Despite their distinct etiopathophysiology, one of the long-standing concerns regarding the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus is misdiagnosis, with each disease being misdiagnosed as the other. The difficulty stems from the fact that both illnesses influence the immune system and so manifest in comparable ways. Because they both induce brain lesions, the two relapsing diseases, for example, result in neurological symptoms such as headaches and memory issues (Minagar, 2007). Because the disorders are characterized by remitting fatigue and muscular stiffness, lupus-associated arthritis might be confused with multiple sclerosis muscle stiffness and pain. Despite the commonality in their clinical signs, both multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus is identification, where each of the diseases is misdiagnosed as the other. The challenge arises from the fact that the two conditions affect the immune system, thus appear in similar ways. For instance, the two relapsing diseases culminate to neurological symptoms such as headaches and memory problems, as they both cause brain lesions (Minagar, 2007). Arthritis that is associated with lupus can also be mistaken for muscle stiffness and pain common in multiple sclerosis, primarily because the diseases are characterized by remitting fatigue and muscle stiffness. Despite the commonality in their clinical signs, both multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus have a set of distinctive characteristics that are used in distinguishing their diagnosis. For example, the damage to the myelin in multiple sclerosis results in slurred speech, dizziness, numbness, loss of vision, as well as bladder and bowel problems, and these symptoms are not present in lupus (Whitman & Baloh, 2016). Patients also experience challenges in attaining balance and coordination when walking, as the extremities are numb, weak, and tingling.
On its part, lupus involves self-destruction immunological responses, where the body confuses its proteins for foreign materials. The focus of the attacks is lungs, kidney, heart, skin, and joints, a pathophysiological element that is best exemplified by flare-ups of anemia, weight loss, joint paint, tiredness, and muscle aches. Unlike in multiple sclerosis, individuals who have lupus also experience fever and skin rash. Gutierrez & Peterson (2007) also note that that lupus also results in neurological symptoms such as migraine headaches, epileptic seizures, changes in personality, as well as deterioration of cognitive abilities, a manifestation that is not reported in patients with multiple sclerosis.
References
Gutierrez, K., & Peterson, P. (2007). Pathophysiology. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Minagar, A. (2007). The neurobiology of multiple sclerosis (Vol. 79). Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.
Whitman, G.T., & Baloh, R.W. (2016). Dizziness: Why you feel dizzy and what will help you feel better. Baltimore, MD: JHU Press.
