Lupus – An Autoimmune Disorder

Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the immune system becomes overactive and starts attacking the body tissues; Lupus is one of the autoimmune diseases. Lupus, specifically systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a long-lasting condition that attacks body tissues and can cause inflammation of the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other areas (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2019). This paper aims to describe the pathophysiology of Lupus, analyze the information about the disease attained in an interview with a patient, and consider how Lupus affects one’s life. The purpose is to increase awareness of the debates surrounding multiple facets of immune systems and how they disrupt homeostasis.

Pathophysiology of Lupus

This misidentification results in the formation of autoantibodies, especially the antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) that attack the body’s tissues and cause tissue inflammation and damage. It is unclear what exactly leads to lupus, but it is thought to result from multiple genetic, environmental, and hormonal conditions. Factors often precipitating the flare include exposure to UV light, some drugs, infections, and stress (Justiz Vaillant et al., 2023).

T and B cell dysfunctions are known to exist in lupus and involve the overproduction of B cells that secrete autoantibodies. This malfunction alters normal rhythmic immune regulation and produces chronic inflammation. In more severe forms of the disease, Lupus can scar the kidneys (Lupus nephritis), the heart, and the lungs, which makes the disease difficult to manage. Diagnosis is another issue when it comes to Lupus due to its ability to imitate other diseases and the host of symptoms that come with the disease.

Summary of Interview Findings

For this assignment, I interviewed an individual named Sussan (a pseudonym used to maintain privacy), a 38-year-old woman who has lived with Lupus for the past seven years. Sussan was diagnosed after experiencing unexplained joint pain, fatigue, and a facial rash, commonly known as the “butterfly rash.” She described the diagnostic process as lengthy and frustrating, involving numerous tests before doctors finally identified the underlying cause of her symptoms.

Lupus has impaired Sussan’s daily living activities. For instance, before the disease diagnosis, she was an active person who loved working outdoors and had a full-time occupation. However, the disorder hinders her from performing various activities that require strength, which is why she is only a part-time employee to cater for flare-ups. She said that fatigue is one of the worst symptoms; she sometimes cannot cook, clean, or do any other activity that requires much energy. Joint pains and swelling worsen it as this limits her ability to work, especially when the intensity of the symptoms is high.

In terms of physical changes, Sussan highlighted that Lupus has affected her skin, causing rashes and photosensitivity. She must avoid exposure to UV rays by using protective creams or dressing appropriately to avoid worsening the symptoms. Moreover, she has lost some hair during flare-ups, and this has been very demoralizing to her. As Sussan pointed out, the unpredictability of the condition, where the attacks come and go randomly, is inconvenient because the breakout can lead to disruption of daily activities.

Emotionally, Sussan admitted that living with Lupus has taken a toll on her mental health. She has suffered some episodes of anxiety and depression, especially at times when her symptoms increased. She said that she even felt lonely because most people cannot comprehend what actually goes on with the person with the disorder since it is not visible. To deal with it, Sussan attends a support group where people with the same illness surround her; she can discuss it and get some comfort. She also uses mindfulness approaches and meditation as a tool that can effectively control stress levels, which in turn can lead to symptom relapse.

Scholarly Information Supporting the Findings

Research supports the experiences shared by Sussan, indicating that Lupus can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Furthermore, fatigue is one of the most common and severe symptoms experienced by people living with Lupus, with figures standing at 80 percent. The effects of the condition are observable in deterioration in joint functions and skin, reduced mobility, and possible increase in anxiety and depression-like in Sussan’s case. The episodes are also known to be sporadic. Notably, environmental factors such as ultraviolet light exposure and stress are often considered triggers (Kawka et al., 2021).

Moreover, organ involvement, as in the case of Lupus nephritis, presents operational difficulties in treating the condition. Lupus nephritis occurs in about 60% of people with the disease, leading to probable kidney failure due to inflammation in the kidneys in case of a lupus flare (Musa et al., 2020). This underlines the need for constant follow-up and treatment by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Lupus is an intricate autoimmune condition with many difficulties when diagnosing or managing because of its diverse symptoms and behavior patterns. Sussan’s experiences confirm how devastating Lupus is, profoundly impacting one’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Lupus erythematosus has many forms, and healthcare practitioners need to identify these and care holistically for people with the disorder. Therefore, constant research and patient education on lupus is required to enhance the management of lupus patients.

References

Justiz Vaillant, A. A., Goyal, A., Bansal, P., & Varacallo, M. (2023, August 4). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535405/

Kawka, L., Schlencker, A., Mertz, P., Martin, T., & Arnaud, L. (2021). Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Update on Its Impact, Determinants and Therapeutic Management. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(17), 3996. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173996

Musa, R., Brent, L. H., & Qurie, A. (2020). Lupus Nephritis. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499817/

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2019). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus

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Title of Assignment:

Module 02 Written Assignment – Immune System Disorders

Purpose of Assignment:

Apply knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of immune system disorders. Autoimmune disorders are generally considered the host attacking itself, which manifests in different types of disorders.

Course Competency(s):

• Determine the cellular functions required to regulate homeostasis.
  

  Lupus – An Autoimmune Disorder

Instructions:

Content:

Identify a person you know who has an immune system disorder or cancer. Review content in your text for potential types of disorders.

Interview the affected person and write a 3–5-page summary of the interview, including:

• Identify the pathophysiology of the immune system disorder
• Summarize the findings of the interview
• Use at least one scholarly source to support your findings. Examples of scholarly sources include academic journals, textbooks, reference texts, and CINAHL nursing guides. You can find useful reference materials for this assignment in the School of Nursing guide: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/referenceebooks
• Cite your sources in-text and on a References page using APA format. Have questions about APA? Visit the online APA guide: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa

Questions you may want to use to guide your interview:

1. How would you describe your immune system disorder?
2. How long have you had this disorder?
3. How has this disorder changed your life (home and work)?
4. Are you able to carry out daily activities independently?
5. How has this disorder changed your body?
6. How has this disorder impacted you emotionally?