What autoimmune disease can affect multiple organs, including the joints and skin?

Lupus, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a well-known autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs in the body. This condition can cause inflammation and damage to various systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

In lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to widespread symptoms and complications. For instance, it can cause joint pain similar to that experienced in rheumatoid arthritis and can manifest as a characteristic skin rash. This multi-organ involvement distinguishes lupus from other autoimmune diseases that may primarily target a specific organ or system.

While rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints and fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain without direct organ involvement, and multiple sclerosis mainly affects the central nervous system, lupus is unique in its ability to impact various parts of the body simultaneously. This broad spectrum of potential symptoms and affected areas underscores the complexity of managing lupus as an autoimmune disease.