What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation usually happens when your immune system is fighting an infection or an injury. When lupus makes your immune system attack healthy tissue, it can cause inflammation in lots of different body parts. Symptoms can include swelling and pain.
Lupus types
What are the types of lupus?
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. There are several types of lupus, each with its own distinct characteristics and manifestations. Here are the main types of lupus and brief explanations of each:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and severe form of lupus. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells.
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE): Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) primarily affects the skin and is characterized by various types of skin lesions and rashes. There are several subtypes of CLE, including discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE).
Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus (DILE): Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is a lupus-like syndrome caused by certain medications. Unlike SLE, DILE typically resolves upon discontinuation of the offending medication
Neonatal Lupus: Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that occurs in newborn infants born to mothers with certain antibodies associated with lupus, such as anti-Ro (SSA) and anti-La (SSB) antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus.
Diagnosing lupus
Diagnosing lupus can be challenging because it can mimic other diseases and its symptoms can vary widely among individuals. There is no single test that can definitively diagnose lupus, so healthcare providers rely on a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and sometimes, biopsies to make a diagnosis. Here are the key steps involved in diagnosing lupus:
Clinical Evaluation: The healthcare provider will conduct a thorough medical history and physical examination to assess for signs and symptoms of lupus. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, fever, and involvement of other organs such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
Diagnostic Criteria: Diagnosis of lupus is based on established criteria developed by organizations such as the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC). These criteria help healthcare providers evaluate the presence and severity of lupus-related symptoms and determine if a person meets the criteria for a lupus diagnosis.
Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be recommended to obtain a tissue sample for further evaluation. Common biopsy sites include the skin, kidneys, or other affected organs. A biopsy can help confirm the presence of inflammation, tissue damage, or specific changes characteristic of lupus.
Specialized Consultations: Depending on the specific symptoms and organ involvement, individuals with suspected lupus may be referred to specialists such as rheumatologists, dermatologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, or other healthcare providers for further evaluation and management.
Feeling unwell?
Assess your symptoms online with our free symptom checker.