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Lupus Awareness Month
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For additional information about lupus or
The Lupus Foundation of America,
call toll-free 1-888-38-LUPUS, or visit www.lupus.org. |
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Previous
Health Topics |
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Definition of Lupus
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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.
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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."
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FORMS
OF LUPUS
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- 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 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
accounts for 10% of all lupus cases and occurs after the use of certain prescribed drugs. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to systemic lupus. The percentage of individuals who develop drug-induced lupus is small, and the symptoms usually fade when the medications are discontinued.
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
(MCTD) - In approximately 10% of all lupus cases, individuals will have symptoms and signs of more than one connective tissue disease, including lupus.
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Statistics and Demographics
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- The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that more than 1,500,000 Americans, mostly women, have a form of the disease.
- Lupus occurs 10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than adult males.
- Lupus develops most often in women between ages 15 and 44, but can affect people of all ages.
- Lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.
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Cause of Lupus
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- Lupus is NOT infectious, rare, or cancerous.
- 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 lupus.
- 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.
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Treatments
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- There is no cure for lupus.
- Medicines are often prescribed, depending on which organs are involved, and the severity of the involvement.
- Treatments are based on specific needs and symptoms of each person.
- Medicines used to treat lupus include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, corticosteroids,
antimalarials, immunomodulating drugs, and anticoagulants.
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| About
the LEA |
- The Lupus Foundation of America
(LFA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to lupus.
- The LFA mission is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, support individuals and families affected by the disease, increase awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and find the cure.
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