Question

47 year old white female homemaker with 2 children and an 18 year old medical history of systemic lupus erythematosus. No known allergies. takes occasional naproxen for joint pain and antacid for heartburn but no other OTC or prescription medication. she doesn't smoke or drink alcohol. except lupus, the patients medical history is unremarkable. what is the relevance of this imformation to her disease?

Answer 1

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): It is an autoimmune disease characterized by the abnormal inflammatory responses towards the body’s own cells. This is a systemic condition characterized by fever, weakness, arthritis, skin rashes, pleurisy, and kidney dysfunction.

In the given case, the women are closer to menarche, and the alteration in the estrogen levels that occur at this stage favor the development of SLE symptoms. Having SLE in the family members increase the risk of developing SLE, so her children are an increased risk of developing SLE. Most of the patients with SLE have arthralgias/arthritis. The disease activity and the co-morbid conditions such as the osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases must be isolated.