Bone Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a wide variability of clinical manifestations due to the potential involvement of several tissues and internal organs, with a relapsing and remitting course. Dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune systems, due to genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, may be responsible for a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, affecting quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Bone involvement represents one of the most common cause of morbidity and disability in SLE. Particularly, an increased incidence of osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of bone and osteomyelitis has been observed in SLE patients compared to the general population. Moreover, due to the improvement in diagnosis and therapy, the survival of SLE patient has improved, increasing long-term morbidities, including osteoporosis and related fractures. This review aims to highlight bone manifestations in SLE patients, deepening underlying etiopathogenetic mechanisms, diagnostic tools and available treatment.