Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Essay

Submitted By tersot1018
Words: 1302
Pages: 6
Open Document


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h eRWz1Qmu4Q 

Listen to his words and accent



Chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect literally any body system



Rarely presents the same in any two lupus patients



Disruption in apoptosis

›

Immune system generates auto-antibodies
Antibodies clump together and can latch on to any body system. Attacking cells DNA surrounding the antibody. No known cause
 No know treatment to cure the disease


› Treatment is aimed at

reducing symptoms and balancing the body’s immune system to a functional level
› Genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and other environmental factors associated with SLE






250,000 Americans diagnosed with definite
SLE (NADWG).
90% in women of childbearing age
Incidence of SLE in black women 4x higher than that in white women

D.W. Is a 25-year-old married woman with three children under 5 years old. She came to her physician 7 months ago with vague complaints of intermittent fatigue, joint pain, low-grade fever, and unintentional weight loss. Her physician noted small, patchy areas of vitiligo and scaly rash across her nose, cheeks, back, and chest.



Positive antinuclear antibody(ANA) titer



Positive dsDNA(positive lupus erythematosus) 

Positive anti-Sm(anti-smooth muscle antibody)



Elevated C-reactive protein(CRP) 

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)



Decreased C3 and C4 serum complement Joint x-ray films demonstrated joint swelling without joint erosion. D.W was subsequently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
She was initially treated with hydroxychloroquine
(Plaquenil) 400mg and Deltason (Prednisone) 20mg PO qdaily, bed rest, and ice packs.
› D.W responded well to treatment, the steroid was tapered and discontinued, and she was told she could report for follow-up every 6months, unless her symptoms became acute. D.W. Resumed her job in environmental services at a large geriatric facility.



Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer:
› Auto-antibodies are in the immune system



Positive dsDNA (positive lupus erythematosus): › Auto-antibodies that target DNA
› Highly specific



Positive anti-SM (smooth muscle antibody): › Presence of antibodies against smooth

muscle



Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
› Measure of inflammation in the body



Decreased C3 and C4 serum complement › Shows impending or current “flare” of

lupus symptoms



11 criteria for SLE
› Established by

the American
Rheumatism
Association
› If individual display 4 or more of these criteria,
SLE diagnosis is highly suggested.



Known as a “butterfly” rash
› D.W. displays scaly rash over cheeks, nose,

back and chest.





Discoid skin rash
Photosensitivity
Two or more swollen/tender joints
› Shown both subjectively

and objectively



Brain irritation
› Seizures or psychosis (lupus

cerebritis)




Mucous membrane ulcers
Pleuritis or pericarditis




Low blood counts
Kidney abnormalities
› Proteinuria



Tests:
› dsDNA, anti-Sm, ANA
› ESR and CRP







Coping and understanding of dx
Monitor pain and temp
Medication
administration and understanding Ways to live a normal and safe life dx. w/ SLE

Eighteen months after diagnosis, D.W. Seeks out her physician because of puffy hands and feet and increased fatigue. D.W.
Reports that she has been working longer hours because of the absence of two of her fellow workers.



Laboratory Test Results (8 months after dx):
Sodium

129mmol/L

Norm =135-145

Potassium

4.2mmol/L

Norm=3.5-5.2

Chloride

119mmol/L

Norm=96-106

Total CO2

21mmol/L

Norm=20-29

BUN

34mg/dL

Norm=8-20

Creatinine

2.6mg/dL

Norm=0.6-1.1

Glucose

123mg/dL

<140

Urinalysis

2+ protein
1+ RBCs





Elevated BUN and Creatinine
Proteinuria
and hematuria
Slightly
elevated sodium and chloride 





Stabilize labs
Decrease swelling and fatigue Medication adjustment
Promote kidney function
Decrease risk of infection

6) The physician
Show More

Related Documents: Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Essay

Essay about Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and B .Costs Lupus

Lupus By Vana Meadows Ms.Pangle English III February 9, 2012 Outline Thesis: Although lupus can be very devastating, knowledge of causes, symptoms, diagnosiss, and treatments can greatly affect the patient and those close to the patient. I. Excerpt II. Description III. Causes A. Genes B. Environment IV. Symptoms V. Diagnosis A. ANA tests B. Anti-DNA antibody tests VI. Treatments A. Medications B. Costs Lupus “…only 10 percent of lupus patients…

Words 1090 - Pages 5

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

own tissues. When a person has an immune deficiency it lowers the body’s capability to fight against infections. Instead of the immune system creating antibodies that fight against infections, they attack the body’s own healthy tissues. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Pathophysiology SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect people of all ages and all different ethnic groups. About 90% of affected cases are women. Heredity plays a huge role in SLE development. There are deformities…

Words 611 - Pages 3

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Studies

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune disease that cause inflammation in connective tissues, such as cartilage and the lining of blood vessels, which provide strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body. Lupus is a Latin word for wolf as in the 18th century it was thought to be caused by a wolf’s bite. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system in which the body’s immune system mistakenly…

Words 522 - Pages 3

Lupus Erythematosus Essay examples

Running head: SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Type III Hypersensitivity There are three types of lupus; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Coetaneous (skin) Lupus, and Drug – Induced Lupus. Out of these three, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the most serious form of lupus and one of the classic examples of autoimmune diseases among human beings. This means, there is a problem with the body’s normal immune system response. The basic cause of autoimmune diseases…

Words 1003 - Pages 5

Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper

Boucher Health and Human Diseases Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Description Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, otherwise known as SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that has variable signs and follows a worsening and remitting course. This disease occurs in the internal organ system and more then 90 percent of cases transpire in women. It is the most common type of lupus disorder and most people state that they have Lupus when referring to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Etiology SLE is said to have…

Words 636 - Pages 3

How Does Lupus Affect Women

The Impact of Lupus on Women Sophia A. Holz Blue Valley High School Honors Biology Mrs. Pickert March 29, 2024. Abstract Lupus has a large impact on women in the United States. Lupus is an auto-immune disease where a person with lupus’s immune system attacks itself to a point where their immune system is weakened. The main symptoms of lupus include butterfly rash, fatigue, random fever, and any type of stomach pain. Women are the most affected by lupus. This may be because of the connection…

Words 2214 - Pages 9

Lupus Research Paper

LUPUS An autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own healthy cells, lupus has no known origin. While its symptoms are primarily recognizable, they can often mimic other diseases, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis. Joint pain, poor circulation and a telltale rash are just three of myriad symptoms indicative of lupus, a disease that inevitably impacts major organs by way of compromising the body's defenses, as well as through invasive steroid treatment that weakens bones. Lupus…

Words 988 - Pages 4

Systematic Lupus Essay

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus also known as SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, tissue, and organs. SLE is a capricious disease that doesn’t take any one particular course, therefore its very unpredictable. No two people will experience the same disease symptoms or severity level. As SLE progresses there will be periods of very subtle to no symptoms called flares. Normally the body is protected by the immune system. When the…

Words 346 - Pages 2

SLE Research Paper

Causes of SLE The exact cause of lupus SLE is unknown but there are a few factors that can help determine the causes. Genetics The disease is not linked to a certain gene, but people with SLE usually have family members with other autoimmune conditions. SLE and other autoimmune disorders usually run in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown. People can inherit a gene variation that may increase or decrease the risk of SLE, but in most cases they dont inherit the condition itself. In rare…

Words 895 - Pages 4

Lupus Essay example

Me’Gan Caesar December 3, 2010 Annotated Bibliography Lupus Erythematosus Szuda, Stephanie “Health: Life with Lupus.” The Times. 11 Jan 2008. 19 Nov 2010. <Mywebtimes.com> Summary: The story is about a 25 year old guy name Jason Holland. Jason is living with Lupus Erythematosus. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease. He has internal and external lupus that affects his internal organs and skin. He takes 15 pills a day just to make it through the day. He goes to the…

Words 1137 - Pages 5