Description

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease characterised by the presence of auto antibodies directed against various cells or their components
• It is characterised by periods of remissions or low disease activity and disease flares and predominantly affects women of childbearing age
• The presentation of the disease is variable and may range from mild localized symptoms to life-threatening systemic disease. Typical findings include fever and fatigue, a malar rash (facial butterfly rash), myalgia, and arthritis

Types

 SLE is typically characterized by phases of remission and relapse

Muco cutaneous:

• Photosensitivity, Malar rash (butterfly rash) with sparing of the nasolabial folds
• Discoid lesions over sun exposed areas
• Alopecia areata or patchy hair loss
• Buccal or lingual ulcers
• Painful ulcers over hard palate 

Musculo skeletal

• Polyarticular joint pain without selling
• Early morning stiffness
• Arthritis – non deforming
• Mostly nonerosive polyarthritis (normal x-ray)
• Myalgia

Others

• Kidneys: nephritis with proteinuria , nephritic syndrome
• Neurologic: Headache, seizures, psychosis, personality changes, aseptic meningitis, polyneuropathy
• Cardiovascular : Pericarditis , Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE)
• Pulmonary : Pleural effusion, pleuritis
• Vascular: Raynaud phenomenon, vasculitis, thromboembolism
• Haematologic: Haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
• Eyes: keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Investigation

• ACR criteria for SLE
• ↑ESR
• ↑ ANA titer confirms diagnosis
• Anti-dsDNA antibody testing -Positive in 70% of patients and highly specific
• Anti-Sm antibody - Positive in only 30% of patients, but highly specific for SLE

Treatments

Avoid exposure to UV light (sunlight)

Internal Medicines

• Pachanamruta kashaya
• Manjishtadi kashaya
• Kokilaksha kashaya
• Balaguduchyadi kashaya
• Kaisora guggulu
• Gokshuradi guggulu
• Ksheerabala taila
• Chyavanaprasha

Procedures

• Virechana – Nimbamruta eranda
• Anuvasana – Madhuyashtyadi taila
• Vasti – Yapana vasti

Department

Kayachikitsa