MEDICAL INSIDER
DR. CORA LIM
FOR SEPTEMBER 3, 2023
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
(Part 1)
We will start with a new topic today. It is all about the Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
So, what is the definition of lupus?
Lupus is a disorder that affects the skin and joints and often also
involves the internal organs, including the heart or kidney. Lupus
is an autoimmune disease, which means that your body’s defense
system produces antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues.
Lupus is more common in younger women.
What are the symptoms of lupus?
The symptoms of lupus include the following: joint pain, skin rash,
fatigue, fever, weight loss, headaches, mouth ulcers, hair loss,
swelling of lymph glands/swelling of feet, colour changes in the
fingers or toes in cold conditions, shortness of breath, or pain
when breathing in. With these symptoms, there is a need for a
person to have regular check-ups with the doctor for early signs of
these complications. The earlier the diagnosis, the lesser the
complications.
What should be our outlook regarding lupus?
The following should be our outlook regarding lupus:
It is a variable and unpredictable condition and may even be
life-threatening for people whose vital organs are affected.
It’s hard to predict exactly how lupus will affect you. Most
people with lupus don’t have the more serious complications,
but your doctor will be on the look-out for these so that early
treatment can be given if necessary.
How is lupus diagnosed?
Some of the symptoms of lupus are the same as other diseases,
more common conditions, so beside the clinical manifestations,
you’ll probably have a number of tests before the diagnosis is
confirmed. Some of these tests would be the following: Anti-
nuclear antibody (ANA) test, found positive in 95% of patients;
Anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody test; Anti-Ro
antibody test; Complement level test: levels go down when lupus
is more active; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test; Kidney
and liver function tests(especially in early years of diagnosis); and
Blood cell counts
What are other information to consider regarding lupus?
The following bits of information are helpful regarding lupus:
1) Treatment: There’s no cure for lupus at present, but the
disease is most often very treatable and usually responds well to
a number of different types of drugs – especially when treatment is
started in the early stages of the disease;
2) Avoid Sunlight: Too much ultraviolet light from sunlight can
cause a red rash across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose,
often known as the butterfly rash. Keep your skin covered or use
sun cream of SPF 30 or greater Raynaud’s phenomenon:
blue/white/red discoloration of digits in cold: keep hands and
chest warm and covered;
3) A Rheumatologist May Advise You Specialized Treatment
With: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Steroid
tablets, creams or injections; Anti-malarial drugs
(Hydroxychloroquin or chloroquin); Conventional disease-
modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); Drugs to control high
blood pressure and high cholesterol; Biological therapies