Lupus is an uncommon, complex and poorly understood condition that affects many parts of the body and causes many different symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. Some common symptoms of lupus include:
- fatigue
- skin rash
- joint pain and swelling
Autoimmune condition
Lupus is an autoimmune condition, which means that it is caused by problems with the immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection).
In people with lupus, for reasons that are not clearly understood, the immune system starts to attack healthy cells, tissue and organs. As with other more common autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, it is thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are responsible for triggering the onset of lupus in certain people.
Types of lupus
There are several types of lupus. The main types are:
- discoid lupus erythematosus
- drug-induced lupus
- systemic lupus erythematosus
These are briefly outlined below.
Discoid lupus erythematosus
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a mild form of lupus that only affects the skin. It causes symptoms such as:
- red, circular, scaly marks on the skin that can thicken and scar
- hair loss
- permanent bald patches
DLE can usually be successfully controlled using medication and by avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. DLE usually only affects the skin but, in some cases, it can progress to the body’s tissues and and organs (systemic lupus erythematosus – see below).
Drug-induced lupus
There are over 100 medications that are known to cause lupus-like side effects in certain people. Lupus caused by medication is known as drug-induced lupus.
Stopping the course of medication will usually help to resolve the symptoms of drug-induced lupus.
If you are concerned that your medication may be causing lupus-like side effects, discuss the issue with your GP. However, do not suddenly stop taking any prescribed medication without first checking with your GP.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a type of lupus that can affect most of the body’s tissues and organs. SLE is what most people mean when they use the term "lupus".
The rest of this article will focus on SLE.
How common is lupus?
SLE is an uncommon condition, with 90% of cases occurring in women. Most cases of SLE first begin in women who are of childbearing age (between the ages of 15 and 50).
There are marked differences in how widespread SLE is among different ethnic groups. For example, in the UK:
- one in every 5,000 white women will develop SLE
- one in every 1,000 women of Chinese origin will develop SLE
- one in every 625 African Caribbean women will develop SLE
There is currently no cure for SLE, but there are a range of different medications that can help to relieve many of the condition’s symptoms.
Outlook
The outlook for SLE varies widely as the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many people will experience long periods of time with few or no symptoms before suddenly experiencing a sudden flare-up where their symptoms are particularly severe.
However, even mild cases of SLE can have a considerable impact on a person’s quality of life because many of the symptoms, particularly chronic fatigue, can be distressing and cause feelings of depression and anxiety.
With good levels of support from friends, family and healthcare professionals, many people with SLE learn to manage their condition effectively.
SLE can sometimes cause a range of serious complications, such as kidney and heart disease, and the treatment may make a person vulnerable to serious infections. This is why 50 years ago SLE was regarded as a terminal condition, as most people would die of a complication in the first 10 years after being diagnosed.
Thanks to advances in treatments, now most people with SLE have a normal, or near normal, life expectancy.
