Introduction Infections represent a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inherent dysfunction in innate and adaptive immune responses as well as chronic immunosuppressive treatment begets vulnerability to acute and chronic infections. Patients with…
Introduction Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are protean ( Table 46.1 ). Clinical features are noncharacteristic and must be distinguished from infective, thrombotic, therapy-related, and nonSLE causes. Appropriate imaging investigations, endoscopic procedures, and biopsies are indicated. Early recognition…
Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that can affect virtually every organ of the body, including the lung. Depending on the sensitivity of the tools used to detect disease and the populations studied, the incidence of pulmonary…
Burden of cardiovascular disease in lupus Despite therapeutic advances, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, lupus). Although a nationwide population-based study from 1968–2013 found improving mortality in SLE, with a…
Introduction The kidney, an “innocent bystander” in the pathogenesis of SLE, nevertheless bears the brunt of the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Indeed the majority of patients with lupus eventually develop some degree of renal involvement, which in some…
Introduction Kidney disease is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is most often due to lupus nephritis (LN). LN is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients and is associated with poorer…
Epidemiology Cutaneous manifestations occur in approximately 75% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during the course of the disease and are the first sign in about 25% of patients. Epidemiological data of the different subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus…
Along with cutaneous disease, musculoskeletal manifestations predominate in SLE with large series observing more than a 90% cumulative involvement, whereas some musculoskeletal complications, such as myositis and arthritis, reflect disease activity, others, such as osteonecrosis and osteoporosis, are typically adverse…
Introduction Constitutional symptoms are very common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but are rather nonspecific; therefore, they are not taken into account in the classification criteria for SLE. Fatigue is the most common constitutional symptom associated with SLE, affecting up…
The brain and nervous system are important targets of immunological injury in people with systemic lupus erythematosus. The nature of this brain injury is complex and all levels of the neuroaxis can be affected, including the brain parenchyma, spinal cord,…