The Great Mimicker Revealed SLE
SLE occurs 10 times more often in women than in men, and typically reveals itself in people in their twenties and thirties. It is generally more common among certain ethnic groups, particularly African American and Asian people. This form of lupus can cause serious complications in several major organ systems:
- Inflammation of the kidneys (lupus nephritis), which can also affect a person`s ability to filter waste from their blood. This can be so damaging that dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant may be necessary.
- Pulmonary hypertension, which is an increase in blood pressure in the lungs;
- Memory problems; confusion; headaches and strokes possibly resulting from inflammation in the nervous system and brain
- High fevers; seizures and behavioral changes resulting from inflammation in the brain`s blood vessels;
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) also known as hardening of the arteries, resulting as a buildup of deposits on the coronary artery walls which can lead to a heart attack.
With SLE being so difficult to diagnose the American College of Rheumatology has developed an 11 point common criteria as a guide to either rule lupus in or out:
1. Malar rash: a rash over the cheeks and nose that often appears in the shape of a butterfly.
2. Discoid: a rash that show up as red, raised, disk shaped patches.
3. Photosensitivity: a reaction to the sun, OR light which results in a skin rash appearing or making an existing one worse.
4. Oral ulcers: sores appearing in the mouth
5. Arthritis: joint pain and swelling
6. Serositis: resulting in either pleuritis, the inflammation of the lining around the lungs, or as pericarditis, the inflammation of the lining around the heart. The latter can cause chest pain that worsens with deep breathing.
7. Kidney disorder: persistent cellular casts (having a hyaline or waxy matrix with inclusion of cells) or proteins in the urine.
8. Blood disorders: such as anemia (low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukopenia (low white blood cell count), or lymphopenia (low level of specific white blood cells).
9. Neurological disorders: either seizures or psychosis
10. Immunologic disorder: abnormal anti-double-stranded DNA or anti-Sm, positive anti-phospholipid antibodies (these interfere with the normal function of blood vessels)
11. Abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA)
For most people with SLE proper treatment can help minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation and pain, and stop the development of serious organ damage. Speaking with your rheumatologist can help you understand the most commonly prescribed medicines today and other drugs under investigation for treating lupus.