Page 29 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2023

WOLF DISEASE

By Dr Anita Lai, specialist physician and rheumatologist, Netcare Waterfall City Hospital

A thena is a 30-year-old woman ring finger got so swollen that she could

who has been feeling unwell
no longer wear her engagement ring.
for the past two years. She

is often sick, and has a low-
after her family physician was unable
grade fever. Fatigue has affected her Athena went to see a rheumatologist
work performance. Fortunately for to diagnose her condition. After the
her, the outbreak of COVID-19 a few consultation with the rheumatologist,
years ago meant she could work from a range of blood and urine tests were
home. She has continued to do so. conducted.

Athena has been avoiding the sun for the Athena returned for a follow-up
past two years. She’s had to give up on consultation a week later to discuss her
horse riding as she found that she would results. She was diagnosed with systemic
get a rash on her face and body after a lupus erythematosus.
few minutes of sun exposure. She also
noticed her fingers and toes changing What is systemic lupus
colour during winter. erythematosus?
Lupus is the Latin word for “wolf”. It
Dr Anita Lai, specialist physician and Recently, she has experienced severe describes the classic erosive rash on the
rheumatologist joint pain in her fingers and knees. Her face that resembles a wolf’s bite. It is an

Waterfall City Issue 3 2023 27