Lupus erythematosus systemic M32.9

Inflammatory, heterogeneous, polyorganic autoimmune disease with variable disease course.

Diagnosis is based on pathological clinical symptoms of skin, joints, kidneys and central nervous system. Furthermore on serological (especially antinuclear antibodies against dsDNA) and further general inflammatory and immunohistological parameters (pathological: ESR, alpha2/gamma globulins, complement activation, anemia, LDH).

In the past, clinical diagnosis was performed according to the criteria of the ARA (American Rheumatism Association), which, however, do not adequately reflect the real clinical conditions and should be revised. Therefore, in 2012, a new classification was developed by the "Systemic Lupus International Collaberating Clinics - SLICC":

Clinical Criteria (SLICC Criteria - cited in Petri M et al. 2012):

• Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (including butterfly erythema).
• Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (e.g., localized or generalized discoid lupus erythematosus)
• Oral ulcers (palate or nose)
• Non-scarring alopecia (or diffuse effluvium)
• Synovitis or tenderness (2 or >2 joints) and morning stiffness (30 min or longer)
• Serositis (pleurisy or pericardial pain lasting longer than 1 day)
• Renal involvement (single urine: protein/creatinine ratio or protein in 24h collection urine, disc electrophoresis: proteinuria: >500mg/d or cylindruria).
• Neurological involvement (e.g. epilepsy, psychosis, myelitis).
• Hemolytic anemia
• Leukopenia (<4,000/µl) or lymphopenia (<1,000/µl)
• Thrombocytopenia (<100,000/µl)

Immunologic Criteria:

• Chromatin-Ak
• ANA titer above laboratory reference value
• Anti-dsDNA antibody = anti-nDNA-Ak (ds=double stranded ⇔ n=native).
• Anti-ssDNA-Ak ss= single stranded
• Anti-histone-Ak
• Anti-Sm antibody
• Anti-phospholipid antibodies (anti-cardiolipin and anti beta2-glycoprotein antibodies, false positive VDRL).
• Decreased complement (C3,C4, CH50)
• Positive direct Coombs test

Evaluation; =/>4criteria (at least 1 clinical and 1 immunological) or confirmed lupus nephritis + positive ANA, anti-dsDNA (sensitivity 94%, specificity 92%).

Systemic lupus erythematosus can be divided into 3 groups depending on the initial manifestation of the disease:

• Juvenile-onset SLE (≤18 years): 18%
• Adult-onset SLE (>18 - 50 years): 71%
• Late-onset SLE(>50 years): 11%

Prevalence: 36/100,000; incidence: 5-10/100,000.

In childhood, the prevalence is lower by a power of ten.

Depending on ethnicity, different frequencies can be observed, for example, systemic LE occurs 4 times more frequently in Africans than in Caucasians or Asians.

Autoimmune disease, probably caused by genetically induced abnormalities of the immune system. This mainly concerns the immunological recognition of "self" nucleic acids. Thus, virally induced IFN-α can trigger a dysregulation of the immune response, which on the one hand promotes antigen presentation via the maturation and proliferation of myeloid dendritic cells and on the other hand leads to the development of autoantibodies via the activation of autoreactive B cells.

In SLE, these autoantibodies, which are typically directed against nucleic acids, form immune complexes with "self" nucleic acids from cell debris. The deposition of these immune complexes in the blood vessels triggers inflammatory processes. On the other hand, the uptake of the immune complexes by plasmacytoid dendritic cells stimulates further interferon production via TLR signaling cascades. Activation of the type I interferon (IFN) system thus appears to be the central pathogenic mediator in SLE. Cell signaling by all type I IFNs, including IFNα, IFNβ, IFNɛ, IFNκ and IFNω, is mediated by the type I IFN-α/β/ω receptor (IFNAR), leading to IFN-stimulated gene transcription. This creates a vicious circle that leads to the breakdown of immunological tolerance and thus to autoimmunity.

Consequently, the organism must have suitable mechanisms that ensure a prompt and efficient immune response to viral nucleic acids on the one hand, but also protect against inadequate activation of the immune system by the body's own nucleic acids on the other.

A mutation in the TREX1 gene (3p21.31), a gene that codes for an intracellular DNase (see nucleases below), which plays an important role in apoptosis , was detected in a small number of patients. There are indications that an increased tendency to apoptosis and a reduced clearance of apoptotic material represent an important pathogenetic principle of SLE.

Other genes associated with SLE are: FCGR2A (1q23.3/lupus nephritis), FCGR2B (1q23.3), CTLA4 (2q33.2), DNASE1 (16p13.3).

Complement deficiency: The frequency of SLE in patients with C1q, C4 or C2 deficiency is 90%, 75% and about 15% respectively.

Triggering factors are:

• UV radiation(induces apoptosis)
• Medication (antihypertensives, procainamide, anticonvulsants, INH, antibiotics, antimycotics e.g. terbinafine, oral anticonceptives, thiazide diuretics, NSAIDs, atorvastatin, the PD-1 inhibitor tislelizumab)
• Trauma, psychological stress, pregnancy
• Underlying systemic diseases such as: tuberculosis, hepatitis, kidney disease.
• Silicosis: In this group of people, a two- to eight-fold risk of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus was found (furthermore, a more than 24-fold risk of systemic scleroderma and ^ANCA+ vasculitis) (Makol A et al. 2011).
• B cell defects: there is evidence that B cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have a reduced regulatory capacity compared to CD4+T cells (see below regulatory B cell), regardless of their origin.
• Regulatory T cells (Treg): these also play an important role in a healthy organism in the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

Occurring mainly in younger adults.

Ratio of females to males (w:m) is 4:1.

The so-called "late onset SLE" occurs after the age of 50 (w:m=2:1).

Juvenile onset SLE occurs at an average age of 12 years (w>m; incidence 0.9/100,000/year); preferred in African Americans; less common in Caucasians.

• General symptoms are detectable in 95% of SLE patients: fever, weakness, weight loss, arthralgias.
• Other organ changes: polyarthritis, 50-65% of SLE patients have kidney involvement (lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome), lymph node swelling, wet pleurisy (40-60%), less frequently lupus pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, hepatosplenomegaly, endo and/or pericarditis(Libman-Sacks syndrome) and myocarditis with consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy. Furthermore: polymyositis, peritonitis, gastritis, colitis and mostly unspecific neurological symptoms (15-20%) like headache, cognitive impairment, psychosis and depression but also brain-organic symptoms like seizures and transverse myelitis.
• Skin lesions are present in about 75% of patients. They are initial symptoms of the disease in about 25% of patients.
• Skin lesions can be divided into frequent and less frequent, and specific and non-specific (lupus-associated) skin lesions:
  • Frequently Present Specific HV:
    • "Butterfly erythema": Persistent, blurred, butterfly-like erythema on the face.
    • Morbilliform, scarlatiniform, multiforme, extensive (rosacea- or livedo-like) or bullous exanthema (especially upper back and chest areas).
    • Localized, pityriasiform, firmly adherent scaling or spatter-like atrophies.
    • With increasing duration of the erythema, two-dimensional livid-red plaques develop (especially in the late-onset type), preferably in the anterior chest area and also on the shoulders and hands and fingers. In the plaques, flat (sometimes painful) keratoses, spatter-like whitish atrophies, telangiectasias, erosions with crusts develop. Overall, a poikilodermic clinical picture may develop (see Fig.).
    • Localized, patchy or diffuse erythema and plaques especially on finger and toe extremities.
    • Chilblain's lupus (chilblain = frostbite) are pressure-dolent plaques that occur primarily with exposure to cold and affect mainly the acras.
  • Less frequently present specific HV:
    • Teleangiectasias on fingertips and nail folds and subungual hemorrhages.
    • Vasculitides can lead to Raynaud's syndrome, livedo racemosa, circumscribed gangrene and consequent ulceration.
    • Other possible clinical symptoms include diffuse effluvium, scarring alopecia, Raynaud's phenomenon, hypersensitivity to light (see MED below), persistent or intermittent unilateral or bilateral lid swelling
  • Associated (non-specific) HV:
    • Sweet syndrome (or Sweet-like LE-associated syndrome).
    • Non-bullous neutrophilic "lupus erythematosus"
    • Livedovasculopathy
• Mucosal changes: Edematous, livid enanthema of the oral mucosa with planar, even extensive erosions and ulcerations, especially on the hard palate and buccal mucosa. Exudative, crusted cheilitis tending to atrophy.
• Drug-induced lupus, which is less severe, is usually limited to the following symptoms: polyarthritis, pleurisy/pericarditis; no CNS or kidney involvement, still ANA+, often anti-histone antibodies, usually no anti-DNA antibodies!
• To assess activity and damage of mucocutaneous manifestations, the CLASI (Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index) was developed and validated.

• Non-specific activity symptoms:
  • ESR elevation (often correlates with severity of disease phase), CRP elevated.
  • Often antibody-induced cytopenias: leukopenia, neutropenia, left shift, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, thrombocytopenia, macrocytic anemia.
  • Reticulocytes and LDH elevated.
  • Signs of complement activation (decrease in C3 and C4 or CH50).
  • Electrophoresis: hypalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia.
  • Cryoglobulins, circulating immune complexes possible.
  • In 33% of cases false positive rheumatoid factor, but false negative rheumatoid factor is also possible, Coombs test frequently positive.
  • In 25% of cases false-positive syphilisserology (VDRL)
  • Calreticulin-Ak: The significance of these antibodies against this chaperone protein has not yet been clarified.
• Specific activity symptoms:
  • ANA: positive to 95% (high titer) - titer does not correlate with disease acuity!
  • Anti-dsDNA-Ak: positive up to 70%. Titers correlate with activity (note: usually the decrease of complement factors goes parallel to the increase of titers).
  • Anti-Sm -Ak: positive up to 30%.
  • Anti-Ro-Ak (SSA): positive up to 25%. Increased titers of SSA (mostly in combination with SSB) are found mainly in LE patients with increased photosensitivity.
  • Anti-C1q-Ak: correlates with disease activity
  • U1-RNP antibodies
  • Phospholipid antibodies (positive to 35%).
    • Cardiolipin Ak
    • Lupus anticoagulant: prolonged PTT as a screening test (see DD: phospholipid antibody syndrome).
  • Urine: proteinuria, haematuria and cylindruria depending on renal involvement.

Antinuclear antibodies (homogeneous, speckled, peripheral or nucleolar pattern), antibodies against defined cell nuclear components (double-stranded and single-stranded DNA antibodies, RNA, ENA, Sm antibodies), anticytoplasmic antibodies (mitochondria, ribosomes, proteins), antibodies against blood cells (erythrocytes, T and B lymphocytes, platelets). 30-50% of patients have antiphospolipid AK. These can cause thromboembolic complications, which can be interpreted as a consequence of a phospholipid antibody syndrome. See also Autoantibodies.

Notice. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus frequently shows H1 and H3 histone antibodies. Otherwise, histone antibodies do not play a significant role in the DD of autoimmune diseases.

Interface dermatitis, usually much less prominent than in lupus erythematosus integumentalis. Discrete perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with oedema of varying severity (depending on the acuteity) in the upper dermis with a blurred dermo-epidermal junction zone. Focal epidermotropy with vacuolar degeneration of the basal keratinocytes.

Lupus band test: Granular immunoglobulin deposits on the basement membrane (IgG, IgM,_C3, IgA); also in healthy skin (especially positive for sun exposure in up to 80% of cases). The value of the lupus band test has been increasingly questioned in the past. In larger studies, however, it could be shown that the disease activity (DNA-AK titer and kidney involvement higher than in the control group) was higher in positive lupus band tests than in negative ones.

Primary chronic polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis)

Dermatomyositis

Systemic scleroderma

Mixed connective tissue disease

Polyarteritis nodosa

Bacterial endocarditis, meningococcal, gonococcal sepsis

rheumatic fever;

glomerulonephritis of other genesis

Drug exanthema

Serum sickness.

The treatment of SLE is based on few randomized controlled trials. Personal expertise over many years is therefore an important prerequisite for adequate therapy.

• Stage-appropriate interdisciplinary (basic) therapy. Apart from basic therapy, organ manifestations (e.g., renal involvement) should be treated in a specialist manner.
  • Antimalarials: In patients without organ-dangerous manifestations (skin-joint pleurisy), monotherapy with antimalarials should be sufficient in the long term. Initially, these are combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or glucocorticoids (see below). It should be possible to reduce the glucocorticoid dose to 5.0-7.5 mg (prednisolone equivalent) under this theapy regime. If this is not possible the use of immunosuppressants is indicated.
    • Chloroquine (e.g. Resochin) or alternatively hydroxychloroquine (e.g. Quensyl) have a firm place in the basic therapy for mild forms of SLE with predominant joint and skin involvement in combination with a low prednisolone dose(continuous therapy up to max. 7.5 mg/day p.o.). Initial therapy with chloroquine 6.0-6.5mg/kgKG p.o., after 2 weeks reduction to 250 mg/day. Hydroxychloroquine is given at a dosage of 3.5-4.0 mg/kgKG /day p.o. for 4 weeks.
    • In case of resistance, mepacrine can be given in combination with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine. In exceptional cases, in case of intolerance to chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine also as monotherapy. The mepacrine daily dose of 100 mg/day should not be exceeded,if necessary reduction to 25-50 mg /day in case of side effects. Improvement of skin findings occurs after 3 to 4 weeks, maximum effect after 6 to 8 weeks.
  • Glucocorticoids: Prednisolone (e.g. Decortin H) is generally accepted as the standard treatment of choice for basic medication. The amount of initial dose depends on disease activity.
  • Mild disease manifestation (skin, musculoskeletal, Raynaud's): Peroral application of 0.25-0.5 mg/kg bw as a single morning dose.
  • Moderate disease manifestation (skin, musculoskeletal, leukopenia, discrete renal involvement, mild pleuropericarditis): 0.5-1.0 mg/kg bw divided into 2-3 ED (e.g., 50-25-0 or 50-25-25 mg p.o.).
  • Severe disease manifestation (severe lupus nephritis, CNS involvement, pleuropericarditis, necrotizing vasculitis): 8-hourly administration of 100 mg methylprednisolone i.v., initial dose may be increased to 250 mg. Alternatively, pulse therapy with 500-1000 mg/day i.v. as a single dose. For dose reduction, reduce evening and midday dose rather than morning dose. Above a total dose of 25 mg/day, further reduction in the form of the "alternate day" mode, e.g., 25 and 20 mg or 25 and 15 mg alternated daily. As a maintenance dose, 10 and 5 mg should be aimed for.
  • Azathioprine (e.g. Imurek): Generally accepted as standard treatment for moderate and severe forms (in case of insufficient response to combination antimalarial/prednisolone therapy - prednisolone dose cannot be lowered below 10 mg). Initial dose with 2-3 mg/kg bw p.o. dose is distributed to 2-3 ED. Onset of action after 3-4 weeks.

  • Notice. The use of azathioprine leads to glucocorticoid savings!

  • Alternative: Methotrexate (e.g. MTX): 10-20 mg/week p.o. Especially indicated in forms of SLE with pronounced joint manifestations. No effect in severe renal or CNS involvement. Since the immunosuppressive effect of methotrexate differs from its cytostatic effect (inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase), administration of 5-10 mg/week p.o. folic acid (e.g. folan) offset by 2 days from methotrexate administration.
  • Alternative: Mycofenolate mofetil 1.0 g/2 times/day p.o in combination with prednisolone p.o. (dosages see above).
  • Alternative: Cyclophosphamide (e.g. Endoxan): 1-2 mg/kg bw/day p.o. or 1000 mg i.v. every 4 weeks. Onset of action after about 1 week. High teratogenic effect. Use only in severe and life-threatening courses. Only in severe lupus nephritis together with prednisolone therapy of 1st choice. Weekly blood count checks. Therapy duration with oral administration 4-6 weeks, then 1 week therapy break, then 3-week therapy, followed by a 1-week therapy break each time. Max. Therapy duration 6-10 months.
  • Alternative: Ciclosporin A (e.g. Sandimmun): Appears to have a beneficial effect on SLE. Dose recommendations are 3-5 mg/kg bw/day divided over 2 EDs. Optimal blood level is 100-200 mg/ml blood (determination possible in specialized laboratories). Its use is limited by nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity and by hypertension.
  • Alternative: plasmapheresis (or immunoadsorption): Therapeutic approach to eliminate circulating immune complexes and autoantibodies. Currently still controversial, beneficial effects have been described in some studies.
  • Alternative: Immunoglobulins (see also IVIG): Indicated as high-dose therapy (IgG infusions, e.g. Intratect 400 mg/kg bw on 3-5 days) when marked leukopenia (especially granulocytopenia with frequent infections) or thrombocytopenia does not allow the use of antimetabolites or alkylants.
  • Alternative: Belimumab (Benlysta): Human IgG1λ monoclonal antibody that shortens the lifespan of CD20+ B lymphocytes and plasma cells.... Belimumab thus has a selective immunosuppressive effect. It is approved for the treatment (add-on therapy) of adult patients with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 2 phase III studies with a total of 684 patients are available. The value of this treatment remains to be seen.
  • Complementary: granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (e.g. Neupogen): Has been shown to be effective in lupus-associated leukopenia; dosage: 30 μg/day s.c. for 1-3 days.
  • Supplementary: Anakinra (Kineret): Based on single case reports, well effective in patients with lupus arthritis ( off-label use). 1 time/day 100 mg s.c. in combination with methotrexate. Alternatively, anakinra can be combined with leflunomide (Arava).
  • A smaller study exists on tocilizumab. Significant improvement was seen in disease activity of SLE in 8 of 15 pat. Arthritis improved in 7 pat. DNA-AK levels reduced, as did IgG levels.

Often begins in puberty. At first manifestation < 5 years a rare monogenic form must be considered. A relapsing course is typical. Prognosis quoad vitam depending on organ involvement. In the first years of the disease, bacterial infections (e.g. also by immunosuppressive therapy) contribute to mortality. After a longer period of the disease, cardiovascular complications determine the mortality rate. The five-year survival rate with appropriate therapy is > 90%. Ten-year survival rate: 92%.

Diagnostic criteria of the American Rheumatoid Association (ARA) [also ACR criteria (American College of Rheumatology)] for systemic lupus erythematosus

• Smoking is strictly prohibited. Risk of aggravating the vascular symptoms.
• Further reduction of cardiovascular risks: Optimal antihypertensive therapy. This setting is also important for maintaining renal function.
• Osteoporosis prophylaxis: calcium-rich nutrition/supplementation+Vit D3
• SLE and pregnancy: SLE is not associated with reduced fertility. Pregnancy can increase inflammatory activity. Competent care by gynaecologists is important.
• SLE and anticonception: Oestrogen-containing anticonceptives have been characterized at times as relapsing. Recent studies could not confirm this. Absolute contraindication of estrogens exists in the case of proven antiphospholipid antibodies and nicotine abuse.

• Notice! Visceral lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased risk of vasculitis and thrombosis!

• Pregnancies and systemic LE are controversially discussed. Exacerbations are expected in 30-60% of patients. In particular, nephrological monitoring should be performed in patients who already had renal problems before the onset of pregnancy.

• If pregnancy has occurred, basic therapy with hydroxychloroquine should be continued. Also azathioprine and cyclosporine with strict indication (see also neonatal lupus erythematosus)

• Vaccination recommendations under http://dgrh.de/Impfmpfehlung.html

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