This Rare Disease Can Be Misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as Lupus, is an autoimmune disease that affects several bodily areas, including the skin, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. “The arthritis of lupus can mimic very closely that of rheumatoid arthritis, but in contrast to RA, SLE does not cause an erosive, deforming arthritis and joint symptoms tend to be milder overall” said Natalie E. Azar, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine and rheumatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center.