Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes systemic, or widespread, inflammation. The disease can affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels, as well as multiple organ systems. The exact causes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain unclear. However, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disease.

SLE is a unique type of lupus because it causes widespread inflammation that can involve multiple tissues and organ systems. SLE is also the most common type of lupus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that SLE affects between 322,000 and 1.5 million people in the United States. It is difficult to know exactly how many people have SLE because its symptoms are similar to those of other health conditions.

SLE symptoms can come and go in flares. A lupus flare refers to a period during which the disease is actively producing symptoms. A person with lupus enters remission once their symptoms go away.

The severity of SLE flares can range from mild to severe. People may also experience symptoms that affect their kidneys, lungs, heart, or brain. SLE can affect nearly every organ in the body, so symptoms may vary widely from person to person.

People who have SLE may experience a range of symptoms, such as:

• Skin problems, including rashes and tiny red spots
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Painful or swollen joints
• Weight loss
• Sun sensitivity
• Mouth ulcers

Between one-third and one-half of people living with lupus experience inflammation that affects their kidneys, resulting in a condition called lupus nephritis. Without treatment, lupus nephritis can progress to end-stage renal disease, which is a life-threatening condition.

Lupus nephritis causes the following symptoms:

• Painful or swollen joints
• Muscle pain
• Fever
• A butterfly-shaped rash on the face

SLE can affect the heart, leading to inflamed tissue around this organ and abnormal heart valves, among other issues. Atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease, is more common among people with SLE than among those who do not have this condition.

Editorial Team
Journal of Lupus: Open Access
ISSN: 2684-1630
London, United Kingdom.
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