Lupus
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Less Common Types of Lupus
Although the term "lupus" commonly refers to SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), there are other, less common types of lupus:
- Discoid (pronounced DISS-koid) Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic (lasting a long time) skin disorder in which a red, raised rash appears on the face, scalp, or elsewhere. The raised areas may become thick and scaly and may cause scarring. The rash may last for days or years and may recur. Sometimes Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) causes sores in the mouth or nose. A doctor will remove a small piece of the rash or sore and look at it under a microscope to tell if someone has Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE). If you have Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), there is a small chance that you will later get SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). There is no way to know if someone with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) will get SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
- Drug-induced Lupus is a form of lupus caused by certain prescription drugs. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to those of SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), but only rarely will any major organs be affected. Symptoms can include: joint pain, rash, muscle pain, chest pain, and fever. Symptoms are mild for most people. Most of the time, the disease goes away when the medicine is stopped. More men get this type of lupus because the drugs with the highest risk of causing it are used to treat heart conditions that are more common in men - however, not everyone who takes these drugs will develop drug-induced lupus. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus are:
- Procainamide - Pronestyl ®, Procanbid ®
- Hydralazine - Apresoline ®. Also, hydralazine is an ingredient in Apresazide ® and Bidil ®
- Neonatal Lupus is a rare disease that can occur in newborn babies of women with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), Sjogren's Syndrome, or no disease at all. Scientists suspect that neonatal lupus is caused by autoantibodies in the mother's blood called anti-Ro (SSA) and anti-La (SSB). Autoantibodies ("auto" means self) are blood proteins that act against the body's own parts. At birth, the babies have a skin rash, liver problems, and low blood counts. These symptoms gradually go away over several months. In rare instances, babies with neonatal lupus may have a serious heart problem that slows down the natural rhythm of the heart. Neonatal lupus is rare, and most infants of mothers with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) are entirely healthy. All women who are pregnant and known to have anti-Ro (SSA) or anti-La (SSB) antibodies should be monitored by echocardiograms - a test that monitors the heart and surrounding blood vessels - during the 16th and 30th weeks of pregnancy. It is important for women with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) or other related autoimmune disorders to be under a doctor's care during pregnancy. Physicians can now identify mothers at highest risk for complications, allowing for prompt treatment of the infant at or before birth. SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) can also flare during pregnancy, and prompt treatment can keep the mother healthier longer.
- Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus refers to skin lesions that appear on parts of the body exposed to sun. The lesions do not cause scarring.
References:
1) The National Women's Health Information Center - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office on Women's Health - May 2008 - www.4woman.gov
2) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) - Information Clearinghouse - National Institutes of Health - Department of Health and Human Services - NIH Publication No. 03-4178 - September 1997 - Revised August 2003 - www.niams.nih.gov
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