The Lupus Encyclopedia

Donald E. Thomas, Jr., M.D., FACP, FACR, is an assistant professor of medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and teaches rheumatology at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He is a practicing physician and currently serves as a member of the Medical-Scientific Advisory Council of the Lupus Foundation, DC/MD/VA chapter.

List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Foreword, by George C. Tsokos, MD
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Definitions, Causes, and Diagnosis of Autoimmune Disease
1. What Is Lupus and How Is It Diagnosed?
2. The Other Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
3. What Causes Lupus?
4. The Meaning of All Those Test Results
Part II: How Lupus Affects the Body
5. How SLE Directly Affects the Body
6. Constitutional Symptoms
7. The Musculoskeletal System
8. Skin and Mucous Membranes
9. Blood and Lymph Systems
10. The Respiratory System
11. The Heart and Blood Vessels
12. The Urinary System
13. The Nervous System
14. The Exocrine Gland System
15. The Digestive System
16. Eyes
17. The Endocrine System
18. The Reproductive System and Pregnancy
19. Special Populations and Surgery
20. Prognosis
Part III: Other Complications of Lupus and Their Treatments
21. Heart Attacks and Strokes
22. Infections
23. Cancer and SLE
24. Osteoporosis
25. Avascular Necrosis of Bone
26. Adrenal Insufficiency
27. Fibromyalgia
28. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Stomach Ulcers
Part IV: Treatment of Lupus
29. General Treatment of Lupus
30. Anti-Malarials
31. Steroids
32. Immunosuppressants
33. Biologic Agents
34. Benlysta: The First FDA-Approved Drug for Lupus in More Than Fifty Years
35. Other Therapies for SLE
36. Prescription Pain Medicines
37. Future Treatments for SLE
38. Nonmedical Therapies for Lupus
39. Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Part V: Practical Matters
40. Talking to Your Doctor and Deciphering Symptoms
41. Becoming Pregnant, Breast-Feeding, and Using Contraception
42. Health Insurance and Affording Healthcare
43. Working and Dealing with Disability
44. The Lupus Secrets Checklist
Patient Resources
Bibliography
Index