lupus erythematosus (redirected from Lupus erythematosus, systemic)

lupus /lu·pus/ (loo´pus) any of a group of skin diseases in which the lesions are characteristically eroded.

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chilblain lupus erythematosus  a form due to cold-induced microvascular injury, aggravated by cold; the lesions initially resemble chilblains but eventually assume the form of discoid lupus erythematosus.

cutaneous lupus erythematosus  one of the two main forms of lupus erythematosus, in which the skin may be either the only or the first organ or system involved. It may be chronic (discoid l. erythematosus), subacute (systemic l. erythematosus), or acute (characterized by an acute, edematous, erythematous eruption).

discoid lupus erythematosus  (DLE) a chronic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus marked by red macules covered with scanty adherent scales that fall off and leave scars; lesions typically form a butterfly pattern over the bridge of the nose and cheeks, but other areas may be involved.

drug-induced lupus  a syndrome closely resembling systemic lupus erythematosus, precipitated by prolonged use of certain drugs, most commonly hydralazine, isoniazid, various anticonvulsants, and procainamide.

lupus erythemato´sus  (LE) a group of chronic connective tissue diseases manifested in two main types: cutaneous l. erythematosus and systemic l. erythematosus.

lupus erythemato´sus profun´dus  a form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in which deep brawny indurations or subcutaneous nodules occur under normal or, less often, involved skin; the overlying skin may be erythematous, atrophic, and ulcerated and on healing may leave a depressed scar.

lupus erythemato´sus tu´midus  a variant of discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus in which the lesions are raised reddish purple or brown plaques.

hypertrophic lupus erythematosus  a form of discoid lupus erythematosus characterized by verrucous hyperkeratotic lesions.

lupus hypertro´phicus 

1. a variant of lupus vulgaris in which the lesions consist of a warty vegetative growth, often crusted or slightly exudative, usually occurring on moist areas near body orifices.

2. hypertrophic l. erythematosus.

lupus milia´ris dissemina´tus fa´ciei  a form marked by multiple, discrete, superficial nodules on the face, particularly on the eyelids, upper lip, chin, and nares.

neonatal lupus  a rash resembling discoid lupus erythematosus, sometimes with systemic abnormalities such as heart block or hepatosplenomegaly, in infants of mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus; it is usually benign and self-limited.

lupus per´nio 

1. a cutaneous manifestation of sarcoidosis consisting of violaceous smooth shiny plaques on the ears, forehead, nose, and digits, frequently associated with bone cysts.

2. chilblain l. erythematosus.

systemic lupus erythematosus  (SLE) a chronic generalized connective tissue disorder, ranging from mild to fulminating, marked by skin eruptions, arthralgia, arthritis, leukopenia, anemia, visceral lesions, neurologic manifestations, lymphadenopathy, fever, and other constitutional symptoms. Typically, there are many abnormal immunologic phenomena, including hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia, deposition of antigen-antibody complexes, and the presence of antinuclear antibodies and LE cells.

lupus vulga´ris  the most common and severe form of tuberculosis of the skin, most often affecting the face, with formation of red-brown patches of nodules in the dermis that progressively spread peripherally with central atrophy, causing ulceration and scarring and destruction of cartilage in involved sites.

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lupus er·y·the·ma·to·sus (r-thm-tss, -thm-)

n.

1. Abbr. LE A chronic disease of unknown origin characterized by red, scaly lesions or patches on the face and upper portion of the trunk.

2. Systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Lupus erythematosus

A chronic inflammatory disease in which inappropriate immune system reactions cause abnormalities in the blood vessels and connective tissue.

Mentioned in: Abortion, Therapeutic, Alopecia, Diuretics, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

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lupus erythematosus.

See systemic lupus erythematosus.

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lupus [loo´pus]

a name originally given to a destructive type of skin lesion, implying a local degeneration rather than systemic involvement. Although the term is frequently used alone to designate lupus vulgaris and sometimes lupus erythematosus, without a modifier it has no meaning. The Latin word lupus means wolf; erythematosus refers to redness. The name lupus erythematosus has been used since the 13th century because physicians thought the shape and color of the skin lesions resembled the bite of a wolf. Currently, there are at least two recognized manifestations of the disease: discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus.

chilblain lupus erythematosus a form of discoid lupus erythematosus aggravated by cold, initially resembling chilblains, in which the lesions consist of reddened infiltrated patches on the exposed areas of the body, especially the finger knuckles.

cutaneous lupus erythematosus one of the two main types of lupus erythematosus; it may involve only the skin or may precede involvement of other body systems. It may be chronic (discoid lupus erythematosus); subacute (systemic lupus erythematosus); or acute (characterized by an acute edematous, erythematous eruption, often with systemic exacerbations). The acute form may be the presenting symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus, such as after sun exposure.

discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) a superficial inflammation of the skin, marked by red macules up to 3 to 4 cm in width, and covered with scanty adherent scales, which extend into spreading follicles that fall off and leave scars. The lesions typically form a butterfly pattern over the bridge of the nose and cheeks, but other areas may be involved, notably the scalp and other areas that are exposed to light.

drug-induced lupus a syndrome closely resembling systemic lupus erythematosus, precipitated by prolonged use of certain drugs, most commonly hydralazine, isoniazid, various anticonvulsants, and procainamide.

lupus erythemato´sus (LE) a group of connective tissue disorders primarily affecting women aged 20 to 40, comprising a spectrum of clinical forms in which cutaneous disease may occur with or without systemic involvement.

lupus per´nio

1. soft, purplish skin lesions on the cheeks, forehead, nose, ears, and digits, frequently associated with bone cysts, which may be the first manifestation of sarcoidosis or occur in the chronic stage of the disease.

2. chilblain lupus erythematosus.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) a chronic inflammatory disease, usually febrile and characterized by injury to the skin, joints, kidneys, nervous system, and mucous membranes. It can, however, affect any organ of the body and usually has periods of remissions and exacerbations. (See plate in Dermatology Atlas.)

It was once thought that this was a fairly rare disease, but improved immunologic testing procedures have shown that it is not. It is primarily a disease of women, occurring five to ten times more often in females than in males. Although the peak incidence is between 30 and 40 years of age, the condition has also been diagnosed in the very young and the very old.

SLE is the classic prototype of autoimmune disease of connective tissue. Its etiology is unknown, but the high level of autoantibodies in persons with the condition indicates a defect in the regulatory mechanisms that sustain self-tolerance and prevent the body from attacking its own cells, cell constituents, and proteins. Patients with SLE can have a wide variety of autoantibodies against nuclear and cytoplasmic cellular components. The presence of high levels of antinuclear antibody (ANA) in SLE patients with glomerulonephritis indicates a pathogenic role for that antibody. The antibodies are directed against deoxyribonucleoprotein, DNA, histone, and a soluble non–nucleic acid molecule called Sm antigen.

Factors that appear to contribute to the development of SLE include exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation from sunlamps, a genetic predisposition to the disease, certain drugs, viral infections, and hormonal influences.

Clinical manifestations of SLE are confusingly diverse owing to the involvement of connective tissue throughout the body. Typically, the patient seeks medical help for relief of fever, weight loss, joint pain, the characteristic butterfly rash, pleural effusion and pleuritic pain, and nephritis. The detection of ANA by microscopic immunofluorescence is supportive evidence for the presence of SLE.

Either glomerulonephritis, which is usually mild, or cardiovascular manifestations such as myocarditis, endocarditis, or pericarditis, are found in about half the patients with SLE. Pulmonary disease, especially pleurisy, is also relatively common, as are gastrointestinal disturbances and lymph node involvement. Organic neurologic disturbances produce behavioral aberrations and frank psychosis in some patients; in a few others, there are peripheral neuropathies, motor weakness, and diplopia.

Supportive measures are used to prevent or minimize acute relapses and exacerbations of symptoms. The patient is instructed to avoid exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation from other sources, blood transfusions, penicillin, and the sulfonamides. Active disease is treated with topical steroids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for fever and joint pain, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. The goal of drug therapy is suppression of the immune system. Treatment of specific manifestations of SLE is aimed at prevention of complications. Physical therapy may be required to alleviate muscle weakness and prevent orthopedic deformities.

lupus vulga´ris the most common and severe form of tuberculosis of the skin, most often affecting the face, with formation of reddish brown patches of nodules in the corium, which progressively spread peripherally with central atrophy, causing ulceration and scarring and destruction of cartilage in involved sites.

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lupus (loo´pus),

n a disease of the skin and mucous membrane.

Lupus.

lupus erythematosus (systemic lupus erythematosus, disseminated lupus erythematosus),

n a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology affecting skin, joints, kidneys, nervous system, serous membranes, and often other organs of the body. The classical facial “butterfly rash” facilitates diagnosis, although the rash need not be present. Other skin areas, particularly those exposed to the sun, may be involved by a scaly lesion that is referred to as
discoid lupus erythematosus.

lupus erythematosus, discoid,

n a form in which only cutaneous lesions are present. These commonly appear on the face as atrophic plaques with erythema, hyperheratosis, follicular plugging, and telangiectasia.

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lupus erythematosus

Disseminated lupus erythematosus, lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus Rheumatology An idiopathic multisystem collagen vascular (connective tissue) disorder Epidemiology Affects ±40/105–North America, Europe, blacks/Hispanics > whites, ♀:♂ ratio = 3:1; 80% onset during childbearing yrs Clinical Vasculitis, serositis, synovitis, cerebral, renal, skin involvement Cause of death Sepsis 40%, CVS 20%, CNS 10%, 10% nephritis with possible renal failure, others 20%. See ANA-negative systemic lupus erythematosus, Anticardiolipin antibody, Antinuclear antibody, Butterfly rash.

Systemic lupus erythematosus–1982 revised criteria

1. Malar rash Fixed erythema, in particular over the malar eminences

2. Discoid rash Raised erythematous patches with adherent hyperkeratotic scaling; atrophic scarring in some old lesions

3. Photosensitivity Unusual skin rashes in response to sunlight

4. Oral ulcers Oral or nasopharyngeal ulcers

5. Arthritis Nonerosive arthritis of 2+ joints, accompanied by tenderness, swelling, or effusions

6. Serositis  

 a. Pleuritis OR

 b. Pericarditis

7. Renal disease  

 a. Persistent proteinuria > 0.5 g/day OR

 b. Cellular casts

8. Neurologic disorder  

 a. Seizures without substance use or medical disease OR

 b. Psychosis in absence of substance use or medical disease

9. Hematologic disorder  

 a. Hemolytic anemia OR

 b. Leukopenia OR

 c. Lymphocytopenia

 d. Thrombocytopenia

10. Immunologic disorder  

 a. Positive LE cell prep–this test was abandoned in the mid-1990s

 b. Anti-DNA antibody

 c. Anti-Sm antibody

 d. False positive serological test for syphilis

11 Antinuclear antibody Abnormal titers of ANA in absence of drugs known to be associated with drug-induced lupus erythematosus

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Patient discussion about lupus erythematosus.

Q. I need to do an interview with someone with knowledge on lupus for a research paper any takers? a couple of questions should do it. it doesn't have to be extensive.

A. I HAVE SLE AND A FUW MORE THANS THAT ARE KNOW TO BE KNOW TO COME FROM HAVEING SLE LUPUS I AM NOT 100% OF ALL THAT COMES WITH SLE BUT I AM WILLING TO TELL U ALL I KNOW THANK YOU

Q. Is a rash a symptom of lupus? My Sister has lupus for several years now. I recently developed a rash on my face. Is this a symptom of lupus? Could I have also been infected with this disease?

A. A rash could be a symptom of cutaneous lupus. The symptoms of cutaneous lupus may include a variety of different looking skin rashes, photosensitivity (where exposure to ultra-violet light triggers a rash), and sometimes ulcers on the inside of the nose or mouth. There are a variety of ways that cutaneous lupus rashes can appear. The distinctive rash is called the "butterfly rash," which is a rash that extends across the cheeks of the face and the bridge of the nose.

Q. Does Isoniazid cause Lupus? I work in a Hospital and have been in contact with a patient who suffers from TB (tuberculosis). I was put under surveillance and now have to take Isoniazid in order to prevent developing TB. I read that this medicine can cause Lupus. Is this true?

A. Isoniazid can cause drug-induced lupus (DIL). However, there is a difference between DIL and systemic lupus. Systemic lupus is irreversible, whereas drug-induced lupus generally is reversible when the drug is discontinued. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus generally do not include kidney involvement or central nervous system involvement.