Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Hughes' syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome)

This is often called “sticky blood” in that the patients have a tendency to clots both in the veins and arteries. The thrombosis may present either dramatically or over a period of time with clots in major vessels, even including the brain. It is vital that this diagnosis is made (a simple blood test for antiphospholipid antibodies is available in most major hospitals). Pregnant women who have antiphospholipid antibodies have a tendency to clot the placenta and develop recurrent miscarriages and these can be prevented by diagnosis and treatment. Although this syndrome was first discovered in lupus patients it is now recognised that many, if not the majority, of patients with Hughes’ syndrome have no other features of lupus nor will they develop lupus in the future.

Sj�gren's syndrome

Sj�gren - a Swedish ophthalmologist - noticed that some of his patients had dryness of the eyes and mouth. In addition, they developed aches and pains with a disease very much resembling lupus. The illness is often regarded as a 'half way house' between lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. As far as the prognosis is concerned Sj�gren's syndrome resembles mild lupus, usually without kidney involvement. It is generally treated conservatively, either with no drugs or with antimalarials. Artificial tears are used to protect the eyes.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

The name 'mixed' was applied because patients with this syndrome have features in common with two or three diagnoses - lupus, scleroderma and myositis (muscle inflammation). The predominant features of this syndrome are very severe Raynaud's (cold, blue fingers) and joint pains, often with puffy, swollen 'sausage' fingers. Although it resembles lupus, kidney disease is unusual.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis differs from lupus in that joint damage (erosion) occurs. It is a far more chronic and progressive disease than lupus. It also differs from lupus in that it predominantly involves the joints. Internal organ involvement is rare.

Other diseases

Other conditions occasionally wrongly diagnosed as lupus include Wegener's granuloma (anti-inflammatory disease of the sinuses and chest totally different from lupus in fact), fibromyalgia (commonly diagnosed in the early stages of some lupus patients) and multiple sclerosis.