SYSTEMIC ERYTHEATOSUS LUPUS: REVIEW OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies, with alternating periods of remission and activity. In adulthood, it is more prevalent in females and is related to genetic factors, such as deficiency of C1q, C1r, C1s, C4, C2 and C3 in the complement cascade, deficiency of the FC immunoglobulin receptor, the existence of DR3 and HLA. -DR2 and also mechanisms that cause an exacerbation of innate immunity to occur. As well as environmental factors such as hormones, ultraviolet rays, silica and others. These agents cause an abnormal production of T lymphocytes, responsible for the control of autoimmunity. These autoantibodies attack the body's own proteins, causing inflammation in various organs. Clinical presentation can be cutaneous (skin patches) or systemic, with joint involvement being the most frequent clinical manifestation. It may also present with fatigue, malar erythema, erythematous plaques, alopecia, pericarditis, pneumonitis, lupus nephritic syndrome and other clinical findings. As it is a complex disease, its diagnosis is multifactorial, requiring 4 of the 11 criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), including clinical presentations (malar rash, discoid rash, arthritis and oral ulcer), presence of autoantibodies (ANA, anti-native DNA, anti-Sm, IgG and IgM anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant, anti-La/SSB, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-RNP), evaluation of laboratory tests such as ESR, PCR, blood count, urine and evaluation of neurological alterations. Treatment is individual and done according to the severity of each case.