Case Study 76 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (answered)

1. What is the relevance of this information to her disease? Her age currently is 47, she had been diagnosed 18 years ago with SLE. This would put her at 19 years of age at diagnosis which is typical falling in between 15-45 years. Females are at a greater risk for SLE, 85%-90% of SLE patients are women. The occasional Naproxen and antacid use are normal. Naproxen can be used and effective for minor joint pain. Joint pain is a common manifestation of SLE. 2. What is the significance of the patient’s family history? The family history of rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, and graves disease is relevant because each of these are autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are found to run in families and have a genetic component that increases risks to develop these diseases. 3. Is this patient underweight, overweight, obese, or is this patient’s weight considered healthy and normal? The patient is currently underweight at 102lbs with a BMI of 17. A BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight. This is a change since her last exam 1 year prior where her weight was 125lbs with a normal BMI of 20.8. Decreased appetite and weight loss are clinical manifestations of SLE.