What is "systemic lupus erythematosus"

Lupus \Lu"pus\, n. [L., a wolf. See Wolf.]

1. (Med.) originally, a cutaneous disease with the appearance of the skin having been gnawed, and occurring under two distinct forms. Now used as a generic term for over ten distinguishable diseases having visible cutaneous symptoms.

   Note: Lupus erythematosus is characterized by an eruption of red patches, which become incrusted, leaving superficial scars. Lupus vulgaris is marked by the development of nodules which often ulcerate deeply and produce great deformity. Prior to 1900 the latter was often confounded with cancer, and some varieties of cancer were included under Lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an inflammatory connective tissue disease occurring mostly in women, characterized by skin rash, fever, and arthritic symptoms, and often accompanied by hemolytic anemia, inflammation of the pericardium, glomerular lesions, and hyperglobulinemia; the condition shows positive in the LE cell test.
   --[Stedman]br/ [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. (Astron.) The Wolf, a constellation situated south of Scorpio.

n. (context healthcare English) A systemic autoimmune disease (or autoimmune connective tissue disease), where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue that causes inflammation and tissue damage.

n. an inflammatory disease of connective tissue with variable features including fever and weakness and fatigability and joint pains and skin lesions on the face or neck or arms [syn: SLE, disseminated lupus erythematosus]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known simply as lupus, is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary between people and may be mild to severe. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission when there are few symptoms.

The cause is not entirely clear. It is believed to involve hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors. Among identical twins, if one is affected there is a 24% chance the other one will be as well. Female sex hormones, sunlight, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and certain infections, are also believed to increase the risk. The mechanism involves an immune response by autoantibodies against a person's own tissues. These are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies and they result in inflammation. Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests. There are a number of other kinds of lupus erythematosus including discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

There is no cure for SLE. Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease. Life expectancy is lower among people with SLE. SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease with this being the most common cause of death. With modern treatment about 80% of those affected survive more than 15 years. Women with lupus have pregnancies that are higher risk but are mostly successful.

Rates of disease vary between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000. Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men. While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45 a wide range of ages can be affected. Those of African, Caribbean, and Chinese descent are at higher risk than white people. Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear. Lupus is Latin for wolf as in the 18th century it was thought to be caused by a wolf's bite.