What is Lupus?

Systemic lupus erythematosis or SLE, to give lupus its full medical name, is a connective tissue disease. This means that it can affect a wide variety of tissues throughout the body. The main way in which the body is damaged is through the body's own immune system effectively attacking itself, by the production of 'autoimmune antibodies'. SLE symptoms tend to occur in the twenties and thirties and women are nine times more likely to be affected then men. The main symptoms are joint pains, muscle aches and a fever. Tiredness, anaemia and generally not feeling well are also associated. Over sixty per cent of sufferers will have a 'butterfly' rash across the nose and face and SLE can be a cause of hair loss (alopecia). More serious symptoms can include heart and lung problems and over half of patients with SLE will have some involvement of the kidneys. The central nervous system, stomach and bowels and the eyes may also be affected.There is a simple blood test that can be used to detect over ninety per cent of people suffering with SLE and that is the test for antinuclear antibodies. Although not specific for SLE, combined with other more complex tests looking at the body's immune system and particular signs and symptoms of SLE, a diagnosis can usually be made.