Drug-induced secondary diseases are not new to us, and since the novel “First Close Encounter” was a best seller, SLE is slowly becoming known to us. And now, we are going to introduce drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Lupus erythematosus caused by taking certain drugs is called pharmacologic lupus erythematosus. Most of the clinical symptoms of pharmacologic lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus, but they also have their own characteristics. I. Common symptoms are lighter than those of SLE Fever, myalgia, arthralgia, pericarditis and pleurisy are common symptoms of drug-related lupus, which are similar to but relatively lighter than those of SLE. In addition, patients with drug-related lupus with symptoms such as cheek rash, oral mucosal ulcers, Raynaud’s phenomenon and severe hair loss are less common than those with SLE, while anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are also rare. Fewer patients with CNS involvement Among patients with drug-related lupus, except for patients with CNS lesions due to procaine amide, patients with disease caused by other drugs rarely have CNS involvement. Renal involvement is less commonly seen. Laboratory findings are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus. Laboratory findings of drug-related lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus, including increased sedimentation, hyperglobulinemia, positive lupus anticoagulant, etc. The rate of positive lupus cells is also similar to that of systemic lupus erythematosus;
Lupus cells can also be found in the pericardial and pleural effusions of patients with pharmacologic lupus; the positive rate of antinuclear antibodies is similar to that of systemic lupus erythematosus. What can be distinguished from SLE is that patients with pharmacologic lupus have almost no anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and anti-Sm antibodies, and complement levels are not reduced. Through the above introduction, I believe you have been able to have a clear understanding of the characteristics of pharmacological lupus erythematosus, and I hope this article can bring you help.