Which organ or tissue involvement is commonly seen in lupus?

• A. Kidneys (nephritis), heart (pericarditis), and pleural membranes (pleuritis)
• B. Only the skin
• C. Only the liver
• D. Only the lungs

Answer: (A)

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease that often affects multiple organs because immune complexes can deposit in various tissues and trigger inflammation. The kidneys, heart, and pleural membranes are commonly involved. In the kidneys, immune complexes cause lupus nephritis, leading to proteinuria, hematuria, edema, and possible renal dysfunction. The heart is frequently affected by pericarditis, which presents with chest pain that can be sharp and worsened by breathing, sometimes with a friction rub. The pleura can become inflamed as pleuritis, causing pleuritic chest pain and sometimes pleural effusions. Because lupus tends to involve many organs rather than just one, the combination of kidney, heart, and pleural involvement best reflects how the disease often presents. The other options imply involvement of only a single organ, which is less characteristic of lupus.