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Systemic lupus erythematosus, often abbreviated as SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease (or autoimmune connective tissue disease) in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. There are many kinds of lupus. The most common type is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which affects many internal organs in the body. SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flare-ups) alternating with remissions. The cause is believed to be an environmental trigger, which results in a misdirected immune response in people who are genetically susceptible. A normal immune system makes proteins called antibodies that protect against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus is characterized by the presence of antibodies against a person's own proteins; these are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies, which are found in nearly all cases. These antibodies lead to inflammation.〔 There is no cure for SLE. It is mainly treated with immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids, the goal of which is to keep symptoms under control. SLE can be fatal. The leading cause of death is from cardiovascular disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Life expectancy has improved over the decades. The 10-year survival rate is 92–95% and is close to that of people without lupus. This is due in part to better treatments, but also to identification of milder cases.〔(Meeting News Coverage: American College of Rheumatology 2012 Annual Meeting. ) Survival rates for lupus patients improved from 1970-2011. December 4, 2012〕 Global rates of disease varies from 20 to 70 per 100,000. The disease occurs nine times more often in women than in men, especially in women of child-bearing years (ages 15 to 35). It is also more common in those of African-American or Caribbean descent.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Harrison's Internal Medicine, 17th ed. Chapter 313. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus )〕〔 Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear.〔 Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus generally presents between the ages of 3 and 15, with girls outnumbering boys 4:1, and typical skin manifestations being a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, and photosensitivity.〔James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology''. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.〕 Lupus is Latin for wolf. In the 18th century, when lupus was just starting to be recognized as a disease, it was thought that it was caused by a wolf's bite. This may have been because of the distinctive malar rash characteristic of lupus. (Once full-blown, the round, disk-shaped rashes heal from the inside out, leaving a bite-like imprint.) ==Signs and symptoms== SLE is one of several diseases known as "the great imitators" because it often mimics or is mistaken for other illnesses.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Lupus, "The Great Imitator" ) 〕 SLE is a classical item in differential diagnosis,〔 because SLE symptoms vary widely and come and go unpredictably. Diagnosis can thus be elusive, with some people having unexplained symptoms of untreated SLE for years. Common initial and chronic complaints include fever, malaise, joint pains, muscle pains, and fatigue. Because these symptoms are so often seen in association with other diseases, these signs and symptoms are not part of the diagnostic criteria for SLE. When occurring in conjunction with other signs and symptoms (see below), however, they are considered suggestive.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lupus/DS00115/DSECTION=symptoms )〕 While SLE can occur in both males and females, the symptoms associated with each sex are different. Females tend to have greater relapses, a low white blood cell count, more arthritis, Raynaud phenomenon, and psychiatric symptoms. Males tend to have more seizures, kidney disease, serositis (inflammation of tissues lining the lungs and heart), skin problems, and peripheral neuropathy.〔Wasef, Sherif Z. Yacoub. "(Gender Differences in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus )." Gender Medicine 1.1 (2004): 12-17. Web.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Systemic lupus erythematosus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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