Lupus Vasculitis

The purpose of this manuscript is to review the most recent literature pertinent to the presence of vasculitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including previously published landmark articles and studies and to update the different clinical and diagnostic aspects of vasculitic manifestations in patients with this important autoimmune disorder. As a multisystem autoimmune disease, systemic lupus may attack practically any organ system in the human body. Even though vasculitis is not the most common presentation or pathogenic mechanism of disease, it frequently causes significant morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE. The most common manifestation of lupus vasculitis is cutaneous involvement; visceral involvement is less common but causes severe disease; it may occur in different areas including central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, lungs and even retina.

Recent findings regarding the pathogenesis of lupus CNS and peripheral nerve disease, and vascular injury in lupus nephritis are reviewed as well. Vasculitis is an uncommon but serious manifestation of SLE; it may involve different organ systems and present in a wide variety of clinical syndromes, and thus the importance of its recognition and early diagnosis by physicians who deal with this disease, in order to start prompt and aggressive therapy when indicated.