What are the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis

Because of the emergence of systemic lupus erythematosus, the immune system will attack its own healthy cells, which will have an impact on various organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis is also a disease caused in this way, and its symptoms are also obvious.

(1) General symptoms: Most patients may experience general fatigue, weight loss, and emaciation. 90% of patients have fever, of which 65% are the first symptoms. The fever pattern is variable and may be intermittent fever, remittent fever, prolonged fever or chronic low-grade fever. 40% may exceed 39°C, and attention should be paid to whether it is caused by infection, especially in patients receiving large-dose hormone therapy.

(2) Skin and mucous membrane lesions: The skin and mucous membrane lesions of SLE are diverse, with an incidence rate of over 80%. 50% of patients may develop butterfly erythema, which is edematous erythema distributed in a butterfly shape on the bridge of the nose and both cheeks (no skin lesions in the nasolabial groove), with capillary dilation and scales. When exudation is severe, blisters and crusts may occur. After the erythema subsides, there is usually no scar left. 20% to 30% of patients may develop discoid erythema, which is mostly located on exposed skin and is annular, round or oval red raised patches covered with scales and keratin plugs. Scars often remain after the lesions subside. Both butterfly rash and discoid erythema are characteristic skin lesions of SLE and can be aggravated by sunlight or ultraviolet radiation. 35% to 58% of SLE patients may have photosensitivity. 50% to 71% of patients may experience hair loss, which is one of the sensitive indicators of SLE activity. About 50% of patients may develop vascular skin lesions, which are caused by inflammation or spasm of small blood vessels and capillaries. Including livedo reticularis, vasculitic skin lesions, Raynaud's phenomenon, periungual erythema, urticaria-like lesions, chilblain-like lupus-like lesions and capillary dilation. 7% to 14% of patients may experience mucosal erosions or painless ulcers.

(3) Joint and muscle diseases: About 95% of patients may experience joint pain and arthritis, which are common in the small joints of the limbs. 5% to 10% of patients suffer from aseptic femoral head necrosis, which is mostly caused by long-term, large-scale, and irregular use of hormones. Half of the patients experience myalgia and myopathy, and even obvious symptoms of muscle weakness or muscle atrophy. Joint muscle disease is often related to disease activity.