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about Lupus

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.

Nervous System

The Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

One-third of all people with lupus have a false positive syphilis test, a positive anticardiolipin antibody or a prolonged clotting time test (PTT). Collectively these are known as the lupus anticoagulant or the antiphospholipid antibody.

One-third of these patients (one-ninth of all people with lupus) will develop blood clots in various parts of the body. These patients have the antiphospholipid syndrome. When a blood clot occurs in the nervous system, it can cause a stroke.

  • Symptoms of stroke usually include the painless onset of neurologic deficits (e.g., paralysis on one side of the body, inability to speak) without any signs of active lupus.
  • A stroke is managed with blood-thinning medications such as low dose aspirin, coumadin or heparin.

The type of blood vessel involved and the patient's symptoms are considered when determining which medical therapy should be used.

Organic Brain Syndrome

Patients with a history of stroke or vasculitis experience damage to the brain that is repaired by scar tissue. This results in seizures as well as varying degrees of difficulty with muscular movement, memory, concentration and orientation.

  • These patients have organic brain syndrome and usually show no evidence of lupus activity in the blood or spinal fluid.
  • Steroids make the symptoms worse.
  • Organic brain syndrome is treated with emotional support.

Fibromyalgia (Fibrositis Syndrome)

Up to 20 percent of people with SLE have a simultaneous fibromyalgia (fibrositis) syndrome manifested by tender points and increased pain in the soft tissues. In addition, patients may experience:

  • cognitive dysfunction
  • decreased ability to concentrate
  • difficulty sleeping
  • lack of stamina.

This syndrome is treated with

  • anti-depressants,
  • counseling and
  • physical therapy if needed.

People with symptoms of fibrositis who have no physical or laboratory evidence of increased lupus activity should not be given corticosteroids, since this treatment may make them worse.


 

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