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Treating the active phase of the disease without allowing the treatment itself to cause long-term damage to the patient is the major challenge for doctors. As a result of this physicians are now less hesitant to use immunosuppressive drugs such azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Treatment for active systemic lupus erythematosus, on the other hand, depends on the organ systems involved and disease severity; this includes a combination of drugs.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation and pain in muscles, joints, and other tissues. These may include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn), and sulindac (Clinoril). The most common side effects are stomach upset, abdominal pain, ulcers, and even ulcer bleeding. Corticosteroids are more potent than NSAIDs in reducing inflammation and restoring function in active disease, specially when internal organs are involved. The disadvantage of this is when it is given in high doses over prolonged periods. Physicians should monitor the activity of the disease in order to use the lowest doses that are safe. Side effects include weight gain, thinning of the bones and skin, infection, diabetes, facial puffiness, cataracts, and death (necrosis) of large joints. Another drug used in the treatment of SLE is Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), an antimalarial medication. It is effective for SLE patients with...
Side effects include diarrhea, upset stomach, and eye pigment changes. Eye pigment changes are rare, but require monitoring by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) during treatment with Plaquenil.
Plasmapheresis is sometimes used to remove antibodies and other immune substances from the blood to suppress immunity for patients with serious brain or kidney disease. Some patients with SLE can develop very low platelet levels. This gives the risk of excessive and spontaneous bleeding. Therefore, surgical removal of the spleen is sometimes performed to improve platelet levels. Other treatments include plasmapheresis and the use of male hormones. Plasmapheresis has also been used to remove proteins (cryoglobulins) that can lead to vasculitis. End stage kidney damage from SLE requires dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.
Bibliography
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,
Bertram Greenspun, DO, February 9, 2007
Familial Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Role of Genetic and Environmental Factors, G.E. Eroglu and P.F. Kohler, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2002;61:29-31
Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Update, Michelle Petri, M.D., M.P.H., American Family Physicians, June 1998
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus),
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, September 2006
Bibliography
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,
Bertram Greenspun, DO, February 9, 2007
Familial Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Role of Genetic and Environmental Factors, G.E. Eroglu and P.F. Kohler, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2002;61:29-31
Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Update, Michelle Petri, M.D., M.P.H., American Family Physicians, June 1998
CellCept drug for the treatment of kidney complications could be a boon to lupus patients (Chang, 2005). A small study showed that the drug delivered better results than standard chemotherapy, which could cause infertility and other medical problems. A recent experiment compared the effects of CellCept and the older treatment, cyclophosphamide, in patients for 6 months. Those taking CellCept reported fewer side effects. The researchers were led by Dr. Ellen
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Study Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, life-long autoimmune disease that affects multiple tissues and organs in the body (Madhok and Wu, 2009). The primary tissues and organs affected by immune system dysfunction are the joints, kidneys, vessel walls, and skin. SLE is believed to be due to an interaction between genetic factors and environmental triggers. The disease is also more prevalent among women,
The most common cause of death is infection due to immunosuppression, a result in turn of medications intended to manage the disease. Chances are worse for men and children than for women. After the age of 60, the disease tends to turn benign. The only marker of prognosis in lupus is the anti-ds DNA antibody test and the most sensitive is the Anti-Smith test (Wikipedia) The standard treatment for lupus
Oral Manifestations of Lupus Erythematosus Oral Manifestations of Lupus Oral Manifestations of Lupus Erythematosis Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus for short, is a chronic and generally progressive autoimmune disease affecting many tissues in the body (Lupus Foundation of America, 2015). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2015) discriminates between SLE and lupus affecting the skin only (discoid/cutaneous lupus erythematosis) or that caused by medications (temporary). SLE and cutaneous lupus
laboratory-based practical work undertaken in this module was in relation to a case study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE. SLE is a connective tissue disorder, which is autoimmune in nature. This disease affects multiple organs and its clinical manifestation is based on its severity and the organ involved. The pathogenesis of this disease is based on antigen-antibody complexes that circulate in the blood and deposit in the smaller blood
Another caution that exists for people suffering from lupus is to exercise caution before and after receiving dental treatment. Lupus patients could develop serious heart infections from the streptococci that might be released into their bloodstream during routine dental procedures, even bi-annual teeth cleanings (Blau and Schultz, 174). The infection can travel to the heart when the patient has certain other manifestations of lupus, and, if the patient has developed