Lupus Topics

Lupus is a chronic immune system disorder which affects various areas of the body and affects mostly women during the child-bearing years. The disease causes inflammation and affects, especially the joints, skin, blood and kidneys. There is an abundance of evidence that suggests defective genes are, in part, responsible for lupus developing in patients, which leads to the conclusion that there is a predisposition to developing lupus. Researchers have reported that there maybe 40 to 50 genes responsible for lupus, but researchers have not yet identified the genes.

Scientists believe that a person’s genetic predisposition and certain environmental exposure(s), i.e., over-exposure to sunlight, excessive stress, dietary habits, certain prescribed drugs, cigarettes and other chemical exposures can cause a breakdown in the immune system. Certain parts of the immune system continue to work normally, while the impaired area loses its ability to distinguish what is foreign from our own self cells. This breakdown in the immune system leads to an over production of abnormal antibodies (proteins in the blood that the body produces to fight off foreign substances). These abnormal antibodies, called auto-antibodies bind to our self cells and then travel to various areas of the body. The result…a series of immune responses that normally kill bacteria and viruses, then began to react against our self cells and tissue. This can lead to painful joints; disease activity can also lead to damage to the kidneys and sometimes results in an eventual loss of kidney function.

Although lupus primarily affects young women (ages14 to 44), men develop the disease as well; the symptoms are the same as in women. Men represent approximately 10% of the lupus cases. African-American, American-Indian and Asian women tend to develop the disease more frequently. Some sources report 1 in 245 African American women develop lupus, compared to 1 in 500 Caucasian women. African-American women also tend to suffer more severe symptoms and have more lupus complications.

For additional information on Lupus and to learn the five forms of Lupus, click here