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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights. Chua, Kathleen S. To read about systemic lupus erythematosus in Harrison’s: its epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment, and prognosis could only say so much.

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights

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  1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:Insights Chua, Kathleen S.

  2. To read about systemic lupus erythematosus in Harrison’s: its epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment, and prognosis could only say so much. • To actually meet and converse with an actual patient with the disease, however, would be a learning experience that no 6,000 peso book would be able to provide. • Quoting from what one of our facilitators said, ‘The patients are the best teachers’.

  3. SLE isn’t just about having butterfly-shaped rashes, anti-dsDNA antibodies, and apoptotic cells in your blood smear. It could also be about losing your beautiful hair, dropping out from school, abandoning dreams, rebuilding relationships with your family and friends, and having stronger faith in God.

  4. The patients we met last weekend were all females, a confirmation of what is written in the literature – “Sex hormones such as estrogen play an important role in the occurrence of SLE and it is observed that during reproductive years, the frequency of SLE is 10 times greater in females than in males.” • Having SLE could bring about complications to our organs such as the heart and kidneys. • It could also be difficult to diagnose, especially that the diagnostic test would not come cheap. • A good history and physical examination coupled with a high index of suspicion is very important.

  5. Despite having the disease, the patients we met still seem to not understand fully their illness. All they knew (and all that mattered for them) was that SLE changed their lives drastically. The wounds do not only hurt. The scars were permanent, not only physically but emotionally. • SLE is not a battle fought solely by the patient and the physician. The patient must be equipped not only with financial and medical but with moral and spiritual support.

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