Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Multisystemic inflammatory chronic disease characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and connective tissues, caused by presence of activated helper T – cells that induce a B cell response, resulting in the secretion of pathogenic autoantibodies and formation of immune complexes.

OR SLE is an autoimmune disease, which means that the

body's natural defense system (immune system) attacks its own tissues instead of attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses.

Etiology: Cause unknown

Many factors play a role in immune dysregulation

Genetic (HLA types B8, DR2, DR3) Hormones (attacks during menses, pregnancy due to

Estrogen ) Environmental factors (ultra voilet ray viruses e.g; EBV ) Drugs induced lupus (anticonvulsants, salfonamides,

penicillamine)

Non specific response to an antigenic stimulus/ loss of tolerance to self antigen

Polyclonal activation of B cells

Immunoglobulins & autoantibodies

Form circulating and tissue bound immune complexes

Complement fixation & recruitment (screening) of inflammatory cells

TISSUE INJURY

Auto antibodies are formed against DNA & other nuclear antigens, ribosomes, platelets, coagulation factors, immunoglobulins, erythrocytes, leukocytes

•Fibrinoid deposits found on blood vessel walls and affected organs.

Rheumatoid nodules and granulomas maybe present

Epidemiology

Incidence unknown Vary depending on ethnicity and location 4-

250/100,000 population

Age: Unusual before 8 yrs (have been diagnosed even in first yr of life)

Sex: Female predominance 1:4 before puberty to 1:8 after puberty

Diagnosis

Criteria for diagnosis require presence of 4 of 11 criteria serially or simultaneously , during any interval of observation.

American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

1. Malar rash: fixed erythema, flat or raised, over the malar eminences, tending to spare the nasolabial folds

2. Discoid rash: erythematous, raised patches with adherent keratotic scaling and follicular plugging; possibly atrophic scarring in older lesions

Discoid rash

Cont … 3. Photosensitivity: skin rash as a result of

unusual reaction to sunlight, as determined by patient history or physician observation

4. Oral ulcers: oral or nasopharyngeal ulceration, usually painless, observed by physician

5. Arthritis: non – erosive arthritis involving two or more peripheral joints, characterized by swelling, tenderness, or effusion

6. Serositis: - pleuritis, by convincing history of pleuritic pain, rub heard by physician, or evidence of pleural effusion; or

--- pericarditis documented by electrocardiography, rub heard by physician, or evidence of pericardial effusion

7. Renal disorder:---- persistent proteinuria, > 500 mg per 24 hours (0.5 g per day) or > 3+ if quantitation is not performed; or

---- cellular casts (may be red blood cell, hemoglobin, granular, tubular, or mixed cellular casts)

8. Neurologic disorder: ---- seizures or psychosis occurring in the absence of offending drugs or known metabolic derangement (e.g., uremia, ketoacidosis, electrolyte

imbalance)

9. Hematologic disorder:

hemolytic anemia with reticulocytosis; or leukopenia, < 4,000 per mm3 on two or more

occasions; or lymphopenia, < 1,500 per mm3 on two or more

occasions; or thrombocytopenia, < 100x103 per mm3 in the

absence of offending drugs

10. Immunologic disorder: antibody to double-stranded DNA antigen (anti-dsDNA) in abnormal titer; or presence of antibody to Sm nuclear antigen (anti-Smith); or positive finding of antiphospholipid

antibody based on :- 1. an abnormal serum level of IgG or IgM anticardiolipin

antibodies, 2. a positive test result for lupus anticoagulant using a

standard method, or 3. a false-positive serologic test for syphilis that is known

to be positive for at least 6 months and is confirmed by negative Treponema pallidum immobilization or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test

11. Antinuclear antibodies: an abnormal antinuclear antibody titer by immunofluorescence or equivalent assay at any time and in the absence of drugs known to be associated with drug-induced lupus

Serology

Almost all patient with SLE have demonstrable ANAs

Anti – double – stranded DNA antibodies is highly specific

Anti – histone antibodies (drug induced lupus erythematous)

Anti – Sm antibodies (CNS lupus)

Treatment Depend on affected target organ and disease

severity Glucocorticoids form the mainstay of therapy.

Prednisolone is usually started in doses of 1 – 2 mg/kg/day and then gradually tapered according to disease activity.

NSAIDs for arthralgia and arthritis Sunscreen lotions 3 – 4 times/days.

Cont… Life – threatening complications (nephritis,

myocarditis, encephalopathy): ------ use of I.V of methyl prednisolone or

dexamethasone for 3 – 5 days, followed by oral prednisolone.

Severe lupus nephritis ------ I.V cyclophosphamide IVIG (nephritis, vasculitis and acute

thrombocytopenia) Antibiotics

Cont… For almost all patients with SLE, low dose prednisolone

(2.5 – 5 mg/kg) has to be continued for many years. After stable, hydroxychloroquine (5 – 6 mg/ kg): for mild

manifestations (skin lesions, arthritis arthralgia) and further tapering of steroids. Side effects of Steroids include : fluid retention, weight gain, high blood pressure, potassium

loss, headache, muscle weakness, puffiness of and hair growth on the face, thinning and easy bruising of the skin, glaucoma, cataracts, peptic ulceration, worsening of diabetes, irregular menses, growth retardation in children, convulsions, and psychic disturbances (depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and even psychotic behavior).

Cont… Minor manifestations respond to NSAIDs, low dose

corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate Major manifestations (immunosuppressive therapy)

---- high dose of corticosteroids, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporin and cyclophospamide

Mycophenolate mofetil (new drugs) those not responding to cyclophosphamide or azathioprine. Anticoagulant medications: Thrombosis,

antiphospholipid antibodies or lupus anticoagulant

Prognosis

Childhood SLE : 5 yr survival 90%

Major cause of death include Infection CNS complications Pulmonary hemorrhage Myocardial infarction