What are the joint manifestations in SLE?
The typical arthritis associated with SLE is rarely destructive of bone and, therefore, is quite different from rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and tenderness are more severe than the degree of swelling. Tenosynovitis can also be seen. Joint deformities can occur and when present are categorized as:
- • Nonerosive arthropathy (Jaccoud arthritis): seen in 10% to 35% of patients.
- • Metacarpophalangeal joint subluxation, ulnar deviation, and swan-neck deformities due to lax joint capsules, tendons, and ligaments.
- • Deformities can be reversible early but can later become fixed.
- • Erosive, symmetric polyarthritis (Rhupus): patients resemble RA with fixed deformities associated with radiographic erosions.
- • Rheumatoid factor and cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are more commonly present in these patients.
