April 29, 2024 – 16:48
HGF lupus Rheumatology
HGF Communication Advisory
Text and photos: Felipe Martins
HGF is the largest reference service for lupus care in Ceará. Every month, around 100 patients are treated in the unit’s outpatient clinics.
O Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), or just lupus, as it is better known, is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune origin. The pathology manifests itself in two main types: cutaneous, which usually manifests itself through reddish spots on areas exposed to the sun (face, neck and arms); and systemic, which affects one or more internal organs.
Despite the clarity of scientific definitions, diagnosing lupus is still a challenge for specialists. “As it is a disease with several forms of involvement, it is necessary to take more time to analyze the symptoms and make a diagnosis”, explains the rheumatologist at the Fortaleza General Hospital (HGF) Lysiane Ramos. “One patient may have a skin manifestation, another in the joints, another in the kidneys, and even in the head. It’s quite individual”, adds the equipment specialist at Ceará Health Department (Sesa).
In 2017, Casimiro Freire, aged 20 at the time, spent three months hospitalized at HGF until he was diagnosed with SLE. “I had chikungunya, which ended up triggering lupus. It was very difficult at first. I had an enlarged spleen, a thyroid nodule and I even vomited blood,” he says. “Today, I am being treated at the lupus clinic here at HGF and I feel fine; I practice normal activities, gym, football. But keep your medicines up to date to keep your health up to date”, he adds.
Today, at 27 years old, barber Camisiro Freire claims to lead a normal life with lupus
The cause of lupus is still unknown, but science already points to some genetic, hormonal and environmental factors as triggers for the development of the disease. “These are people who are born with genetic susceptibility to SLE and, at some point, after an interaction with environmental factors (solar irradiation, viral infections or infections caused by other microorganisms), they begin to produce antibodies that react with the body’s own proteins, causing inflammation in several areas, such as skin, mucous membranes, joints, lungs and kidneys”, highlights André Xenofonte, rheumatologist at HGF.
When to seek help
Despite the individuality of symptoms, some signs of lupus are expressed more generally in patients. Fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness and discouragement are some of them. More specific to each organ, Xenophon highlights pain in the joints, spots on the skin, inflammation of the pleura, hypertension and kidney problems. “When you identify these symptoms, you need to see a doctor so that there is a correct referral”, emphasizes the doctor.
Lupus still has no cure, but it is possible to maintain quality of life with good adherence to treatment. “A person with SLE may need one, two or more medications in a more active phase of the disease, and few or no medications in other phases of remission”, points out André. Another important precaution mentioned by the specialist is the continuous use of sunscreen. “One of the characteristics of SLE is disproportionate sensitivity to light, which leads the patient not only to spots (in the classic butterfly shape) when exposed to the sun, but also to general symptoms such as fever and tiredness”, he explains.
World Lupus Day
To celebrate advances in the treatment of the disease, the HGF Rheumatology service will hold, next Friday (3), a special program with activities providing guidance on general care for patients. The action refers to World Lupus Day (to be celebrated on May 10).
The date is an initiative of the World Lupus Federation, which brings together organizations of lupus patients from all continents, to draw attention to the impact of the disease on the affected population and the need to diagnose and treat it early, in addition to encourage increased research into its causes and cure.
