Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Neuropsychiatric syndromes can result when systemic lupus erythematosus affects the central or peripheral nervous systems. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
Some patients with lupus have very mild disease, which can be treated with simple medications, whereas others can have serious, life-threatening complications. Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. Patients with lupus are more susceptible to infections because they have altered immune systems, and also because many patients are on treatment (steroids and cytotoxics) that suppresses immune system function, leaving them more prone to infection.
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