GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FAMILIAL AGGREGATION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

• Main Authors: Madalina-Pusa Duna, Denisa Predeteanu, F. Berghea, M. Abobului, Violeta Vlad, Andra Balanescu, Daniela Opris-Belinski, Violeta Bojinca, C.L.Constantinescu, Andreea Borangiu, Laura Groseanu, Ioana Saulescu, Maria-Magdalena Negru, Sanziana Daia, Diana Mazilu, Ruxandra Ionescu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amaltea Medical Publishing House 2018-09-01
• Series: Romanian Journal of Medical Practice
• Subjects: systemic lupus disease; familial aggregation; siblings; autoimmune disorders
• Online Access: https://revistemedicale.amaltea.ro/Romanian_Journal_of_RHEUMATOLOGY/Revista_Romana_de_REUMATOLOGIE-2018-Nr.3/RJR_2018_3_Art-05.pdf

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies, which deposit within tissues and fix complement leading to systemic inflammation (1). Is a heterogeneous disease with a continuum of disease activity. Some patients can have predominant skin and joint involvement, whereas others can present with organ-threatening diseases such as nephritis, cardiac involvement or even neurologic manifestations. Relatives of patients with SLE appear to be at higher risk of SLE and other autoimmune diseases, but estimates of individual familial risks are largely unavailable or unreliable (2,3).