Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)/Lupus is an autoimmune disease. The immune system of a person attacks its own tissues which it identifies as foreign ones.
There is no specific known cause why our own body’s army (immune system) gets confused and starts attacking itself. The cause of SLE remains unknown and is definitely multifactorial. Many observations suggest a role for genetic, hormonal, immunologic, and environmental factors.
Lupus develops in response to a combination of factors like:
- Genetics: – Researchers say there is around 50 genes likely to contribute to it’s Lupus. There is no evidence to suggest that they directly cause Lupus.
- Environmental factors: –
- Several Viruses like EBV.
- bacterial infections may trigger increased immune activation and inflammation.
- Exposure to ultraviolet light.
3. Hormonal: – Most of the cases of Lupus are females. Differences in our hormones — chemical messengers that deliver messages from the brain to the body may play a role in this. Studies show that estrogen contributes to the development of lupus and makes it more severe.
4. Immune abnormalities: – There are various immune defects in patients with Lupus. Clinical manifestations are mediated directly or indirectly by antibody formation and the creation of immune complexes (IC).
One can still get Lupus without having a family history of a single person with Lupus symptoms.
Dr. Ashish K Badika has 3 years of advanced training in Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology including 2 years Post Doctoral.
He has extensive exposure to Systemic Autoimmune Disorder (Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Seronegative spondyloarthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Gout, Myositis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Vasculitic conditions, and Paediatric rheumatology disorders).