MUSCULOSKELETAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Radiology

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease predominantly affecting young, working women.
• Musculoskeletal manifestations, including arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, tenosynovitis, and enthesitis, are highly prevalent in SLE patients (over 90%).
• These symptoms significantly impair patients' quality of life and daily functioning, despite not always being considered severe SLE features.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of musculoskeletal manifestations in SLE diagnosis and management.
• To emphasize the role of clinical assessment and imaging in evaluating musculoskeletal involvement.
• To advocate for the use of accessible diagnostic tools like musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Main Methods:

• Clinical assessment of joints, tendons, entheses, and muscles as the gold standard for diagnosis.
• Utilizing various radiological imaging methods such as X-rays, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, and MRI for morphological assessment.
• Focusing on musculoskeletal ultrasound as a practical and cost-effective imaging modality.

Main Results:

• Musculoskeletal symptoms are present in over 90% of SLE patients, significantly affecting daily life.
• Radiological imaging provides crucial morphological information on disease activity and damage.
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound is identified as an accessible and affordable diagnostic tool.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing musculoskeletal manifestations is key for early SLE diagnosis and assessing disease activity.
• Early diagnosis and treatment initiation based on musculoskeletal findings can prevent chronic, irreversible changes.
• Utilizing tools like musculoskeletal ultrasound can lead to improved patient quality of life through timely intervention.