systemic lupus erythematosus

noun

systemic lupus er·​y·​the·​ma·​to·​sus -ˌer-ə-ˌthē-mə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce systemic lupus erythematosus (audio)
: a chronic, inflammatory, variable autoimmune disease of connective tissue that occurs chiefly in women and is typically characterized by fever, skin rash, fatigue, and joint pain and often by disorders of the blood, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain (such as hemolytic anemia, nephritis, pleurisy, pericarditis, cognitive dysfunction, or meningitis)
abbreviation SLE

called also lupus

Examples of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The exact causes of autoimmune diseases—which include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus, as well as rheumatoid arthritis—are still a bit of a mystery. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024 Other autoimmune disorders: IgA nephropathy has also been associated with other conditions that affect the immune system, such as Sjögren's syndrome, spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and Behçet disease. Cristina Mutchler, Health, 30 Sep. 2024 Meanwhile, Halsey is in the midst of a comeback era, after sharing details of their diagnosis with systemic lupus erythematosus and a rare T-Cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Shania Russell, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2024 But among people with autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the body’s own healthy proteins or tissues. Markham Heid, TIME, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for systemic lupus erythematosus 

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of systemic lupus erythematosus was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near systemic lupus erythematosus

Cite this Entry

“Systemic lupus erythematosus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic%20lupus%20erythematosus. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

systemic lupus erythematosus

noun
systemic lupus er·​y·​the·​ma·​to·​sus -ˌer-ə-ˌthē-mə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce systemic lupus erythematosus (audio)
: a chronic, inflammatory, variable, autoimmune disease of connective tissue that occurs chiefly in women and is typically characterized by fever, skin rash, fatigue, and joint pain and often by disorders of the blood, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain (such as hemolytic anemia, nephritis, pleurisy, pericarditis, cognitive dysfunction, or meningitis)
No disease more dramatically illustrates the body's capacity to turn on itself than systemic lupus erythematosusStephen E. Goldfinger and Paul Cotton, Harvard Medical Health Letter
We would also run blood tests for autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, in which the body reacts to its own cells and proteins …Abigail Zuger, Discover
abbreviation SLE

called also systemic lupus

More from Merriam-Webster on systemic lupus erythematosus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!