Condition Lookup

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Sub-category: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Symptoms:
fatigue; joint pain or swelling; skin rashes (especially a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose); photosensitivity; hair loss; mouth or nose ulcers; chest pain or difficulty breathing; kidney issues (e.g., protein in urine, kidney failure)

Root Cause:
The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage in multiple systems including skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history and physical examination. Blood tests, including antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, anti-dsDNA, and other specific autoantibodies. Urinalysis (to detect kidney involvement). Skin biopsy (if needed). Imaging tests for organ involvement (e.g., chest X-ray, echocardiogram).

Treatment:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) to reduce inflammation. Antimalarials (e.g., hydroxychloroquine) to control symptoms. Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., methotrexate, azathioprine). Biologic drugs (e.g., belimumab) for more severe cases. Kidney dialysis or transplant if kidney failure occurs.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ) - anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic medications. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone , methylprednisolone ) - immunosuppressants used to control inflammation. Hydroxychloroquine - an antimalarial used for immune modulation. Methotrexate - an immunosuppressive medication often used for severe or refractory cases. Belimumab - a monoclonal antibody used for lupus that inhibits B-cell activation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 2,000 people worldwide, more common in women (especially those of childbearing age) and individuals of African, Hispanic, and Asian descent.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender (more common in women). Family history of lupus or other autoimmune diseases. Genetic predisposition (certain genes related to immune system function). Exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity). Infections (can trigger or worsen symptoms). Use of certain medications (e.g., hydralazine, procainamide).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; with treatment, many patients can lead relatively normal lives. However, lupus can be life-threatening, especially when vital organs (kidneys, heart, lungs) are involved. Early diagnosis and management can help improve long-term outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney damage (lupus nephritis). Cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, stroke). Pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, miscarriage). Osteoporosis (due to long-term corticosteroid use). Infections (due to immunosuppressive treatment).

Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Symptoms:
skin thickening and tightening (especially hands and face); raynaud’s phenomenon (cold, discolored fingers or toes); joint pain or stiffness; difficulty swallowing; shortness of breath (due to lung involvement); digestive issues (acid reflux, constipation)

Root Cause:
The immune system attacks the skin and internal organs, leading to excessive collagen production, which causes fibrosis (scarring) of tissues.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for specific autoantibodies (e.g., anti-Scl-70, anticentromere antibodies). Skin biopsy to assess collagen deposition. Pulmonary function tests for lung involvement. Echocardiogram for heart involvement.

Treatment:
Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., methotrexate, cyclophosphamide). Corticosteroids for inflammation control. ACE inhibitors for kidney involvement. Pulmonary vasodilators for lung hypertension (e.g., sildenafil). Physical therapy to manage skin tightness and joint mobility.

Medications:
Methotrexate - an immunosuppressant used to slow disease progression. Cyclophosphamide - used for severe pulmonary and renal involvement. ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril ) - used to manage kidney issues. Sildenafil - a vasodilator used for pulmonary hypertension.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 1 in 100,000 people, more common in women (especially between ages 30 and 50).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender. Family history of autoimmune diseases. Environmental factors (e.g., silica dust exposure).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable; some individuals experience mild symptoms while others develop severe organ involvement. Early treatment can improve outcomes, but the disease can be life-threatening, especially if lung or heart complications arise.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary fibrosis. Heart failure due to fibrosis. Renal crisis leading to kidney failure.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology

Category: Rheumatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Symptoms:
combination of symptoms from lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis; raynaud’s phenomenon (cold, discolored fingers or toes); joint pain and swelling; muscle weakness; swollen hands and fingers; esophageal reflux or swallowing difficulties; skin changes such as a rash or sclerodactyly (thickening of the skin on fingers)

Root Cause:
A condition characterized by the overlap of features from multiple autoimmune diseases (lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis). The immune system attacks connective tissue, leading to inflammation and fibrosis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for specific autoantibodies (e.g., anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein [RNP], anti-Smith, anti-Scl-70). Clinical history and physical examination to assess overlapping symptoms of other autoimmune diseases. Skin biopsy for signs of scleroderma or lupus involvement

Treatment:
Corticosteroids for inflammation control. Immunosuppressive medications (e.g., methotrexate, azathioprine). NSAIDs for joint pain. Physical therapy to maintain muscle and joint function.

Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) to reduce inflammation and control flare-ups. Methotrexate - used for managing systemic inflammation. Azathioprine - an immunosuppressant used for long-term disease control. NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) - used for managing joint pain and inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1-5 cases per 100,000 people. It primarily affects young women (ages 15-50).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Female gender. Family history of autoimmune diseases.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable with early treatment. Disease progression can vary, with some individuals experiencing periods of remission while others develop severe organ involvement.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pulmonary hypertension. Interstitial lung disease. Renal complications (similar to lupus nephritis). Esophageal dysfunction and difficulty swallowing. Raynaud's phenomenon leading to digital ulcers.