Is systemic lupus erythematosus serious?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

Firstly, whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is severe cannot be generalized. It is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured and can cause damage to multiple systems and organs, leading to serious complications. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a clinical analysis and assess the severity of the condition as mild, moderate, or severe after diagnosis. Furthermore, if severe anemia or a decrease in platelets occurs, the condition is relatively severe, and the presence of oliguria or anuria or central nervous system damage, this is known as lupus crisis. These conditions can be life-threatening, even leading to death. In such cases, the condition is relatively critical, and it is essential to actively treat and control the condition. Once the condition stabilizes, the medication dosage should be gradually reduced to maintain stability.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) kidney is a chronic autoimmune disease with multi-organ damage that occurs systemically. This disease is common in women of childbearing age and is most frequently characterized by facial rashes. It can also present with fever, hair loss, and even edema of both lower limbs and hypoalbuminemia. As an autoimmune disease, it cannot be cured and can only be managed with medications. Treatment aims to stabilize the condition and gradually reduce the medication dosage to the minimum necessary to maintain the condition and prevent it from becoming active, thus delaying damage to other organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus involves multiple systems, with the kidneys being the most susceptible, requiring formal medical treatment to prevent complications in the organs.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Systemic lupus erythematosus is not contagious.

Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with an unclear cause. It can affect multiple organs including the heart, lungs, and kidneys. It is classified as an autoimmune disease and not a contagious one, so there is no need to worry about it spreading. However, this condition does have a certain genetic predisposition. For instance, if parents have systemic lupus erythematosus, then their offspring have a relatively higher chance of developing the condition compared to families without a history of the disease. Being an autoimmune disease, it cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications such as corticosteroids to control the progression of the disease. Therefore, during the course of steroid treatment, it is vital to prevent infections. Finally, it is important to emphasize once again that systemic lupus erythematosus is not contagious and does not pose a risk of transmission, so everyone can be reassured.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
54sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease causing multi-system damage, with clinical presentations that vary greatly between individuals. Most cases begin gradually, but some can onset abruptly, meaning severe complications that can threaten life can emerge within weeks or days. Early symptoms are often atypical. During active phases, most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus experience varying degrees of low-grade fever, with low to moderate fevers being most common. The primary manifestations include erythema of the skin and mucous membranes, and some individuals may experience photosensitivity, which results in a facial rash after exposure to sunlight. This is one of the most common clinical presentations.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus recurrence

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease primarily characterized by multi-system damage and damage to multiple organs, and it is a chronic disease, meaning it cannot be cured but only controlled through medication to manage the symptoms, prevent relapses, and delay complications. Exposure to cold, fatigue, or prolonged ultraviolet radiation can trigger a relapse of the disease. The clinical manifestations of a relapse may include an increase in skin rashes compared to before, or the emergence of low-grade fever and fatigue, or joint pain, which should be taken as warning signs. Moreover, some individuals may experience severe swelling of both lower limbs, a clinical indication. Key diagnostic indicators in clinical examinations include the titers of autoimmune antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and the levels of complement C3 and C4, which are used to comprehensively determine whether the disease has relapsed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 5sec home-news-image

How to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that commonly occurs in women of childbearing age. It is an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications to alleviate symptoms, delay complications, and control the progression of the disease. Once diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, it is necessary to score the disease activity to assess whether other organs are involved. The treatment of this disease primarily involves the use of corticosteroids, which should be calculated based on body weight. Initially, an adequate dose of corticosteroids should be administered. After stabilizing the disease for a month, the dosage should be reduced weekly. During the medication period, it is necessary to regularly monitor blood routine, liver and kidney function, complement levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)