In lupus, joint pain (arthralgia) is common. Joint swelling
(arthritis) may be present in some cases, but the majority of those
with lupus experience
joint pain without swelling or only intermittent swelling. In
rheumatoid arthritis (RA), joint swelling is always present and pain
is common but less
prominent. Because rheumatoid arthritis is more likely than
lupus to cause joint deformities and bone destruction, joint
replacement or
reconstructive surgery is more often required in RA than in SLE. If
a person with lupus develops severe arthritis with joint
deformities, he/she should be
considered to have rheumatoid-like arthritis. In some instances, the
physician might have reason to believe that both diseases -- SLE and
RA --
have occurred in the same person. When arthritis develops in the
course of lupus, treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), low doses of cortisone, and the antimalarial drug
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are usually helpful. |
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People with lupus who have typical rheumatoid
arthritis are prescribed the standard forms of RA treatment. These
include methotrexate, sulfasalazine and in some cases, more potent
drugs to suppress joint inflammation.
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