Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Study 76 1
Case Study 76 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Kristen Selfridge
HACC
, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Study 76 2
1. What is the relevance of this information to her disease?
Her age currently is 47, she had been diagnosed 18 years ago with SLE. This would put
her at 19 years of age at diagnosis which is typical falling in between 15-45 years.
Females are at a greater risk for SLE, 85%-90% of SLE patients are women. The
occasional Naproxen and antacid use are normal. Naproxen can be used and effective for
minor joint pain. Joint pain is a common manifestation of SLE.
2. What is the significance of the patient’s family history?
The family history of rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, and graves disease is
relevant because each of these are autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are found
to run in families and have a genetic component that increases risks to develop these
diseases.
3. Is this patient underweight, overweight, obese, or is this patient’s weight considered
healthy and normal?
The patient is currently underweight at 102lbs with a BMI of 17. A BMI of less than 18.5
is considered underweight. This is a change since her last exam 1 year prior where her
weight was 125lbs with a normal BMI of 20.8. Decreased appetite and weight loss are
clinical manifestations of SLE.
4. Explain the pathophysiology that underlies hair loss in this patient and the relevance of
the abnormal ESR.
The helper T cells or suppressor T cell function causes B lymphocytes to create
antibodies against its own tissues. These autoantibodies bind with antigens creating
immune complexes. Inflammation occurs when the immune complexes are trapped in
body tissues, triggering the inflammation process the body uses to try to remove the
Case Study 76 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Kristen Selfridge
HACC
, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Study 76 2
1. What is the relevance of this information to her disease?
Her age currently is 47, she had been diagnosed 18 years ago with SLE. This would put
her at 19 years of age at diagnosis which is typical falling in between 15-45 years.
Females are at a greater risk for SLE, 85%-90% of SLE patients are women. The
occasional Naproxen and antacid use are normal. Naproxen can be used and effective for
minor joint pain. Joint pain is a common manifestation of SLE.
2. What is the significance of the patient’s family history?
The family history of rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, and graves disease is
relevant because each of these are autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are found
to run in families and have a genetic component that increases risks to develop these
diseases.
3. Is this patient underweight, overweight, obese, or is this patient’s weight considered
healthy and normal?
The patient is currently underweight at 102lbs with a BMI of 17. A BMI of less than 18.5
is considered underweight. This is a change since her last exam 1 year prior where her
weight was 125lbs with a normal BMI of 20.8. Decreased appetite and weight loss are
clinical manifestations of SLE.
4. Explain the pathophysiology that underlies hair loss in this patient and the relevance of
the abnormal ESR.
The helper T cells or suppressor T cell function causes B lymphocytes to create
antibodies against its own tissues. These autoantibodies bind with antigens creating
immune complexes. Inflammation occurs when the immune complexes are trapped in
body tissues, triggering the inflammation process the body uses to try to remove the
