Review of a presentation - Essay Example

The progress in the identification and discovery of the lupus disease has paved the way for immunology application in its study thus making the foundation for its current treatment. The disease has shown uneven prevalence interns of race and gender. It is more prevalent in black American women their white counterparts. Lupus is classified in to five types where each type presents different signs and symptoms and causes. This type includes Discoid lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, neonatal lupus and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus.

The real cause of lupus has not been established yet. This is so due to the many factors that are contributed with the real development of and diagnosis of the disease. Currently, there is no single specific test for the disease and it can last some time before it is established. These calls for several tests to establish the disease like Medical history, Blood tests, ANA test, Skin Biopsy and Kidney biopsy. The disease manifest itself in different symptoms like pain or swelling in joints, muscle pain, fever with no known cause, red rashes, most often on the face, chest pain when taking a deep breath among others.

The disease is believed to be caused by epigenetic factors, which are demonstrated by a study of a set of chemical reactions that switch part of the genome on and off at a strategic location and time. Lastly, the re is no cure for the disease but the most applicable treatments aims at treating the symptoms. Evaluation History of lupus The history of lupus disease can be split in three broad periods: Classical era- this period is dated back in the 13th century where the name of the disease was coined.

Several physicians gave the disease different names depending on their own thoughts and presentation of the disease. Example of these physicians was Rogerius in 13th century who coined the name lupus describing the facial lesions caused by the disease. Neoclassical Era- this period began back in 1872, and it was marked by description of the disease’s dissemination manifestations by Osler. Modern era- this was marked by the discovery of LE cells in1948 in the bone marrow of patients with acute disseminated lupus erythematosus by Hargraves and his colleagues.

This was followed by the discovery of immunology of the disease by Moore in 1950’s and systematic occurrence of the disease in patients by Arnett and Shulman in 1954. Epidemiology The disease has shown prevalence of 20 to 150 cases per 1000,000 people. Its prevalence is more in African American Women compared to their white counter part at 164 and 406 respectively situation which has tripled for the last forty years. The prevalence of the disease is highly exhibited in women due to their estrogen hormones aged 20-45 years of age.

Lupus disease is highly prevalence in Asians, Afro- Americans, Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic Americans. Classification Lupus disease is classified in to five types where each type has its own specific cause. 1. Discoid lupus erythematosus which result in scar causing skin lesion and can lead to the development of SLE. 2. Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Mostly commonly in women aged 15-40 years of age manifested inform of skin lesions. 3. Drug-induced lupus which is cause by continuous use of specific drugs like procainamide and guanidine. 4. Neonatal lupus.

It is passed from the mothers and appears as skin rashes