Lupus (SLE)
Lupus (SLE) Treatment in Dubai
Careful diagnosis and long-term care for systemic lupus erythematosus, from a Western-trained consultant rheumatologist at Dubai Healthcare City.
What is lupus?
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. It can involve the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs and nervous system, and it often behaves in flares followed by quieter periods. Because symptoms come and go and can look like many other conditions, lupus is easy to miss — which is why an experienced rheumatology assessment matters.
Common symptoms
- Persistent fatigue that rest does not fix
- Joint pain and stiffness, often in hands, wrists and knees
- A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
- Rashes or sores after sun exposure
- Mouth or nose ulcers that come and go
- Hair thinning or patchy loss
- Raynaud's — fingers turning white or blue in the cold
- Unexplained fevers, chest pain on breathing, or swollen ankles
How we diagnose lupus
The first visit is a proper history and examination, followed by targeted blood tests: ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies, complement levels (C3 and C4), full blood count, kidney and liver function. A urine check for protein tells us whether the kidneys are involved. Imaging or a kidney biopsy is arranged only when the results point that way. We usually have enough information to explain what's happening within one or two visits.
Treatment
Treatment is shaped around which organs are involved and how active the disease is:
- Hydroxychloroquine — the backbone of most lupus care
- Short courses of corticosteroids for flares
- Immunosuppressants (methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate) when organs are involved
- Biologics such as belimumab or rituximab for harder-to-control disease
- Blood-pressure and kidney protection when lupus nephritis is present
- Sun protection, vaccination review and cardiovascular risk management
Long-term follow-up
Lupus care is a long game. We see most patients every 3 to 6 months when the disease is settled, with regular bloods and urine checks in between, and we step in sooner during a flare. Cardiovascular risk, bone health and vaccinations are part of every review — lupus and the drugs used to treat it both affect them.
Frequently asked questions
How is lupus diagnosed?
There isn't one single lupus test. We look at your symptoms alongside blood work (ANA, anti-dsDNA, complement C3/C4, full blood count), urine analysis for protein, and — when useful — imaging or a biopsy. Because lupus can look like many other conditions, getting the pattern right takes an experienced eye.
Is lupus curable?
Not yet, but it is very treatable. With the right medication and monitoring, most patients settle into long periods of low activity or remission and continue to live full lives.
Can I get pregnant with lupus?
Yes, most women with lupus can have healthy pregnancies. We plan ahead: aim for at least six months of stable disease, switch to pregnancy-safe medication, and follow you closely with obstetrics during pregnancy.
Do I need to avoid the sun?
UV light can trigger both skin rashes and internal flares. Broad-spectrum SPF 50, hats and covered clothing during Dubai daylight hours make a real difference.
Will hydroxychloroquine damage my eyes?
The risk is low at the doses we use, but we arrange a baseline eye screen and then a yearly check with an ophthalmologist to keep it that way.