Types of arthritis

Characteristics of SLE

• SLE can affect almost any organ or system, including the skin, joints, muscles, kidneys, lungs, heart, central nervous system, and blood-forming system.

Epidemiology

• Prevalence of SLE in the US is one per 1,000 women. According to the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, SLE affected 20.6 and 26.5 out of every 100,000 Koreans in years 2006 and 2010, respectively.
• SLE can occur at any age (even in childhood) and is much more prevalent in female (about six times more common in women than in men).

Clinical manifestations

• Facial rash with a butterfly pattern
• Joint swelling and pain
• Fever of unknown origin
• Chest pain
• Hair loss
• Skin rash following sun exposure or other symptoms of hypersensitivity.
• Raynaud syndrome: fingers or toes turn white and/or blue by cold or emotional stress.

Diagnostic criteria (American College of Rheumatology)

• If any 4 or more of the criteria are present, it can be defined as SLE.

Medications