EDU: Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Update (Nov 2005, with audio)

[Guest guest]

Shiel, M.D., FACP, FACR, Editor of MedicineNet's Arthritis Overview,

Offers Perspectives Of Interest On Topics From 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting of

The American College of Rheumatology (held November 12-17, 2005)

Arthritis Conference - Installment #3 (transcript) on Lupus

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Update

Listen now to installment #3 (transcript) on Lupus - From

Dr. Shiel who is at the Arthritis Conference in San Diego, CA (MP3

2:26min 1.11MB)

This is Dr. Shiel, medical editor for Medicinenet.com reporting from

the 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting of The American College of Rheumatology in

San Diego California – the National Arthritis meeting. The topic I would like to

discuss today is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A very interesting paper was presented from s Hopkins school of medicine

with authors Michele Petre et. al. relating to systemic lupus erythematosus .

These researchers showed that when patients have blood abnormalities related to

lupus as well as certain factors that indicate a tendency towards

hypercoagulability -- which is a tendency of blood to clot with factors such as

lupus anticoagulant and double stranded DNA antibodies for low serum complement.

There is a strong association with kidney impairment in these lupus patients. It

was also noted that Plaquenil which is the brand name for hydroxychloroquine may

be protective in these patients. This is a very important paper because it tells

doctors there’s a method to managing kidney lupus or kidney disease in patients

with lupus before it occurs. It was suggested by the authors of this research

paper that treating the tendency towards blood clotting perhaps with blood

thinners affecting certain parts of the blood system like

using aspirin therapy or other methods to anticoagulant blood and using

Plaquenil might decrease the chance for kidney lupus to occur. This is

encouraging news for patients with lupus.

Go to Arthritis Center for more information.

(Beautiful Southern Oregon, USA)

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May you have enough happiness to make you kind, enough trials to make you

strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

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