Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disorder that affects many organ system of the body. The course of the disease is variable. This means that one can go into remissions but some can be progressive and fatal.
The cause of the disease is unknown. This is predominantly a disease of the females at 10:1 ratio.
Clinically, the affected person will have:
* fever
* arthritis or arthralgia
* poor appetite and
* weakness
* rashes on the face described as “butterfly rash”. The rashes could extend across the bridge of the nose
* alopecia
* liver enlargement
* heart involvement
* central nervous system involvement
* peripheral neuritis
* vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
* episcleritis or retinal vascular changes on the eyes
* renal involvement giving rise to hypertension and encephalopathy
The diagnosis of SLE depends upon the clinical picture of the patient assisted by the laboratory findings. There is no definite cure yet for this disease.