Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-system autoimmune disease and a chronic condition with an unclear cause, making it incurable. Treatment primarily involves medication to control the progression of the disease, prevent relapse, and delay the onset of complications in other organs. The comprehensive goal of treatment is to manage these aspects. Additionally, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided, and women should avoid oral contraceptives, as these can trigger active lupus. Furthermore, it's crucial to avoid consuming figs, bayberries, and other fruits that have been exposed to ultraviolet light over a long period, as they can also induce lupus activity.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus drink alcohol?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that cannot be cured. It can only be managed with medication to control the progression of the disease, reduce recurrence, delay complications, and decrease mortality and self-harm rates. These are the main treatment objectives. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should avoid sun exposure and, for women, the use of oral contraceptives. It is also important to avoid overwork and staying up late. Patients are generally advised to quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Therefore, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should not consume alcohol, especially during treatment, to avoid adverse reactions with medications.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Test Items

First, if there are symptoms such as facial erythema, butterfly rash, joint pain, hair loss, or even stillbirth or miscarriage, systemic lupus erythematosus should be suspected. For systemic lupus erythematosus, related medical tests are necessary, including complete blood count, urinalysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, 13 autoantibody tests, and anticardiolipin antibodies. These are the primary and most basic tests, specifically the 13 autoantibody tests. If the diagnosis is confirmed based on these tests, further assessments such as heart evaluation, chest CT need to be perfected. When necessary, 24-hour urine protein quantitation and kidney biopsy should be performed to assess the damage to the kidneys and the severity of the condition, mainly influencing the subsequent treatment plan.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that affects the entire body system, so there are generally systemic symptoms. The most common symptoms are bone and joint pain, and muscle pain. Some patients may show symptoms related to the skin and mucous membranes, mainly presenting as butterfly-shaped erythema, discoid erythema, and oral mucosal ulcers. In severe cases, patients may experience problems with the visceral system, mainly affecting the kidneys, primarily presenting as significant proteinuria in routine urine tests. Additionally, severe cases may even present with neurological and psychiatric issues, mainly exhibiting restlessness, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and various forms of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and other conditions.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
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Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus have children?

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus can have children, but only if they are taking less than one and a half steroids and less than two hydroxychloroquine tablets. Additionally, they must be closely monitored throughout the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy, and regularly consult with both obstetricians and rheumatologists to discuss any necessary adjustments in treatment. This is because pregnancy is a high-risk factor for triggering lupus activity, with the disease often relapsing during the first six weeks of pregnancy and the six weeks following childbirth. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
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Typical skin manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

The most typical skin rashes of systemic lupus erythematosus are called butterfly rash and discoid rash. The so-called butterfly rash is a rash on both sides of the nostrils, resembling the wings of a butterfly, and the so-called discoid rash is a circular, disc-shaped rash on the facial area. At the same time, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may also experience reticular purpura or vasculitic rashes like those of end-finger vasculitis, all of which are typical manifestations of skin rashes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.