Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) PM&R News   •   December 2020 A 16-year-old black female presents to her primary care physician with symptoms of fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and a facial rash. On examination she is noted to be thin with malar skin changes. No other abnormality is found. Description Autoimmune disorder – systemic autoantibodies Multiple phenotypic presentations Remitting and relapsing course is common Anatomy: Dependent on phenotypes expressed: any organ system can be involved Pathophysiology Increased predisposition → cell damage (2/2 environment or infections) secondary to self-antigens → immune activation of T & B cells → immunity mediator release (cytokines, complement system, autoantibody activation) and [...]