Joint pain.

A severe, acute increase in blood pressure that may result in stroke or myocardial ischemia.

An abnormality of the mitral valve characterized by insufficiency or incompetence of the mitral valve resulting in retrograde leaking of blood through the mitral valve upon ventricular contraction.

An episodic vasoconstriction resulting in discoloration of the skin and pain in the affected areas, often involving fingers or toes. Classically associated with triphasic color changes (white, blue, red) but may be biphasic. Often occurs in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress. May be primary or secondary to an underlying autoimmune disease.

Intense feelings of nervousness, tension, or panic often arise in response to interpersonal stresses. There is worry about the negative effects of past unpleasant experiences and future negative possibilities. Individuals may feel fearful, apprehensive, or threatened by uncertainty, and they may also have fears of falling apart or losing control.

Chorea (Greek for 'dance') refers to widespread arrhythmic involuntary movements of a forcible, jerky and restless fashion. It is a random-appearing sequence of one or more discrete involuntary movements or movement fragments. Movements appear random because of variability in timing, duration or location. Each movement may have a distinct start and end. However, movements may be strung together and thus may appear to flow randomly from one muscle group to another. Chorea can involve the trunk, neck, face, tongue, and extremities.

Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve.

A reduction in the number of circulating thrombocytes.

An abnormal decreased number of leukocytes in the blood.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by production of autoantibodies against nuclear, cytoplasmic, and cell surface molecules that transcend organ-specific boundaries. Tissue deposition of antibodies or immune complexes induces inflammation and subsequent injury of multiple organs and finally results in clinical manifestations of SLE, including glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, thrombosis, vasculitis, seizures, and arthritis. Evidence strongly suggests the involvement of genetic components in SLE susceptibility (summary by Oishi et al., 2008). Genetic Heterogeneity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus An autosomal recessive form of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLEB16; 614420) is caused by mutation in the DNASE1L3 gene (602244) on chromosome 3p14.3. An X-linked dominant form of SLE (SLEB17; 301080) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the TLR7 gene (300365) on chromosome Xp22. See MAPPING and MOLECULAR GENETICS sections for a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of susceptibility to SLE.

A reduced number of lymphocytes in the blood.

Inflammation of the spinal cord.

Inflammation of the optic nerve.

The presence of autoantibodies in the serum that react against nuclei or nuclear components.

The presence of thrombocytopenia in combination with detection of antiplatelet antibodies.

An erythematous (red), flat facial rash that affects the skin in the malar area (over the cheekbones) and extends over the bridge of the nose.

Concentration of the complement component C3 in the blood circulation below the lower limit of normal.

Concentration of the complement component C4 in the blood circulation below the lower limit of normal.

The presence of autoantibodies (immunoglobulins) in the serum that react against aquaporin-4.

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

Periodic (episodic or recurrent) bouts of fever.

Erosion of the mucous mebrane of the mouth with local excavation of the surface, resulting from the sloughing of inflammatory necrotic tissue.

A noncongenital process of hair loss, which may progress to partial or complete baldness.