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Blood and immune system diseases

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A long-term disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys and other organs. Symptoms get worse, then better.

Not part of the panel of Türkiye's National Newborn Screening Programme (heel-prick test). Source

Prepare an emergency card

This page is translated from the Turkish original.

This disease is followed through the “Blood and immune system diseases” group.

Understanding the disease

This section has not yet been reviewed by a physician. It summarises patient information from sources such as MedlinePlus, Orphanet and the NHS in plain language. The disease can differ from person to person; talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

What happens in this disease?

The immune system normally protects the body against germs. In lupus, it mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. This attack leads to inflammation. The skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system and blood cells can be affected. The disease alternates between flares and calm periods.

Which symptoms can occur?

Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. They can come and go.

  • Joint pain and swelling (common)
  • Extreme tiredness, fever, weight loss
  • A butterfly-shaped redness on the cheeks and over the nose (in about half of people); it gets worse in the sun
  • Sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss
  • Sores in the mouth and nose
  • Kidney involvement (in about a third of people)
  • Chest pain when breathing deeply
  • Anemia, a drop in blood cells

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor asks about the symptoms and does an examination. Blood tests look for certain autoantibodies. The ANA test is positive in almost all patients, but this test alone does not make the diagnosis. A urine test, a blood count and, if needed, a kidney biopsy are done.

Treatment and care

The aim is to control the symptoms and protect the organs. Treatment is chosen according to how active the disease is and which organs it affects. Medicines that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system are used. There are also approved biological medicines for lupus. Protecting yourself from the sun, keeping vaccines up to date and stopping smoking are important. Heart and bone health are also checked regularly. The doctor who follows the disease decides which treatment is suitable.

For the family: inheritance and genetic counselling

Lupus is usually not a directly inherited disease. Some gene differences may increase the risk. The disease is somewhat more common in some families. A very rare form is inherited recessively. Women thinking about pregnancy should first talk to their doctor. If there are several affected people in the family, genetic counselling can be helpful.

Source: MedlinePlus Genetics: Systemic lupus erythematosus · MedlinePlus: Systemic lupus erythematosus · NHS: Lupus

Key facts

How common is it?
New cases per year: 1-9 per 100 000 (Worldwide) · Prevalence: 1-5 per 10 000 (Worldwide)
How is it inherited?
Not inherited
When does it usually start?
Adolescence, Adulthood, Childhood, Infancy
Gene(s) involved
TREX1, CTLA4, HLA-DRB1, IL10, MECP2, FCGR3B

These facts are taken from Orphanet and MedlinePlus records (last checked: October 7, 2026). Frequency values are approximate ranges.

You are not alone: patient associations in Türkiye

Non-profit patient and family organizations in Türkiye working on this disease or disease group. Links are for information; Doktorclub is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them.

We could not find a patient association specific to this disease.

For all rare diseases: Nadir Hastalıklar Federasyonu

Guides related to this disease

  • Rare disease at school · Telling the school, medicines and emergency plan, inclusion and BEP, support education room, absences, LGS/YKS arrangements, peer bullying.

Support and help

Doktorclub does not diagnose, recommend treatments or refer you to hospitals or doctors. These pages are meant to help you talk with your doctor.

News about Lupus (SLE)

Clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)

A clinical trial is a regulated study that tests whether a new treatment is safe and whether it works, in patients who volunteer. Most trials look for a certain age, genetic change and health condition. Taking part is voluntary.

This list is not a treatment recommendation. Treatments tested in phase 1–3 trials are investigational (experimental): their efficacy and safety have not yet been proven and they are not approved treatments. Taking part depends on each trial’s criteria and a physician’s assessment; the first step is to talk to the doctor who manages your care.

Questions you can ask your doctor

  • Could this trial be suitable for us?
  • If we take part, how would current treatment and check-ups be affected?
  • Where does the trial take place, and how are travel and accommodation handled?
  • What happens if we want to leave the trial?

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 302 active interventional studies for this disease. 182 are recruiting now; 10 have sites in Türkiye. Last checked: October 7, 2026.

Selected records (studies with a site in Türkiye first):

See all studies on ClinicalTrials.gov · Joining clinical trials

Blood and immune system diseases: other news

Medical codes (for talking with your doctor and finding sources)

These codes identify the disease in international classifications and databases. They can help when you talk with your doctor or look for reliable sources.

Orphanet code: ORPHA:536 · ICD-11 4A40.0

Codes checked against WHO ICD-11 and Orphanet on October 7, 2026.

This page provides general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your doctor about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The information on these pages is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment decisions. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.

Every update is based on an open source and labeled with its level of evidence. No advertising and no drug brand names. Our scientific principles

This page was translated from Turkish by the Doktorclub editorial team.