An inflammatory disease of connective tissue of which the more serious, systemic, form affects the heart, joints and blood vessels.
An autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain.
An autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly attacks the connective tissue in the body, often called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is far more com¬ mon in women than in men, especially from late childhood through early childbearing age, and occurs more often in some ethnic groups, especially Blacks. The causes of lupus are unclear, though some susceptibility may be inherited; it may be triggered by a virus or sometimes by a drug. The disease ranges in severity from mild to life-threatening, depending on what parts of the body, such as the kidneys, heart, or central nervous system, are affected. SLE may start suddenly with a high fever or may develop slowly, and intermittently, over months or even years, with only occasional mild bouts of fever and fatigue. Among the common symptoms are a reddish butterfly-shaped patch on the cheeks and nose, arthritis, anemia, and pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs). SLE is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, often being confused with other disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis; generally, doctors use blood tests and biopsy in diagnosis to check for characteristic antibodies. Drugs are used to try to control inflammation, and often patients are advised to avoid the sun, which can worsen the condition. In addition, treatment of related conditions, such as kidney and urological disorders, means that, with early diagnosis and close monitoring, the mortality rate for severe cases of lupus has been sharply cut. A mild form of lupus, called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), primarily affects the skin and is found mostly among women in their 30s.
An inflammatory disease that occurs in two forms. The discoid type usually produces butterfly-shaped, red skin lesions on the face. The more serious systemic type affects connective tissues and joints as well as the heart, lungs, and other organs.
A chronic inflammatory disease of connective tissue, affecting the skin and various internal organs. Typically, there is a red scaly rash on the face, affecting the nose and cheeks; arthritis; and progressive damage to the kidneys. Often the heart, lungs, and brain are also affected by progressive attacks of inflammation followed by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis). In a milder form of the disease only the skin is affected. LE is regarded as an autoimmune disease and can be diagnosed by the presence of abnormal antibodies in the bloodstream, most easily detected by a test that reveals characteristic white blood cells (LE cells). The disease is treated with corticosteroids.
A perpetual inflammatory ailment characterized by maladaptive responses of the immune system leading to irregularities in the circulatory channels and interconnecting fibrous structures.
An autoimmune condition leading to inflammation in connective tissue. The most prevalent form is discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), which typically impacts only areas of skin exposed to sunlight. The more severe variant, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), influences multiple body systems, skin included.
In both forms of lupus erythematosus, symptoms can intermittently lessen and then reappear with differing intensities.
In DLE, the rash begins as red, round, and raised skin patches. These patches later develop into scars. They can appear on the face, behind the ears, and the scalp.
SLE presents a range of symptoms. A distinct red, blotchy rash often resembling the shape of a butterfly can emerge on the cheeks and across the nose bridge. Other symptoms encompass fatigue, fever, nausea, reduced appetite, joint discomfort, and weight reduction. It might also be accompanied by issues like anemia, neurological or mental health complications, kidney failure, pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), arthritis, and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart’s outer membrane).
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests and, occasionally, a skin biopsy. DLE is often addressed with topical corticosteroid medications. Both DLE and SLE can be treated with the antimalarial medication, hydroxychloroquine. Those with milder forms of SLE can experience relatively normal health for several years, and treatments with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications can enhance life expectancy. While there are treatments tailored to specific aspects of the disease, it’s important to note that SLE remains a potentially life-threatening condition.
A non-tuberculous skin condition manifests in chronic discoid, subacute, and acute forms. While it’s typically chronic, it can occasionally present acutely. This condition is marked by red, scaly patches of different sizes that lead to scar formation. The disease is unpredictable, and its acute form can be life-threatening. The chronic type often appears on exposed areas like the face, scalp, and hands, where skin follicles get blocked with a hard substance.