Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body.  The immune system attacks both tissues and organs within the body, causing inflammation.  Parts of the body that are affected include joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs, among others (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

There are four forms of lupus:

• Systemic
• Cutaneous
• Drug-induced
• Neonatal (Lupus Foundation, 2023).

Systemic Lupus makes up 70% of cases and involves a major organ in about half of the cases.  Cutaneous Lupus involves the skin and makes up 10% of cases.  Drug Induced Lupus is caused with high doses of some medications and makes up 10% of cases and can diminish after the medication has been stopped.  Neonatal Lupus occurs when the antibodies of the mother impacts the fetus causing symptoms at birth that subside within six months (Lupus Foundation, 2023).  

Risk factors of developing Lupus include:

• Gender
• Age
• Race
• Family history (Lupus Foundation, 2023) (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

There are approximately 1.5 million people in the United States diagnosed with Lupus and is more common in women of childbearing age.  In fact, 90% of those diagnosed with Lupus are women.  The most common age range for diagnosis is between 15 and 44 years old (Lupus Foundation, 2023).  Of individuals who have Lupus, 1 in 3 have also been diagnosed with another autoimmune disorder (Lupus Foundation, 2023).  Lupus is more common in women of color.  African American women have a 2 to 3 times higher prevalence rate than White women and Latina, Asians, and Native Americans also have a higher prevalence rate (Medline, 2019).  Genetics plays a role  in developing Lupus.  Genetic variants can impact  both who develops Lupus and how severe it is (Medline, 2016).  

There are several symptoms that someone with Lupus can experience.  The symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling
• Butterfly shaped facial rash
• Photosensitive skin lesions
• Raynaud's Phenomenon
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Hair loss
• Swollen glands (Mayo Clinic, 2023)(Medline, 2019).

There are several tools clinicians use to diagnose Lupus.  Lupus can be mistaken for other diseases so it is important that certain tests are done.  When considering Lupus, it is important to complete:

• Medical history
• Complete exam
• Blood tests
• Complete Blood Count
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
• Liver and Kidney tests
• Urinalysis
• Antinuclear Antibody test
• Skin biopsy
• Kidney biopsy (Mayo, Clinic 2023) (Medline, 2016)

An individual may experience complications due to Lupus.  These may include:

• skin scarring
• heart attack
• joint deformities
• bone fractures
• kidney failure
• cataracts
• avascular necrosis
• pregnancy complications
• cardiovascular disease
• headaches
• dizziness
• behavior changes
• vision problems
• seizures (Mayo Clinic, 2023) (Johns Hopkins, 2023)

Once diagnosed, there are treatments that can be used to control symptoms, as there is no cure.  Because Lupus affects many systems in the body, it is often required to see a team of doctors including a Primary Care Physician, Rhuematologist and others as needed.  

Medications used include:

•  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Antimalarial drugs
• Corticosteriods
• Biologic Immunosuppressants
• Rituximab (Mayo Clinic, 2023)

These drugs are used to:

• decrease swelling
• decrease pain
• prevent flares
• decrease damage to joints (Medline, 2016)

There are lifestyle changes individuals can make to help cope with their Lupus symptoms in addition to their treatment.  Having regular checkups is important to prevent flare ups.  Wearing sun protective items (hat, long sleeves, etc) amd using sunscreen is important.  Regular exercise and a healthy diet are also important.  Smoking can increase the impact of Lupus on the cardiovascular system, so not smoking will help decrease the affects of Lupus on the heart and blood vessels (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

To learn more about Lupus, watch our youtube video.

If you have been diagnosed with Lupus and have questions, either contact your Primary Physician or contact a health educator through the Lupus Foundation at https://www.lupus.org/resources/health-educator .

Updated 3/11/2023

References

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023) Lupus Complications and Prognosis.  Johns Hopkins Medicine.  Retrieved from  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lupus/lupus-complications-and-prognosis

Lupus Foundation. (2023)  What is Lupus?  Lupus Foundation.  Retrieved from https://www.lupus.org/resources/what-is-lupus

Mayo Clinic.  (2023) Lupus.  Mayo Clinic.  Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789

Medline. (2016) Lupus.  US National Library of Medicine.  Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/lupus.html