Joints, muscles, and connective tissue

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, SLE)

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against components of the cell nucleus, leading to inflammation, immune complex deposition, and tissue damage that can affect nearly any organ system, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Lupus is markedly more common in women, with studies estimating anywhere from about 6 to 9 women affected for every 1 man, and both prevalence and severity vary by race and ethnicity, with higher rates reported among Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations in several studies.

Common signs

Joint pain and swelling, fatigue, fever, and skin rashes, including the butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose. Sun sensitivity, hair thinning, mouth sores, and Raynaud's (fingers changing color in the cold) are also common, and some people experience kidney, heart, or lung involvement.

This is a plain-language summary for orientation, not a diagnosis. Mechanisms are described as current understanding, not settled fact. Work with your own clinician for your care.

Where this comes from

Peer-reviewed researchEpidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus: an updatePubMed, 2018 ↗

Questions people ask

What is lupus (SLE)?+

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune condition. Your immune system produces antibodies against parts of your own cell nucleus, and this triggers inflammation, immune complex deposition, and tissue damage that can reach nearly any organ system, including your skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Lupus is markedly more common in women, with studies estimating anywhere from about 6 to 9 women affected for every 1 man, and both prevalence and severity vary by race and ethnicity, with higher rates reported among Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations in several studies.

What are the symptoms of lupus?+

Lupus commonly causes joint pain and swelling, fatigue, fever, and skin rashes, including the butterfly-shaped rash that spreads across your cheeks and nose. Many people also notice sun sensitivity, hair thinning, mouth sores, and Raynaud's, where your fingers change color in the cold. Some people experience kidney, heart, or lung involvement as well.

Is there a cure for lupus?+

This page doesn't include treatment or cure information. For questions about treatment options and long-term outlook, a rheumatologist is the right person to ask.

In a doctor’s words

“The combined expertise at Yale continues to advance the understanding and clinical care of SLE, and is part of a global mission to accelerate the discovery of a cure.”

Joseph Craft, MD, rheumatologist, Yale School of Medicine
Read more at Yale Medicine ↗

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Articles from Daniela

Daniela Hess, MSEd, is a co-founder of Great Energy and an Autoimmune Educator and Functional Wellness Consultant who lives and thrives with Hashimoto’s. She is not a licensed medical provider.

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