General information about systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, characterized by activity flares of varying severity that cause irreversible chronic damage. Its pathogenesis is associated with polymorphic variants in several genes that predispose individuals to the development of the disease. The objective of the study was to describe the general aspects, genetic components, susceptibility factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and complications of systemic lupus erythematosus. A historical bibliographic review was conducted, searching the SciELO, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases, covering studies published between 2018 and 2023. The results indicate that systemic lupus erythematosus presents a wide variety of clinical manifestations influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Among the most notable complications is lupus nephropathy, which is the primary cause of renal involvement in these patients. Additionally, a significant correlation was identified between systemic lupus erythematosus and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive treatments. The review concludes that systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical features that complicate its diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improve understanding and management of its pathophysiology.