19/09/2022
What is lupus arthritis?
Pain in the small joints of the hands occurs commonly in lupus. However, lupus arthritis does not cause joint erosion like other arthritis e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis. This joint pain is symmetrical distribution means involvement of the same joints of both hands.
What are the symptoms of lupus arthritis?
In the case of lupus also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, joints commonly affected are small joints of the hands. Joints become swollen and red. Lupus arthritis occurs mainly in a symmetrical pattern and also in migratory patterns. Simply, lupus attacks the same joints of both hands and attacks one by one joint. Pain relieves in one joint and then attacks the next joints this pattern is called the migratory pattern. One important note is that joint erosion or joint damage does not occur in lupus in contrast to rheumatoid arthritis where joint erosion or joint destruction occurs.
How to diagnose lupus arthritis?
Arthritis in lupus is diagnosed clinically and through some tests. The clinical pattern of small joint pain, migratory type without joint deformity. In addition to this, the doctor will examine you for other symptoms and signs of lupus. Other symptoms are alopecia means losing excessive hair, oral ulcer, rash on the face and other parts of the body and legs, convulsion, cough, and swelling of the face, and legs.
Clinical signs of lupus:
Butterfly distribution of rash on face. It seems to be like a butterfly over the nose and cheeks but does not cross the lower nasal fold.
A disk-like rash called discoid rash.
A rash over both legs.
Swelling of abdomen or belly and legs.
Examine to check whether you have fluid in the lug and heart cavity.
What are the lupus arthritis tests?
Several tests are needed to confirm arthritis:
ESR will be high
Ultrasound of joints nowadays is a modern technology to detect arthritis and joint destruction in the early stage.
X-ray to detect joint damages.
Tests are needed to confirm lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus:
ANA is positive and it is a pivot test for the diagnosis of lupus.
Anti-ds DNA test is used for diagnosis as well as to monitor the disease activity.
Anti-Sm test
Urine test to see whether the patient is passing protein through the kidney and it indicated lupus involved kidney that needs special treatment.
X-ray of chest
Full blood cell count is very important because cells are affected by lupus.
What are the options for lupus arthritis treatment?
Several options are available for the treatment of arthritis in lupus patients.
Pain killer called NSAIDs like Indomethacin reduces the pain quickly.
Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine called DMARD that halts the disease activity of lupus. It is effective to control pain, and skin problems in addition to this it controls lupus.
