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Medical History and Physical Exam for Lupus

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Medical History and Physical Exam for Lupus

Medical History and Physical Exam for Lupus


Guide

A physical exam for suspected lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) includes a thorough check of your skin, joints, lungs and breathing, nervous system, and heart.

The medical history includes questions about:

Why It Is Done


A physical exam and medical history are done to evaluate symptoms. The parts of the body that are examined, and the questions that are asked, depend on which diseases your doctor suspects or thinks are most likely.

Results


Your doctor will use certain criteria to distinguish lupus from other autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. You may have all of the lupus-related conditions at once, or you may experience them over a period of time.

Classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus:1


If you have at least 4 of these 11 conditions, you likely will be classified as having lupus.

What To Think About


Lupus is hard to diagnose, because its symptoms are similar to those of many other disorders. A few nonspecific symptoms may persist for years before other problems develop.

When classic lupus symptoms develop quickly, lupus can be more easily diagnosed. If the symptoms are nonspecific or occur off and on, or if test results are inconclusive, it may take months or even years to make a definite diagnosis.

Complete the medical test information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test.

Citations


  1. Hahn BH (2012). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In DL Longo et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2724-2735. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.


ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerNancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Source...
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