What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. This means that your body’s defenses against infection are attacking your own tissue. This causes inflammation. Areas of the skin or joints become painful, red, and swollen. Other parts of the body can also become inflamed, including the muscles, kidneys, nervous system, blood vessels, lungs, and heart. SLE, also called lupus, is a serious, chronic disease, which means it never goes away completely. For most people lupus is mild and the symptoms can be controlled. However, if lupus is severe, it can be fatal. Lupus affects mostly young women. In the US it is more common among African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American women than Caucasians. West Indian women and Chinese women also have higher rates of lupus. Only 10% of the people with lupus are men. Discoid lupus (also called cutaneous lupus) is a form of lupus that affects the skin only. It is milder and more common than SLE.
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