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What is the first test to be considered for a patient suspected of having an autoimmune diesease?

Quest Diagnostics Test for Autoimmune Diseases https://www.questdiagnostics.com/.../MI5462_FAQs-Tests-for-Autoimmune-Diseases.... When evaluating a patient for autoimmune disease, an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is typically performed first. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) (test code 249) screens for approximately 150 autoantibodies, which can occur in various autoimmune diseases. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommends IFA as the gold standard method for ANA testing.4 A negative ANA IFA result suggests ANA-associated autoimmune diseases are not present. A positive result suggests the presence of autoimmune disease, and reflexes to titer and pattern. A low ANA titer (1:40 to 1:80) is consistent with preclinical disease or lack of disease. Titers >1:80 are consistent with autoimmune disease. In these cases, the staining pattern helps predict the disease type; however, specific antibody testing can be considered useful if clinically indicated.

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

How is lupus diagnosed? Frequently Asked Questions About Lupus b.3cdn.net/lupus/ceb69bf25e47e4e8e1_40m6bkldb.pdf Information and referral guide, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. A doctor who is considering the possibility of lupus will look for signs of inflammation. The signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function at a particular place in the body. Inflammation can occur on the inside of your body (your kidneys or heart, for example), on the outside (your skin), or both. However, there are many challenges in confirming that a person has lupus and not some other disease. Lupus is known as “the great imitator,” because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Also, lupus symptoms can be unclear, can come and go, and can change. Therefore, a lupus diagnosis is made by a careful review of: your current symptoms your laboratory test results your medical history the medical history of your close family members such as grandparents,

I have signs and symptoms of Lupus, what do I do?

Depending on your symptoms you could start by visiting one of three doctors.  If you have a skin rash, or other outward signs, such as hair loss or sensitivity to sunlight or mouth sores you would go see a dermatologist. If you had pain in your joints and think it is Arthritis see a Rheumatologist, if you have chest pains, abdominal pain, headache, psychosis, seizures or stroke see your cardiologist, Pulmonologist or family practitioner. https://resources.lupus.org/entry/doctors-who-treat What Doctors treat lupus ? Lupus Foundation of AmericaSeptember 27, 2017 Resource Content A diagnosis of lupus may be made by any physician (family practitioner, Internist, or pediatrician) if multiple  symptoms  and  laboratory test  results point toward the disease. However, if symptoms develop gradually over time, as is often the case with lupus, the diagnosis may not be as obvious and there may be visits to multiple physicians before a diagnosis can be confirmed. The  form of lupus  

History of Lupus, brief overview

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What is the history of Lupus https://resources.lupus.org/entry/history-of-lupus The history of lupus can be divided into three periods: classical, neoclassical, and modern. This article concentrates on developments in the present century which have greatly expanded our knowledge about the pathophysiology, clinical-laboratory features, and treatment of this disorder. Lupus in the classical period (1230-1856) The history of lupus during the classical period was reviewed by Smith and Cyr in 1988. Of note are the derivation of the term lupus and the clinical descriptions of the cutaneous lesions of lupus vulgaris, lupus profundus, discoid lupus, and the  photosensitive  nature of the malar or butterfly rash. The word ‘lupus’ (Latin for ‘wolf’) is attributed to the thirteenth century physician Rogerius who used it to describe erosive facial lesions that were reminiscent of a wolf's bite. Classical descriptions of the various dermatologic features of lupus were made by Thomas

Scholarly History of Lupus

This is a scholarly history of Lupus https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-history-of-lupus-erythematosus-and-discoid-lupus-fromhippocrates-to-the-present-Lupus-1000102.php?aid=63465 Abstract Lupus erythematosus  is an autoimmune disease that affects primarily women and whose cause is unknown. The diagnosis arises from a patient that may show singular signs or signs of a multisystem disease; there is a presence of  autoantibodies , and other diseases with similar properties are ruled out. Two main forms of the disease exist; the discoid and the disseminated forms. Hippocrates was the first to document symptoms consistent with that of lupus erythematosus in the year 400 BC. Many physicians have studied and added to the current day knowledge of lupus erythematosus. The history of lupus erythematosus is divided into three categories: the classical period, the neoclassical period, and the modern period. Each period is marked with important discoveries that have allowed a be