SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

What is it?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Discoid Lupus are diseases of the immune system, the system that prevents and fights infection.

In lupus the immune system becomes unbalanced, resulting in the body reacting against healthy tissue, This is why the symptoms of lupus can vary so much, Occasionally the disease is caused by using certain drugs; this is known as drug-induced lupus.

The two forms of lupus are quite different. However, people with systemic lupus can have the same type of skin rashes that occur in the discoid form.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is classified as a rheumatic disease. It can cause inflammation in the joints and several of the body's organ systems (e.g. the skin, the kidneys, and various other internal organs), hence the term systemic. The term "lupus erythematosus" refers to the red rash on the face.

Discoid Lupus affects the skin and is a relatively mild disease. Sometimes it is treated by a rheumatologist (a specialist in arthritis and rheumatic disease) but more commonly by a dermatologist (a specialist in skin disorders).

Who gets it?

25 years or so ago the diagnosis was always thought to imply a grave outlook, because only those with the most severe disease were recognised. The situation is very different now. Doctors are now well aware of the condition and realise that it is often mild. Treatment has also improved greatly.

Discoid lupus is more common than SLE, and is twice as common in women as in men, whereas SLE is nine to ten times more common in women than in men. A study conducted in Nottingham in 1989 and 1990 showed that the prevalence was 45.4 per 100,000 among women and 3.7 per 100,000 among men. SLE was also found to be more prevalent among Afro-Caribbean groups. In one American study, the prevalence was 1 in 700 among white women between the ages of 15 and 64. The prevalence among black women was 1 in 245.

The causes of SLE are unknown, although recent research indicates the involvement of a weak genetic influence. As lupus is predominantly a disease of females a hormonal imbalance is also a possibility.

The initial diagnosis of SLE is commonest among women of childbearing age. It is not uncommon for a young woman diagnosed in her 20s to recall having had symptoms in childhood. Occasionally lupus is diagnosed in puberty. When it is diagnosed before puberty, boys and girls are equally affected. With the onset of adolescence, it is more prevalent among girls. Lupus can also be seen in women after the menopause but this is rare.

It also appears that people with lupus can have periods of remission and flare-up in rather a similar way to rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms?

Lupus can present itself in very different ways from person to person. About 80 per cent of people develop joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, fatigue, and a general feeling of being unwell.

During a lupus flare-up the commonest complaints are of flu-like symptoms (with or without fever), fatigue, muscle and joint pains. Often symptoms are reported to be worse before a menstrual period and are often wrongly attributed to premenstrual tension.

• Arthritis -The pain and inflammation of the joints occurring in SLE differs from that in rheumatoid arthritis; although the arthritis can be very troublesome, the joints are rarely damaged, making SLE a less severe disease in this respect than rheumatoid arthritis; the pain and discomfort can seem to flit from one joint to another; the joints most commonly affected are the hands, feet and knees, but it can occur anywhere; inflammation of the tendons and muscles can also occur

• Fatigue - People often report this as being the most disabling feature of SLE; fatigue is not visible and people can have great difficulty in explaining to others how exhausted they can feel; at first, most people find it difficult to accept the need for extra rest; however, this is an essential part of managing the disease and there is no need to feel guilty about it; have realistic expectations about how much you can do and avoid "overdoing" it even if you feel energetic

• Skin rashes - Skin rashes are common and almost any form can occur; people with SLE often develop facial rashes; these can vary from a mild redness on both cheeks to a more pronounced scaly rash; the famous butterfly rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks is seen only rarely; the skin rashes can occur on any part of the body, often on the areas exposed to sunlight; they usually clear-up spontaneously but in some people the rashes can be very troublesome; sometimes ulcers occur in the mouth and in the nose; mild facial rashes can make you appear in excellent health although your skin is sore; people will say "but you look so well!"; having an invisible illness can be very trying

• Sun sensitivity - Many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation; if you are affected in this way, you may find that the prolonged exposure to sunlight makes your arthritis worse or gives you various rashes; you should avoid sunbathing during the times when the sun is at its most intense, i.e. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; it will be helpful to use a high factor sunscreen at all times, even in winter as ultraviolet rays penetrate through cloud

• Light sensitivity - Fluorescent lighting emits more ultra-violet light than normal light bulbs; if you are light-sensitive a simple, inexpensive, plastic filter that can be wrapped round the tube and secured with a piece of tape is readily available; these can be very important in the workplace; an employer should be able to get these paid for by the Disablement Advisory Service

• Hair loss - Some people experience varying degrees of hair loss; although this can be very distressing it is almost always temporary; only in the rare instances when the hair follicles are scarred is the hair loss permanent

• Kidneys - Kidney involvement was thought to occur in 20-40 per cent of people with lupus and often caused them much anxiety; however, now that mild lupus is recognised, doctors realise this figure is overestimated and that kidney involvement is rare in mild disease; your urine may be tested at each visit to the clinic as a matter of routine to check your kidneys; with early detection, kidney involvement can be monitored and treated successfully if the need arises; the old anxiety that with every flare-up the kidneys will be further damaged is not well founded

• Depression - People with lupus may experience occasional periods of depression; some experience depression as a reaction to long-term illness, for others it can be a result of the disease itself attacking the nervous system; depression often strikes during a flare-up; however, in either case, these periods can pass without requiring special additional treatment

• Other symptoms - People with lupus can also have a variety of other symptoms including high temperature, blood disorders, miscarriage, headaches, weight loss, chest pain and abdominal pain; however it is important to remember that the symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.

What tests will the Doctor want to do?

SLE is not a diagnosis based on the results of blood tests alone. The most commonly used test is the Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) test. However, although this test is positive in over 90 per cent of people with SLE it can also be present in other rheumatic conditions and sometimes in healthy individuals. So, before a definite diagnosis is made the individual's whole health picture and symptoms should be taken into consideration.

Other blood tests, X-rays, or perhaps a skin or kidney biopsy may be taken to aid diagnosis.

What is the treatment?

Eighty per cent of people with SLE have it in a mild form that may not require treatment. For those who do, anti-inflammatory tablets are often given to minimise joint pain and inflammation. If the associated inflammation is more severe, steroids can be used until the symptoms are under control. The drug may then be discontinued or reduced to a low "maintenance dose".

It is recommended that people taking steroids always carry a steroid card. In the event of an accident or sudden illness it is important that doctors know you are taking steroids, as the dose may need to be increased. These cards are available from your pharmacist or GP.

For those with a combination of joint and skin problems the anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have proved useful. If these are recommended then an eye test is usually done before treatment commences. This may then be repeated once or twice a year as the drug can accumulate in the eye. If accumulation is detected on eye examination the drug will be stopped.

Other drugs called immuno-suppressives (including azathioprine and cyclophosphamide) may be used to treat diseases affecting the major organ systems and to reduce the amount of steroids required. If you are taking this combination of drug therapy you will have regular safety screening tests, e.g. blood tests.

Will I need regular check-ups?

Regular medical care is essential and it is important to follow your doctor's instructions and not to stop taking your medication without consulting the clinic. In coping with lupus a combination of rest and exercise is essential. Physiotherapy is often recommended to maintain joint mobility and muscle strength.