 |
ADD DRUGS-WEB.COM AS FAVORITE - SITE MAP |
 |
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS DIAGNOSIS |
||
|
Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can be somewhat
difficult. There are no definitive tests for diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Many of
the symptoms and laboratory test results of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients are similar
to those of patients with different diseases, including rheumatoid
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and various nervous system and blood
disorders. Laboratory tests that are helpful in diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus include several tests for a variety of antibodies commonly elevated in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients (including antinuclear antibodies, anti-DNA antibodies, etc.). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients tend to have low numbers of red blood cells (anemia) and low numbers of certain types of white blood cells. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), a measure of inflammation in the body, tends to be quite elevated. Samples of tissue (biopsies) from affected skin and kidneys show characteristics of the disease. A test called the lupus erythematosus cell preparation (or LE prep) test is also performed. This test involves obtaining a sample of the patient's blood. Cells from the blood are damaged in the laboratory in order to harvest their nuclei. These damaged cells are then put together with the patient's blood serum, the liquid part of blood separated from the blood cells. Antinuclear antibodies within the patient's serum will clump together with the damaged nuclear material. A material called Wright's stain will cause these clumps to turn blue. These stained clumps are then reacted with some of the patient's white blood cells, which will essentially eat the clumps. LE cells are the white blood cells that contain the blue clumps. This test will be positive in about 70-80% of all patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The American Rheumatism Association developed a list of symptoms used to diagnose Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Research supports the idea that people who have at least four of the eleven criteria (not necessarily simultaneously) are extremely likely to have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The criteria are: Butterfly rash Discoid rash Photosensitivity Mouth ulcers Arthritis Inflammation of the lining of the lungs or the lining around the heart Kidney damage, as noted by the presence of protein or other abnormal substances called casts in the urine Seizures or psychosis The presence of certain types of anemia and low counts of particular white blood cells The presence of certain immune cells, anti-DNA antibodies, or a falsely positive test for syphilis The presence of antinuclear antibodies. |
||
|
||
| SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS RELATED ITEMS | ||
