Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a fairly common disease identified as episodes of inflammation and damage to joints, tendons, and various organs. The organs most affected are the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, blood vessels and skin. Lupus affects each individual differently and the effects can be mild to severe depending on the individual. SLE is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body (Ohio State, 2009). The main cause of lupus is unknown, but many factors are thought to contribute to lupus. Lupus is thought to be genetic in many people (Ohio State, 2009). If a mother suffers from SLE, her daughter has a 1 in 40 chance of developing lupus, while her son has a 1 in 250 chance (Leber, 2009). Environmental problems could be present where the environmental cause is unknown. SLE can also be caused by certain medications. The illness may be present while taking the medication, but disappear when the person stops taking the medication. The majority of people with lupus are women between the ages of late teens and forty-five years old. Women are three to ten times more likely to be affected than men (Ohio State, 2009). African American women are more likely to develop lupus than Caucasian women (Leber, 2009). Human leukocyte antigens are a group of genes located on chromosome six. The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) associated with lupus are called DR2 and DR3. A person who has these antigens is very likely to develop lupus, but people with different antigens can also develop SLE (Ohio State, 2009). There are many symptoms of SLE and vary from individual to individual. Some common symptoms are joint inflammation, Raynaud's phenomenon1, m...... middle of article ......attempting to treat the physical symptoms of SLE as well as the psychological symptoms. HRQoL, disease activity, and disease damage are three different components of lupus and should be measured separately to obtain the most accurate results. Measuring the patient's quality of life will help keep them informed about how the disease affects them in their daily life. HRQoL varies widely among individuals and is very important in measuring patient responses to lupus. Fatigue is a widely influential factor in lupus patients and should be included in quality of life studies (McElhone, 2006). Studies have revealed the role of defensins in the pathogenesis of SLE (Froy, 2009). Although when SLE affects a major organ the disease can be put into remission with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy, these treatments can lead to toxic outcomes (Ntali, 2009).