Why is systemic lupus erythematosus fatal?
The name "lupus" is derived from the Latin word for "lupus", which was named after early medical scientists who observed that some patients had erythema on their skin that resembled wolf bites. With the development of medicine, it has been clinically found that the disease not only manifests as skin erythema, but also affects multiple systems of the body, including kidneys, nerves, joints, etc. At the beginning of the 20th century, William Osler first officially named the disease Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE).
1. What is systemic lupus erythematosus?
It is an autoimmune disease, which can be simply understood as the guardian of our body, the immune system, under the influence of genetic factors, environmental factors (such as ultraviolet radiation), sex hormones and other factors, there is chaos, and its own tissues and organs are regarded as invaders, so a "civil war" with the blade inward begins.
2. What are the typical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus?
The typical symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus is the butterfly erythema on the face. In addition to the skin, many organ systems such as the joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, and blood system may be affected, and the number, sequence, and severity of the organs affected vary from person to person. This makes this "civil war" even more confusing, and at the same time makes it more difficult to treat.
3. Why is systemic lupus erythematosus fatal?
Several studies have shown that the main causes of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are co-infection, nephritis, and cardiovascular disease. Although the overall risk of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is 2-3 times higher than that of the general population, advances in clinical medicine have led to a significant increase in the 5-year survival rate since the mid-20th century, from about 40% in the 1950s to more than 95%, and the 10-year survival rate to over 90%. Early diagnosis, personalized treatment, multidisciplinary management, and the active cooperation of patients themselves all play a key role in improving survival rates.
4. Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?
There is no cure, but lifestyle modifications and medications can be used to alleviate symptoms and maintain low disease activity. Lifestyle interventions include avoiding ultraviolet light, increasing physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and smoking cessation. Drug therapy is highly individualized and depends on the patient's predominant symptoms, organ involvement, response to previous therapy, and disease activity and severity. In addition to hydroxychloroquine sulfate as a cornerstone for the treatment of the disease, there are a variety of drugs such as glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants such as mycophenolate mofetil, and biologics such as belimumab.
Source: Xinhuanet
Cartoon: 杨仕成
[If you have news clues, please report to us, once adopted, there will be a fee.] WeChat attention: ihxdsb, QQ: 3386405712]