Researchers don’t yet know what causes systemic lupus erythematosus, but they believe that genetics, hormonal factors, and environmental exposures may all play a role in risk level. Family history plays a nominal role; many patients with SLE have no family history of the disease at all.

The signs and symptoms of SLE are varied and generally impact many systems throughout the body. Patients might experience rashes, fevers, fatigue pain, mouth ulcers, seizures, heart problems, kidney problems, and more. SLE flares up from time to time and then goes into a period of remission, so it’s common for people suffering from this disease to have periods of illness and periods of wellness.

Systemic lupus erythematosus can range from minor to life-threatening depending on the complications that result from the disease. The most serious complications that can occur include inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain, kidney inflammation, and coronary artery disease, all of which can increase the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart, stroke, and kidney failure.

Patients who think they may have SLE should schedule an appointment with their primary care provider. Usually, diagnosis is made after a careful review of symptoms, a physical exam, lab tests, and X-rays. It’s important to know that SLE can be difficult to identify (and often misdiagnosed), so consultation with a rheumatologist is usually recommended.

Because so many organs throughout the body can be affected by SLE, patients will typically work with a team of providers that includes a rheumatologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, dermatologist, and more. The primary goal of treatment is to suppress the immune system with medication to limit the attack on the body. If the patient has SLE in addition to other diseases or diagnoses, which is common, they may need to work with additional team members to manage and treat those co-existing conditions.