SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND SKIN/JOINT INVOLVEMENT: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aims to scan the current medical literature on systemic lupus erythematosus and skin/joint involvement. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an inflammatory, chronic and multisystemic disorder, with a probable autoimmune etiology that occurs predominantly in young women. Common manifestations are arthralgia and arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, malar rash and other rashes, pleuritis or pericarditis, renal or central nervous system involvement, and autoimmune cytopenia. Diagnosis requires clinical and serological criteria. Treatment of severe, active and ongoing disease requires corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more common and serious among black and Asian patients than among white patients. It can affect patients of any age, including newborns. In some countries, the prevalence of SLE rivals that of rheumatoid arthritis. SLE is probably precipitated by still unknown environmental triggers, which produce autoimmune reactions in genetically predisposed people.