Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and its major organ complications: a narrative review on available literature

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease that is well-recognized by its dermal manifestations, like skin lesions, rash, and photosensitivity. Symptoms may vary among individuals ranging from mild to severe because of its erratic pattern of remission and flare. SLE is a systemic disease that has the tendency to influence multiple organs of the body like lungs, brain, heart, and blood, etc. which is also one of the most important reasons for SLE-mediated mortality in young and old age groups, apart from renal complications and various infections. Because SLE is an autoimmune ailment, the formation of autoantibodies is considered to be the main cause of multiple organ system effects and systemic inflammation. The presence of hyperactive B cells produces autoantibodies in combination with the removal of apoptotic cellular material, resulting in immune complex formation. This leads to an inflammatory reaction in the microvasculature – causing multi-organ complications. In this review article, the main focus is on the complications of SLE among which renal disorder is one of the most life-threatening complications. Apart from this, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal and hepatic, muscular, osteoarticular and pregnancy complications have also been discussed. It has been concluded that timely identification and targeted therapy to manage these patients is the only solution.

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• autoimmune disease
• cutaneous manifestations
• multi-systemic disease