disease;
- Radiotherapy
- Certain drugs
- Viruses
- Traumatic events
- Physical and emotional stress
What Are The Complications Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Some of the complications of systemic lupus erythematosus include the following;
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pericarditis
- Vasculitis
- Reduced renal function
- Renal failure
What Is The Prognosis For Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
The prognosis of this disease varies. However, it mostly depends on the severity of the disease. It’s important to consult your physician immediately you notice any symptom of the disease, especially when the patient has a family history of lupus.
How Is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Currently Treated?
There is no cure for this disease, however, treatment can be given to ease the symptoms of the disease. Some medications that can be used are topical steroid creams for skin problems, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, corticosteroids, immune suppressants, methotrexate for treating painful joints and controlling the inflammatory processes.
Stem Cell Therapy Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Mesenchymal stem cells that cannot be attacked by the body immune system, have proved to be useful and effective for the treatment of this disease. Stem cells have the ability to self-regenerate, repair tissues and regulate the immune reactions. The undifferentiated cells can help to replace and repair the tissues damaged by the antibodies. Significant progress is being recorded in this study.
References
262 Longitudinal Assessment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity: British Isles Lupus Assessment Group 2004, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 or Both?. (2016). Rheumatology.
Barfield, C. (1980). Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Tuberculosis Simulating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Archives of Internal Medicine, 140(5), p.715.
Fox, R. (1979). Systemic lupus erythematosus. Association with previous neonatal lupus erythematosus. Archives of Dermatology, 115(3), pp.340-340.
Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. (2016). Rheumatology.
