![]() ![]() About 10 percent of SLE cases are thought to be triggered by drug exposure, and more than 80 drugs that may be involved have been identified. Sex hormones and a variety of environmental factors including viral infections, diet, stress, chemical exposures, and sunlight are also thought to play a role in triggering this complex disorder. Most of the genes associated with SLE are involved in immune system function, and changes in these genes likely affect proper targeting and control of the immune response. In rare cases, variants (also called mutations) in single genes cause SLE. Normal variations (polymorphisms) in many genes can affect the risk of developing SLE, and in most cases multiple genetic factors are thought to be involved. For example malaria, which occurs often in tropical regions, is thought to be protective against SLE, while the Epstein-Barr virus, more common in the West, increases SLE risk. Researchers suggest that factors such as ethnic mixing, tobacco use in industrialized countries, and the different types of infections people acquire in different regions may contribute to these differences. The prevalence of SLE in Africa and Asia is believed to be much lower than in Western nations however, in industrialized Western countries, people of African and Asian descent are two to four times more likely to develop SLE than are people of European descent. It is most common in younger women, peaking during the childbearing years however, 20 percent of SLE cases occur in people over age 50.įor unknown reasons, in industrialized Western countries SLE has become 10 times more common over the past 50 years. Females develop SLE about nine times more often than males. ![]() Diagnosis may be delayed for years, and the condition may never be diagnosed in some affected individuals. The exact prevalence is difficult to determine because many of the signs and symptoms of SLE resemble those of other disorders. SLE has been estimated to affect between 322,000 and 1.5 million people in the United States. Overall, SLE gradually gets worse over time, and damage to the major organs of the body can be life-threatening. People with SLE have episodes in which the condition gets worse (exacerbations) and other times when it gets better (remissions). Anxiety and depression are also common in SLE. The inflammation characteristic of SLE can also damage the nervous system, and may result in abnormal sensation and weakness in the limbs (peripheral neuropathy) seizures stroke and difficulty processing, learning, and remembering information (cognitive impairment). Heart disease caused by fatty buildup in the blood vessels ( atherosclerosis ), which is very common in the general population, is even more common in people with SLE. Heart problems may also occur in SLE, including inflammation of the sac-like membrane around the heart (pericarditis) and abnormalities of the heart valves, which control blood flow in the heart. Affected individuals may also have hair loss (alopecia) and open sores (ulcerations) in the moist lining (mucosae) of the mouth, nose, or, less commonly, the genitals.Ībout a third of people with SLE develop kidney disease (nephritis). Petechiae are caused by a shortage of cells involved in clotting (platelets), which leads to bleeding under the skin. Other skin problems that may occur in SLE include calcium deposits under the skin (calcinosis), damaged blood vessels (vasculitis) in the skin, and tiny red spots called petechiae. The rash, which generally does not hurt or itch, often appears or becomes more pronounced when exposed to sunlight. A characteristic feature is a flat red rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose, called a "butterfly rash" because of its shape. ![]() Most affected individuals also have joint pain, typically affecting the same joints on both sides of the body, and muscle pain and weakness. ![]() SLE may first appear as extreme tiredness (fatigue), a vague feeling of discomfort or illness (malaise), fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. SLE is one of a large group of conditions called autoimmune disorders that occur when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs. The signs and symptoms of SLE vary among affected individuals, and can involve many organs and systems, including the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, central nervous system, and blood-forming (hematopoietic) system. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in connective tissues, such as cartilage and the lining of blood vessels, which provide strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body. ![]()
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