Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Symptoms

Highlights	Prognosis	Treatment for Severe SLE
Introduction	Symptoms	Lifestyle Changes
Causes	Diagnosis	Resources
Risk Factors	Treatment	References
Complications	Treatment for Mild SLE

Complications

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause complications throughout the body.

Complications of the Blood

Almost 85% of patients with SLE experience problems associated with abnormalities in the blood.

Anemia. About half of patients with SLE are anemic. Causes include:

Iron deficiencies resulting from excessive menstruation
Iron deficiencies from gastro-intestinal bleeding caused by some of the treatments
A specific anemia called hemolytic anemia, which destroys red blood cells
Anemia of chronic disease

Hemolytic anemia can occur with very high levels of the anticardiolipin antibody. It can be chronic or develop suddenly and be severely (acute).

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Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Between 34 - 42% of patients with SLE have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This is a disorder of blood coagulation related to the presence of autoantibodies called lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin. APS can cause blood clots, which most often occur in the deep veins of the legs, a condition called deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots can increase the risk for stroke and pulmonary embolism (clots in the lungs). Patients with APS are also at high risk for pregnancy complications, including miscarriage (see Pregnancy Complications below).

Vasculitis. Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. If it becomes severe, it can cause blood to stop flowing to organs and tissues, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications.

Thrombocytopenia. In thrombocytopenia, antibodies attack and destroy blood platelets. In such cases, blood clotting is impaired, which causes bruising and bleeding from the skin, nose, gums, or intestines.

Leukopenia and Neutropenia. These conditions cause a drop in the number of white blood cells. They are very common in lupus, but the condition is usually harmless unless the reductions are so severe that they leave the patient vulnerable to infections.

Blood Cancers. Patients with SLE and other autoimmune disorders have a greater risk for developing lymph system cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).