7/18/2019 SLE

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/sle55cf8aa455034654898ca17e 1/2

I. Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a difuse connective tissue

disease. As the name implies, it afects multiple body systems such as the

skin, joints, kidney, serious membranes o the heart and lun!s, lymph nodes,

and "I tract

It is an autoimmune disease in #hich there person$s immune system

loses its ability to reco!ni%e itsel and mounts an immune response a!ainst

its o#n proteins. &ama!e results rom antibodies and immune comple'es

directed a!ainst one or many or!an systems. he cause o SLE is unkno#n.

*+ o cases occur in #omen, usually o childbearin! a!e. he disease is

much more common in Arican Americas, Latinos, and Asians Americans than

in aucasians -r!an dama!e is pro!ressive in in the disease. he most

common cause o death in these patients is inection and disease o the

cardiovascular system, renal system, pulmonary system, and S.

Lupus can be cate!ori%ed into / !roups0

&iscoid lupus erythematosus (&LE) is characteri%ed by a skin rash only.

It occurs in about /*+ o patients #ith systemic lupus erythematosus. he

lesions are patchy, crusty, sharply de1ned skin pla2ues that may scar. 3iopsy

o a lesion #ill usually con1rm the dia!nosis.

 opical and intralesional corticosteroids are usually efective or

locali%ed lesions4 antimalarial dru!s may be needed or more !enerali%ed

lesions. &LE only rarely pro!resses to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is a chronic, in5ammatory,

multisystem disorder o the immune system. he course o the disease is

unpredictable and individuali%ed4 no t#o patients are afected alike.

It usually develops in youn! #omen o childbearin! years, but many

men and children also develop lupus. Arican6Americans and 7ispanics have a

hi!her re2uency o this disease than do aucasians.

7/18/2019 SLE

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/sle55cf8aa455034654898ca17e 2/2

 

II. Anatomy