title: Pain and systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations involving virtually the entire body. The pain in SLE can have different causes. The SLE classification criteria include mainly the musculoskeletal manifestations of pain, which are commonly reported as initial symptoms of SLE, such as arthralgia, arthritis and/or myalgia. Chronic widespread pain, which is typical of fibromyalgia (FM), is frequently associated with SLE. The aim of this review is to describe widespread pain and fatigue in SLE, and the association of SLE and FM. Although secondary FM is not correlated with the disease activity, it may interfere with the daily activities of SLE patients. Therefore it is necessary to identify its symptoms and treat them promptly to improve the quality of life of patients. In conclusion, it is essential to identify the origin of pain in SLE in order to avoid dangerous over-treatment in patients with co-existing widespread pain and FM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Rheumatology Unit, La Sapienza University, Rome. manuela.difranco@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Franco
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Guzzo
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atzeni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarzi-Puttini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iannuccelli
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059333:Central Nervous System Sensitization; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D058748:Pain Perception; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents