by EBSCO Medical Review Board

SLE is a problem with the immune system. It causes swelling and pain in tissue. This can cause tiredness, muscle pain, skin rashes, and fever. Over time, the swelling can cause harm to tissue and organs. The sooner this problem is found and treated, the better it can be handled.

There are many types of lupus. They are based on parts of the body. SLE is the most common type. It can cause problems in all tissue in the body. Other types are:

  • Discoid lupus erythematosus—causes lasting skin rashes, such as on the face and scalp
  • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus—nonscarring rashes on the skin after being in the sun
  • Drug-induced lupus—caused by drugs, such as those to treat high blood pressure , thyroid problems, or infections
  • Neonatal lupus—rare, but may be caused by a problem in the mother's blood
Parts of the Immune System
IMAGE
Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Causes

Antibodies are made by the immune system. They help find and attack problems in the body, such as bacteria and viruses. These antibodies can attack healthy tissue if the system is not working right. They are called autoantibodies. The body reacts to the attack with swelling. Over time, this causes the growth of blood vessels in that part of the body. The autoantibodies can then pass into the bloodstream through these new vessels. They can travel and harm organs such as the kidneys, lungs, or heart.

Antibody
IMAGE
Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

It is not known why this happens. It is believed to be a mix of:

  • Genes—faulty ones may tell the immune system to attack healthy tissue
  • Environmental causes, such as chemicals—may cause a gene flaw and cause changes in the system
What are the risk factors for SLE?What are the symptoms of SLE?How is SLE diagnosed?What are the treatments for SLE?Are there screening tests for SLE?How can I reduce my risk of SLE?What questions should I ask my doctor?Where can I get more information about SLE?

References

Lupus. American College of Rheumatology website. Available at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.

Lupus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/autoimmune-rheumatic-disorders/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle. Accessed March 22, 2022.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle-in-adults. Accessed March 22, 2022.

What causes lupus? Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at: https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-causes-lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.

What is lupus? Lupus Foundation of America website. Available at: https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-is-lupus. Accessed March 22, 2022.

Revision Information