Lupus - loo·puhs
Systemic lupus erythematosus, referred to as SLE or lupus, affects joints, tissues, and multiple organs.
Symptoms of AiArthritis Diseases Regardless of Diagnosis
Reference: Early Symptoms of AiArthritis Study, AiArthritis, 2019.
Typically the joint pain will coincide with one or more “Auto” symptoms and start and stop suddenly - for no apparent reason (which is called a "flare"). Some people will experience all of the above symptoms, others only a few. If you have any of the arthritis features, and at least one of the “Auto” features, please consult your physician about a referral to a specialist.
Symptoms Often Associated with Lupus:
What fellow patients want you to know
Lupus is most commonly found in females age 15-45 who are of African, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, or Pacific Islander decent.
Lupus can affect many organs and all the symptoms may seem random, but symptom tracking is key in order to give the rheumatologist the most information possible in order to get further testing.
Lupus patients are sensitive to the sun and it is very important to wear sunscreen and protective clothing at all times even when it's not sunny.
Lupus can also be diagnosed alongside other diseases, like Rheumatoid Arthritis (called Rhupus) and Sjogren's Disease.
Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), a potentially fatal complication, can occur in up to 5% of SLE patients. Check out our MAS Page for more information, resources, and patient stories.
There is not a single test available that will diagnose Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) alone, so rheumatologists look at a combination of physical exam, blood tests, and skin or kidney biopsies, along with a family history of autoimmune disease (any autoimmune diagnosis). They will see if the arthritis is in more than one location and if it is chronic (has lasted for more than 6 weeks continuously or has come and go during that time). The doctor will look closely at the joints to see if there is any swelling, redness, or warmth (although this isn't required for diagnosis - it is more to see the severity). Most rheumatologists today will also consider if you are feeling other common symptoms (see Common Symptoms in All AiArthritis Diseases), which can help differentiate from any other diagnosis vs. an AiArthritis disease.
SLE is one of the more difficult diseases to diagnose because no two cases are exactly alike and a lot of the symptoms are exactly like the other AiArthritis diseases. One of the unique signs of SLE is the butterfly rash on the face, but this symptom is not required for diagnosis. The symptoms may be mild or acute. The flares can come at any time or they may remain dormant. The erratic nature of this disease makes diagnosing it extremely difficult at times.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have created a table that assigns points for each test result and symptom. The rheumatologist will likely refer to this table to see if you have enough of the symptoms to diagnose SLE.
While not all of the AiArthritis diseases require positive blood findings for diagnosis (ref), abnormal blood issues often associated with lupus include:
In an effort to ensure this page has the most accurate and up-to-date information, this page is currently awaiting medical review. Some information is subject to change.
Page Last Updated: 2/1/2023
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