Patient's question:
My aunt has had lupus for a long time and it hasn't been cured yet. What are the dangers of lupus?Doctor's answer:
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with multi-system involvement. Patients in remission can exhibit skin and mucosal rashes, with the most characteristic being the butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks. It can also recur with multiple, symmetrical joint swelling and pain, pericarditis, neurologic lupus, and decreased appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and systemic hematologic manifestations such as hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelet reduction.