Lupus

Lupus, formally called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an <a href="/facts/Autoimmune_disease/sojBeQ7t">autoimmune disease</a> in which the body's <a href="/facts/Immune_system/HRCTf1pb">immune system</a> mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Common symptoms include <a href="/facts/Arthritis/IQ1wyf21">painful and swollen joints</a>, <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">fever</a>, <a href="/facts/Chest_pain/QFUzPBsT">chest pain</a>, <a href="/facts/Hair_loss/uEPKUafl">hair loss</a>, <a href="/facts/Mouth_ulcer/TSQ0UCqS">mouth ulcers</a>, <a href="/facts/Lymphadenopathy/t7t4tEon">swollen lymph nodes</a>, <a href="/facts/Fatigue/C2oo4Hvg">feeling tired</a>, and a red <a href="/facts/Rash/W97qGpq6">rash</a> which is most commonly on the face. Often there are periods of illness, called <a href="/facts/Flare-up/55eeQlGL">flares</a>, and periods of <a href="/facts/Remission_(medicine)/8HuMct73">remission</a> during which there are few symptoms. Children up to 18 years old develop a more severe form of SLE termed <a href="/facts/Childhood-onset_systemic_lupus_erythematosus/qahJqpVw">childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus</a>.
The cause of SLE is not clear. It is thought to involve a combination of <a href="/facts/Heredity/t0aMmRWx">genetics</a> and <a href="/facts/Environmental_factor/T6FvWue8">environmental factors</a>. Among <a href="/facts/Twin_study/J1ykuTtW">identical twins</a>, if one is affected there is a 24% chance the other one will also develop the disease. <a href="/facts/Female/hk4wM9y1">Female</a> <a href="/facts/Sex_hormone/mI6bkHII">sex hormones</a>, sunlight, smoking, <a href="/facts/Vitamin_D_deficiency/lWMkWjEm">vitamin D deficiency</a>, and certain infections are also believed to increase a person's risk. The mechanism involves an immune response by <a href="/facts/Autoantibody/gkMT0XyQ">autoantibodies</a> against a person's own tissues. These are most commonly <a href="/facts/Antinuclear_antibody/rKxKt85z">anti-nuclear antibodies</a> and they result in <a href="/facts/Inflammation/Ura86MIy">inflammation</a>. Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests. There are a number of other kinds of <a href="/facts/Lupus_erythematosus/MrAollWP">lupus erythematosus</a> including <a href="/facts/Discoid_lupus_erythematosus/TP0dup6r">discoid lupus erythematosus</a>, <a href="/facts/Neonatal_lupus/NT0S2k3p">neonatal lupus</a>, and <a href="/facts/Subacute_cutaneous_lupus_erythematosus/8halJ1oH">subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus</a>.
There is no cure for SLE, but there are experimental and symptomatic treatments. Treatments may include <a href="/facts/NSAID/coIkzl4s">NSAIDs</a>, <a href="/facts/Corticosteroid/jeL2QeIL">corticosteroids</a>, <a href="/facts/Immunosuppressive_drug/ctlB3Hda">immunosuppressants</a>, <a href="/facts/Hydroxychloroquine/cQkRhGIs">hydroxychloroquine</a>, and <a href="/facts/Methotrexate/LoDvhRKX">methotrexate</a>. Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects. <a href="/facts/Alternative_medicine/XwFG5qtK">Alternative medicine</a> has not been shown to affect the disease. Men have higher mortality. SLE significantly increases the risk of <a href="/facts/Cardiovascular_disease/HD420nMv">cardiovascular disease</a>, with this being the most common cause of death. While women with lupus have higher-risk pregnancies, most are successful.
Rate of SLE varies between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000. Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men. While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45, a wide range of ages can be affected. Those of <a href="/facts/African_people/fLz5xGc5">African</a>, <a href="/facts/Caribbean/zRI9aMCh">Caribbean</a>, and <a href="/facts/Chinese_people/Ft6TzPzd">Chinese</a> descent are at higher risk than those of <a href="/facts/European_descent/DTcnHeMU">European descent</a>. Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear. Lupus is Latin for 'wolf': the disease was so-named in the 13th century as the rash was thought to appear like a wolf's bite.

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Lupus