Lupus erythematosus is a collection of autoimmune diseases in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues.

[1] Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs.

[2] Other common symptoms include: Photosensitivity is the amount to which an object reacts upon receiving photons especially in visible light.

Photosensitivity is a known symptom of lupus, but its relationship to and influence on other aspects of the disease remain to be defined.

Other genes that are commonly thought to be associated with lupus are those in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) family.

Patients with juvenile-onset lupus are more vulnerable to mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease (alopecia, skin rash, and ulceration of the mucous membranes) than any other age group, and they are also more susceptible to evaluation of pulmonary artery pressure.

[8] Substantial data have been found to indicate that certain ethnic populations could be more at risk for lupus erythematosus and to have a better or worse prognosis.

[12] Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus requires a physical examination, blood and urine tests, and a skin or kidney biopsy.

[21] People with SLE treated with standard care experience a higher risk of opportunistic infections and death than the general population.