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Case Study: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body such as the joints, skin, or even organs. Paediatric-onset SLE accounts for about 10–20% of all patients with SLE (Malattia, 2013). Being a chronic disease, the signs and symptoms may last more than six weeks but a majority of the time they last for years or even a lifetime. In addition, SLE can affect any demographic but for this study we will focus on adolescents from birth to age 18 because, as said by Morgan, children present with a more severe illness, more aggressive disease course with higher disease activity over time greater burden of steroid and immunosuppressive therapies (2013). Currently, there is no cure for SLE. However

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