SLE is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by tissues and cells damaged by deposition of pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes. Some risk factors noted are genetic, environmental and sex hormonal factors (1). Approximately 90% of SLE sufferers are consists of women in their childbearing years (2). The cause of the disease is still indefinite, but it is believed that genetic, endocrine and environmental factors are factors must be considered in discussing the SLE causes (3).
There are also drugs that associated with SLE (Refer Table 1). The condition should be differentiated from SLE because the management is different. There are 4 features of drug induced lupus. First, the sex ratio is almost equal. Secondly, renal and central nervous system involvements are not normally present. Third, there is absent of hypocomplementemia and antibody to native DNA. Finally, the sign and symptoms (including laboratory abnormalities) will revert to normal once the offending drug is withdrawn (1). The course of SLE disease is often alternate between periods of flaring and remission. It can involve any organ system and have an extremely wide range of disease severity.
Table 1: Drugs associated with lupus erythematosus
| Definite association: | |
| ChlorpromazineHydralazineIsoniazid | MethyldopaProcainamideQuinidine |
| Possible association: | |
| Beta blockersCaptoprilCarbamazepineCimetidineEthosuximide | LevodopaLithiumMethimazoleNitrofurantoin |
| Unlikely association: | |
| AllopurinolChlorthalidoneGold saltsGriseofulvinMethysergideOral contraceptives | PenicillinPhenylbotazoneReserpineStreptomycinTetracycline |
Source: McPhee, SJ. and Papadakis, MA. Current Medial Diagnosis & Treatment. Forty Eight Edition. New York: McGraw Hill; 2009
Other related articles:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Clinical manifestations of SLE
- Evaluation of SLE
- Criteria for the classification of SLE
- Management of SLE
- SLE and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- SLE and oral contraceptive pills (OCP)
- Living with SLE
- Role of primary healthcare in SLE
- Overall view of SLE
Reference:
- Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL. Harrison’s principle of internal medicine. Manual of medicine, 16th edition, International edition, editors.Mc Graw Hill.2005
- Persatuan SLE Malaysia. About PSLEM. Kuala Lumpur.2009 [cited on 18 September 2009]. Available from: http://www.lupusmalaysia.org/e/
- Stein, J.H. Internal medicine, Elsevier Health Sciences.1998
