Page 64 - EJMO-9-3

Eurasian Journal of
Medicine and Oncology An update on SLE

Figure 1. Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. The disease exhibits a broad range of recognized clinical symptoms. The primary symptoms
encompass fever, malaise, arthralgia, myalgia, headache, and diminished appetite and weight. The most prevalent symptoms in new instances or
recurring active systemic lupus erythematosus include nonspecific fatigue, fever, arthralgia, and weight fluctuations. These symptoms may resemble other
autoimmune disorders, viral diseases, and endocrine dysfunctions.

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4.9. Hematologic abnormalities osteoporosis. SLE is also associated with an increased
SLE commonly affects all blood cell lines. Anemia due prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease, such as
to chronic disease is common among SLE patients. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and can co-occur with other
Leukopenia, particularly lymphopenia, occurs in about autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis.
50% of patients and correlates with active disease. A familial predisposition to autoimmune diseases is often
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observed in SLE patients.
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Thrombocytopenia, though less common, can be severe
and may require treatment. Lymph node enlargement and 5. Diagnosis of SLE
splenomegaly may also occur in association with active
disease. Diagnosing SLE is a complex process that relies on a
combination of clinical and laboratory criteria. The
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4.10. Ophthalmologic involvement clinical manifestations will cover the clinical criteria, and
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, often related to secondary in this section, we will describe the intricate laboratory
Sjögren’s syndrome, is SLE’s most common eye tests used to diagnose SLE. Around 99 % of individuals
manifestation. Retinal vasculopathy can present as cotton diagnosed with SLE have an increased ANA titer, which
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wool spots. Other ophthalmologic manifestations include indicates the presence of autoimmunity. Although several
optic neuropathy, episcleritis, and glaucoma, which can be laboratory abnormalities are associated with this condition,
related to corticosteroid use. the non-specific positive ANA can be detected in 5 – 20%
of the general population. 65
4.11. Other conditions and complications It is essential to note that many individuals can exhibit
Hereditary angioedema and other complement an initial negative ANA titer during the disease. This
deficiencies, such as C1, C2, and C4 deficiencies, can be underscores the fact that the ANA test alone cannot
associated with SLE. Antiphospholipid syndrome is diagnose SLE. A study conducted with 15 worldwide
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present in 40% of patients with SLE but does not always laboratories revealed that ANA tests provide positive
progress to the full syndrome. SLE patients also have results in a significant portion of individuals in the general
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a higher prevalence of fibromyalgia, osteonecrosis, and population when diluted at 1:40, and in a smaller but still

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2025) 56 doi: 10.36922/EJMO025090042