Common autoimmune conditions evaluated
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a multisystem autoimmune condition that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, brain and serous membranes. It most commonly affects women of childbearing age. Vasculitis encompasses disorders in which immune-mediated inflammation of blood vessel walls causes organ damage. Sjögren’s syndrome attacks exocrine glands causing dry eyes and dry mouth, and can affect the lungs, kidneys and nerves. Scleroderma causes fibrosis of skin and internal organs.
Accurate diagnosis requires correlation of clinical features with autoimmune serology (ANA, anti-dsDNA, complement levels, anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La, ANCA, anti-Scl-70). Treatment involves immunosuppressive therapy tailored to the specific condition and severity of organ involvement.
- Lupus — skin, joint, kidney, blood, brain involvement
- Vasculitis — blood vessel inflammation, organ ischemia
- Sjögren’s syndrome — dry eyes, dry mouth, systemic features
- Scleroderma — skin fibrosis, lung and gastrointestinal involvement
- Mixed connective tissue disease — overlapping features
Related: Rheumatology → · Dr. Jitendra Knowledge Hub → · ICHD-3 Topic →
Evaluation approach
Evaluation begins with detailed history of multi-system symptoms, joint involvement, skin changes, Raynaud’s phenomenon, oral ulcers, hair loss, dry eyes and dry mouth, and any organ-specific complaints (breathlessness, swelling, neurological symptoms). Blood tests include full autoimmune serology panel, inflammatory markers, complement levels, complete blood count, renal and liver function, and urinalysis for proteinuria.
Organ-specific assessment is arranged as needed — echocardiography for cardiac involvement, pulmonary function tests for lung disease, renal biopsy for nephritis, and salivary gland biopsy for Sjögren’s. Treatment planning discusses the specific diagnosis, disease activity, organ involvement, and individualised immunosuppressive strategy including corticosteroids, conventional DMARDs, biologic agents and JAK inhibitors where indicated.
- Full autoimmune serology — ANA, anti-dsDNA, complement, ANCA
- Organ-specific assessment — cardiac, pulmonary, renal, neurological
- Immunosuppressive strategy — corticosteroids, DMARDs, biologics
- Shared decision-making — benefits, risks, monitoring plan