Causes of Lupus
List of causes of Lupus
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Lupus)
that could possibly cause Lupus includes:
- There are 38 known medications to cause DIL but there are three that report the highest number of cases: hydralazine, procainamide, and isoniazid
Common Causes of Lupus
Following is a list of common causes of Lupus:
Lupus Causes: Book Excerpts
Lupus as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Lupus as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Lupus.
Our database lists the following as having
Lupus as a complication of that condition:
Medications or substances causing Lupus:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Lupus as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Hydralazine (Apresoline)
- Procainamide (Procan, Pronestyle)
- Methyldopa (Aldornet)
- Quinidine (Quinaglute)
- Isoniazid (INH)
- more drugs...»
See full list of 14
medications causing Lupus
What causes Lupus?
Article excerpts about the
causes of Lupus:
Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Lupus is a complex disease whose cause is unknown. It is
likely that there is no single cause but rather a combination of
genetic, environmental, and possibly hormonal factors that work together
to cause the disease. The exact cause may differ from one person to
another.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS)
Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Research suggests that genetics plays an important role; however, no
specific "lupus gene" has been identified. Instead, it appears that
several genes may increase a person's susceptibility to the disease.
The fact that lupus can run in families indicates that its
development has a genetic basis. In addition, studies of identical twins
have shown that lupus is much more likely to affect both members of a
pair of identical twins, who share the exact same set of genes, than two
nonidentical twins or other siblings. However, scientists think that
genes alone cannot account for who gets lupus. Other factors must also
play a role. Some of the factors that scientists are studying include
sunlight, stress, certain drugs, and infectious agents such as viruses.
Even though a virus might trigger the disease in susceptible
individuals, a person cannot "catch" lupus from someone else.
In lupus, the body's immune system does not work as it
should. A healthy immune system produces substances called antibodies
that help fight and destroy viruses, bacteria, and other foreign
substances that invade the body. In lupus, the immune system produces
antibodies against the body’s healthy cells and tissues. These
antibodies, called autoantibodies ("auto" means self), contribute to the
inflammation of various parts of the body, causing damage and altering
the function of target organs and tissues. In addition, some
autoantibodies join with substances from the body’s own cells or tissues
to form molecules called immune complexes. A buildup of these immune
complexes in the body also contributes to inflammation and tissue injury
in people with lupus. Researchers do not yet understand all of the
factors that cause inflammation and tissue damage in lupus, and this is
an active area of research.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: NIAMS)
Lupus Fact Sheet: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Although the cause of lupus is unknown, it is likely a combination of
genetic, environmental, and possibly hormonal factors. The exact cause may
differ from one person to another. Research suggests that genetics plays an
important role; and it appears that several genes may be responsible for
increasing a person's susceptibility to the disease. Most cases of SLE occur
sporadically, indicating that both genetic and environmental factors play a role
in the development of the disease. Some of the factors that scientists are
studying include sunlight, stress, certain drugs, and infectious agents such as
viruses. Even though a virus might trigger the disease in susceptible
individuals, a person cannot "catch" lupus from someone else. (Source: excerpt from Lupus Fact Sheet: NWHIC)
Medical news summaries relating to Lupus:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Lupus:
Related information on causes of Lupus:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Lupus may be found in:
Causes of Lupus: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Lupus.
Butterfly rash:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
❑ Discoid lupus erythematosus. With discoid lupus erythematosus, a localized form of LE, the patient may come into your facility with a unilateral or butterfly rash that consists of erythematous, raised, sharply demarcated plaques with follicular plugging and central atrophy. The rash may also involve the scalp, ears, chest, or any part of the body exposed to the sun. Telangiectasia, scarring alopecia, and hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may occur later. Other accompanying signs include conjunctival redness, dilated capillaries of the nail fold, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, oral lesions, and mottled, reddish blue skin on the legs.
❑ Erysipelas. Erysipelas causes rosy or crimson swollen lesions, mainly on the neck and head and commonly along the nasolabial fold. It may cause hemorrhagic pus-filled blisters. Other signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cervical lymphadenopathy, and malaise.
❑ Polymorphous light eruption. Butterfly rash appears as erythema, vesicles, plaques, and multiple small papules that may later become eczematized, lichenified, and excoriated. Provoked by ultraviolet rays, the rash appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, the hands and arms, and other areas, beginning a few hours to several days after exposure. It may be accompanied by pruritus.
❑ Rosacea. Initially, butterfly rash may appear as a prominent, nonscaling, intermittent erythema limited to the lower half of the nose or including the chin, cheeks, and central forehead. As rosacea develops, the duration of the rash increases; instead of disappearing after each episode, the rash varies in intensity and is commonly accompanied by telangiectasia. With advanced rosacea, the skin is oily, with papules, pustules, nodules, and telangiectasis restricted to the central oval of the face. In men with severe rosacea, butterfly rash may be accompanied by rhinophyma — a thickened, lobulated overgrowth of sebaceous glands and epithelial connective tissue on the lower half of the nose and, possibly, the adjacent cheeks. This is more common in elderly patients.
❑ Seborrheic dermatitis. Butterfly rash appears as greasy, scaling, slightly yellow macules and papules of varying size on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, in a “butterfly” pattern. The scalp, beard, eyebrows, portions of the forehead above the bridge of the nose, nasolabial fold, or trunk may also be involved. Associated signs and symptoms include crusts and fissures (particularly when the external ear and scalp are involved), pruritus, redness, blepharitis, styes, severe acne, and oily skin. Severe seborrheic dermatitis of the face occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
❑ Systemic lupus erythematosus. Occurring in about 40% of patients with this connective tissue disorder, butterfly rash appears as a red, usually scaly, sharply demarcated macular eruption. The rash may be transient in patients with acute SLE or may progress slowly to include the forehead, the chin, the area around the ears, and other exposed areas. Common associated skin findings include scaling, patchy alopecia, mucous membrane lesions, mottled erythema of the palms and fingers, periungual erythema with edema, reddish purple macular lesions on the volar surfaces of the fingers, telangiectasia of the base of the nails or eyelids, purpura, petechiae, and ecchymoses.
Butterfly rash may also be accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and deformities, particularly ulnar deviation of the fingers and subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Related findings include periorbital and facial edema, dyspnea, a low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, photosensitivity, and hepatosplenomegaly.
Other causes
❑ Drugs. Hydralazine and procainamide can cause a lupuslike syndrome.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Lupus erythematosus:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The exact cause of SLE remains a mystery, but evidence points to interrelated immunologic, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors. Autoimmunity is thought to be the prime causative mechanism. In autoimmunity, the body produces antibodies against its own cells such as the antinuclear antibody. The formed antigen-antibody complexes can suppress the body’s normal immunity and damage tissues. Patients with SLE produce antibodies against many different tissue components, such as red blood cells (RBCs), neutrophils, platelets, lymphocytes, or almost any organ or tissue in the body.
Certain predisposing factors may make a person susceptible to SLE. Physical or mental stress, streptococcal or viral infections, exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light, immunization, pregnancy, and abnormal estrogen metabolism may all affect this disease’s development.
SLE may also be triggered or aggravated by treatment with certain drugs — for example, procainamide, hydralazine, anticonvulsants and, less commonly, penicillins, sulfa drugs, and hormonal contraceptives.
SLE strikes 8 times more females than men, increasing to 15 times more during childbearing years. It occurs worldwide but is most prevalent among Asians and Blacks.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Butterfly rash:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Discoid lupus erythematosus
Discoid lupus erythematosus is a localized form of lupus erythematosus characterized by a rash on one or both sides of the face that consists of erythematous, raised, sharply demarcated plaques with follicular plugging and central atrophy. The rash may also involve the scalp, ears, chest, and any part of the body exposed to the sun. Telangiectasia, scarring alopecia, and hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may occur later. Other accompanying signs include conjunctival redness, dilated capillaries of the nail fold, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, oral lesions, and mottled, reddish blue skin on the legs.
Erysipelas
Erysipelas causes rosy or crimson swollen lesions, mainly on the neck and head and commonly along the nasolabial fold. It may cause hemorrhagic pus-filled blisters. Other signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cervical lymphadenopathy, and malaise.
Polymorphous light eruption
A butterfly rash appears as erythema, vesicles, plaques, and multiple small papules that may later become eczematized, lichenified, and excoriated. Provoked by ultraviolet rays, the rash appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, the hands and arms, and other areas, beginning a few hours to several days after exposure. It may be accompanied by pruritus.
Rosacea
Initially, the rash may appear as a prominent, nonscaling, intermittent erythema limited to the lower half of the nose or including the chin, cheeks, and central forehead. As rosacea develops, the duration of the rash increases; instead of disappearing after each episode, the rash varies in intensity and is commonly accompanied by telangiectasia. In advanced rosacea, the skin is oily, with papules, pustules, nodules, and telangiectasia restricted to the central oval of the face. In men with severe rosacea, the butterfly rash may be accompanied by rhinophyma—a thickened, lobulated overgrowth of sebaceous glands and epithelial connective tissue on the lower half of the nose and, possibly, the adjacent cheeks. This is more common in elderly patients.
Seborrheic dermatitis
In this disorder, greasy, scaling, slightly yellow macules and papules of varying size appear on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose in a butterfly pattern. The scalp, beard, eyebrows, portions of the forehead above the bridge of the nose, nasolabial fold, or trunk may also be involved. Associated signs and symptoms include crusts and fissures (particularly when the external ear and scalp are involved), pruritus, redness, blepharitis, styes, severe acne, and oily skin. Severe seborrheic dermatitis of the face occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Occurring in about 40% of patients with SLE—a connective tissue disorder—a butterfly rash appears as a red, often scaly, sharply demarcated macular eruption. The rash may be transient in patients with acute SLE or may progress slowly to include the forehead, chin, the area around the ears, and other exposed areas. Common associated skin findings include scaling, patchy alopecia, mucous membrane lesions, mottled erythema of the palms and fingers, periungual erythema with edema, reddish purple macular lesions on the volar surfaces of the fingers, telangiectasia of the base of the nails or eyelids, purpura, petechiae, and ecchymoses.
The rash may be accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and deformities, particularly ulnar deviation of the fingers and subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Related findings include periorbital and facial edema, dyspnea, low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, photosensitivity, and hepatosplenomegaly.
Other causes
Drugs
Hydralazine and procainamide can cause a lupuslike syndrome.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Lupus erythematosus:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
The exact cause of SLE remains a mystery, but available evidence points to interrelated immunologic, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors.
Immune dysregulation
Immune dysregulation, in the form of autoimmunity, is thought to be the prime causative mechanism. With autoimmunity, the body produces antibodies against components of its own cells, such as the antinuclear antibody (ANA). The formed antigen-antibody complexes can activate the body’s immunity and damage tissues. One significant feature in patients with SLE is their ability to produce antibodies against many different tissue components, such as red blood cells, neutrophils, platelets, lymphocytes, or almost any organ or tissue in the body.
Predisposing factors
Physical or mental stress, streptococcal or viral infections, exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light, immunization, pregnancy, and abnormal estrogen metabolism may all affect the development of this disease in a genetically susceptible individual.
SLE also may be triggered or aggravated by treatment with certain drugs — for example, procainamide, hydralazine, anticonvulsants and, less commonly, penicillins, sulfa drugs, and hormonal contraceptives.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Butterfly rash:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Discoid lupus erythematosus
With discoid lupus erythematosus, a localized form of lupus erythematosus, the patient may have a unilateral or butterfly rash that consists of erythematous, raised, sharply demarcated plaques with follicular plugging and central atrophy. The rash may also involve the scalp, ears, chest, or any part of the body exposed to the sun. Telangiectasia, scarring alopecia, and hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may occur later. Other accompanying signs include conjunctival redness, dilated capillaries of the nail fold, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, oral lesions, and mottled, reddish blue skin on the legs.
Erysipelas
Occurring primarily in infants and adults older than age 30 following a streptococcal infection, erysipelas causes rosy or crimson swollen lesions, mainly on the neck and head and commonly along the nasolabial fold. It may cause hemorrhagic pus-filled blisters. Other signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cervical lymphadenopathy, and malaise.
Rosacea
Initially, with rosacea, butterfly rash may appear as a prominent, nonscaling, intermittent erythema limited to the lower half of the nose or including the chin, cheeks, and central forehead. As rosacea develops, the duration of the rash increases; instead of disappearing after each episode, the rash varies in intensity and is commonly accompanied by telangiectasia. With advanced rosacea, the skin is oily, with papules, pustules, nodules, and telangiectasis restricted to the central oval of the face. In men with severe rosacea, butterfly rash may be accompanied by rhinophyma — a thickened, lobulated overgrowth of sebaceous glands and epithelial connective tissue on the lower half of the nose and, possibly, the adjacent cheeks. This is more common in elderly patients.
Seborrheic dermatitis
With seborrheic dermatitis, butterfly rash appears as greasy, scaling, slightly yellow macules and papules of varying size on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, in a “butterfly” pattern. The scalp, beard, eyebrows, portions of the forehead above the bridge of the nose, nasolabial fold, or trunk may also be involved. Associated signs and symptoms include crusts and fissures (particularly when the external ear and scalp are involved), pruritus, redness, blepharitis, styes, severe acne, and oily skin. Severe seborrheic dermatitis of the face occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Occurring in about 40% of patients with SLE (a connective tissue disorder), butterfly rash appears as a red, commonly scaly, sharply demarcated macular eruption. The rash may be transient in patients with acute SLE or may progress slowly to include the forehead, chin, the area around the ears, and other exposed areas. Common associated skin findings include scaling, patchy alopecia, mucous membrane lesions, mottled erythema of the palms and fingers, periungual erythema with edema, reddish purple macular lesions on the volar surfaces of the fingers, telangiectasia of the base of the nails or eyelids, purpura, petechiae, and ecchymoses.
Butterfly rash may also be accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and deformities, particularly ulnar deviation of the fingers and subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Related findings include periorbital and facial edema, dyspnea, low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, photosensitivity, and hepatosplenomegaly. (See Associated disorder: Lupus.)
Other causes
Drugs
The drugs hydralazine and procainamide can cause a lupus-like syndrome, which is evidenced by the butterfly rash.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Butterfly rash:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Discoid lupus erythematosus.With discoid lupus erythematosus, the patient may have a unilateral or butterfly rash that consists of erythematous, raised, sharply demarcated plaques with follicular plugging and central atrophy. The rash may also involve the scalp, ears, chest, or any part of the body exposed to the sun. Telangiectasia, scarring alopecia, and hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may occur later. Other accompanying signs include conjunctival redness, dilated capillaries of the nail fold, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, oral lesions, and mottled, reddish blue skin on the legs.
Erysipelas.Erysipelas causes rosy or crimson swollen lesions, mainly on the neck and head and commonly along the nasolabial fold. It may cause hemorrhagic pus-filled blisters. Other signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cervical lymphadenopathy, and malaise.
Polymorphous light eruption.A butterfly rash appears as erythema, vesicles, plaques, and multiple small papules that may later become eczematized, lichenified, and excoriated. Provoked by ultraviolet rays, the rash appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, the hands and arms, and other areas, beginning a few hours to several days after exposure. It may be accompanied by pruritus.
Rosacea.Initially, a butterfly rash may appear as a prominent, nonscaling, intermittent erythema limited to the lower half of the nose or including the chin, cheeks, and central forehead. As rosacea develops, the duration of the rash increases; instead of disappearing after each episode, the rash varies in intensity and is commonly accompanied by telangiectasia. With advanced rosacea, the skin is oily, with papules, pustules, nodules, and telangiectasis restricted to the central oval of the face. In men with severe rosacea, butterfly rash may be accompanied by rhinophyma—a thickened, lobulated overgrowth of sebaceous glands and epithelial connective tissue on the lower half of the nose and, possibly, the adjacent cheeks. This is more common in elderly patients.
Seborrheic dermatitis.A butterfly rash appears as greasy, scaling, slightly yellow macules and papules of varying size on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, in a “butterfly” pattern. The scalp, beard, eyebrows, portions of the forehead above the bridge of the nose, nasolabial fold, or trunk may also be involved. Associated signs and symptoms include crusts and fissures (particularly when the external ear and scalp are involved), pruritus, redness, blepharitis, styes, severe acne, and oily skin. Severe seborrheic dermatitis of the face occurs in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Systemic lupus erythematosus.Occurring in about 40% of patients with this connective tissue disorder, a butterfly rash appears as a red, usually scaly, sharply demarcated macular eruption. The rash may be transient in patients with acute SLE or may progress slowly to include the forehead, the chin, the area around the ears, and other exposed areas. Common associated skin findings include scaling, patchy alopecia, mucous membrane lesions, mottled erythema of the palms and fingers, periungual erythema with edema, reddish purple macular lesions on the volar surfaces of the fingers, telangiectasia of the base of the nails or eyelids, purpura, petechiae, and ecchymoses.
A butterfly rash may also be accompanied by joint pain, stiffness, and deformities, particularly ulnar deviation of the fingers and subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joints. Related findings include periorbital and facial edema, dyspnea, a low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, photosensitivity, and hepatosplenomegaly.
Other causes
Drugs.Hydralazine and procainamide can cause a lupuslike syndrome, producing a butterfly rash.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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