Chapter 15 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Endocrine Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and endocrine disorders. In patients with SLE disease activity, it is clearly influenced by hormonal variations that are linked to gender, aging, and changes in reproductive status. Substantial progress has been made in clarifying the signaling molecules and receptors involved in these processes and understanding the immunomodulatory effects of numerous endocrine mediators, such as estrogen or cortisol. The overlap of SLE with thyroid disease has been frequently described, but there is relatively less information available regarding the association of SLE with other endocrine disorders. The reason for the higher prevalence of antithyroid antibodies in SLE remains poorly understood, but perhaps represents silent thyroiditis associated with systemic inflammation. These thyroid disorders may precede the development of other lupus signs by years or develop many years afterward and this should be considered in the clinical evaluation of these patients and their complaints.