How does drug-induced lupus erythematosus (LE) differ from idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? Drug-induced LE is generally milder than idiopathic SLE. Drug-induced LE usually manifests as fever, malaise, pleuritis, pneumonitis, and arthralgias. Skin, mucous membrane, central nervous system findings, and renal disease are more commonly seen in idiopathic SLE. The antinuclear antibodies in druginduced LE are usually antihistone and single-stranded DNA antibodies, whereas idiopathic SLE is associated with double-stranded DNA and Sm antibodies. Druginduced LE usually resolves simply by stopping the drug. Drug-induced LE constitutes 5% to 10% of all cases of SLE. Less commonly patients may have drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies or classic systemic lupus with drug-induced double-stranded DNA antibodies. |
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