SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

#103Musculoskeletal System

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

A 37-year-old patient
A 37-year-old patient. The diagnosis was confirmed by a therapist. She has been suffering from chronic recurring joint pains and ulcers for 3 years. She underwent treatment twice in hospital conditions where parenteral nutrition was administered due to an inability to swallow because of severe mouth and throat ulcers. She takes 20 mg of prednisolone daily for 3 years; without it, joint pains intensify, and mouth ulcers worsen. Her weight is 75 kg, with some degree of "moon face." RT using the "INFRA R" method was conducted for 5 days. After the second day of treatment, as a reaction, there was facial swelling with normal serum protein levels, and a slight increase in joint pain. The exposure time of IR emitters was reduced, and the swelling decreased by the 5th day. Over 2 months of treatment, the patient's weight decreased by 15 kg to 60 kg; joint pains and mouth ulcers completely disappeared. The dose of prednisolone was gradually reduced until the drug was completely discontinued. The patient stopped treatment. There were no relapses for 14 months. A relapse manifested with weak recurring joint pains, after which she started taking prednisolone again at 5 mg and returned to our clinic. At the time of this record, the patient is undergoing the third session of a repeat RT course.