SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

SLE or lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various organs of the body including skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body's immune system attacks the body's own body systems and tissues.

Why the immune system attacks one's own body systems is still not known. However, SLE is more common in women (8 times more common then in men). It is also commonly seen in adults from 20 to 45 years but can affect any age. Genetic factors, exposure to sunlight in genetically susceptible individuals and even infection is known to activate the autoimmune disturbance that causes lupus. Some drugs (drugs such as hydralazine used to treat high blood pressure and antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin) are known to cause drug-induced lupus that usually resolves when the medications are discontinued.