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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is considered one of many immune system disorders(5). SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects many parts of the body through an autoimmune process(2). A natural immune system creates antibodies to fight antigens which are harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria. Whereas in SLE, the immune system does not differentiate between the natural tissues of the body and the foreign particles(5)(6). Auto-antibodies are produced that mistakenly attack the immune system itself and cause inflammation and damage to various body tissues(6)(7). The disease course is marked by remissions and relapses and may vary from mild to severe. Just like many immune system disorders, …show more content…
It can affect many part of the body and show a wide spectrum of non-specific cause symptoms(5). Lungs, heart, kidney, skin, brain, joints, and blood vessels can all be affected by SLE(5). People with SLE have flares of disease followed by remission periods which means symptoms vary from mild to life threatening symptoms(2)(4)(5). According to a study of SLE patients in 7 European countries over a 10 year period (1990-2000), the most common SLE symptoms were arthritis (48.1%), malar rash (31.1%), active nephropathy (27.9%), neurologic involvement (14.9), fever (16.6%), Raynaud phenomenon (16.3%), serositis (16.0%), thrombocytopenia (13.4%), and thrombosis (9.2%)(1). Moreover, SLE patients may have different symptoms such as muscle pain, swollen joints, bone density reduction, and blood …show more content…
Almost 75% to 80% of SLE patients will develop some forms of skin abnormalities called cutaneous lupus erythematosus at some point during the course of their disease(2)(4). Chronic cutaneous (discoid lupus) , subacute cutaneous lupus erythematous (SCLE), and acute cutaneous lupus erythematous (ACLE) are the three types of lupus cutaneous(4)(6)(7). However, ACLE is the most common type of cutaneous lupus. ACLE is also known as "butterfly rash", and it affects the sun-exposed parts of the body such as arms, legs, and neck(4). The main form of ACLE is characterized by erythema in a malar distribution over the cheeks and bridge of the nose known as a butterfly(4)(6). Moreover, ACLE usually affects the active lupus

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