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Diseases » Lupus » Symptoms

Symptoms of Lupus



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Symptoms of Lupus

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Lupus includes the 126 symptoms listed below:

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Lupus: Complications

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Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing of medical conditions related to Lupus:

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Do I have Lupus?

Lupus: Medical Mistakes

Lupus: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Lupus:

Wrongly Diagnosed with Lupus?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Lupus includes:

See the full list of 89 alternative diagnoses for Lupus

Lupus: Research Doctors & Specialists

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Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

Medical Books Online about Lupus

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Lupus are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Lupus.

Medical Books Excerpts

Butterfly rash

  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Criteria*

  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)

Lupus erythematosus

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)

Butterfly rash

  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)

Lupus erythematosus

  • "Handbook of Diseases" (2003)

Butterfly rash

  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)

Butterfly rash

  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)

Although many providers will obtain an antinuclear antibody (ANA) to rule out systemic Lupus erythematosus(SLE), the ANA is an extremely sensitive test, but not very specific, and should be followed up by more definitive tests such as the anti-DS-DNA or anti-Smith antibody

  • "Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors" (2008)

Do not prescribe ibuprofen in patientswith systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) because it can cause ibuprofen-induced aseptic meningitis

  • "Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors" (2008)

Lupus Erythematosus

  • "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Symptoms of Lupus: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Lupus.


Lupus erythematosus: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The onset of SLE may be acute or insidious and produces no characteristic clinical pattern. However, its symptoms commonly include fever, weight loss, malaise, and fatigue as well as rashes and polyarthralgia. SLE may involve every organ system. In 90% of patients, joint involvement is similar to that in rheumatoid arthritis. Skin lesions are most commonly erythematous rashes in areas exposed to light. The classic butterfly rash over the nose and cheeks occurs in fewer than 50% of the patients. (See < /span>Butterfly rash.) Ultraviolet rays often provoke or aggravate skin eruptions. Vasculitis can develop (especially in the digits), possibly leading to infarctive lesions, necrotic leg ulcers, or digital gangrene. Raynaud’s phenomenon appears in about 20% of patients. Patchy alopecia and painless ulcers of the mucous membranes are common.

Constitutional symptoms of SLE include aching, malaise, fatigue, low-grade or spiking fever, chills, anorexia, and weight loss. Lymph node enlargement (diffuse or local, and nontender), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation may occur. Females may experience irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea during the active phase of SLE.

About 50% of SLE patients develop signs of cardiopulmonary abnormalities, such as pleuritis, pericarditis, and dyspnea. Myocarditis, endocarditis, tachycardia, parenchymal infiltrates, and pneumonitis may occur. Renal effects may include hematuria, proteinuria, urine sediment, and cellular casts, which may progress to total kidney failure. Urinary tract infections may result from heightened susceptibility to infection. Seizure disorders and mental dysfunction may indicate neurologic damage. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement may produce emotional instability, psychosis, and organic mental syndrome. Headaches, irritability, and depression are common. (See Signs of systemic lupus erythematosus.) >

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Lupus erythematosus: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

The onset of SLE may be acute or insidious and produces no characteristic clinical pattern. However, signs and symptoms commonly include fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, rashes, and polyarthralgia. SLE may involve any organ system. (See Signs and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus.)

Joint and skin effects

In 90% of patients, joint involvement is similar to that in rheumatoid arthritis (although the arthritis of lupus is usually nonerosive). Most skin lesions are in the form of an erythematous rash in areas exposed to light. The classic butterfly rash over the nose and cheeks occurs in fewer than 50% of the patients. A scaly papular rash (which mimics psoriasis) may also develop, especially in sun-exposed areas. Ultraviolet rays often provoke or aggravate skin eruptions. (See Discoid lupus erythematosus, page 502.) Vasculitis can develop (especially in the digits), possibly leading to infarctive lesions, necrotic leg ulcers, or digital gangrene. Raynaud’s phenomenon appears in about 20% of patients. Patchy alopecia and painless ulcers of the mucous membranes are common.

Cardiopulmonary effects

About 50% of patients with SLE develop signs of pulmonary abnormalities, such as pleurisy, pleural effusions, pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension and, rarely, pulmonary hemorrhage. Cardiac involvement may include pericardial effusion, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and early coronary atherosclerosis.

Renal effects

Onset of glomerulonephritis may be evidenced by microscopic hematuria, pyuria, and urine sediment with cellular casts. Renal disease may progress to kidney failure, particularly when untreated. Urinary tract infections may result from heightened susceptibility to infection.

Neurologic effects

Seizure disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and mental dysfunction may indicate neurologic damage. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement may produce emotional instability, psychosis, and organic brain syndrome. Headaches, irritability, and depression are common.

Systemic effects

Constitutional signs and symptoms of SLE include aching, malaise, fatigue, low-grade or spiking fever, chills, anorexia, and weight loss. Lymph node enlargement (diffuse or local, nontender), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation may occur. Women may experience irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea during the active phase of SLE.

Because SLE usually strikes women of childbearing age, questions related to pregnancy may arise. Available evidence indicates that a woman with SLE can have a safe, successful pregnancy if she has no serious renal or neurologic impairment.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Lupus Erythematosus: Lupus Erythematosus - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

  • Immune complex–mediated vasculitis, which can occur in almost any organ system
  • Cutaneous lesions: Very variable. Include:
    • Erythematous malar or “butterfly” rash
    • Maculopapular rashes (which can occur anywhere on body)
    • Periungual erythema
    • Mucosal membrane vasculitis
  • Arthritis: Can affect large and small joints; usually symmetric and nonerosive
  • Hematologic pathology: Includes:
    • Hemolytic anemia
    • Anemia of chronic disease
    • Leukopenia
    • Lymphopenia
    • Thrombocytopenia
  • Neurologic symptoms include:
    • Headaches
    • Psychosis
    • Depression
    • Seizures
    • Organic brain syndromes
    • Peripheral neuropathies
  • Renal pathology (present in up to 75% children with SLE)
    • Includes mesangial changes and glomerulonephritis (focal, diffuse, proliferative, or membranous)
    • 1st signs of renal disease in lupus patient are often proteinuria and active urinary sediment.
    • Hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure can also occur.
  • Serositis: Usually seen as pericarditis or pleuritis, but peritonitis can also occur.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Lupus:

NINDS Neurological Sequelae Of Lupus Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

Typical features of lupus include a butterfly shaped rash over the cheeks, a skin rash appearing in areas exposed to the sun, sores in the mouth and nose, arthritis involving one or more joints, kidney inflammation, neurological disorders such as headaches, personality changes, organic brain syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, sensory neuropathy, psychological problems including paranoia, mania, and schizophrenia, seizures, transverse myelitis, and paralysis and stroke. Fever, weight loss, hair loss, poor circulation in the fingers and toes, chest pain when taking deep breaths, and abdominal pain may also occur. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Neurological Sequelae Of Lupus Information Page: NINDS)

The Many Shades of Lupus: NIAMS (Excerpt)

The signs of lupus differ from person to person. Some people have just a few signs; others have more.

Common signs of lupus are:

  • Red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks

  • Painful or swollen joints

  • Unexplained fever

  • Chest pain with deep breathing

  • Swollen glands

  • Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time)

  • Unusual hair loss (mainly on the scalp)

  • Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress

  • Sensitivity to the sun

  • Low blood count

  • Depression, trouble thinking, and/or memory problems

Other signs are mouth sores, unexplained seizures (convulsions), "seeing things" (hallucinations), repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems.

What Is a Flare?

When symptoms appear, it's called a "flare." These signs may come and go. You may have swelling and rashes one week and no symptoms at all the next. You may find that your symptoms flare after you've been out in the sun or after a hard day at work.

Even if you take medicine for lupus, you may find that there are times when the symptoms become worse. Learning to recognize that a flare is coming can help you take steps to cope with it. Many people feel very tired or have pain, a rash, a fever, stomach discomfort, headache, or dizziness just before a flare. (Source: excerpt from The Many Shades of Lupus: NIAMS)

Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. (Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS)

Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Each person’s experience with lupus is different, although there are patterns that permit accurate diagnosis. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. Common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, and skin rashes, along with extreme fatigue. A characteristic skin rash may appear across the nose and cheeks--the so-called butterfly or malar rash. Other rashes occur elsewhere on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands.

Other symptoms of lupus include chest pain, hair loss, sensitivity to the sun, anemia (a decrease in red blood cells), and pale or purple fingers and toes from cold and stress. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, depression, or seizures. New symptoms may continue to appear years after the initial diagnosis, and different symptoms can occur at different times.

Common Symptoms of Lupus

  • Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain
  • Unexplained fever
  • Red rashes, most commonly on the face.
  • Chest pain upon deep breathing
  • Unusual loss of hair
  • Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon)
  • Sensitivity to the sun
  • Swelling (edema) in legs or around eyes
  • Swollen glands
  • Extreme fatigue

In some people with lupus, only one system of the body such as the skin or joints is affected. Other people experience symptoms in many parts of their body. Just how seriously a body system is affected also varies from person to person. Most commonly, joints and muscles are affected, causing arthritis and muscle pain. Skin rashes are quite common. (Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS)

Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID (Excerpt)

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus most commonly experience profound fatigue, rashes, and joint pains. In severe cases, the immune system may attack and damage several organs such as the kidney, brain, or lung. For many individuals, symptoms and damage from the disease can be controlled with available anti-inflammatory medications. However, if a patient is not closely monitored, the side effects from the medications can be quite serious. (Source: excerpt from Understanding Autoimmune Disease: NIAID)

Connective Tissue Diseases: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Fever, weight loss, hair loss, mouth and nose sores, malaise, fatigue, seizures and symptoms of mental illness. Ninety percent of patients experience joint inflammation similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty percent develop a classic "butterfly" rash on the nose and cheeks. Raynaud's phenomenon (extreme sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet) appears in about 20 percent of people with SLE. (Source: excerpt from Connective Tissue Diseases: NWHIC)

Lupus Fact Sheet: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Lupus is characterized by periods of illness (flares) and periods of wellness (remission). It is difficult to diagnose because it is often mistaken for other diseases. The following are some common symptoms of lupus:

  • Extreme fatigue

  • Painful or swollen joints (arthritis)

  • Unexplained fever

  • "Butterfly" rash across the nose and cheeks that is characteristic to lupus

  • Skin rashes on other parts of the body

  • Chest pain or pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura, the membrane that covers the lungs)

  • Kidney problems

  • Unusual loss of hair

  • Pale or purple fingers from cold or stress

  • Sensitivity to the sun

  • Low red blood-cell count

  • Seizures

  • Mouth or nose ulcers

  • Cardiovascular disease

Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, or depression. New symptoms may continue to appear years after the initial diagnosis, and different symptoms can occur at different times.

How Is Lupus Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to improve health and reduce tissue damage. Diagnosing lupus can be difficult, however, because it may take months or even years for doctors to piece together the symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis. Giving the doctor a complete, accurate medical history is critical to the process of diagnosis. This information, along with a physical examination and the results of laboratory tests, helps the doctor rule out other diseases that may mimic lupus. Reaching a diagnosis may take time and occur gradually as new symptoms appear.

What Are the Treatments for Lupus?

Because each person's symptoms are different, doctors treat lupus on an individual basis. Once lupus has been diagnosed, the doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the patient's age, gender, health, symptoms, and lifestyle. Tailored to the individual's needs, this plan may change over time. In developing a treatment plan, the doctor has several goals: to prevent flares, to effectively treat them when they do occur, and to minimize complications. The doctor and patient should reevaluate the plan regularly to ensure that it is as effective as possible.

Treatment for lupus includes physical and emotional rest, protection from direct sunlight, a healthful diet, exercise, prompt treatment of infections, avoidance of known allergens and aggravating factors, and medication when necessary. The medication the doctor chooses is based on the patient's individual symptoms and needs. For people with joint pain, fever, and swelling, drugs that decrease inflammationCnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Care often used. Antimalarials are another type of drug commonly used to treat lupus. They may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and inflammation of the lungs. Corticosteroid hormones are the mainstay of lupus treatment. Related to cortisol, which is a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, corticosteroids work by rapidly suppressing inflammation. Because they are potent drugs, the doctor will seek the lowest dose with the greatest benefit.

Working closely with the doctor helps ensure that treatments for lupus are as successful as possible. Because some treatments may cause harmful side effects, it is important to promptly report any new symptoms to the doctor.

It is also important not to stop or change treatments without talking to the doctor first. With early diagnosis and the correct treatment and medication, most people with lupus can maintain an overall high quality of life.

SOURCES: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH Publication No. 93-3219; Lupus Foundation of America.

Department of Health and Human Services Activities on Lupus

Office on Women's Health (OWH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the Federal government's focal point for women's health issues. OWH works to improve women's health by coordinating women's health research, health care services, policy, and public and health care professional education across the agencies of the DHHS; and collaborating with other government organizations, and consumer and health care professional groups.
Phone: (202) 690-7650;
Web: http://www.4woman.gov/owh/about/index.htm

National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC), a service of OWH, is a national resource for information on women's health. Through NWHIC, the public and health professionals can access the vast array of Federal and other sources of women's health information.
Phone: 1-800-994-WOMAN (1-800-994-9662);
Web: http://www.4woman.gov/

National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the Federal focal point for biomedical research in the United States. The goal of NIH is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. Within NIH, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) conduct and support research on lupus.
Phone: (301) 496-4000;
E-mail: nihinfo@od.nih.gov;
Web: http://www.nih.gov//

NIAMS of the NIH leads the Federal medical research effort in arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. NIAMS supports research and research training throughout the United States as well as on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC) is a public service sponsored by NIAMS that provides health information.
Phone: (301) 495-4484; TTY: (301) 565-2966;
Web: http://www.nih.gov/niams/

NIAMS has recently produced a manual entitled LUPUS: A Patient Care Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals to help health professionals who work with lupus patients to improve their care and quality of life. The guide covers symptoms and diagnosis, advances in lupus research, lab tests for diagnosis and evaluation, lupus medications, health care interventions for general and system-specific manifestations of lupus, psychosocial aspects, and information resources.

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), a component of NIH, supports research and research training in universities, hospitals, research centers, and at NIH in areas related to health promotion and disease prevention, managing the symptoms and disabilities of illness, and improving the environment in which patient care is delivered. Chronic diseases, such as lupus and arthritis, are among the six major areas of emphasis for the Institute.
Phone: (301) 496-0207;
Web: http://www.nih.gov/ninr/

(Source: excerpt from Lupus Fact Sheet: NWHIC)

Lupus: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The signs of lupus vary and may have periods of exacerbation and remission. Some people have just a few signs of the disease; others have more. Many people with lupus look healthy. Lupus may be hard to diagnose and is often mistaken for other diseases. For this reason, lupus has often been called the "great imitator." Common signs of lupus include red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of the nose and the cheeks; painful or swollen joints; unexplained fever; chest pain with breathing; unusual loss of hair; pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress; sensitivity to the sun; and low blood count. These signs are more important when the occur together. Other signs of lupus can include mouth sores, unexplained fits or convulsions, hallucinations or depression, repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems. (Source: excerpt from Lupus: NWHIC)

Lupus as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Lupus, it is also important to consider Lupus as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Lupus may cause:

- (Source - Diseases Database)

Lupus: Onset and Incubation

Onset of Lupus: Symptoms tend to occur after taking the drug for at least 3 to 6 months.

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Lupus:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Lupus. This signs and symptoms information for Lupus has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Lupus signs or Lupus symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Lupus may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Lupus symptoms.


 » Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Lupus

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