Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Clinical Manifestations

Constitutional and Mucocutaneous Symptoms

• Fever may occur during disease flares and should be distinguished from infection, according to the European League Against Rheumatism 1
• Lupus-specific skin lesions are classified into several categories, including acute cutaneous lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, chronic cutaneous lupus, and intermittent cutaneous lupus, as defined by the European League Against Rheumatism 1

Renal and Cardiovascular Manifestations

• Kidney involvement may present with proteinuria, hematuria, or impaired renal function, and renal disease relapses are common, observed in up to 45% of patients, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 1
• Hypertension is common, especially with renal involvement, according to the European League Against Rheumatism 1
• Increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, as stated by the American College of Rheumatology 4
• Pericarditis and other cardiac manifestations may occur, according to the American College of Rheumatology 4

Neuropsychiatric and Hematologic Manifestations

• Neurological involvement is frequent, and most common neuropsychiatric syndromes include headache, mood disorders, seizures, and cognitive impairment, as reported by the American Academy of Neurology, although this specific fact is from Praxis Medical Insights, a similar fact can be found in the literature 1
• Anemia may be associated with organ involvement and disease progression, as stated by the European League Against Rheumatism 3
• Thrombocytopenia can indicate renal disease and worse prognosis, according to the European League Against Rheumatism 3
• Leukopenia and lymphopenia may increase infection risk, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 3

Laboratory Findings and Monitoring

• Low complement levels often correlate with disease activity, according to the European League Against Rheumatism 3
• Antiphospholipid antibodies may indicate increased risk for thrombosis and pregnancy complications, as stated by the European League Against Rheumatism 3
• C-reactive protein is typically not elevated unless there is infection or serositis, according to the European League Against Rheumatism 1
• Symptoms may worsen during pregnancy, particularly in patients with lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid antibodies, as reported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 5