Re: Elaine - Does This Look Like DIL to You?

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

It looks like drug induced lupus based on those tests. The anti-histone test

is positive in >95% of people with DIL and in 50-70% of people with systemic

lupus. But what really suggests DIL is your negative test for double stranded

(ds) DNA antibodies. People with DIL don't have these antibodies whereas more

than 50% of people with systemic lupus have them. Anti-sm antibodies are seen

in more than 25% of people with systemic lupus but less than 5% of people with

DIL. The hallmark symptom in DIL is arthralgia/arthritis, whereas rash and

swollen lymph nodes are rare.

The good part about DIL is that it generally resolves completely when the

offending drug is withdrawn.

there are more than 100 drugs that cause DIL including the beta blockers

propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol and labetalol and also ibuprofen (Motrin),

PTU,

methimazole, tetracyclines and several other antibiotics, lithium, estrogens,

and many anticonvulsants and heart meds. If you had a positive ANA before

starting on ATDs you'll need to check the list carefully to see if any other

meds

might be suspect. I've meant to answer your posts at mediboard and have been

slow so I'll copy this there. Take care, Elaine