about lupus

What is lupus?
What are the symptoms of lupus?
What are the different forms of lupus?
Who gets lupus?
What causes lupus?
How is lupus diagnosed?
How is lupus treated?

statistics about lupus:

Economic Impact
Awareness
Diagnosis and Treatment
Other Autoimmune Diseases
Coping
More information

what is lupus?

Lupus is a widespread and chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissue and organs, including the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, or skin.

The immune system normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissue. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self."

While some people do die from lupus, most people with the disease will go on to live a normal life span. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report in May 2002 which indicated that deaths attributed to lupus increased over a 20-year period, particularly among African American women ages 45-64. However, it is not clear if the rise is the result of an actual increase in lupus mortality or better identification and reporting of deaths due to complications of the disease.

<BACK TO TOP>


what are the symptoms of lupus?

• Symptoms of lupus often mimic other less serious illnesses.
• Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
• Lupus can go into periods where symptoms are not present, called remission.
• Although lupus can affect any part of the body, most people experience symptoms in only a few organs.

The following lists the most common symptoms of lupus and the percentage of lupus patients who experience them.

<BACK TO TOP>

what are the different forms of lupus?

There are several forms of lupus: discoid, systemic, drug-induced, and overlap syndrome or mixed connective tissue disease.

• Discoid (cutaneous) lupus is always limited to the skin and is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck and scalp. Discoid lupus accounts for approximately 10% of all cases.
• Systemic lupus is usually more severe than discoid lupus, and can affect the skin, joints, and almost any organ or system of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, heart or brain. Approximately 70% of lupus cases are systemic. In about half of these cases, a major organ will be affected.
• Drug-induced lupus occurs after the use of certain prescribed drugs. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to systemic lupus. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus are hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension) and procainamide (used to treat irregular heart rhythms). The percentage of individuals using these drugs who develop drug-induced lupus is extremely small, and the symptoms usually fade when the medications are discontinued.
  

In approximately 10% of all lupus cases, individuals will have symptoms and signs of more than one connective tissue disease, including lupus. A physician may use the term "overlap syndrome" or "mixed connective tissue disease" to describe the illness.

<BACK TO TOP>

who gets lupus?

It is difficult to determine an exact number of lupus cases, and estimates vary widely.

• The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that approximately 1,500,000 Americans have a form of lupus.
• Although lupus can strike men and women of all ages, 90% of individuals diagnosed with the disease are women, and 80% of those afflicted with systemic lupus develop it between the ages of 15 and 45.
• Approximately 70% of lupus cases are systemic. In about 50% of these cases, a major organ will be affected.
• Discoid lupus accounts for approximately 10% of all cases.
• In approximately 10% of all lupus cases, individuals will have symptoms and signs of more than one connective tissue disease, including lupus. A physician may use the term "overlap syndrome" or "mixed connective tissue disease" to describe the illness.
• 10 percent of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
• About 5 percent of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
• Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among people of color, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.
• It is difficult to determine the annual number of new lupus cases, or the number of individuals who die from health complications of the disease. However, the idea that lupus is generally a fatal disease is one of the gravest misconceptions about the illness.

<BACK TO TOP>

what causes lupus?

• Lupus is NOT infectious, rare, or cancerous or AIDS
• Researchers do not know what causes lupus.
• While scientists believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, it is known that environmental factors also play a role in triggering the disease.
• Some of the factors that may trigger lupus include infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones.
• Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males.

<BACK TO TOP>

how is lupus diagnosed?

Because many lupus symptoms mimic other illnesses, are sometimes vague, and may come and go, lupus can be difficult to diagnose.

Diagnosis is usually made by a careful review of:

• a person's entire medical history
• physical examination, coupled with
• an analysis of the results obtained in routine laboratory tests and some specialized tests related to immune status.
  

Currently, there is no single laboratory test that can determine whether a person has lupus or not. It may take months or even years for doctors to piece together evolving symptoms and accurately diagnose lupus.

<BACK TO TOP>

how is lupus treated?
For the vast majority of people with lupus, effective treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain normal body functions.

• Treatment approaches are based on the specific needs and symptoms of each person.
• Because the characteristics and course of lupus may vary significantly among individuals, it is important to emphasize that a thorough medical evaluation and ongoing medical supervision are essential to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Medications are often prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which organs are involved, and the severity of involvement.
• Commonly prescribed medications include
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
• acetaminophen,
• corticosteroids,
• antimalarials, and
• immunomodulating drugs.
  

Increased professional awareness and improved diagnostic techniques and evaluation methods are contributing to the early diagnosis and treatment of lupus. With current methods of therapy 80-90% of people with non-organ threatening lupus can look forward to a normal lifespan.

<BACK TO TOP>

economic impact

• Several studies suggest that the annual average cost to provide medical treatment for a person with lupus is between $6,000 and $10,000. For some people with lupus, however, medical costs may exceed several thousand dollars every month.
• According to a Lupus Foundation of America membership survey, one in four patients receive their health care through a government-sponsored program, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
• Two of three lupus patients reported a complete or partial loss of their income because they are unable to work.
• One in three have been temporarily disabled by the disease, and one in four currently receive disability payments.

<BACK TO TOP>

awareness

While lupus is a widespread disease, awareness of the disease lags behind many other illnesses.

• In a nationwide poll of 1,000 adults conducted for the Lupus Foundation of America, 38% said they are somewhat or very familiar with lupus, while 39% have only heard of the name of the disease and 22% have never heard of lupus.
• In an another survey, only four of ten young adults ages 18-24 claimed to be aware of lupus, even though the disease often strikes during the childbearing years.
• While 65% of respondents to this survey claimed awareness of lupus, only 20% could offer accurate basic information about the disease.

<BACK TO TOP>

diagnosis and treatment

• A survey of Lupus Foundation of America members suggests that more than half of those afflicted with lupus suffered at least four years, and saw three or more doctors before obtaining a correct diagnosis of lupus.
• Nearly half of the survey participants (49%) received their diagnosis of lupus after being examined by a rheumatologist, a medical specialist who treats diseases of the connective tissue.
• Four of ten lupus patients are treated by three or more doctors, and take six or more medications to treat symptoms of the disease.

<BACK TO TOP>

other autoimmune diseases

• One of three patients responding to the LFA membership survey reported they had another autoimmune disease in addition to lupus, and almost half had another family member afflicted with an autoimmune disease.
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus often run in families.

<BACK TO TOP>

coping

• Most lupus patients reported that they are coping well with lupus (78%), and that other family members are understanding and supportive (72%).
• People with lupus named other family members (84%) and friends (72%) as their primary support network.
• The survey participants cited pain (65%), lifestyle changes (61%), and emotional problems associated with lupus (50%) as the most difficult factors for coping with lupus.

<BACK TO TOP>

more information

For more infomation go to:
http://www.lupus.org
http://www.lupuspnw.org