Autoimmune/Rheumatic

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body, including the skin, joints, and/or organs. In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which affects multiple organs.

11

Symptoms

3

Causes

6

Treatments

2

Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Lupus. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
  • Butterfly-shaped rash on the face
  • Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
  • Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when cold (Raynaud's)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Hair loss
  • Dry eyes
  • Headaches, confusion, memory loss

Causes

  • Autoimmune — immune system attacks healthy tissue
  • Genetic factors
  • Environmental triggers (sunlight, infections, medications)

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination
  • Complete blood count
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Kidney and liver function tests
  • Urinalysis
  • ANA test
  • Anti-dsDNA antibody test
  • Chest X-ray
  • Biopsy

Treatment

  • NSAIDs
  • Antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Biologic agents (belimumab)
  • Targeted synthetic agents

Risk Factors

  • Female sex (9x more common)
  • Age 15–45
  • Race/ethnicity (more common in Black, Hispanic, Asian women)
  • Family history

Prevention

  • No known prevention
  • Sun protection and avoiding triggers can prevent flares

Prevalence

About 1.5 million Americans live with lupus; globally an estimated 5 million people have a form of lupus.

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Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system produces abnormal antibodies against phospholipids — a type of fat — in the blood. APS can cause blood clots to form in arteries and veins, as well as pregnancy complications such as miscarriages and preterm births. It may occur alone or with another autoimmune disease such as lupus.

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Behçet's Disease

Behçet's disease is a rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout the body. This can lead to numerous signs and symptoms that can seem unrelated at first. The disease can cause mouth sores, eye inflammation, skin rashes, and lesions, and genital sores. It is also known as Behçet's syndrome or Silk Road disease.

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