Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that most commonly affects the young, working, female population. Musculoskeletal manifestations are one of the most prevalent and presenting features in SLE. Arthralgia, myalgia, non-erosive arthritis, myositis but also tenosynovitis and enthesitis are present in more than 90% of SLE patients. Although not considered very severe SLE manifestations, they significantly affect the patient’s quality of life and daily functioning. Clinical assessment of joints, tendons, entheses, and muscles is still the gold diagnostic standard. There are many radiological imaging methods, i.e., classic radiograms, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging that provide morphological information regarding damage and activity of musculoskeletal diseases in SLE and other rheumatic diseases. Musculoskeletal ultrasound stands out as an accessible and affordable method. Recognizing musculoskeletal manifestations may help establish an early diagnosis of SLE and assess disease activity, thus leading to early initiation of treatment and preventing chronic and irreversible changes with a beneficial effect on the quality of life.

Keywords

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Musculoskeletal
• Arthritis
• Myositis
• Ultrasound