The invisible “lupus erythematosus”

  When it comes to “lupus erythematosus”, many people seem to know a little bit about it, “Isn’t it just a red spot on the face?” That’s what people say. In fact, the so-called “systemic lupus erythematosus”, “erythema” is only one of its common and easily recognized manifestations, and there are relatively few erythema in men and elderly patients compared with young female patients; the harm of the disease and the most important point of diagnosis and treatment In fact, it is “systemic” and its damage to the human body is everywhere, so patients without erythema can easily be missed or misdiagnosed.  From time to time, the rheumatology ward will admit some patients with SLE who are very sick. Some of them have bleeding problems due to low platelets, some have severe swelling of the lower limbs, some are young but have difficulty in breathing and heart failure, some have mental abnormalities or even “disowned” their parents, some have abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, intestinal obstruction and even pancreatitis. /Most of them had been referred to several primary hospitals and various departments for repeated blood transfusions, “anti-inflammatory injections” or albumin infusions, at great expense but without any apparent therapeutic effect. The damage to patients and families from these serious visceral lesions is enormous, physically, mentally and financially.  When patients are first diagnosed with single or multiple organ damage such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract and hematologic system, it is important to promptly screen suspected patients for SLE. Early screening at a regular rheumatology clinic in a timely manner can minimize the delay of the disease.