Primary Care Perspectives: Episode 132 - Diagnosing Lupus

Primary Care Perspectives

Lupus is one of the most common diseases in pediatric rheumatology, but it is complicated to diagnose because its symptoms can be broad and nonspecific, creating overlap with other diagnoses. Sarah Bayefsky, MD, a pediatric and adult rheumatology fellow at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Melissa Argraves, MD, MSEd, a pediatric rheumatologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, discuss what a primary care physician should look for if suspecting pediatric-onset lupus — a disease that is seen primarily in teenagers, and in particular females of color. They explain the nuances of possible symptoms; what can be observed during a clinical visit; what labs to order; and what a PCP should keep an eye on if a patient has been diagnosed with lupus. This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients. ©2022 by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, all rights reserved.