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LUPUS
FACT SHEET
What
is 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
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."
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What
are the symptoms of lupus?
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Symptoms of lupus often
mimic other less serious illnesses.
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Symptoms can range from
mild to life-threatening.
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Lupus can go into
periods where symptoms are not present, called
remission.
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Although lupus can
affect any part of the body, most people experience
symptoms in only a few organs.
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The
following lists the most common symptoms of lupus:
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Achy joints
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Frequent fevers of
more than 100 degrees F.
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Arthritis (swollen
joints)
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Prolonged or extreme
fatigue
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Skin rashes
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Anemia
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Kidney involvement
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Pain in the chest on
deep breathing (pleurisy)
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Butterfly-shaped
rash across the cheek and nose
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Sun or light
sensitivity (photosensitivity)
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Hair loss
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Abnormal blood
clotting problems
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Raynaud’s
phenomenon (fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold)
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Seizures
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Mouth or nose ulcers
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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Drug-induced
lupus
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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.
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Who
gets lupus?
It is difficult to determine an exact number of lupus cases,
and estimates vary widely.
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Based on the results of
several nationwide telephone surveys, the Lupus
Foundation of America estimates that approximately
1,400,000 Americans have a form of the disease.
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Despite the fact that
lupus can affect men and women of all ages, lupus occurs
10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than
adult males.
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Lupus develops most
often between ages 15 and 44.
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Lupus is two to three
times more common among African Americans, Hispanics,
Asians, and Native Americans.
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Only 10 percent of
people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or
sibling) who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
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Only about 5 percent of
the children born to individuals with lupus will develop
the illness.
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What
causes lupus?
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Lupus is NOT
infectious, rare, or cancerous.
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Researchers do not know
what causes lupus.
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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.
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Some of the factors
that may trigger lupus include infections, antibiotics,
ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain drugs, and
hormones.
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Hormonal factors may
explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than
in males.
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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:
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a person's entire
medical history,
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physical examination,
coupled with
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an analysis of the
results obtained in routine laboratory tests and some
specialized tests related to immune status.
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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.
How
is lupus treated?
For the vast majority of people with lupus, effective
treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and
maintain normal bodily functions.
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Treatment approaches
are based on the specific needs and symptoms of each
person.
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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.
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Medications are often
prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which
organs are involved, and the severity of involvement.
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Commonly prescribed
medications include
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nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
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acetaminophen,
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corticosteroids,
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antimalarials, and
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immunomodulating
drugs.
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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 lupus can look forward to a
normal lifespan.
References:
2001
Lupus Foundation of America.
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Philadelphia
Black Women's Health Project © 2002
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