Lupus erythematosus

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Lupus erythematosus
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 L93 (ILDS L93.010)
ICD-9 695.4

Lupus erythematosus is a name given to a collection of autoimmune diseases, in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissues.[1] Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs.

Contents

Types [edit]

Lupus erythematosus may manifest as a systemic disease or in a purely cutaneous form also known as incomplete lupus erythematosus. Lupus has four main types:

Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as SLE) is the most common and serious form.

A more thorough categorization of lupus includes the following types:[2][3]

Symptoms [edit]

Symptoms vary from person to person, and may come and go. Almost everyone with Lupus has joint pain and swelling. Some develop arthritis. Frequently affected joints are the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees.[4]

Photosensitivity [edit]

Photosensitivity is a known symptom of lupus, but its relationship to and influence on other aspects of the disease remain to be defined.[5] Causes of photosensitivity may include:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha also seems to play a role in the development of photosensitivity.

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Fitzpatrick, Thomas B.; Klauss Wolff; Wolff, Klaus Dieter; Johnson, Richard R.; Suurmond, Dick; Richard Suurmond (2005). Fitzpatrick's color atlas and synopsis of clinical dermatology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division. ISBN 0-07-144019-4. 
  2. ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. Chapter 8. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
  3. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0. 
  4. ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001471/
  5. ^ Scheinfeld NS, Deleo V. Photosensitivity in lupus erythematosus. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2004;20:272-9. PMID 15379880


External links [edit]