Systemic lupus erythematosus Dr Rob Hicks Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease often simply known as lupus.

In this article

What is SLE? Symptoms

Causes and risk factors Treatment and recovery

Advice and support

SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissues of the skin and various parts of the body.

There is also a simple form called discoid lupus which just affects the skin.

There are many possible symptoms. These may be mild or severe, with flare-ups occurring intermittently.

SLE often begins with a skin rash over the nose and cheeks that is shaped like a butterfly and made worse by exposure to the sun. This may be accompanied by tiredness and joint pains.

Other symptoms may include:

• Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein after a blood clot forms)
• Hair loss
• Painless mouth ulcers
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Anaemia
• Fits
• High blood pressure
• Pleurisy
• Pericarditis
• Kidney disease

SLE is an autoimmune disease where the body turns upon itself, seeing its own cells as foreign matter to be destroyed, causing the tissues to become inflamed and swollen.

It isn't contagious. The precise cause is unknown, although it may be triggered by hormones, infections, sunlight or stress.

There are an estimated 50,000 people with SLE in the UK. Women are nine times more likely to be affected than men. SLE commonly starts in the teens and 20s.

People of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origin are more likely to develop SLE than Caucasians.

There's no cure for SLE. Anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants may be used to relieve symptoms and control the disease, while physiotherapy can help to relieve joint problems.

Sun exposure should be avoided and infections treated promptly.

Lupus UK

Email: headoffice@lupusuk.org.uk
Website: www.lupusuk.org.uk

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in August 2009.