Unexplained fatigue, recurring joint pain and a butterfly-shaped rash across the face. When these symptoms appear together, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) should be considered.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing chronic inflammation throughout the body, medical experts said on the 25th. About 90% of patients are women, and the disease is most often diagnosed in women of childbearing age in their 20s to 40s. Because it strikes people in the prime of their studies and careers, it is often called "the disease with a thousand faces."
The most characteristic skin symptom is a butterfly-shaped rash spanning both cheeks and the bridge of the nose. It does not appear the same way in every patient, however. In some cases, the only sign is photosensitivity, in which skin symptoms worsen after exposure to sunlight.
Other major symptoms include severe fatigue that does not ease even with ample rest, unexplained weight loss, hair loss, recurring mouth ulcers and Raynaud's phenomenon, in which the hands and feet turn cold and the skin becomes pale or bluish. Genetic factors are believed to combine with environmental, hormonal and immune system abnormalities, but the exact cause remains unknown.
The danger is that left untreated, the inflammation spreads to major organs. When it affects the kidneys, it can progress to lupus nephritis, causing protein or blood in the urine and, in severe cases, declining kidney function. Involvement of the lungs and pleura can bring chest pain and difficulty breathing, while involvement of the central nervous system can cause seizures and cognitive decline.
There have also been reported cases in which certain autoantibodies pass from a pregnant lupus patient to the fetus, causing neonatal lupus.
The goal of treatment is not a cure but controlling inflammation and preventing organ damage. Mild cases are treated with antimalarial drugs and low-dose steroids, while cases involving major organs call for high-dose steroids, immunosuppressants and biologic agents.
Specialists warned that stopping medication on one's own after symptoms improve can make the disease worse. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, disease activity can be effectively controlled and patients can maintain a healthy daily life, they said, making it important to see a rheumatologist when suspicious symptoms appear.
