Deforming arthropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, including arthropathy. The clinical presentation of joint involvement varies, ranging from arthralgia without erosions or deformity to an erosive arthropathy and severe functional disability. This paper reviews the main forms of deforming arthropathy observed in lupus patients. It includes a) non-erosive arthropathy (it is the most frequent form and characterized as Jaccoud's), b) erosive symmetrical polyarthritis with deformities similar to rheumatoid arthritis, named as rhupus, and c) mild deforming arthropathy. Even though enough such cases of patients have been reported in the international bibliography, no definite criteria for their diagnosis have been published yet. The use of contemporary radiological and immunological methods will facilitate their prevention and treatment. (C) 2008 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.